Xavier Darcos

Born July 14, 1947 in Limoges, Haute-Vienne. Mr. Darcos is a member of the University, holder of a 3 rd cycle doctorate in Latin studies from the University of Bordeaux, and a State doctorate in letters and human sciences.

He began his teaching career in September 1968. He first practiced in Périgueux, then he was professor of the higher chair in the khâgne at the Lycée Montaigne in Bordeaux from 1982 to 1987 and at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand. in Paris from 1987 to 1992.

In the meantime, in 1989, Mr. Darcos was elected deputy mayor of Périgueux, then became mayor of Périgueux from 1997 to 2009, senator of the Dordogne from 1998 to 2002, regional councilor of Aquitaine from 2004 to 2011.

Appointed Inspector General of National Education in 1992, from 1993 he held the post of Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of National Education (Mr. François Bayrou), of Education and Culture Advisor to the Prime Minister (M. Alain Juppé, 1995-1997), and Dean of the General Inspectorate of National Education from 1995 to 1998. From 1996 to 1999 and from 2005 to 2007, he was a professor of comparative literature at the University of Paris IV-Sorbonne.

He was appointed in the government of Jean-Pierre Raffarin, in May 2002, Minister for School Education, then, from the 1 st April 2004, Minister Delegate for Cooperation, Development, and Francophony.

On June 15, 2005, Mr. Darcos became Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).

On May 18, 2007, he was appointed Minister of National Education, then Minister of Labor, Social Relations, Family, Solidarity, and the City on June 23, 2009, in the government of Mr. François Fillon, which he leaves March 22, 2010.

He was appointed 9 June 2010 "ambassador, in charge of External Cultural Action of France", it has the mission to create the French Institute, of which he is the first executive President of 1 st January 2011 to 1 st February 2015 Since that date, he has been an “ambassador for the promotion of French abroad”. He also chairs the Sanofi-Espoir Foundation and the Association Défense de la langue française.