A unique institution in the French university and institutional landscape
The National Foundation Cité internationale universitaire de Paris ensures overall coordination and manages common services, as well as the houses not attached to a country or school. Specific foundations manage the houses directly attached to a country or a school. The Board of Directors of the National Foundation includes five representatives of the College of Presidents of these autonomous foundations. Within the National Foundation, as with the specific foundations, the Chancellery of the Universities of Paris has a special place. All of the Cité internationale’s assets belong to the Universités de Paris, represented by the Chancellery.
A federally-inspired governance
The Cité internationale universitaire de Paris is a private law foundation that was recognised as a public utility by the decree of the 6th of June 1925. It is run by a Board of Directors that is currently presided over by Jean-Marc Sauvé. Managed by a General Delegate, the General Delegation is made to enforce, on the President’s authority, the board of director’s resolutions and ensures conformity to its statues and donations with respect to the Cité internationale’s missions. The National Foundation ensures coordination between the different components of the Cité internationale, notably by enacting the common operating rules and by carrying out development projects or common interest projects. It also ensures the management of 21 houses (including the Fondation Lucien Paye which is a shelter) for which is has the foundation’s responsibility and services.
Specific foundations that are recognised as a public utility manage the 22 houses directly connected to a country or a school. There is also a house managed by a public establishment. They have the full responsibility for the operation and life of their house (budget, admission of residents, organisation), and they have the rights and obligations of property owners, notably the conservation and maintenance of the house. They are managed by their own Board of Directors, chaired personally by the country’s Ambassador, in the case of the country-associated buildings. A director, chosen by the council, is charged with managing the house and executing the council’s decisions.
Bodies for dialogue
The College of Foundations recognised as being of public utility meets at least once a year with the President of the National Foundation and its Delegate General to find out about projects underway at the Cité internationale. It is also the place where the sensitivities, concerns and appreciations of the different states can be expressed. Another body, the directors’ conference, brings together the directors of the houses and services every month to discuss campus life and coordinate joint projects.
The Directors of the houses
All the houses are managed by Directors, usually university professors or diplomatic staff from the countries they represent. They are responsible for the smooth running of their house and for the cultural life of the house. They are the privileged interlocutors of the residents, in whose selection they have participated, and they ensure their good integration and the quality of their academic and personal stay.
The President of the National Foundation
Jean-Marc Sauvé
Jean-Marc Sauvé is the President of the National Foundation of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris. He is also the Honorary Vice-President of the Conseil d’Etat. He was unanimously elected by the Board of Directors on the 20th October 2017.
The Cité internationale is an important tool for the international influence of higher education establishments in all of Île-de-France.
The Board of Directors of the National Foundation
25 MEMBERS, 5 OF WHOM MAKE UP THE BUREAU
The Cité internationale is administered by a Board of Directors, whose first Vice-Chairman is the Rector of the Île-de-France Academic Region, Rector of the Paris Academy, Chancellor of the Universities of Paris and Île-de-France. It has 25 members, 5 of whom make up the Executive Committee.
MAKING SENSE OF THE WORLD
Conceived after the First World War, the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris brings together talented young people from all over the world. By promoting community life, exchanges and understanding of a rich and complex world, it helps to raise awareness and give meaning to the world. The Cité internationale’s commitments are based on 3 pillars: encouraging mobility and access to knowledge for young people from around the world, promoting solidarity and humanist values, and working for a sustainable world.
STRONG VALUES INHERITED FROM HUMANIST FOUNDERS
Cité internationale is a unique campus in the world, with values inherited from exceptional men and women who wanted to help build a peaceful world. Several generations of residents have passed on these values.
