Speakers 2026

Arnaud de Cacqueray is a French Army Division General who has served as Commander of the Paris Fire Brigade (BSPP) since October 2024, leading one of France’s most elite and emblematic units. He graduated from the Saint-Cyr military academy and built his career around three main pillars: operational roles within the BSPP, human resources management in the French Army, and intelligence. He previously served as deputy commander and then as head of the 2nd Fire and Rescue Group before taking command of the entire brigade. He is also recognized for his work on stress management and as an author of children’s books, blending poetry and values of solidarity.

Debate 18 • New risks, new fears

Moussa Camara, from Cergy-Pontoise, is the fifth of eight siblings. From a young age, he embraced values like hard work, solidarity, mutual aid, and open-mindedness. In 2005, after the suburban crises in France, he founded the association Les Déterminés to support young people in their social, economic, and cultural empowerment, giving them tools to take control of their futures. Over the past eight years, more than a thousand people have been supported by this organization, and more than six hundred businesses have been launched. A entrepreneur at 21, he inspired thousands through his commitment and his book "Déterminé. Comment on s'en sort" (2023), co-written with Sébastien Le Fol, sharing this collective journey.

Debate 21 • Individual responsibility in the service of all

After studying literature at the Sorbonne, Nicolas Chabanne was in charge of communications for Greater Avignon before taking on the task of promoting The Brotherhood of the Strawberry of Carpentras. In 2009, he created the ‘Le Petit Producteur’ label, guaranteeing better remuneration for producers by placing their photo on the trays. In 2010, the anti-spoilage initiative ‘Les Gueules cassées’ (Broken faces) continued this approach by offering ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables for sale. In 2016, Nicolas Chabanne, beacame a leading figure in alternative distribution, launched ‘C'est qui le Patron?!’, a cooperative selling a brand of fair-trade milk in support of producers. ‘C'est qui le Patron?!’ is currently offering 21 products for sale.

Debate 4 • Can responsible consumption reconcile the economy with ecology?

Aude Charbonnier is a senior French civil servant and Inspector of Finances who was appointed Deputy CEO of the Monnaie de Paris in September 2025. Former Director at the French Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDDI) with prior tenure at the Inspectorate General of Finance (IGF), she brings extensive administrative, financial, and management expertise to France's oldest active institution. Serving on the executive committee alongside Chairman and CEO Marc Schwartz, she oversees operational management, strategic planning, and the ongoing development of the mint's industrial and cultural heritage.

Debate 29 • Promoting environmental responsibility: legislation or education and awareness?

Laura Chaubard is a French mathematician, Armament Engineer General and senior executive. A graduate of École Polytechnique with a PhD in algorithms, she began her career at the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), where she worked notably on big data, artificial intelligence and innovation. She subsequently held several strategic positions at the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, including as adviser to Minister Florence Parly on innovation and digital transformation. In 2019, she was appointed Managing Director of La Villette, before becoming Director General of École Polytechnique in 2022, the first woman to lead the institution. Since 1 September 2026, Laura Chaubard has headed Sopra Steria’s Defence, Security and Space vertical and serves on the Group’s Executive Committee.

Debate 26 • Should responsibility apply to technological innovation?

Laurent Choain est reconnu pour son expertise en ressources humaines, culture d’entreprise et leadership. Il occupe depuis plus de 30 ans des postes de direction au sein de grands groupes internationaux tels que Forvis Mazars, BPCE ou Kempinski. Diplômé de l’Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne et docteur en sciences de gestion de l’Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, il a également développé une activité académique et de conseil. Engagé sur les enjeux de transformation des organisations, il intervient régulièrement sur les questions de management et d’évolution du travail. En 2026, il rejoint le groupe Accor comme Global Chief People & Culture Officer, où il pilote la stratégie humaine et culturelle à l’échelle mondiale.

Debate 12 • Creativity and inventiveness — how do we generate new ideas? Part I.

