[RDVC] : What will the post-covid world be like ?

The TBS student association "Les Rendez-Vous du Changement" (RDVC) had the pleasure of organising a round-table discussion on 21st January, 2021

On this occasion, RDVC had the honour of hosting seven representatives of political party youth movements (PS, LREM, EELV, MODEM, RN, LR, and LFI). Each presented their vision of the world after the Covid-19 crisis.  

Guillaume De Almeida Chaves, (Socialist Party)

The next world must be built primarily for young people. It will also have to do more to combat violence against women, and an ecological plan must be implemented to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future. Social justice and environmental justice cannot be separated.

Humanism, ecology, socialism, universalism and feminism must be the guiding thread.  

Rémy Sébastia (representing Jeunes Écologistes Toulouse)

Covid-19 is a result of the destruction of natural environments, which creates conditions favourable to the transmission of viruses. Thus, to avoid another pandemic, the transition to a more resilient and protective post-pandemic world must be accelerated. The next world will be a post-growth society one in which the limits of the planet will have to be considered, and well-being - rather than material wealth - will have to take precedence.

This next world will not be created overnight. It will require adherence by a maximum of citizens and will require convincing as well as standing together.

Florian Delrieu (Les Jeunes avec Macron branch of La République En Marche)

The next world will be organised around three pillars: a more progressive society – which allows us to believe in science, a more just society - where the principles of our republic are reinforced, and finally a more resilient society - of which a recovery plan is the first step.

It is essential to keep in mind that our commitment can only be made at the European level.

David Montassier  (co-referent of Génération Nation for the Haute-Garonne department)

To meet this uncertain future, David emphasised the need to save SMEs and VSEs by supporting their directors. He then recommends freezing, or even lowering, borrowing rates and to bring back the "Made in France" mentality to return to a healthy economy. David concluded with what he considers to be the most pertinent of questions:

Are we going to try to go back to the world before, or are we going to try to build a new world?

Nina Ochoa (Les Républicains)
Nina had a different take on the ”world-after” than that of other members participating in the debate. As a young person, she doesn’t place herself on a global or European scale, but on a local scale. In fact, she emphasises the importance of local and regional authorities and the significant roles they will have to play both in setting up local distribution networks and reevaluating and increasing the training programmes for young people in this new world.

Setting up local distribution networks and accelerating the training of young people.

Hugo Granger (La France Insoumise)
The Covid-19 pandemic is nothing more than one more crisis amongst many in a capitalist system that is running out of steam. It can’t be the basis of the start of a new world. For Hugo, tomorrow's world could be shaped by the policies of La France Insoumise, which proposes solutions to respond to urgent economic, social, democratic, and environmental needs.

The project will not stand alone. It will be up to the rebels to make this world come alive!

We would like to thank all the speakers, as well as the many people who attended this debate on Zoom or Facebook live.

We invite you to go to the "Les Rendez-Vous du Changement" Facebook page to watch, or re-watch, this Round Table discussion.