On Tuesday, December 2, the European Parliament hosted a conference organized by EM Strasbourg entitled "Rethinking our resources: The circular economy as a driving force of ecological transition in Europe." More than 850 students from all major programs took over the hemicycle for an off-the-beaten-path learning experience.
Experiencing Europe, not just studying it
Twice a year, EM Strasbourg offers its students this immersion in the heart of European institutions, allowing them to observe how European policies are developed and how they translate into concrete actions. The students debated, questioned, voted, and contributed their ideas to the richness of the exchanges.
Babak Mehmanpazir, Dean of EM Strasbourg, and Christian Buchel, President of the School Board of Trustees, reminded the audience during their opening speeches that developing a "European mindset" is part of the School's mission. "You are the ones who will shape the Europe of tomorrow," proclaimed Christian Buchel to the students.
When research fuels action
The conference put into perspective three essential levers for ecological transition: political action, scientific expertise, and implementation by businesses. Jeannette Baljeu and David Cormand, Members of the European Parliament, presented major European initiatives in the field of the circular economy and detailed their concrete implications for businesses and regions. "Europe is the world's largest market. We have a responsibility to build an economic area that reflects our values," emphasized David Cormand.
Jean-Philippe Bootz, Director of HuManiS Research Center, presented research on the circular economy in 2035, conducted in partnership with manufacturers in the Grand Est region to directly inform their transformation strategies.
Rémi Perrin, Director of Research & Development at SOPREMA, along with Dominique Tousch, Value Chain Leader, and Michael Kiess, Director of Sustainability Operations, at Decathlon Germany, shared their companies' commitments and actions in terms of decarbonization, illustrating operational challenges and avenues for innovation. "We are counting on your creativity and energy. There are many jobs in the circular economy, covering all areas of management expertise: purchasing, logistics, sales, and marketing," concluded Rémi Perrin.
Strasbourg, the beating heart of Europe
The city of Strasbourg, home to European institutions and located in a dynamic cross-border region, is an ideal place to think about, study, and experiment with the economic models of tomorrow. Enrico Prinz, Vice Dean of EM Strasbourg, closed the conference with a call to action: "Stop being spectators, become actors! Never take your freedoms for granted!"
EM Strasbourg warmly thanks the European Parliament for its hospitality, which allowed students to experience this unique immersion and reinforced the School's ambition: to train, through its programs, responsible and open-minded managers.