Jean-François Colosimo is a French theologian, historian, publisher, and essayist, renowned for his work on the contemporary transformations of religion and geopolitics. After studying philosophy, theology, and history at the Sorbonne, EHESS, and abroad, he taught at the Saint-Serge Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris. His editorial career includes leading roles at Stock, Lattès, Odile Jacob, CNRS Éditions, and, since 2013, the Cerf publishing house, where he expanded its scope while supporting Pope Francis’s pontificate. Author of influential works such as The Crucifixion of Ukraine (2022) and The West, Global Enemy No. 1 (2024), he examines the intersections of religion, conflict, and civilization, and is a frequent media commentator. In 2026, he was honored as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for his contributions to Orthodox culture and theology.

Debate 39 • Do intellectuals still have a responsibility in public debates ?

A graduate of the École polytechnique (1970) and ingénieur des ponts et chaussées (1975), Antoine Compagnon successively held the positions of lecturer at the École polytechnique (1978-1985), professor of literature at the University of Paris IV-Sorbonne (1994-2006) and at Columbia University (New York). Elected Professor at the Collège de France, holder of the Chair "modern and contemporary French literature : history, criticism and theory (2006-2021). He is a literary historian and literary critic, considered to be one of the leading specialists in Marcel Proust. He is also the author of fiction stories such as "A Summer with Colette" (2022) and "Un hiver avec Matisse" (2026).

Debate 39 • Do intellectuals still have a responsibility in public debates ?

André Compte-Sponville is a french teacher and philosopher. As a recognized author, he published many works with great clarity and pedagogy, which has helped making philosophy accessible to all: "Petit traité des grandes vertus" (1995), "Le Bonheur, désespérément" (2000) or "C'est chose tendre que la vie" (2015). As humanist philosopher, he brought back the search for wisdom and has written about many classical themes, originally discussed by antic philosopher. Furthermore, André Compte-Sponville is a member of the Honorary Committee for the "Organization for the right to die with dignity".

Debate 39 • Do intellectuals still have a responsibility in public debates ?

A graduate of Sciences Po and ENA, Jean-François Copé began his career at the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations before entering politics. Mayor of Meaux since 1995, he has also served as president of the Pays de Meaux Urban Community since 2003. A member of the National Assembly representing Seine-et-Marne from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2007 to 2017, Jean-François Copé held several ministerial posts under President Jacques Chirac: government spokesperson (2002–2007), Secretary of State for Relations with Parliament (2002–2004), Minister Delegate for the Interior (2004), and Minister of the Budget and State Reform (2004–2007). He subsequently chaired the UMP group in the National Assembly (2007–2010) and became party president (2011–2014), while also leading the French delegation within the European People’s Party. In addition to his political involvement, Jean-François Copé has been a member of the Paris Bar since 2007; he specializes in business law and practices at the firm Everlaw & Tax. He also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Prospective and Innovation Foundation. The author of several political and economic essays, he wrote "When Populists Betray the People", published in 2026, in which he denounces populists and argues that governing parties must combat them by rebuilding a political framework based on education, efficiency, order, and progress.

Debate 40 • Is doubt the new form of courage? between refusal, resistance and commitment

Pierre Corvol holds honorary doctorates from several foreign universities and is Professor Emeritus at the Collège de France. He completed dual training in medicine and science at the Faculty of Medicine and Science in Paris. Appointed as a resident in Paris hospitals in 1966, he subsequently practised clinical cardiology at Broussais Hospital and later at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital. Holder of the Chair of Experimental Medicine (1989–2012), Pierre Corvol served as Director of the Collège de France from 2006 to 2012. He is a member of the French Academy of Sciences, which he chaired in 2019 and 2020, the European Academy of Sciences, the French National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has received several major scientific awards, including the Excellence Award for Hypertension Research (1985), the Inserm Grand Prix (2006), and the Leonardo da Vinci Award (2019).

Debate 7 • In an era of global crises, is scientific responsibility a moral duty or a political constraint?

