Nearly a hundred high school students, from the four corners of Aveyron, took part in a full-scale simulation of the Conference of the Parties (COP) on May 12 at Champollion University. An ambitious educational initiative that places youth at the heart of contemporary climate issues.
How to build an international agreement in the face of the climate emergency? How can we reconcile economic interests, social justice and environmental imperatives? To answer these questions, nearly 100 high school students from Aveyron lived an unusual experience: participating in a real simulation of international climate negotiations.
Organized on May 12, 2026 at Champollion University as part of the first departmental high school COP of Aveyron, this immersive day, opened by Claire Chauffour-Rouillard, prefect of Aveyron, Arnaud Vial, president of the council departmental and Anne Faurie-Herbert, Dasen, aroused vocations and strengthened the awakening of committed youth, in the presence of representatives of the mayor of Rodez. The objective: to allow young people to understand the complex mechanisms of major international conferences on the climate, while by developing their critical thinking, their ability to argue and their civic engagement.
An immersion in international negotiations
Taking on the role of state representatives, members of non-governmental organizations, economic players, scientific experts or representatives of civil society, each of the delegations defended with ardor and inventiveness well-argued positions on several major issues. climate challenges. As during the real Conferences of the Parties organized under the aegis of the United Nations, the day alternated between plenary sessions and thematic negotiation workshops devoted in particular to “mitigation” and “adaptation and financing”. Throughout the debates, which were sometimes demanding, the students experienced an essential reality of international negotiations: reaching a common agreement requires dialogue, compromise and listening.
Training the citizens of tomorrow
At the end of the discussions, the delegations adopted a common final text, the result of hours of consultation and collective discussions. Here is a generation of enlightened citizens, capable of understanding the issues.
Contemporary environmental issues and to act responsibly in the face of the challenges of the 21st century. “Finding an agreement between all the countries is extremely difficult, but it is also motivating to see that we can act together,” confided a participant at the end of the day. Encouraged and supported by several local partners, the event grew in scale and solemnity.
Young people committed to the climate challenge
Through this high school COP, Aveyron is betting on an active pedagogy: learning by experimenting, debating to understand, negotiating to build. In a context where climate issues occupy an increasing place in the concerns of young generations, this initiative reminds us that the transition Ecological is also being built in educational establishments. And that the decision-makers of tomorrow are already at work today. Let us say it and rejoice!
