Youth activism in France

High school students in France have been blocking schools since mid-September, supported by teaching unions. They are demanding the replacement of absent teachers and criticizing the poor condition of school facilities.

Reservist expansion and volunteer decline

The executive branch plans to double the number of reservists by 2035. Meanwhile, the associative fabric, traditionally supported by retirees, may struggle due to longer working hours and reduced volunteer participation.

Digital activism and global movements

Engagement among young people often happens online, with digital practices focused on causes that deeply matter. Movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter have raised awareness and led to legal changes, showing the impact of virtual activism.

Shift in engagement styles

Sociologists note a shift from long-term, organization-based engagement to more punctual, need-based participation. This "post-it" engagement contrasts with the earlier "stamp" model of sustained commitment to groups like the Red Cross.

New era of youth engagement

Claire Thoury, sociologist and author of S'engager. How young people mobilize in the face of crises, suggests that this shift does not reflect individualism. Young people are mobilizing around major causes like climate change and equality, seeking concrete and rapid results.

Corporate involvement in civic engagement

Working-age individuals are increasingly engaging through their companies, often through skill sponsorship by HR or CSR programs. This offers a smooth transition to active retirement for seniors and a way for companies to show responsibility.

Diverse forms of engagement

Not all working-age people engage the same way. Some are "forcibly engaged," sacrificing personal time, while others are "ghostly engaged" or "clandestinely engaged," participating without employer knowledge. Companies may become pillars of national resilience in a more challenging world.

Decline in senior volunteerism

Those over 65 are becoming a smaller source of engagement, with participation dropping from 72 % in 2010 to 55 % in 2021. Associative volunteering has declined sharply, from 37 % to 24 % in the same period.

Future of engagement

With the decline of traditional volunteering, AI and reduced working hours could lead to a universal income and a "career of engagement." This future would require better recognition of skills, legal oversight, and extended medical support. If religion returns in times of crisis, charitable engagement may also return with a moral focus.