After gaining experience in the USA and Asia and co-founding her own brand of ethical and ecological swimwear, Virginie Courtin - a graduate of EDHEC business school - joined the family-owned group in 2013. After serving as marketing director and then general manager of Mugler Mode, she joined the Clarins management committee as deputy general manager. At the head of the CSR division, she took over all the initiatives already launched and built the group's first global CSR strategy around two values dear to Clarins: caring for people and caring for the planet. In February 2022, she became Chief Executive Officer of the Clarins Group.

Debate 4 • Can responsible consumption reconcile the economy with ecology?

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, in charge of Development, Environment and Stakeholders cluster
From 2011 to 2015, she was a member of the "Inspection Générale des Finances" (Finance Ministry audit division), then project manager for the head of this department. Justine Coutard first joined Groupe ADP in April 2015 as general secretary of the operations division and as Customer quality director at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Then, she was director of finance, management and strategy (2016-2017). From 2017 to 2020, she served as Deputy Chief of Staff, then Chief of Staff to the Minister of Public Action and Accounts. She was appointed Director of Paris-Orly Airport in October 2020. On 18 February 2025, Justine Coutard was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Groupe ADP. On 14 March 2025, she was appointed Deputy CEO, in charge of Development, Environment and Stakeholder cluster. Justine Coutard is a graduate of the École Normale Supérieure de Cachan, the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris, and a former student of the École Nationale d'Administration (Robert Badinter promotion).

Debate 42 • How can we reinterpret what has been ?

Kamel Daoud, born in Mesra (Algeria), is a Franco-Algerian writer and journalist. The son of a gendarme, he studied literature after completing his A-levels in science. He began his career in 1994 at Quotidien d'Oran, where he served as editor-in-chief for eight years, building a reputation as a scathing columnist. His first novel, "Meursault, contre-enquête" (2014), a reimagining of Camus’s "The Stranger" that gives a voice to the brother of the murdered "Arab", earned him the 2015 Prix Goncourt for a first novel. Targeted of a fatwa in 2014 for his views on Islam, he acquired French nationality. Ten years later, he won the 2024 Prix Goncourt for "Houris".

Debate 39 • Do intellectuals still have a responsibility in public debates ?

Yahya Daraaoui leads BCG Transform in France, a practice specializing in corporate transformations and turnarounds. He advises companies and investment funds facing complex situations, including operational and financial turnarounds, reorganizations, cost reduction and cash flow improvement initiatives, as well as mergers and acquisitions. He works across a wide range of sectors, including consumer goods, energy, manufacturing, automotive, and high tech. Yahya Daraaoui is a member of the BCG France Executive Committee and leads the Communications, Marketing, and Partnerships practice. Before joining BCG in 2017, he spent 12 years at AlixPartners. He graduated from HEC.

Debate 27 • Schools, businesses and universities: a shared responsibility for educating and employing young people

A French national, Marie-Claire Daveu is a graduate of the Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences (ENGREF). She also earned a postgraduate diploma (DESS) in public administration from Dauphine University, Paris. She began her career as a technical advisor to the cabinet of Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, before becoming Principal Private Secretary to Serge Lepeltier, Minister of Ecology and Sustainability. In 2005, she became Director of Sustainable Development for the Sanofi-Aventis Group. From 2007 to 2012, she served as Chief of Staff to French politician, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, working in various secretaries of state and then at the Ministries of Ecology, Sustainability, Transport and Housing. In 2012, she was appointed Kering’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of International Institutional Affairs. She sets out the strategy and ambitious objectives as well as implementing a set of best practices within the Group and the Houses. Today, Kering is a pioneer and recognized leader in sustainability.

Debate 2 • Responsible governance: an imperative for tomorrow

A recognized expert on issues facing the nonprofit sector, Axelle Davezac has served as Executive Director of the Fondation de France since 2016. After 15 years in the private sector, she led the ARC Foundation for Cancer Research from 2005 to 2016. For the past 20 years, she has contributed actively to the sector’s development, notably through the French Center for Funds and Foundations (CFF), where she served as Vice President from 2016 to 2021, and as a Board member of Philea from 2022 to 2026. She is also Vice President of France Générosités and a member of the National Council for Development and International Solidarity (CNDSI). Axelle Davezac is a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour and an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters.

