The increase in knowledge in so many areas and the development of new information technologies and their uses now constitute a major force for individual and collective development and growth.
This knowledge economy cannot function without sharing. Yet inequalities exist, and whole sections of the population find themselves excluded from the knowledge revolution, due to lack of access to quality education or a calm environment in which to pursue their learning. This is why the BNP Paribas Foundation is deeply committed to investing in education.
It has always sought to support initiatives to promote knowledge transfer and equal opportunities in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. These actions, especially among young people, aim to help them integrate and thrive as part of the economic and social fabric, and to open doors to the world of employment.
For nearly twenty years, through its support for the AFEV (Association de la Fondation Étudiante pour la Ville - the Association of Student Foundations for the City), the BNP Paribas Foundation has contributed to the fight against the educational and cultural inequalities that affect children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in France.
In line with this commitment, in 2010 the BNP Paribas Foundation and the Conseil Général de la Seine Saint-Denis (Ile-de-France) introduced the Odyssée Jeunes programme to fund school trips organised by high schools in the region.
The BNP Paribas Foundation also participates in the Smart Start initiative, a European-wide programme aimed at promoting education and integration through artistic efforts.
Finally, the BNP Paribas Foundation works in concert with several partners: La Fabrique du regard (Le BAL), Cartooning for Peace, L’Ecole de la Deuxième Chance, the Bondy Blog and the preparatory course « Egalité des Chances » of the ESJ in Lille.
Outside of France, the Foundation and the BNP Paribas local entities support the Hong Kong Arts Festival and lnsaf in Morocco.
