Jean Bassères, provisional administrator of the FNSP and the Paris Institute of Political Studies, “Sciences Po”, in his office, in Paris, on April 29, 2024. JULIEN MUGUET FOR “LE MONDE”
After a start of 2024 ” complicated “, the provisional administrator of Sciences Po hope the time comes for the “serenity”. Jean Bassères presented to the press on Wednesday, September 4, his “back-to-school plan” which must be deployed in five axes in order to “putting the culture of debate and dialogue back at the heart of the institution”.
Tested by the sudden departure of its director Mathias Vicherat, dismissed with his ex-partner for acts of domestic violence before the criminal court, then by the consequences of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the school welcomes, this year, some 1,850 new students, with a watchword, “the dialogue”framed the former head of Pôle emploi (now France Travail), in office since March 26 rue Saint-Guillaume, in the 7e district of Paris.
The start of the school year should allow Sciences Po to equip itself with a new leader, a committee ad hoc being responsible for conducting auditions for half a dozen candidates on September 5 and 6. Those who have been selected for the “short list” will be received by the two governing councils on September 19 and 20.
Between March and July, tensions and blockades had multiplied in Paris and on regional campuses. Students mobilized in favor of Gaza had been evacuated by the police on several occasions at the request of the management. The majority of exams had been able to take place between the end of June and the beginning of July, but in a very tense atmosphere.
Freedom of expression and dispute resolution
Put back at the center of discussions “the ethics of debate” is a priority, said Mr. Bassères. “We are aware that the Sciences Po educational model encourages singularities but it must also be an incentive to build something in commonhe explained. Students need to learn that it is possible to disagree peacefully.”
Starting in September, all first and second year students will have a lesson on freedom of expression, presenting its “legal fundamentals” and its exercise, particularly on social networks. Then, a mandatory online module will be devoted to the fight against discrimination, anti-Semitism and racism, and supplemented by workshops, aimed at students responsible for an association or an institutional mission.
Third action: awareness raising and training of 850 students in the amicable resolution of disputes and conflicts. Around twenty mediators, “supervised by mediation professionals from outside Sciences Po”, will be recruited from among students on the campuses of Le Havre, Poitiers and Reims for “facilitating living together on campuses throughout the year”.
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