[GSEF Bordeaux 2025] A Mauritian at the Heart of Social Innovation

Over 10,000 participants from 140 countries attended the Global Forum on Social and Solidarity Economy 2025 (GSEF Bordeaux 2025), held from October 28 to 31 at the Palais des Congrès in Bordeaux, France. Among them was a young Mauritian, Lidesh Jungly, 25 years old, who is the head of Culture, Creative Arts, and Heritage at the Grand River South East Youth Circle (GRSEYC). Selected and fully funded by the Franco-Quebec Office for Youth (OFQJ), he joined an international Francophone delegation of 70 young people representing 14 countries for a week of exchanges, reflection, and commitment to social innovation.

His program began with a solidarity hackathon, a collaborative space aimed at proposing concrete solutions to challenges of inclusion, environmental sustainability, culture, and responsible economic models. Representing the GRSEYC—an NGO rooted in a coastal village in eastern Mauritius dedicated to sustainable development, social inclusion, and civic engagement among youth—Lidesh Jungly presented the organization's multidimensional approach, which leverages education, sports, arts, and cultural heritage as tools for empowerment. His team proposed an innovative theme: "How can arts and culture serve as tools for resilience against addiction and marginalization of youth in vulnerable communities?" This reflection highlights the essential role of creative arts, intangible heritage, and local values as vectors for prevention, identity expression, and personal reconstruction.

As part of the "ESS in the Territories" regional visits, the delegation explored several French regions to discover the local variations of the social and solidarity economy. Lidesh Jungly participated in a tour in Dordogne, a rural area rich in heritage where social economy manifests daily through crafts, culture, cooperatives, and community initiatives. From artistic projects to social enterprises rooted in local skills, this immersion illustrated the diversity and vitality of the French model of social and solidarity economy (ESS). The week concluded with the adoption of the GSEF Youth Declaration, in which young Francophones called for the strengthening of more inclusive, resilient economies grounded in local realities.

For Lidesh Jungly, participating in this forum was much more than just attending an international event. He shared, "Wearing the colors of Mauritius in Bordeaux was a statement that our youth have a role to play in building more humane and supportive societies. This experience confirmed that culture is not an add-on, but a powerful force capable of transforming our territories and communities." His commitment illustrates the active contribution that Mauritian youth can make on the global stage, and his presence in Bordeaux was acknowledged as that of a representative of a new Francophone generation, capable of combining public service, community engagement, and creativity in the pursuit of sustainable and inclusive development.

The GSEF Bordeaux 2025 was co-organized by the City of Bordeaux, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the Gironde Department, Bordeaux Metropolis, CRESS Nouvelle-Aquitaine, ESS France, and the GSEF. The participation of the Francophone delegation was made possible through the concerted efforts of the French and Quebec sections of OFQJ, in collaboration with the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ), the International Youth Office (BIJ) of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, CONFEJES, the International Association of Francophone Regions (AIRF), and the International Youth Offices of Quebec (LOJIQ).

The initiative also received support from the Jeunes.gouv platform and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (France Diplomacy), highlighting the importance of Francophone cooperation in promoting youth, culture, and social innovation.