131 young people gathered around the values of the Republic

An emotion-filled ceremony for the dignitaries, who were impressed by the commitment of these young people. This emotion was also shared by the trainees, who discovered new horizons, whether in terms of territories, people, activities, or commitment.

1,350 YOUNG PEOPLE IN 2024

In Var in 2023, 486 young volunteers completed their cohesion stay and 750 young Varois completed their cohesion stay in another department. In 2024, 1,350 young people were welcomed, including 1,000 on voluntary cohesion stays and 350 in "classes engagées" (committed classes). "The SNU is a social project aimed at promoting a sense of national cohesion around common values, involving French youth more in the life of the Nation, making them aware of the challenges of national defense and security, and developing a culture of commitment. The goal is to offer them an inclusive and universal adventure to give young people the keys to their common future," points out Serge Venet. He adds: "The first phase is organized around a two-week cohesion stay in collective accommodation, designed as an educational and opening time allowing the concrete implementation of citizenship, cohesion, and autonomy in contact with young people from diverse backgrounds." In practice, the participants represent the diversity of youth. For example, they are enrolled in general, technological, professional, or agricultural pathways. Others are school dropouts, registered with Missions locales, or following an apprenticeship. Some have disabilities. And all of them grew up and live in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Following this first phase, the young volunteers choose a mission d’intérêt général (MIG) lasting two weeks to be carried out during the year. At the end of this mission, the young volunteers can commit to a longer period in a volunteering program (Service civique, Réserve civique, Jeunes Sapeurs-Pompiers, Réserves des Armées, Gendarmerie nationale, Police nationale, and Corps européen de solidarité).

COMMITTED CLASSES

Since the start of the 2023 school year, a "Classe engagée" (committed class) label has supported and promoted the dynamic efforts of many schools to foster civic engagement. It involves the participation of students in their second year of high school (seconde) and first year of CAP in an SNU cohesion stay during school hours. In Var, 6 high schools have committed to this approach (Lycée professionnel des métiers de Claret, Lycée polyvalent Rouvière in Toulon, Lycée polyvalent Val d’Argens in Le Muy, Lycée professionnel Léon Blum in Draguignan, Lycée polyvalent Maurice Janetti in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, and Lycée Golf-Hotel in Hyères). The "classe engagée" label concerns 9 classes and 243 students. •