“L'Institut de l’Engagement was founded in the wake of civic service, based on the observation that this experience of engagement for others allows young people to transform and reveal talents that had previously been overlooked by the traditional education system,” explains Oriane Penny-Lepastier.
Each year, the Institut de l'Engagement supports just over 1,600 young people through its various programs, helping them access employment, return to training, resume studies, or create activities, totaling more than 7,000 “graduates” since its inception in 2012.
These young people are supported for a year on their projects, both individually and collectively, which is particularly manifested through the engagement universities, which are in-person events lasting several days where they can meet personalities, artists, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and representatives from institutions.
The Institute also offers, through its mentoring program, to connect young people with professionals, especially in partner companies.
Today, the issue of engagement responds to a strong demand from young people. “This means that in a world in crisis, the overwhelming majority of young people, about 8 out of 10, say they are ready to engage for causes that matter to them. So this is extremely positive, and it is important that we can respond to this, also to strengthen social cohesion and trust between different generations, and between young people and institutions,” explains Oriane Penny-Lepastier.
“L'Institut was created based on the conviction that this engagement, this force, this spark that motivates young people to go further, to give their time and energy for a cause, also allows them to transform. And this is one of the few subjects that is open to all young people, whether they have a vocational diploma or have attended Polytechnique; they can give time for others. And so it is a powerful driver in terms of equal opportunities.”
“And that is why the Institute was created, to use this lever to strengthen equal opportunities, particularly in access to higher education. For us, it is a real way to revolutionize access to higher education based on different qualities than those that may have been developed in the education system.”
