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Abu Dhabi: Getting French people together is an achievement by itself as they are very individualistic, said Jean-Francois Coupaud, President, the Abu Dhabi Chapter of Union des Français de l'Etranger or the Association of French Citizens Abroad.
"It was a bit difficult to have a social organisation. But we succeeded to break that barrier and our united efforts made it possible for various achievements for French expatriates," he said.
"We are said to be individualistic because of our obsession with our language," said François Kessler, who has been an active member of the Association since she reached Abu Dhabi in 1980.
"We don't like speaking in other languages like English, so we may not mix easily with other communities," she said. Her husband, François Kessler, said their association with the organisation made their social life "wonderful" during their 16 years in Abu Dhabi.
"We made many new friends and enjoyed the regular activities of the association, charities, regular gatherings and barbecues on the beach," said (Mrs) François Kessler. Although she and her husband reached Abu Dhabi in 1980, they left the UAE at the end of the 1980's and came back again in the 1990's.
They remember the time when expatriate Maryse Laurenti took the initiative to form the Abu Dhabi chapter of Union des Francais de l'Etranger (UFE) in the 1980's.
The French community was a small group then, said (Mrs) François Kessler.
"Most were working with oil companies or were advocates, doctors and banking professionals. The profile of French expatriates hasn't changed much," said (Mr) Kessler.
The chapter was inactive since the late 1980's but was re-launched in 1995.
Laurenti, who founded the Abu Dhabi chapter, is still active with the organisation and serves as the honourary president and an elected councillor at the Assemblée des Français de l'Étranger, which is an official body of expatriates recognised by the French government.
Coupaud said apart from the privileges gained from the French government at the behest of UFE, the support extended by the association to its members was remarkable. The French government recently accepted UFE's two major demands recently. In September 2007, the government granted free education for French children living abroad, and in 2008 the attribution of 12 seats in the Parliament. Also, 12 seats in the Senate were granted in 1948.
The members consider the association as a part of their life because it always acts as a friend in need, said Coupaud. Worldwide, UFE provides its members - free of charge - assistance in case of financial distress, accidental death, or other misfortunes. It can also grant interest-free loans to needy families to help them face temporary difficulties.
"Many French nationals are married to other nationals who find it difficult to deal with French government machinery because of language problem, but we always help them. Newcomers receive guidance on local laws and culture," said Coupaud.
During anniversary celebrations in 2005, the winner of an expensive car from a raffle draw donated it to charity. The raffle itself was conducted to support Future Centre, Abu Dhabi, the rehabilitation school for children with special needs. About Dh40,000, generated from a gala dinner, was also donated to the centre.
"Our motto is 'with UFE, no French National is alone abroad'. With our charitable activities, we also make sure that people in need are also not alone," said Coupaud.
We made many new friends and enjoyed the regular
Life abroad: Support network
- The Union des Français de l'Étranger (Association of French Citizens Abroad) is an 80-year-old organisation.
- Founded in 1927 by an expatriate journalist, it was officially recognised by the French Government in 1936 as the official Association of French Expatriates.
- In 1948, at the behest of UFE, Conseil Supérieur des Français de l'Etranger was formed with 12 seats in the Senate to represent French expats.
- At UFE's initiative in 1965, Caisse des Français de l'Étranger was constituted, which enables the French expatriates to maintain their Health and Social Security cover.
- Recently, two of UFE's major demands were met. In September 2007, the government granted free education for French children living abroad and in 2008 attributed 12 seats to them in the Parliament.
- The motto of the Union des Français de l'Étranger is: With UFE, no French national is alone abroad'.
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