News

A survey gauging the sentiments of young people in Nyon and the surrounding region informing today's Et Maintenant forum at UNI head office suggests they are prepared to engage in creating a better society given the opportunity but also feel an element of resignation.

The report published by the Haute Ecole de Gestion de Genève is entitled “Les jeunes lémaniques, indignés, résignés, ou passionnés?” or “Are the young people of the Léman region indignant, resigned, or passionate?”

What’s Next? was launched in 2010 by UNI, the municipality of Nyon and Bilan Magazine. The aim of this the third edition is find out what young people think and how they can be supported and given the opportunity to better engage in society. The forum will be the chance to meet Ellen Sprunger, Olympic athlete and other young inspirational people from the region and to draw on their experiences of leadership and success.



· The results of the report will be discussed at the What’s Next? forum



· The study shows young people in the region are concerned and waiting for a trigger to engage more fully in the community

UNI Global Union General Secretary, Philip Jennings said, “The report sounds the alarm, but also contains many important and positive elements. For example it shows that more than fifty percent of those surveyed asked have already demonstrated on the streets. Now, it is up to us to show that we are contemporary and open so that these young people can engage more.”

Daniel Rossellat, mayor of the city of Nyon, said, “The report is a kind snap shot of these young people at a precise moment. During the forum we will be able to go much deeper.” Discussing the results of the survey he added, “The crisis has touched everyone and though these young people are at heart of this enquiry it would interesting to ask the same questions of the adult population. Nevertheless, this report is a very inspiring source into how we can evolve our city.”

Stéphane Benoit-Godet, editor-in-chief of the Bilan Magazine said, “What I find interesting is that the report shows that young people here don’t have a wish to go and work abroad. They say they want to stay here; work here. It is then up to the political leadership to take measures to make it possible for them to do so.”



Tobias Clerc from HEG, who carried out the survey, added “The study reveals young people wish to be in a more collective less individualistic society. The elements that were most important to them were security, employment, and the green spaces around the city.”

For more information on What’s Next? and the report see www.etmaintenant.ch