This new academic year officially begins. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA opening ceremony in the Weil lecture hall, starting at 9:30 a.m.

Claire Hédon, the guest of honor at this ceremony, served as the Human Rights Defender from July 2020 to July 2026. She presided over this independent administrative authority, which ensures respect for rights and freedoms in the areas of combating discrimination, defending the rights of public service users, protecting and promoting children’s rights, overseeing the ethical conduct of law enforcement agencies, and protecting whistleblowers. During her tenure, the institution’s work focused on strengthening the effectiveness of fundamental rights and ensuring equal access to rights, with particular attention to situations of vulnerability.
 

The Program

9 :30 a.m.: Welcome

10:00 a.m.: Speech by Yassine Lakhnech, President of the University of Grenoble-Alpes

10:15 a.m.: Remarks by Simon Persico, Director of Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA

10:30 a.m.: Speech by Laurence Ruffin, Mayor of Grenoble

10:45 a.m.: Remarks by Gilles Bastin, Associate Director of Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA

11:00 a.m.: Musical interlude

11:10 a.m.: Speech by Claire Hédon, Human Rights Defender for 2020–2026

12:00 p.m.: End of the back-to-school ceremony

This event is open to all students at the institution, as well as administrative and teaching staff.