Judith Litvin
Since graduating from the University of Aix-Marseille, Zineb Doudane, 21, has only done one thing: chain babysitting lessons together. A boost to finance a return trip by TGV to Paris and some hotel accommodation to attend the “Summer Diplomatic Academy” organized by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs from 4th to 8th July. This law student is one of 150 young people selected from 600 candidates to attend this second-year seminar, reserved for scholarship holders.
“Archimotivated”, Zineb has already attended a seminar at the Institute for Advanced National Defense Studies (IHEDN), completed an internship at the Senate, another at the Maison de l’Europe, another with a lawyer specializing in immigration law, and is doing community service in a mentoring association for neighborhood youth . “My dream job is Orient Manager on the Quai d’Orsay. »
Job presentations, competitions, diplomatic matters, protocols, the role of embassies… The Quai d’Orsay is used to holding this type of conference for students of the ENA or the Institute of Political Studies. The audience here consists mainly of university licences, evolving well beyond the spheres of the grandes écoles.
More women and fewer “Parisian” profiles
The promotion aims to raise awareness of these little-known careers, which are often perceived as elitist or inaccessible. “The goal is to break down the stereotypes, the false images that cling to our skin,” explains Caroline Ferrari, deputy secretary general of the ministry. And in particular that of “Ferrero” diplomacy. “A lot of young people stop coming to us because they think they don’t have the codes. These codes are not insurmountable,” estimates Agnès Romatet-Spain, HRD at the ministry.
Long reserved for the children of the aristocracy, the Quai d’Orsay readily admits that it needs to widen its breeding ground to welcome more diversity, albeit more women and fewer ‘Parisian’ profiles. For Christian Lequesne, professor of political science, it’s not just about communication or image, but about “legitimacy” in the eyes of the country, as it is for all senior officials. But also to do their job better. “Diplomats must have an analysis of societal problems and not just what is happening in the state apparatus. The more you broaden your base, the more likely you are to have officials who understand society in all its complexities. »
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