Wavestone partnered with Les Rencontres Economiques d’Aix-en-Provence

July 12, 2024 · News

In brief :

  • This year again, Wavestone partnered with Les Rencontres Economiques d’Aix-en-Provence, which occurred last weekend. For this 24th edition, over 380 high-level personalities from all backgrounds and locations (business leaders, academics, heads of state and government, trade union representatives, students, actors, etc) debated the major economic, political, and social issues shaking up our world. 
  • This year’s edition was around the theme “Bridging our worlds.” Our CEO, Pascal Imbert, took the stage during the session titled “Youth: Our Futures or No Future?” with Shirmai Chung from Youth Engagement Group, Saïd Hammouche from Fondation Mozaik, and Allan Petre from the NASA, to discuss pressing issues and opportunities facing today’s younger generation. 

The 3 critical topics addressed by our CEO this year

#1 Challenges of being 20 in 2024

  • Climate injustice: Young people feel the weight of climate change impacting their trust in the future.
  • Social mobility: While social mobility exists, it lags behind other OECD countries and significantly trails the pre-millennial generation.
  • Fragmentation of the world: Increasing polarization is a significant concern.
  • Political disillusionment: Particularly in France, there is a sense that politics is failing to address general interests, leaving young people feeling abandoned by political mechanisms.

#2️ The crucial role of companies

  • Businesses need to recruit young talent, with 60% of companies prioritizing this. However, they face challenges in hiring and retaining engaged talents. Companies must reconnect with the youth by providing opportunities like internships, apprenticeships, and building pathways that foster engagement and learning.

#3️ Purpose in work for the new generation

  • Unlike previous generations focused on money and success, today’s youth seeks meaningful work that contributes positively to the common good, especially regarding climate change.

At Wavestone, we welcome 1,000 young professionals annually. They integrate, invest, and build meaningful connections, fostering a collective united by shared values and goals. We believe in making a positive impact together. I like to think they thrive here, and that their experience becomes more than just a job.

Pascal Imbert – CEO

Thank you to all participants and speakers for an inspiring event! For more insights, watch the replay here or read Pascal Imbert’s article on L’Opinion here.