The City of Saint-Paul-lès-Dax is implementing measures to observe, listen to and empower young people

After Mayor Julien Bazus explained that it was "a continuation of his majority's commitment to an ambitious youth policy", Hélène Deyris, municipal councillor, "taking over" from Delphine Grellier-Léglise, the deputy who resigned for professional reasons, listed "the innovative measures already in place" (participatory budget, mobile library, link factory and structures of the social and solidarity economy).

She then recalled the results of the 2023 social needs analysis, which highlighted the various issues facing young people. She presented the aptly named OMJ, which, as an extension of the Territorial Educational Project (PEDT), will enable us to "better understand the educational and social needs of young people, strengthen the links between school, peri- and extracurricular activities, and encourage the active participation of young people in public policies."

In other words, this new tool dedicated to 13-25 year olds will aim to "encourage young people to express themselves and inform public decisions regarding educational, social, cultural and civic policies."

As an illustration, this was followed by a very relevant presentation by sociologist Amaia Courty, who worked "not on youth, but on the youth of the territory." She explained in particular that young people aged 15 to 29 represent 17% of the population, that there are big differences between cities and the countryside and disparities depending on the social background from which the young person comes.

"The democratization of education is quite segregative," she denounced, "and children from working-class backgrounds are seven times more likely to pursue vocational training than others. This is even more true in our region, which offers few higher education programs."

Engagement Week

The OMJ, which aims to be "scalable and sustainable," will be led by the Youth Service. Frédérique Laporte, its manager, and Céline Badet-Batzer, director of the Citizenship and Community Services division, have outlined how they plan to integrate it with the many initiatives already in place. To leverage the expertise of those working in the field, develop a shared assessment, identify needs, and restore a broader conversation, they will work with youth associations, schools, institutional partners, the You-f festival (debates and concerts), and the Wipsee House of Europe, which will support the program as relay actors.

The schedule includes a period of reflection and framing from September to October, participatory workshops from November to February and a key time for restitution in the spring, during a Week of Engagement.