Debate 11 • What responsibility does philanthropy have in a fragile democracy?

Valérie Decamp began her career with the NRJ group, holding several positions including Group Strategy Director. In 2002, she launched and developed the daily Métro in France, becoming the first profitable free newspaper. The first woman to own and run a national daily newspaper in France, she headed La Tribune from 2008 to 2013. A recognized expert in the world of media and advertising, Valérie Decamp has headed the Médiatransports group since October 2016. She also sits on the Board of Directors of ARPP (French Professional Advertising Regulatory Authority).

Debate 32 • Creativity and inventiveness : how do we generate new ideas? Part 2.

Julie Deliquet is a prominent stage director renowned for her deeply collaborative, choral approach and realistic aesthetic. After studying cinema and theater, she founded the Collectif In Vitro in 2009, establishing a unique style where improvisation and collective creation blur the line between performance and reality. Faithful to this "large gatherings" aesthetic, she boldly reinterprets classical repertoire (Molière, Chekhov) and masterfully adapts cinematic or documentary works for the stage, notably with Welfare in the prestigious Cour d'honneur at the Avignon Festival. Following an impactful tenure as director of the Théâtre Gérard Philipe in Saint-Denis from 2020 to 2026, she took the helm of the Théâtre National de la Colline in Paris in March 2026, continuing to champion a powerful, deeply human theater that celebrates the utopia of the collective.

Debate 34 • Engaging to create

After serving as Secretary of the Conference and then as a lawyer at the Paris Court of Appeal, Thierry Derez joined the AM-GMF Group in 1995, where he was appointed Chairman in 2001. In 2005, he became Chairman of MAAF, and in 2007, Chairman of MMA. From 2008 to 2022, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Covéa, before becoming its Chief Executive Officer from 2022 to 2025. At the same time, in 2022, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of PartnerRe. In 2025, he became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Covéa.

Debate 1 • How can we build a culture of responsibility?

Debate 46 • Artificial Intelligence: between risks and promises

Pauline Déroulède is a French wheelchair tennis player and a committed advocate for road safety. Formerly a professional tennis player, her life changed dramatically in 2018 after an accident caused by a driver, resulting in the amputation of her left leg. She rebuilt her life through sport, embracing wheelchair tennis with remarkable determination. Quickly, she joined the French national team and competed internationally. Alongside her athletic career, she actively campaigns to reform legislation on road violence, particularly targeting repeat offenders. Through her journey, she embodies resilience and civic engagement.

Debate 21 • Individual responsibility in the service of all

Marie Drucker is a journalist, TV and radio host, documentary filmmaker, and producer. After studying modern literature at the Sorbonne and training at the CFPJ (Center for Journalism Training), she began as a freelancer before joining the CAPA news agency. In 1999, she helped launch the news channel i-Télévision within the Canal+ Group, first as a reporter and later as a presenter. From 2005 to 2008, she hosted Soir 3 on France 3, then served as a substitute for Laurent Delahousse on France 2’s weekend news until 2016. In July 2016, she left France 2 to found her own production company, No School Productions, focusing on documentary filmmaking. Since 2017, she has hosted "Infrarouge" on France 2 and, since 2021, "Au bout de l’enquête" every Saturday. She is also the sponsor of the association "Un Rien C’est Tout", which combats poverty through micro-donations. Awarded the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2015, she is the author of several books, including "Nos cœurs déracinés" (2025)

Debate 28 • The duty to remember: a shared responsibility

Denis Duboule received his PhD from the University of Geneva in 1984 and subsequently worked in the LGME laboratory of Professor Pierre Chambon, where he led a research group until 1988. In 1992, he was appointed full professor at the University of Geneva and, in 2006, he was also appointed professor at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne. Since 1985, his work has focused on the function and regulation of Hox genes (architect genes) during the development of vertebrate animals. Denis Duboule has also taken an interest in science policy, its funding, and its communication to the general public. He joined the Collège de France in 2018 and has held a permanent chair since 2022 titled “Evolution of Development and Genomes.” He is an honorary professor of genetics at the University of Geneva, where he directed the Department of "Genetics and Evolution" as well as the National Center of Competence in Genetics. He is also an emeritus professor at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

