How Should Youth-Focused Public Policies Be Designed?

While 20% of the French population is under 18, youth policies are struggling to provide a clear direction. Between student precariousness, difficulties of professional integration and distrust towards institutions, the urgency of a global strategy is imperative. The “1 youth, 1 solution” plan has enabled 3 million young people to access employment or training since 2020. But this quantitative logic must now incorporate a qualitative dimension : 60% of 18-24 year olds consider their living conditions less favourable than those of previous generations. The priority? Strengthening support towards autonomy. Above all, no policy will be legitimate without directly involving young people in its design. This is what the Rencontres Économiques d'Aix-en-Provence has been focusing on since 2013 with its project «Jeunesse(s)». The 2025 edition marks a new step forward, by fully integrating young citizens into the debates in Aix. Beyond testimonies and the formulation of findings, Jeunesse(s) brings young people closer to the heart of the action and allows them to «make the encounters».