A resourceful Monegasque youth

Ah, young people... they said. In the Principality, they are full of ideas. And they are committed to their country. For several months, within the framework of the National Youth Council, the future of Monaco—perhaps the national councilors of tomorrow—has been working on a vast but oh-so-fundamental subject for young people: attractiveness. "If there is an age to vote, or to stand as a candidate, there is no age to dream, to create, to bring new ideas, and even less to serve our country ," declared National Council President Thomas Brezzo in his introduction.

In turn, during the closing session of the National Youth Council last Thursday, the ten teenagers – in a climate of mutual listening – vigorously supported their projects, in a predominantly female chamber (nine girls for one boy). This is rare enough to be highlighted. Ideas that would be concretely "applicable" , according to Thomas Brezzo.

And it is Lou Nardi, 14 years old, the youngest, in third year at the Charles-III college who confidently introduces the debates, in the role of rapporteur of the text. "As young people, attractiveness is a subject that attracts us [...] We have noticed that the Principality has many unique assets, recognized by the young people here. However, certain aspects should be improved. We note a gap between the existing cultural offer and what we, young people, expect. The offer is limited and no longer meets the needs of young people, who sometimes look for activities outside the Principality" , she continues. "Our report of intent is divided into two main parts, the first to make Monaco more accessible and attractive to young people, the other to follow, attract and keep talent in the Principality" , continues Mahaut Vanony, in her final year at the Albert-Ier high school, letting the ideas flow.

Offer a quality but less "elitist" nightlife

For Tara Eastwood, a senior at Lycée Albert-Ier, the establishment and development of festivals in the Principality could help keep young people in their region. "My idea is to make music more attractive. It would be interesting to organize festivals every year to strengthen Monaco's image in this field and to showcase it on the international music scene. We could imagine transforming the MC Summer Concert into an open-air festival, like Coachella or Primavera Sound," she says, before elaborating. "It could take place over several days and at Port-Hercule, under the Fontvieille marquee, or even at the Louis-II. With a lineup composed of renowned and emerging artists, in different styles [...] to offer local and international youth a quality nightlife, in a safe but less elitist setting."

Selma Terbeche, also a senior at the Lycée Albert-Ier, suggests making museums free on Sundays. "Monaco has an exceptional cultural heritage, but they are not always frequented by young people or families. I suggest making them free every Sunday, like in Paris [some museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, editor's note] because it's the only day when families have time to spend together. We could organize special activities for young people. It's not a spectacular idea, but it's feasible, and it's a simple, useful, and humane idea to improve our daily lives."

An "observatory of the jobs of tomorrow"

Another initiative for attractiveness is that of "cyber-reputation." Anaïs Malgherini, 18, in her final year at the Lycée Albert-Ier, explains: "Why wouldn't Monaco be the next stage for content creators? By offering them the opportunity to create original formats in emblematic locations of the Principality? Like Inoxtag on the Champs-Élysées. It would be a unique concept to promote heritage in a modern way. We could even imagine a Monegasque-style content creation competition. To position the Principality as a cultural and digital crossroads, combining prestige and modernity," she argues, before giving way to the only male member of this group, Nelson Julien. Working on the second part of the report, the one to "attract and retain talent in the Principality," the first-year high school student at FANB proposes the creation of a "Monegasque observatory of the jobs of tomorrow."

"To identify promising sectors for the benefit of young people and adapt training accordingly," he said. The junior national councillor would also like to set up a Monegasque innovation competition to "attract talent."

Food for thought for their senior counterparts

For her part, Chanel Gozes-Brezzo is calling for the creation of a job forum... for scholarship students in the Principality, and a free public academic support center open to all students in Monaco. "Success will be accessible to all. Through a concrete and sustainable program, we are investing in our youth."

Unsurprisingly, following the debates and the rapporteur's summary of the text, the report was unanimously adopted. This may provide new food for thought for the senior National Councillors...

"We will examine your solutions carefully and defend those that have the best chance of success," assured National Councillor Mathilde Leclerc to conclude this session. The elected official, who supervised these junior councillors throughout the last few months, recalled that the ban on disposable electronic cigarettes (puffs) and the introduction of work placements in second-year classes were the result of the work of previous classes of the National Youth Council.