Chaque année, 67,5 % d’une classe d’âge se révèlent être en grande difficulté scolaire, sociale et professionnelle. Trois mondes, trois cultures à travers les Armées, l’Éducation nationale et l’Emploi se sont unis pour apporter expériences, moyens et savoir-faire pour enrayer la spirale infernale de la déliquescence d’une partie de notre jeunesse. L’EPIDe, surgi du néant voici deux ans, commence à trouver son chemin et justifie la pertinence du concept. Alors qu’un plan de sauvetage des banlieues est annoncé, il paraît intéressant de faire un premier bilan de ce dispositif généreux.

Defence, a second chance

Each year some seven per cent of school leavers in France find themselves at great educational, social and professional disadvantage. The three different worlds, three different cultures, of the Armed Forces have come together to offer their experience, means and know-how to young people in an effort to halt the spiral of decline in which many are caught up. The EPIDe, a state organisation that grew out of nothing some two years ago, is beginning to produce results in this field. At a moment when a plan to help the ‘sensitive’ suburbs, the banlieues, has been announced, it seems interesting to take a first look at what this very worthwhile scheme has achieved.