Exclusive interview: ALAIN JUPPÉ

Conference with Alain Juppé, former Prime Minister and Member of the Constitutional Council.

Photo credit: Adrien Page

Former Prime Minister and Member of the Constitutional Council,

Alain Juppé, speaking to CSactu on November 4, 2024.

This quote, shared by Alain Juppé during his lecture on Monday November 4, 2024 at HEIP, still resonates in the minds of the students. In a context where democracy is seeking to renew itself, the former Prime Minister offered an inspiring lesson on the collective future and the importance of resilience.

A rewarding event for students

To have had the honor of inviting Alain Juppé to speak before an audience of political science students and others is no mean feat, given the extent to which his career embodies political commitment at the highest level. A former prime minister, mayor of Bordeaux and now a member of the French Constitutional Council, Alain Juppé has been involved in and influenced many key periods and reforms in French political life at pivotal moments in our political history. His experience has given him a deep understanding of the institutions, diplomacy and constitutional issues that shape democracy, and it’s a word he speaks through

A striking teaching approach to institutions and democracy

Throughout the lecture, Alain Juppé captivated his audience with a rare concern for pedagogy, shedding light on the subtle workings of our institutions and the deep-rooted workings of French democracy. In a clear presentation of the missions of the Conseil Constitutionnel, of which he is now a member, the former Prime Minister gave students an invaluable insight into this little-known institution, which is nonetheless a pillar of our rule of law. Using simple words and concrete examples, Mr. Juppé lifted the veil on the mechanisms of a Council which, far more than an arbiter of laws, preserves every day the fundamental principles that cement the Republic.

Far from limiting himself to a technical explanation, Juppé enriched this presentation with a sharp reflection on representative democracy, which he approached from the angle of the ideas of Pierre Rosanvallon, a great thinker of our time. His nuanced presentation explored the tensions and challenges currently shaking this form of governance, faced with the rise of populism and growing mistrust of elected representatives. This lucid yet erudite look at the future of our democracy struck a chord with the students, themselves witnesses and sometimes players in this increasingly fragile relationship between citizens and their representatives.

A striking teaching approach to institutions and democracy

But Mr. Juppé, who is first and foremost a man on the ground, did not fail to point out that politics is not only played out in the upper echelons of power. He delivered a vibrant plea for a politics rooted in reality, a politics that takes root as close as possible to the concerns of citizens. For him, the field remains the school par excellence for commitment, the place where trust is built and solutions are born. Drawing on his experience as mayor of Bordeaux, he described, with the warmth and conviction of someone who knows the realities of local public action, how elected representatives must remain attuned to the expectations of their constituents, building bridges between the ideals of democracy and the concrete needs of society.

Through this journey through institutions, thought and action, Mr. Juppé offered students a moment of introspection and reflection on the very essence of democracy. His words, imbued with wisdom and lucidity, left in everyone’s mind the image of a politics rooted in reality but driven by high aspirations, a valuable lesson for tomorrow’s players in public life.

The man in the field

In the silence of this listening room, Alain Juppé echoed a simple yet powerful message: “Hope is not an option, it’s a necessity. This idea, essential and almost sacred, settled like a promise in the students’ souls, a discreet but implacable reminder that, even in the face of the world’s turmoil, hope remains the ultimate act of courage.

Beyond politics, Alain Juppé outlined a vision of humanity in search of meaning and light. For him, hope is not simply waiting for things to get better. To hope is to act, to move forward in spite of doubt, to believe, even when all seems lost. In this society in search of balance and renewal, hope becomes the guiding North Star, the secret compass of those who still dare to dream of a better world.Drawing on Péguy’s eternal words: “It’s hoping that’s difficult”, Mr. Juppé invited the students not to fear the difficulty of hoping, but to embrace it as a noble challenge, an inner adventure which, though silent, can change the course of things.

Organizing a conference: quite a story!

To ensure the success of the events, which brought together 300 students, it was essential to set up a dedicated team.

Under the direction of CSactu President Alexis Fournet, the event was carefully organized in close partnership with the administration of the host school, HEIP.

Mattéo Pessoa, in charge of conference invitations, is responsible for maintaining close contact with the offices of political figures and managing the team in the field.

Clara Privitera, as Communications Director at Csactu, was responsible for designing all communications materials for the conference and managing the team in the field, with the support of Jade Kouider, Florent Marion and Adrien Page for photography and Timothé Pessoa for video.

Antoine Busson moderated the conference.

Each event was managed with an iron hand by the dynamic team of Zoé Moussaud, Hugo Boulogne, Victor de Labriffe and Clément Le Lendais, all active and committed sports journalists at Csactu and HEIP students. They were in charge of on-site logistics such as registration, seating and security.

Photo credit: Florent Marion

From left to right: Clara Privitera, Clément Le Landais, Victor de Labriffe, Céline Claverie-Directrice HEIP, Antoine Busson, Zoé Moussaud, Jade Kouider, Esther Dupuy, Alexis Fournet, Hugo Boulogne, Mattéo Pessoa

Success thanks to invaluable partnerships

Our special thanks go to HEIP (Hautes Études Internationales et Politiques) and the OMNES Education group for their support in organizing these events, hosting the conferences on their Paris campuses, and distributing our communication on their channels.

Their invaluable partnership and unfailing support have enabled us to offer our students unique learning and exchange opportunities, enriching their academic and professional careers.

The collaboration with OMNES Education has been essential in realizing our ambitious vision. In 2024, CSactu wants to be at the heart of the connection between students and decision-makers, which is why we produced a video with the Group’s President: José Milano, and the President of CSactu: Alexis Fournet.

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