The latest Ipsos research on the Next Generation in Italy and France was presented at the Italo-French Dialogues for Europe.

Beyond COVID-19: Young people and a profound yearning for the future

Ipsos presents its new research on the Next Generation of Italy and France at the Italo-French Dialogues for Europe

The impact of COVID-19 on employment and the future, the role of national and European institutions in the face of the pandemic, and concerns alongside expectations and hopes for the future: these are the main lines of inquiry that capture the sentiments of the Italian and French Next Generation. This snapshot is provided by the study “Young people and their future in the context of COVID-19,” prepared by Ipsos with the contribution of Edison and presented today as part of the third edition of the Italo-French Dialogues for Europe.

The event, sponsored by Luiss Guido Carli and Sciences Po in partnership with The European House Ambrosetti, was attended by Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe, University Vice President Paola Severino, the President of the Luiss School of Government, Professor at Sciences Po, and Chairman of the Dialogues Scientific Committee Marc Lazar, and Edison CEO Nicola Monti. Enrico Letta, Dean of Sciences Po in Paris and former Prime Minister of Italy, moderated the webinar.

Nando Pagnoncelli, Country Chairman of Ipsos Italy, presented the results of the survey, which was administered to 2,000 young people aged 18 to 34 living in Italy and France. He highlighted how the health emergency causes more concern and poses a greater risk to the life plans, employment, and income of young Italians compared to their French peers. Adding to these concerns is Eurostat data, which shows that in Italy, one in four young people aged 20 to 34 (28.9%) is already outside both the labor market and the education system. This figure is much lower in France (17.7%).

“The Ipsos survey on young people and their future in the context of COVID-19 provides us with an interesting picture of the moods, ideas, and expectations of our youth. It offers us crucial information to redefine priorities and guide post-COVID policies within the common European home, with the future of the younger generations at the center,” said Paola Severino, Vice President of Luiss. She continued: “At a time in history when the pandemic is forcing us to distance ourselves by raising invisible barriers, the Italian-French Dialogues once again represent a valuable bridge for exchange between neighboring cultures and an important space for transnational discussion, strengthening the strong bond between our two countries.”

According to the survey, Italian young people actually have greater trust in institutions than their French peers, with a positive view of the European Union’s actions, particularly regarding health protection policies, the Green New Deal, and support for national economies in general.

However, there is a clear difference in how young people from the two countries view the role of education in helping them enter the workforce. The French consider it highly crucial, with 15% more believing this than Italians, who, for their part, place greater importance on experiences abroad, whether for study or work. Furthermore, Italians are more inclined to emigrate than the French (+9% among those who say they are very willing to have an experience abroad), especially to “find better life and work opportunities than those available in Italy.”

“This survey offers a very interesting look at the similarities and differences between the younger generations in our two countries. The Italo-French Dialogues for Europe have a role to play in supporting young people and improving their future prospects. There is still a lot to be done in terms of school education to prepare them to better face global competition in the job market, but also to encourage them to travel and get to know each other. We also need to help them regain confidence in their life plans amid the current health situation, which makes them more vulnerable, at a time when they feel wary of traditional institutions—governments, political parties, and trade unions—as well as the European Union, especially among young French people,”commented Marc Lazar, President of the Luiss School of Government, Professor at Sciences Po, and Chair of the Dialogues Scientific Committee.

“The survey shows that young Italians have a lot of trust in large companies. Companies are recognized as having a social role, with the ability to make a difference through their actions to improve society and people's lives. “Edison recognizes this role, and it shapes our development strategy as a responsible operator,” stated Nicola Monti, Edison's CEO. We want to be a leader in the country’s energy transition, a commitment that is fully shared by young people, 90% of whom say they are particularly concerned about the environment and its protection.”

The Franco-Italian Dialogues for Europe will continue with three more events.

On Monday, November 23, the discussion will focus on “Training young people for the jobs of the future,” with presentations by Fabio Corsico, Course Director in Family Business Management at Luiss Business School; Luigi de Vecchi, Chairman of EMEA Banking, Capital Markets & Advisory at Citi; Luigi Gubitosi, CEO and General Manager of Telecom Italia; and Andrea Munari, CEO of BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas. Vincenzo Boccia, President of Luiss Guido Carli, and Paola Severino, Vice President of Luiss Guido Carli, will open the proceedings.

Following that, on Monday, November 30, the discussion will turn to “Next Generation EU and the Green Deal: The Business Perspective.”

Finally, on Thursday, December 3 December, the last Dialogues event will focus on “Tools to revitalize the Italian and French economies in the context of COVID-19.”