Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a Region with a bright future? By Victor VOGE

On January 1^st 2016, the 22 regions that made up the French territory disappeared and 13 new ones appeared. The main aim of this territorial reform was better integration into the globalization process (bigger is better!) and therefore, in theory, a brighter future. Will AURA be one of the regions to succeed? In order to answer this question we will look at some of the factors (as regards AURA) that are the guarantors of a bright future (these factors include: economic vitality, innovation (research and development), high education levels, a highly-qualified workforce, employment opportunities, security, decent housing and amenities, a healthy and attractive environment, geographical advantages, an efficient transport network, fast internet, a strong sense of regional identity, a stable and tolerant society that cares for the most fragile of its members aiming for  social justice and that is open to the world).

AURA is economically a dynamic region. A recent study by APEC (“Association Pour l’Emploi des Cadres”) asked young graduates and young professionals to classify the most attractive regions according to them. The best combination for them is quality of life and economic dynamism; Rhône-Alpes stands out: 60% of young professionals and young graduates believe that that AURA is a region that best combines these two dimensions.  Young people represent the future; doesn’t the fact that they designated AURA as a dynamic region the promise of a bright future? The economy of AURA is primarily linked to the tertiary sector, but also to the industrial sector. More than half of the regional added value is generated by commercial, logistics and tourism activities. Tourism accounts for 9% of the regional added value (140,000 jobs). The 178 million overnight stays registered annually generated more than €20 billion in revenue. La Savoie is the first tourist “Départment” in France. The Auvergne has also been described as a "hidden jewel," one of the ten regions of the world to discover (2016 Lonely Planet guide)!

The Ministry of Education has 12 million pupils enrolled in primary and secondary education throughout France. The Academies of Lyon, Grenoble and Clermont-Ferrand, the academies in the AURA region, enrols 10.7% of these pupils. In other words, one in ten French students is enrolled in AURA, which shows that AURA provides good access to education. In addition, 56.1% of pupils in these academies attend a private school. This shows that the inhabitants of the region believe in the future by multiplying the chances of success of their children.

As regards security, AURA is 14 points below the national average for crime figures (26 points behind the Ile-de-France region); this incites people to settle in the region.

The very varied environment (mostly mountains, lakes and rivers) is a main asset of AURA. It is great for the locals and attracts tourists. AURA has the greatest number of regional nature parks (nine), and there are four parks currently under development. There are also two National Parks. 30% of the regional territory is part of these parks (25% of the communes).

AURA is well located between the Paris region and the Mediterranean coast and it has borders with Italy and Switzerland, which makes for easy commercial exchange on a European level.

However, some aspects of AURA need to be developed. Transport is a problem for the west of the region (the Auvergne); a high-speed train line needs to be built between Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon (and between Clermont and Paris). Politically, changes are also needed. In order for AURA to be as competitive as other European regions, it is essential that it takes on new powers. For this, the decentralization undertaken by the French state must be extended so that Regional Councils can decide on the subjects that concern them (such as education) and have bigger budgets. Also, development initiatives need to be more sustainable, i.e. respectful of the environment and of people, and more participatory democracy would encourage people to feel more involved.