What we brought back from Aix: ESCP Students reflect on the Rencontres Économiques 2026

Earlier this summer, a group of ESCP students joined the Programme Jeunesse(s) at the Rencontres Économiques d'Aix, contributing to discussions alongside economists, policymakers, business leaders and fellow students from across Europe. Following our article introducing their participation, they have now returned to campus with new perspectives, meaningful connections and a renewed sense of purpose.

Representing a wide range of academic backgrounds and perspectives, the selected participants include:

• Carolina Maria Carra, Bachelor in Management (BSc)
• Ahmed Ali Bedjaoui, Bachelor in Management (BSc)
• Gaspard Botbol, MSc in International Sales Management
• Alexia Kindemba, Executive Master in Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership (EMDEIL)
• Léo Police, graduate of the MSc in International Sustainability Management (2023)
• Irène Sandana, Master in Management (MiM) alumna (2022)

Beyond the keynote speeches and panel discussions, students describe the experience as an opportunity to discover the collective potential of their generation.

Carolina has returned with fresh ideas, new friendships and a renewed confidence in the power of her generation to shape the future.

"I learned a lot from people of my own generation. We are unique, full of resources, projected towards the future and willing to make a difference. This experience made me realise that we already have a lot of power in our hands. Knowing that people like these will help shape tomorrow gives me hope."

Throughout the three-day forum, students engaged with leading international experts on some of today's most pressing economic and societal challenges.

Among the highlights for Carolina was a special session with Nobel Prize-winning economist Philippe Aghion, who argued that curiosity remains the driving force behind innovation.

"Innovation starts with curiosity. As children we naturally ask 'why?' We shouldn't lose that mindset as adults. Curiosity is what enables progress, whether in artificial intelligence, technology or entrepreneurship."

Another memorable discussion featured Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, who explored the challenges facing today's global economy, from private investment and pension systems to youth unemployment and the growing impact of artificial intelligence.

Carolina in a group of young representatives and Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England

The Agoras, interactive forums designed specifically for the Programme Jeunesse(s) participants, also left a lasting impression. Rather than simply listening to experts, students were invited to question, debate and contribute their own ideas.

One message resonated particularly strongly:

"We need to create our own opportunities. Chance is not something that simply happens, it is something we provoke."

For the ESCP delegation, the experience does not end in Aix.

As Carolina explains:

"Experiences like this need a follow-up. I'll bring these conversations into my studies and make sure the ideas don't stay on paper but become part of real progress. I'll also stay connected with the people I met, because from now on, it's our generation that will help shape the world's direction, together."

For Gaspard, it has also been a very instructive experience that started months before it actually took place.

“Indeed, the project started in April when I was paired up in a group with thirty other people from the same youth programme. Since then, we’ve been preparing our workshop topic which resulted in drafts of many ideas, notes and discussions which helped me build my own pitch.
During the Rencontres Economiques, we had the opportunity to discuss the topics we had been working on with many influential figures such as Philippe Aghion, Nicolas Dujourcq, Eric Lombard and Jean Dominique Senard.

Gaspard and Jean-Dominique Senard

Gaspard and Elisabeth Borne

I was also given the opportunity to hold my own Agora, which translates as a place where people used to debate life matters and politics in the ancient Greece, around the theme “Donner vraiment la parole à la jeunesse” alongside Patrick Pouyanné and Elisabeth Borne.

I was really gratefull to be able to carry out the voices of young people who don’t often get the chance to be heard. Therefore, I realised the importance of speaking when given the opportunity because it can sometimes be heard by people who can act on it and make an actual difference.

Today’s youth is raising their voices more and more across the media, in politics and in many other areas but the question is not whether they are heard but whether they are actually being listened to.”

Participating in the Rencontres Économiques d'Aix reflects ESCP's commitment to preparing students not only to understand the world's major challenges, but also to contribute actively to addressing them. By bringing together academic learning, dialogue with decision-makers and peer exchange, the experience reinforces one of the School's core ambitions: empowering responsible leaders ready to make a positive impact on society.