Climate and Social Sustainability Climate and Social Sustainability
This immersive experience, taught entirely in English, offers an introduction to some of the major environmental and social challenges shaping today’s world. Through interactive sessions, discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will explore how sustainability is influencing business, innovation, and society.
YOUTH PROGRAM 15 - 18 YRS
Climate change, resource scarcity, biodiversity loss, and social inequalities are increasingly influencing the way we live, work, and do business. This 3-day systems leadership program gives high school students the opportunity to better understand these challenges and discover some of the ideas and initiatives emerging in response. The program reflects HEC Paris’ commitment to sustainability and responsible leadership.
Through workshops, talks, collaborative activities, and personal reflection exercises, participants will be introduced to key sustainability concepts in an engaging and accessible way.
The 3-day program will be structured as follows:
Day 1 focuses on understanding the broader context of today’s environmental and social transitions. Students will explore themes such as planetary boundaries, systems thinking, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world through immersive and interactive experiences.
Day 2 introduces a range of emerging business and innovation models, including low-carbon, regenerative, and more inclusive approaches. Participants will discover how organisations and entrepreneurs are experimenting with new ways of creating value.
Day 3 encourages students to reflect on their own interests, values, and aspirations through inspiring testimonials and guided discussions. The program concludes with a personal development session.
By the end of the program, students will have gained a broader understanding of sustainability issues, discovered concrete examples of initiatives and solutions, and had the opportunity to reflect on the leadership role they might wish to play in the future.
The first edition of this program will be held 15 - 17 July on the HEC Paris campus. The program consists of 18 hours of instruction spread over 3 days of in-person classes.
SCHEDULE
- Day 1: 9.30am - 5pm (check-in from 9am)
- Day 2: 9.30am - 5pm
- Day 3: 9.30am - 6pm
Students who participate fully in this 3-day program will earn an HEC Paris Certificate of Participation. Any feedback will be given uniquely during the program.
Our Youth Programs are all non-residential. Participants will need to organize their own transport to and from the campus and their accommodation if needed. Please note that French hotels require guests under the age of 18 to be accompanied by an adult.
To make it easier to reach campus, we recommend staying at hotels near Versailles rather than in Paris.
Applications will be opening shortly. Please send an email to admissionsummerschool@hec.fr to signal your interest. We will keep you informed when applications open.
- Understand the major environmental and social transitions shaping today’s world, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality.
- Explore systems thinking, planetary boundaries, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world through immersive learning.
- Discover innovative low carbon, regenerative, and inclusive business models that demonstrate new ways of creating value.
- Reflect on personal values, interests, and aspirations to identify the kind of sustainability oriented leadership students may wish to embody.
- Engage in workshops, discussions, and collaborative activities with like-minded peers from around the world to build awareness, critical thinking, and a sense of agency around sustainability challenges.
- Experience learning with HEC Paris, a world-leading business school
- Expand your network through peer connections
- Enhance and learn life skills that are applicable immediately
The program is designed for motivated 15 to 18-year-old students with a level C1 proficiency or above in English who are seeking to explore how sustainability is influencing business, innovation, and society and gain insights that will shape their future leadership roles.
For non-native speakers, demonstration of proficiency in English is required for attendance. Please submit a recognized English language proficiency test score report (TOEFL or TOEIC or IELTS or Cambridge or Duolingo English Test) or a letter of recommendation from your English teacher, indicating your CEFR level overall and specifically in Speaking and Listening.
Programs are filled on a rolling basis for eligible candidates according to motivation.
Please note that this is a non-residential program and participants are responsible for organizing their own transport and accommodation.
