Jean-Michel Quillardet (PhD in literature), a well-known lawyer and long-term member of the FEDE’s Academic Council, has just published his latest work at Editions Dervy. Pour un humanisme universel : Force, beauté et sagesse de la république laïque [Universal Humanism: the Strength, Beauty and Wisdom of the Secular Republic] is both profound and accessible, arguing that humanism is as relevant today as it ever was. For the author, 21st-century humanism means inscribing ourselves in a history and an intellectual heritage and, on the basis of these traditions, contributing to the development of a social project. In an increasingly dehumanised world in which mass crimes are committed before our very eyes, the humanist project – a form of optimism based on faith in humankind’s natural capacities – is as pressing as ever. 21st-century [lire plus]

Rector of the Vasile Goldiş University (UVVG) in Arad, Romania, Coralia Cotoraci is a medical professional and renowned teacher. She has just joined the FEDE’s Academic Council. In addition to a PhD (thesis title ‘Morphological and Evolving Clinical Aspects of Myelodysplastic Syndromes’), Coralia Cotoraci also has a master’s in psychology and psychotherapy. Well known in the medical sector in Romania, she specialises in internal medicine (haematology) and teaches haematology, bioethics and medical ethics at the faculties of medicine, pharmacy and dental surgery of the University of Arad. A participant in numerous international research projects, Coralia Cotoraci has completed her professional profile with experience in team and general management. She currently heads the haematology department of the Arad Regional Emergency Hospital, where she manages a large team of medical and administrative [lire plus]

Cathy Leblanc has a PhD and post-doctoral degree in philosophy. In addition to teaching at Lille-3 University, she is also a musician. A proud new addition to the FEDE’s Academic Council! Can you tell us more about your studies? I have a DEUG, a bachelor’s, a master’s and a DEA in English (Lille-3 University, 2001). I also have a bachelor’s and master’s in philosophy (Lille-3 University, 1997). I obtained my thesis (2007) and post-doctoral degree in philosophy (2009) at the Institut Catholique, Paris. What have been the highlights of your career? I have been teaching British civilisation at Lille-3 University since 1998. I initially worked with musicology students (I taught in English on Shakespeare and music), then economics and management students (globalisation) and history students (civilisation: invasions, the British constitution, [lire plus]

The FEDE is delighted to count the lawyer Victor Towo Kamga amongst the members of its Academic Council. A senior staff member at the French Directorate General of Public Finances, Victor Towo Kamga will provide the FEDE’s existing experts with specialist knowledge on African issues, public finance and law. What and where did you study? In September 1993 I obtained an advanced degree (French DEA) in contentious law, graduating top of my year. In 2005 I completed a PhD in law at the University of Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne. Since then I have not stopped learning: on 5 December 2013, after undergoing the necessary professional ethics review in Paris, I obtained a professional lawyer’s certificate and was sworn in by the Bar of Beauvais. What have been the highlights of your career? As temporary [lire plus]