The challenges of our time are as daunting as they are essential. The future is urgent, and all those who can must commit to it and put themselves at its service. My contribution by writing books is based on my life, my experience, my convictions, my proposals, my impetus.
It all began when I was 10 years old, in the 6th grade at my daughter's school, we had an essay to write on "what do you want to be when you grow up".
I was fascinated by Tchaikovsky's music. For Christmas, I asked for the 33 rpm Nutcracker, my first record. With the window wide open, in all weathers, I listened to the music mingle with the birdsong and conducted the invisible orchestra for hours.
I wanted to become a conductor, so I put all my heart into this essay, describing my future profession and the harmonious timbres of all the instruments in the orchestra. The headmistress came to hand in the papers and, one by one, ticked off the marks.
I was often at the head of the class, but that day I got 5 out of 20, the lowest mark. With tears in my eyes, between incomprehension and humiliation, I listened to her explanation. It's remarkably well written, but irrelevant," I replied, dumbfounded, "what do you mean irrelevant? Yes, we asked you to think about your future, not to imagine; but a woman can't be an orchestra conductor, you have too much imagination.
I didn't become an orchestra conductor, but I did become an author, photographer, minister, ambassador, administrator and company director. No one should have the right to forbid a child to dream and build his future.
This is the source of my commitment and the energy of my writing.
Will artificial intelligence really revolutionize everything? Why is gender equality crucial in business? How can we reconcile productivity, ecological transition and social responsibility? What role can trade unions play in this major upheaval? How can we meet the new expectations of young people and employees? And how can we train them better, at a time when the population is ageing, the workforce is becoming increasingly scarce and skills are evolving rapidly?
These are some of the questions debated in this book, through the eyes of 13 actors from the world of work, who share their visions and commitments. One thing is certain: thinking about tomorrow's work means thinking today about the changes taking place in our society, and opening up the debate.
Todeal with all these issues, the reader will follow the adventures of Soraya, a young high-school student who goes to the retirement party for her grandmother Cathy, HR manager at an umbrella company. Soraya has one idea in mind: to use the occasion to complete her presentation on the future of work. But she never imagined she'd get to meet all these personalities. A true documentary-fiction as serious as it is amusing, Travailler Demain stars Muriel Pénicaud, former Minister of Labor, and journalist Mathieu Charrier. Directed by Nicoby with realism, humor and precision, this book is aimed at all those interested in the question of work, whether they are pupils or students, working or retired.
