But we need to recognize that this ambition to achieve social justice is no longer sufficient. We cannot be content with an ex-post "repair" of inequalities. xvii We have to create equal opportunities for all ex ante, and this is the second requirement, that of individual autonomy through education. Page 7 of 10  2.2  The major requirement: aspiring to autonomy through education  It is clear that education must be the absolute priority: to offer all citizens the same opportunities for success, regardless of their social background. It is the best way to prepare each and every citizen for the knowledge economy and the technological transformations that he or she will have to face. It is the prerequisite for social mobility, in order to reduce the “longitudinal” inequalities between generations. And hence, it increases growth by raising the “human capital” of a country. In Europe, we have some of the best education and vocational training systems. For example, the effective Finish education model and the quality of German and Swiss teaching. The skill levels of European students are on average higher than those of OECD countries xviii in terms of mathematics and science scores and of understanding written texts. As well as performing better, our education systems are more democratic thanks to higher enrolment rates xix – 90% in Europe compared to 84% in the United States xx – and lower average tuition fees.
xxi But it is clear that there is a significant North-South divide in Europe in terms of education; and France – it must be said – is "southern" and inegalitarian. PISA studies show that France is the G7 country where academic performance of pupils is the most highly determined by their social environment. xxii This observation illustrates what the Nobel Prize winner Jean Tirole described as the “délit d’initié” or rigged system. xxiii This collective failure also contributes to a structural unemployment rate that is still too high in France, i.e. around 7 to 8%. This challenge is common in Southern Europe, and goes hand in hand with another one: at long last developing apprenticeships and vocational training. There are now fewer young people in apprenticeships in France, Italy and Spain combined than in Germany alone... while there are many more young people, and young people unemployed. It is not a paradox, but rather an explanation... and a call for action. The "Avenir Pro" law passed in France  Page 8 of 10  in 2018 must now be implemented, and Italy’s way out of economic stagnation can be achieved by taking the same tack. 2.3  Commitment to the environment and climate  The third requirement of the European model is a firm commitment to the environment and climate. This issue is currently the largest unifying factor among the young as well as older generations throughout the world. The last European elections showed this clearly.