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 today’s major environmental and social challenges. Through inspiring and interactive experiences, students will explore themes such as planetary boundaries, climate change and climate adaptation, social inclusion and systems thinking. They will also discover how researchers help us better understand these challenges and contribute to finding solutions.
Day 2 explores how businesses and entrepreneurs are developing innovative responses to today’s environmental and social challenges. Through interactive workshops and collaborative activities, students will discover how circular economy, eco-innovation, biomimicry, and inclusive business can help rethink the way we design products, services, and business models. They will work together to explore practical solutions that create value while benefiting both people and the planet.
Combining teamwork, creativity, and hands-on learning, this day provides participants with practical insights into some of the most promising approaches to sustainability and responsible business.
Day 3 invites students to look towards the future through inspiring testimonials from entrepreneurs and innovators working on climate and social challenges. Participants will discover how technology, entrepreneurship, and social innovation can contribute to positive change. The program concludes with guided discussions and a personal reflection session, encouraging students to connect these inspiring stories with their own interests, values, and aspirations.
By the end of the program, students will have gained a broader understanding of sustainability issues, discovered concrete examples of initiatives and solutions, and reflected on the contribution they might wish to make to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Find out more about the Academic Directors of the program.
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 for this new program are now closed. We invite you to pre-register your interest for future sessions.
- 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.
The program fees for a 3-day Youth Program are €990.
For this first edition of the program, there is a limited number of merit-based scholarships worth €500 and upwards available to highly motivated applicants. Candidates should submit an additional personal statement with their application outlining why they deserve to be awarded such a scholarship.
For more details on what is included in the fees, please consult the Youth Programs Fees page.
