We're delighted to welcome our comrade Nicolas SAMSOEN (1997) for the publication of his book: "D'excellents Français : Comment faire de l'immigration une chance", published by Grasset.

"As the mayor of a working-class town, I wanted to write my share of the truth. Assuming the filiation with Bernard, I try to pursue his reflections by tackling the key issues for successful integration: school, housing, secularism, security, culture...

The title - D'excellents Français - refers to a song by Maurice Chevalier who, in 1939, saw different French people rallying around the Republic because "it's still the best regime here". This title expresses a conviction: in the face of the threat of France's decline, we must not pit one against the other, but mobilize all French people to "re-classify" the country.

So why write a book in this age of 140-sign clashes? Because reality is complex, and we can't hide our difficulties or our successes. Serenity" means taking the time to reflect. And we have to fight the battle of ideas."

The evening will address immigration issues, against the backdrop of building a resilient, sustainable city for all. Nicolas will also share his experience as Mayor of Massy.

Program:

• 6:30 pm: Welcome
• 6:45pm: Conference begins
• 7:45pm: Book signing over cocktails

Nicolas SAMSOEN has been Mayor of Massy since October 22, 2017. He was re-elected on March 15, 2020.

After studying at the École Normale Supérieure, the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées and the London School of Economics, he joined the Direction Départementale de l'Équipement de la Somme, then became urban planning advisor in the cabinet of Gilles de Robien (Minister of Public Works and Transport), before spending 5 years managing the Établissement Public d'Aménagement du Mantois Seine Aval. He then spent two years in Vietnam with his wife and their four children. He then headed the AREP urban planning and architecture agency in Asia.

Before becoming Mayor, he was Deputy Mayor in charge of Education (1995-2001), then Urban Planning (2001-2008). From 2014 to 2017, he was First Deputy, again in charge of Education, which he considers "the mother of all battles".