The first to establish a social and environmental responsibility (SER) department, Sciences Po Rennes leads several initiatives for staff and students.
Establishment of a social and environmental responsibility (SER) department
Sciences Po Rennes was the first institute of political science to establish an SER department. Since 2020, a range of measures has been implemented:
- A thermal renovation and reduced mobility access plan for on-campus premises
- Courses on climate and environmental issues
- Measures to prevent gender-based and sexual violence
- An equal opportunity plan (with access widened to 1,000 students).
- Measures to prevent psychosocial risks
- A gender equality plan
A welcome program for asylum seekers that includes French classes and employment search support.
Giving young people a voice
Young people today are on the front lines of current and future crises. Giving young people a voice and developing their ability to act and make a commitment is a core objective at Sciences Po Rennes.Our institute is a co-founder of the “Our Futures” festival sponsored by the Champs Libres cultural center and newspaper Le Monde. General and vocational high school pupils, post-secondary students and young professionals are given free rein to organize an event based on a pivotal question. The first festival looked at what kind of sustainable and caring society we should build together.
“As young people, we continue to hope that people will hear the wishes of a generation that since its birth has carried the immense burden of ‘taking the helm’. That we will be heard with equal dignity, as per the great founding texts of our nation.”
The festival is held every year in March and managed by a project team of Sciences Po Rennes students.
Participatory budgeting
Sciences Po Rennes established a participatory budgeting process for students as well as staff. Each year, project proposals are submitted for approval and implemented on campus. Examples include:
- The installation of a fleet of electric bicycles
- The installation of period product dispensers
- The creation of drinking water fountains
- A program of sophrology sessions
