National defence, disinformation, access to employment: over the course of just a few weeks, 200 young people brought together by the Youth Parliament developed collective proposals on issues shaping their world. But what surprised their facilitators was less the content than the process: deep disagreements and debates that never closed off. At a time when the political sphere struggles to embody calm and constructive dialogue, La Fabrique d’Avenir and MACIF explain why they support this initiative, and what it reveals about today’s youth.
Missions Publiques. Juliette Bezier, you are Director of Operations at La Fabrique d’Avenir. This edition introduced a major innovation: territorial anchoring. What did this change concretely in the way young people engaged with the process?
Juliette Bezier (La Fabrique d’Avenir). This third edition took place in four main stage between January and April.
It began with a call for applications. Out of 800 submissions, 200 young people were selected to become “parliamentarians”.
The major innovation this year was its territorial anchoring. Before anything else, the young participants met in person during regional gatherings in 10 cities across France. This was a key moment for meeting one another, building connections, and generating initial ideas.
Then, between mid-February and March, they were divided into eight thematic committees. Over three weeks of online sessions, they worked on the issues that mattered most to them, confronted differing viewpoints, and developed collective proposals. Each committee also met with an expert or professional in the field, which enriched their reflections and opened new perspectives.
The process concluded on 2 and 3 April at the CESE, where the young participants presented their work to representatives from the political, economic, and civil society spheres.
Two other innovations also marked this edition. First, alumni played a key role in facilitating sub-groups within the committees, ensuring continuity with previous editions. Second, the final stage at the CESE was extended by one day, allowing time to finalise the work, prepare presentations, and share key moments together, including an evening at France Télévisions in the presence of its President, Delphine Ernotte.
This energy, along with these innovations, enabled the young participants to produce such a rich output in just a few weeks.
"They were able to confront their viewpoints without closing off the discussion. In a context where public debate is often polarised, it was truly striking to observe.
Juliette Bezier
Director of Operations at La Fabrique d’Avenirr
Missions Publiques. You said this cohort “really surprised” you. What did you not anticipate? And for you, Alban Gonord, Director of Engagement at MACIF, which has supported the Youth Parliament since its launch in 2021 — are you still surprised, or do you now know what to expect?
Juliette Bezier (La Fabrique d’Avenir). This cohort truly surprised us. The young participants spoke extensively about defence, disinformation, and access to employment, concerns that reflect the world in which they are growing up and envisioning their future.
What also struck me was their ability to debate. Opinions were sometimes very different, but discussions always remained open. They were able to confront their viewpoints without closing off the conversation. In a context where public debate is often polarised, this was particularly powerful to observe. They showed that rigorous and reasoned debate is possible.
Alban Gonord (MACIF). This is precisely why MACIF has supported the Youth Parliament since its inception in 2021. It reflects our own values: participatory democracy, social justice, and solidarity.
Young people are often underrepresented in public discourse. This initiative allows us to see first-hand what is emerging among them, far beyond what national surveys show. Here, every voice matters, and by supporting them, we help build a stronger and more complete society.
"“On the role of companies, our conviction is simple: a company does not exist outside society; it is part of it. It has an economic, social, and democratic responsibility.”
Alban Gonord
Director of Engagement at MACIF
Missions Publiques. Supporting young people’s voices also means taking the risk of hearing things that may be uncomfortable. How does MACIF deal with this?
Alban Gonord (MACIF). Our commitment to young people takes several concrete forms: annual studies on addictions with Ipsos, expression platforms such as the Youth Parliament or the “Nouvel Air” music competition, and prevention initiatives such as an escape game on addictions or a project with mentalist Fabien Olicard on the mechanisms of social media.
What these initiatives teach us is the importance of voice and presence. Being there, listening, and creating spaces for expression, those are what make the difference.
On the role of companies, our conviction is simple: a company does not exist outside society; it is part of it. It has an economic, social, and democratic responsibility. For a mutual insurance company like MACIF, this means protecting its members, but also engaging in the ecological and social transitions of our country.
We believe economic actors should, within their proper role, help foster civic awareness. This is what drives us to support projects such as the Youth Parliament, to explore the expectations and political imaginaries of young people, or the Universités de la Terre at UNESCO, to remind us that our future cannot be built without considering climate and nature.
Missions Publiques. The “Permanent Parliament” is based on the idea that momentum does not fade. How do you ensure these young people do not simply disappear after April?
Juliette Bezier (La Fabrique d’Avenir). After the 2023 edition, we realised that we could not stop at the presentation at the CESE. These moments give young people significant momentum and a desire to continue and take their ideas further.
This is how the idea of the Permanent Parliament was born. It allows young parliamentarians to remain involved: turning ideas into concrete projects, engaging with key stakeholders, and deepening their advocacy work. The goal is to give them the means to sustain their engagement over time.
The 2027 presidential election will be an important moment in this regard. It can help amplify their demands and bring new voices into the public debate.
