Closing session of the 18th Youth Economic, Social and Environmental Council

©Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna

On Wednesday 7 May, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) hosted the closing session of the 18th Youth CESE in its chambers.

Launched in November 2007, this offshoot of the Principality's Third Assembly was developed thanks to close collaboration with the Department of Education, Youth and Sport (DENJS). Eighteen years after spearheading the creation of the CESE Youth Section, Her Excellency Ms Yvette Lambin Berti attended the session as patron, marking a significant milestone in CESE's history.

Based on voluntary participation, the Youth CESE allows students of all nationalities enrolled at the Albert 1er, François d'Assise-Nicolas Barré and Rainier III secondary schools to include their voices in the public debate. More than 580 secondary school students took part in this initiative. Throughout the past year, the 39 young Councillors participating in this year's edition had the opportunity to meet with public and private sector stakeholders in the Principality to gather the information they needed to draft their projects. They also learned about the inner workings of public governance.

The projects were presented under the joint authority of Caroline Rougaignon-Vernin, President of CESE, and Her Excellency Yvette Lambin Berti, Secretary of State, in the presence of Thierry Lera, Vice-President of CESE, Jean-Philippe Vinci, Director of the Department of Education, Youth and Sports, as well as school principals and teachers.

During this session, four motions were approved:

• Motion No. 2025-72 to reduce light pollution in the Monaco railway station passageways (Lycée Rainier III).
• Motion No. 2025-73 to introduce first aid training in the Principality of Monaco’s secondary schools (Lycée Albert 1er);
• Motion No. 2025-74 to organise charity days associated with MonaBike bicycles in the Principality of Monaco (Lycée Albert 1er);
• Motion No. 2025-75 to organise a ‘Smart Water Day’ in the Principality of Monaco (FANB High School)

These motions will soon be forwarded to the relevant authorities. The young councillors of this 18th edition undoubtedly hope to achieve the same success some of their youth CESE predecessors did through proposals such as the City Stade sports complex on the fishermen's esplanade, the rain garden trial on the Charles III site and the organisation of employment networking events to bring students and professionals together.

©Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna