Parlement des Jeunes

Parlement Francophone des Jeunes 2024

Parlement des Jeunes is a French-speaking youth parliament sponsored by the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF). 

The next Parlement Francophone will take place in Montreal between Thursday 4 and Tuesday 9 July 2024. 

If you are sufficiently fluent in French (both spoken and written) and aged between 18 - 25, then you are eligible to apply.

Application Process 

Candidates will need to provide a written report and CV, by Friday 5 January 2024. 

There are four themes to choose from to include in the report, these are: 

• Committee on Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs: "the fight against precariousness among young people"
  
• Commission des affaires économiques, sociales et environnementales : "la lutte contre la précarité parmi la jeunesse"
  
• Parliamentary Affairs Committee: "the promotion of official and popular uses of the French language in the 21st century" 
  
• Commission des affaires parlementaires : "la promotion des usages officiels et populaires de la langue française au XXIe siècle"
  
• Committee on Education, Culture and Communication: "supervision of the activity of influencers"
  
• Commission de l’éducation, de la culture et de la communication : "l’encadrement de l’activité des influenceurs"
• Political commission: "promote the civic engagement of young people in real life rather than on social networks" 
  
• Commission politique : "favoriser l’engagement civique des jeunes dans la vie réelle plutôt que sur les réseaux sociaux"
  

Candidates will need to write on one of these themes. The report should be no longer than a maximum of 4 sides in length. 

If you are interested in applying, please get in touch with the Deputy Greffier of the States, William Millow on 441079 or email w.millow@gov.je   

Interview Process

A shortlist is then made and you will be interviewed in French to assess your standard of oral French and your general suitability.

The information and selection guide from previous years can be found on the APF website: Information and selection guide on APF website

Interviews will take place week commencing on Monday 15 January 2024. 

What are the rules for entry?

You need to be aged between 18 and 25 and free to travel and take part in the session. 

You need to be able to speak French reasonably well, and be able to read and write in French. 

A final year A-level student or a university student would be suitable. 

You do not need to be academic, but you do need good French.

What will I gain from attending?

The benefits to participants are increased civic and cultural awareness, improvement in French, public speaking experience, and it makes a great addition to your CV. Young representatives come back with significantly improved confidence.

Why go to the Parlement des Jeunes?

It is a fabulous opportunity for anyone studying the French language. Students from across the world, from differing cultures and with very different backgrounds, come together and debate topics which are of interest to everyone.

What is the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF)?

The APF is a parliamentary organisation which has no political agenda but brings together many nations across the world where French is used, including Canada, African countries such as Senegal and Madagascar, Asian countries such as Laos and Vietnam, and Europe.

One of the aims of the APF is to seek closer co-operation amongst different cultures in countries which are wholly or partially French-speaking and it supports initiatives of any kind which help spread the use of the French language.

Who belongs to the APF in Jersey?

All States Members are eligible to be members of the APF. The Jersey Section selects members to attend annual regional meetings, particularly with French-speaking countries in the European region, which helps to improve relationships with countries closer to home. A Jersey States member attends the annual plenary Assembly every 2 years when the Parlement des Jeunes is held (in the same country and at the same time).

Who attends the Parlement des Jeunes?

100 youth representatives come from 50 countries worldwide; one young man and one young woman for each country. Jersey sends the same number of representatives as any other country, despite the fact that we are a small jurisdiction.

What happens at a Parlement des Jeunes?

The delegates split into 4 debating groups and around 4 topics are chosen for the session. The topics vary each time, but in the past have included:

• child soldiers
• working children
• young people and political parties
• the food crisis, the credit crunch, consumerism and the social consequences for young people

In each case the group has to come up with a proposition (debate topic) to put to the main assembly of elected parliamentarians at the end of their deliberations. On the last day, all the young representatives join the parliamentarians in the plenary assembly for a debate.