Program
• Round table discussion #1: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The mountain sports code: a legal anomaly?
Certain legal texts governing mountain sports contain peculiarities that may appear to contradict higher principles of law. Complaints and even legal disputes are on the rise. What are the reasons behind this situation? What are the issues at stake and what changes can be expected?
Animation:
Olivier Moret (Petzl Foundation)
Speakers:
Yannick Vallençant – President of the SIM-CFDT Interprofessional Mountain Union, mountain guide
Jean-Yves Lapeyrère – President of the European Outdoor Employers Organization (EC-OE), ski instructor
Jérome Karsenti – Criminal lawyer
Brice Mure-Ravaud – Technical Director of the National Union of French Ski Instructors, ski instructor
Catherine Chenevier – Deputy Director of Ethics, Public Protection, and Professions; Ministry of Sports, Youth, and Community Life
• Roundtable discussion #2: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Combating gender-based and sexual violence: how can French skiing organizations move forward?
The public revelation of decades of sexual abuse committed against female competitors has sent shockwaves through the mountain community. The fallout extends to questioning the entire governance of French skiing. What malfunctions have been identified? What new governance model and preventive measures should be put in place for the future?
Animation:
Calvin Leclère (Journalist, Spotlighted)
Speakers:
Adrien Duvillard – Former member of the French national ski team, president of Piste Libre
David Loison – General Manager of the French Ski Federation
Claude Vermorel – Attorney at Law
Jean-Marc Simon – General Manager of the National Union of French Ski Instructors
Catherine Chenevier – Deputy Director of Ethics, Public Protection, and Professions; Ministry of Sports, Youth, and Community Life
• Roundtable discussion #3: 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The 2030 Olympics: for whom and for what?
The organization of the Winter Olympics in France in 2030, supported by the AURA and PACA regions and the government, is being challenged both on its merits and for its decision-making process. Citizen groups and associations are taking the case to court. What are the arguments of both sides? How can the 2030 Winter Olympics be made a unifying event of general interest?
Animation:
Jeanne Planchon & Victoria Duhoo (Agir Alternatif, Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA)
Speakers:
Delphine Larat – lawyer and consultant, JOP30 collective
Guillaume Desmurs – Journalist and author
Pierre Janot – Regional Councilor for AURA, lawyer
Arnaud Pugin – Director of Operations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
• Round table discussion #4: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ecological transition: things are heating up at gas stations
Faced with climate change, the challenges of transitioning the mountain economy are generating conflict in valleys and resorts. Development projects supported by elected officials are being delayed, rejected or even canceled by administrative authorities or court decisions, following challenges brought by citizen groups and associations. What are the obstacles? How can we resolve these conflicts? What new "Mountain Plan" can bring the population together around a common goal?
Animation:
Agathe Besse & Nina Dreveton (Agir Alternatif, Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA)
Speakers:
Erik Adamkiewicz – Senior Lecturer at the University of Toulouse
David Le Guen – City Councilor of Villar-d'Arène, Marketing Director of the Meije Glacier Cable Car Operating Company
Vincent Neirinck – Mountain Wilderness France
Emmanuel Heyrman – Community of Municipalities of the Heart of Chartreuse
Coraline Saurat (subject to confirmation) – President of the Matheysine Community of Municipalities
Photo credit: © Pascal Tournaire
Practical info
Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA, Lecture Hall F & Quermonne Room