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http://afatl.com/EventListing.htm

October 2009

Conference/ Forum

Save the Date: "Taking the TGV into the future: A High Speed Rail conversation with France, Georgia and Beyond"

On behalf of the Alliance Française d’Atlanta, I wish to extend an invitation to you to participate in our upcoming forum:

“Taking the TGV into the future: A High Speed Rail conversation with France, Georgia and Beyond” to be held in Atlanta, Georgia October 13th, 14th.

This event is coordinated by the Alliance Française d’Atlanta, Marta, members of the French comunity and the Center for International Business Education and Research at The Georgia Institute of Technology.

The event will consist of an opening social reception and a series of speakers who will address the impact of the high speed train in terms of it’s effect on urban and regional planning, energy and environmental policy, social and cultural impact, as well as innovations in technological and industrial partnerships. It will be held Marta's Lindbergh Headquarters and at the Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center, 250 14th St. N.W.

We anticipate an audience comprised of leaders from the business community, grassroots community based organizations, academia and local policy makers and political leaders.

We are currently seeking speakers, sponsors and partners for what we know will be a unique, exciting event bringing to Atlanta a vital dialogue on transportation possibilities.

For more information about the event, please contact our President, Dr. Andre Teissier du Cros. Interviews with Andre Teissier du Cros may be arranged by Peri Frances, Director of Marketing at 404-898-1227, or communication@....

Why now?

ecause the new U. S. Administration has listed passenger rail as one priority area for massive investment to re-prime the economy while preparing the US for a world of high cost energy and heavy environmental constraints. The French and European experience would seem to support that its time has come for the U.S. California has voted to accept more State taxes to finance a San Francisco – LA High Speed Train. Georgia is engaged in lively discussions searching for solutions for its transportation crisis. However, for decades, the US culture and experience both drove transportation away from rail and towards air and motorways.

Why you should attend:

Because the Atlanta High Speed Rail Forum will be a discussion on all the pros and cons of High Speed Trains and Mass Rail Transits. It will gather experts and decision-makers and concerned citizens from both sides of the Atlantic to go to the core of the debate between France, Georgia and nationwide. This is a unique opportunity for you to hear all the facts and engage in the debate.

How it will work.

The Alliance Française of Atlanta, in connection with the French-American Community and numerous regional organizations, is pleased to announce its first of a new kind of cross-cultural event exploring the intersection of lifestyle/cultural changes and economic/political challenges. This first event, which is dedicated to “Taking the TGV into the future: A High Speed Rail conversation with France, Georgia and Beyond”, (TGV or “High Speed Train/HST”), explores the restructuring of European transport, lifestyle and sustainable development since 1980. This forum is at the crossroads of economy and culture, general policies and public decisions. It aims to illustrate how technological innovations combined with a long term commitment have progressively reshaped the way of life and become integrated into culture; thus contributing to sustainable development, and creating multiple opportunities. From its origins in Japan and France, this phenomenon is progressively expanding into Western Europe and is now contributing to urban/regional planning & development in Asia, notably in Korea and China.

Why here?

The TGV/HST as such may not be the first priority of Georgia or the South East Region. However, it is of note that Atlanta was founded in 1837 as the Terminal of the railroad coming from the North East. Today the Atlanta Airport could be the terminus for the revival of this major corridor. Beyond this example, the aim of the forum is to analyze and illustrate what could be the contribution of a modern train network, long haul (TGV/HST), regional and/or metropolitan as a structuring factor and a part of a new sustainable culture.

What you can gain from this Forum.

The country in general and Georgia in particular are currently engaged in major introspections about our development policies, our economy and in particular our cultural patterns in relationship to energy and transportation. Such an evolution calls for major flows of investment, and challenges many ingrained habits and preconceived notions. It will generate discussions and perhaps some controversy. But it calls also for more information, analysis and long term visions: TGV/HST is not only a transportation mode, but the framework which reshapes our relationship with sustainable development and energy efficiency, regional and urban planning, time and commuting, and ease of communications.

The “Taking the TGV into the future: A High Speed Rail conversation with France, Georgia and Beyond” Forum will contribute to this momentum, by analyzing all aspects of the “TGV case” and fostering exchange of experience and ideas between decision makers and citizens of Georgia and their global counterparts in France and other places. It is already generating contribution and input from many players, with speakers from both sides of the Atlantic and an expected audience of more than 300 people.

Whatever your perception is today of the whole transportation issue, you will come out of this Forum having contributed to a new perspective for yourself, your community, your region, and the world.