Pierre Fabre sees French contest as part of social responsibilities

French dermo-cosmetic giant Pierre Fabre will continue to promote cultural exchanges between China and France by sponsoring The Pivot Dictation competition, a French language-based spelling championship, in China.

The championship, held in China for the first time through WeChat between Feb 23 and March 1, attracted about 30,000 participants from 250 cities. The participants were all Chinese between 18 and 25, the company said. The final was held at the Swiss Residence on March 20, which is International French Language Day.

"Pierre Fabre is by nature a company of great social responsibility," said Francis Canet, general manager of PF China. "We are more than proud to be able to sponsor this great cultural exchange between the two countries. It is one of our ways to give back to the society to which we are grateful."

Dictation is a traditional academic exercise in France. Bernard Pivot, president of the Academie Goncourt since 2014, writer and host of a TV program about literature, brought back dictation as a popular exercise. The 2016 China event was held as part of the 21st Francophonie Festival through the social media platform - WeChat.

The 29 leading competitors from 17 cities took part in the final at the Swiss Residence last Sunday. All the finalists received gift boxes from the company.

"The first year of The Pivot Dictation gave us a positive and optimistic perspective for the second year, which we believe will attract more participants and will have a bigger influence on promotion of the French language," Canet said. "Pierre Fabre stands by to continue supporting this event."

The company considers the event a big success. It has been an active leader in promoting French language and culture in China in past decades.

"We find the beauty, elegance and delicacy in the French language just like Pierre Fabre, which is in pursuit of health and beauty in life ceaselessly," Canet said.

"What's more, Pierre Fabre is a French company where most of our employees are French-speaking and who have studied or lived in France for a period of their lives. The Sino-French DNA is printed in the company culture."

In 2013, Pierre Fabre supported a scholarship with the French department of Fudan University to encourage talented students to study in France. The company said the scholarship illustrated its willingness to develop innovative programs that foster improved cooperation between the university and business sectors.

More than 15 students have been awarded the scholarship so far and some have received job offers with the company.

Looking forward, the company plans to continue to take on social responsibilities and strengthen ties between China and France.

"Any suitable responsibilities that pop up, we will take on without hesitation and continue to support those cultural events," Canet said.

"If necessary to speak of benefits, Pierre Fabre hopes to attract more French-speaking young talents to join our family and to contribute to our cause of pursuing health and beauty."

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/23/2016 page15)