Active Youth members are UMP members ranging from 20 to 50 years old. Introducing a young rising star of the local right, Olivier Taze, who shares his views on his party and the involvement of young people within the right.
What are the Active Youth?
O.T.: The Active Youth are a group that includes all working individuals, without an age limit, whether members or non-members of the UMP. The Active Youth primarily consists of people in their thirties.
The Active Youth aims to be a social mix of young French people, sharing their different experiences and ideas through thematic workshops and public meetings.
The Active Youth will celebrate their first year of existence at the end of April in Paris.
What is the relationship with the Young Populaires?
O.T.: The Young Populaires mainly consist of students; their strength lies in mobilizing students in major French cities. This section is as important as the Active Youth, and both have their rightful place within the UMP. There is no competition but rather complementarity, as the Active Youth provide a positive transition for the Young Populaires.
Why create a new movement within the UMP?
O.T.: The Active Youth are neither a movement nor a current; they represent a section of Young activists, members, forgotten by French political parties, wanting to express themselves and be heard. All this fits into the dynamic that Nicolas SARKOZY has set since his accession to the Presidency of the UMP, and it’s what the Active Youth want to follow.
In the various workshops we organize on themes as diverse as Culture, sustainable development, foreign policy, and change, we aim to involve everyone.
How are the youths at the UMP doing?
O.T.: The Active Youth struggle to find a place at the local level, with too much internal conflict muddying the waters. I believe the Active Youth will prove their rightful place when the Elected Officials truly understand the predominant role.
The Active Youth of Alpes Maritimes already have broadcasting channels thanks to new technologies, the Internet: https://www.jeunesactifs06.org, but also emails and promotional video clips. The Active Youth wave is on the move…
Why choose politics when most Youth are disinterested?
O.T.: I believe that one must have a certain kind of utopia to engage in politics because it requires believing in something not yet done and uncertain but that one hopes to achieve. But once this dream passes, one must dare and then act. Political action could be summed up in this triad that I keep in mind. In civic life, one must know one’s place and I want to be part of those who make changes. Feeling deeply right-wing, Nicolas SARKOZY inspired me to join the UMP and fully commit to the movement. My meeting with local political figures is not unrelated to my approach…
What is your involvement in the Active Youth?
O.T.: After meeting François GUEANT during one of my trips to Paris, we decided to quickly set up a local Active Youth structure in the Alpes Maritimes. After a few months, with the trust of the Deputy Mayor of Cannes and the help of David LISNARD, his deputy, we launched the first local structure in Cannes last November. Since then, we have been developing contacts with other Actives from neighboring departments and Euro-Mediterranean countries.
How do you see the future?
O.T.: I wish to actively participate in local and national civic life. It is necessary to show over time one’s will and perseverance. The upcoming deadlines will be an opportunity to commit a bit more…
But for now, my blog, https://www.olivier-taze.com, allows me to express my ideas and actions directly. Debate is essential in democracy and a blog is a very good way to achieve it.
Sunday mornings, at the House of the Movement in Cannes, I assist the Deputy Mayor, Bernard BROCHAND, to listen to the grievances of the people of Cannes, given my professional obligations it’s a very good way to be in contact with the citizens and learn next to the Deputy Mayor. I also contribute to David LISNARD, 2nd Deputy of the City of Cannes and Deputy Representative.
The UMP nation already trusted me last year to create the blog for the UMP caravan (https://www.caravane-ump.org) and the blog for the 48-hour operation (https://www.48h-ump.org). This year, I will likely split my time on other operations
Do you have activities apart from politics?
O.T.: Since recently, I have been discovering painting and art in general thanks to the Ambre International association (www.ambre-international.com).
I also enjoy traveling through major French and European cities to enrich my cultural knowledge. In recent months, I discovered Berlin for 3 days…
I also appreciate moments of calm to read, even if they are not frequent enough to my liking.