Debate 8 • The miracle of birth

Esther Duflo is the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Reduction and Development Economics in the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is also co-founder and co-director of J-PAL, an anti-poverty action laboratory. In her research, she seeks to understand the economic lives of the poor, with a view to helping design and evaluate social policies and programs. She has worked on health, education, financial inclusion, the environment and governance. She graduated in history and economics from the École normale supérieure in Paris. D. in Economics from MIT in 1999. She has received numerous academic awards and honors, including in 2019 the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in honor of Alfred Nobel (jointly with Abhijit Banerjee and Michael Kremer), the Princess of Asturias Prize for Social Science (2015), the A.SK Social Science Award (2015), the Infosys Award (2014), the David N. Kershaw Award (2011), the John Bates Clark Medal (2010) and a MacArthur "Genius Grant" (2009). With Abhijit Banerjee, she wrote Rethinking Poverty, which in 2011 won the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs "Business Book of the Year" award, and has been translated into seventeen languages. Together, they published Économie utile pour des temps difficiles in 2020 . Esther Duflo is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and a corresponding member of the British Academy.

Debate 23 • In the face of inequality, what is our responsibility ?

Sylvain Duranton is Global Head of BCG X, BCG’s tech build and design unit. With more than 3,000 tech professionals across over 80 cities worldwide, BCG X develops platforms and software solutions to address businesses’ most pressing challenges. Sylvain joined BCG in 1993. He graduated from the French engineering schools École Polytechnique and Mines Paris and holds an MBA from INSEAD. He also serves on the board of directors of Aurore, one of France’s largest NGOs, which works to reduce poverty and improve access to housing.

Debate 46 • Artificial Intelligence: between risks and promises

A former senior executive at Michelin, Éric Duverger is committed to transforming the economy in response to environmental challenges. After twenty-two years with the group, including a stint as marketing director in the United States, he stepped down in 2020 following a shift in his perspective during the COVID-19 crisis and the Citizens’ Climate Convention. He then founded the Business Convention for Climate (CEC), which mobilizes business leaders to shift their business models toward a regenerative economy. In just a few years, more than 2,000 business leaders have committed to this initiative, resulting in hundreds of roadmaps that reconcile ecological transition with economic performance.

Debate 3 • The public interest: what responsibility be incumbent upon businesses ?

Nicolas Duvoux is a French sociologist specializing in social inequalities, poverty, and public policy. He is a professor at Paris 8 University and a researcher at CRESPPA-LabTop (CNRS), as well as a professor at the University of Geneva, where he directs the Philanthropy Center. Since 2007, he has been editor-in-chief of the journal "La Vie des idées" and director of the book collection of the same name. He has received several awards, including the senior research prize from the Croix-Rouge Foundation. Since 2025, he has chaired the Conseil national des politiques de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale (CNLE), where he regularly warns about the worsening of inequalities and the need to rethink social policies. His work, such as "L’Avenir confisqué" (2023), analyzes the mechanisms of inequality reproduction and advocates for a fairer approach to ecological transition and social rights.

Debate 11 • What responsibility does philanthropy have in a fragile democracy?

Mercedes Erra is the Founding President of BETC Group, the leading French advertising agency (she is the “E” in BETC), President of BETC FULLSIX and of Havas 04. A graduate of HEC and the Sorbonne (Masters and Professor of Literature), Mercedes specializes in the development and management of world-renowned brands. She is responsible for the major strategic shifts of leading brands (health for Danone, Air France’s vision “Making the sky the best place on earth”, youth for Evian, and McDonald’s “Come as you are” to name a few). On a personal level, Mercedes is involved in numerous initiatives as an advocate for women and human rights: the women’s forum for the Economy and Society, which she co-founded, the Global Summit of Women and the “Innovation 2030” Commission. She is also Co-President of the Human Rights Watch French Committee and was a member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council during the French Presidency of the G7 in 2019.

Debate 13 • Is the development of women’s scientific vocations a collective responsibility?