The French national students competition “La Parole aux étudiants”

The “Rencontres Économiques d’Aix-en-Provence” bring together researchers, renowned intellectuals, politicians as well as leaders from business and international institutions from all over the world in order to examine the future challenges and the contours of new policies imposed by the situation of the global economy. Les  Rencontres have always been concerned with the economic, political, environmental and social situation at home and abroad: it was high time to let the young generation take the floor.

This is why in 2013 the “Cercle des économistes”, designer and organizer of the Rencontres Economiques d’Aix-en-Provence, decided to launch in co-production with France-Culture, the “Students, Speak Up!” competition on the theme “Invent 2020”.

Given the success and relevance of the remarks made by these young people who brought a second wind to these meetings, it was decided to pursue this initiative.

In 2014, the second edition on the theme “Invest in the Future” helped hundreds of students aged 18 to 28 of all university curricula, to reiterate forcefully their ideas and wishes for their future.

One hundred of them were chosen by the Cercle des économistes to participate in the 15th Rencontres Economiques. Five winners selected by a jury chaired by Erik Orsenna will receive a grant of 1000 euros each. A group of students whose essays echo the theme of the 15^th Rencontres Economiques will organize the student sessions on the Friday morning 3rd of July. They will also participate in the sessions of the Rencontres Économiques d’Aix-en-Provence.