Student life and engagement: associations at the heart of awareness initiatives at emlyon

First milestones of a vibrant and committed associative life

Each September, emlyon’s associative life resumes with renewed momentum through a series of major events led by the Student Office (BDE), with the involvement of every student association and collective, and the support of the School’s teams. This flagship period, which took place from August 29 to September 14, 2025, marks the starting point of new students’ associative engagement and their immersion into the collective spirit that defines emlyon business school.
Over two weeks, 28 events—including the Associations Forum—gave students the opportunity to meet, connect and discover the diversity of associative life through sports, cultural, social and festive activities.

Beyond this initial period, emlyon’s associative ecosystem remains one of the cornerstones of the student experience and a concrete extension of the School’s unique learning approach. A genuine learning-by-doing environment, it allows students involved in associations to apply academic knowledge while developing collaboration, leadership and project management skills in service of meaningful initiatives.
Each year, over 900 students from the Master in Management - Grande École Program (PGE) and the Global BBA invest their time in 42 associations and collectives, organized around several areas of activity: student life, business, adventure, engagement & sharing, culture and media. This vibrant network generates nearly 650 events annually, covering a wide range of themes—from solidarity, arts and technology to gastronomy, debate, sports and sustainability—all driven by a shared sense of responsibility and a desire to embody and promote the emlyon spirit.

To ensure coherence and effective coordination, associative life is structured around the Student Council (Conseil de Corporation), made up of 22 final-year students representing 12 key associations. Acting as both a coordination and support body, the 'Corpo' serves as a bridge between associations, students and the School’s management. It oversees project coordination, supports executive boards and trains association lead members on key topics such as financial management, team leadership, risk prevention and event organization. The Student Council is also a permanent member of the emlyon Foundation’s Executive Committee, contributing to the financial support of several associative projects and flagship events. Deeply rooted in emlyon’s history, associative engagement also fosters strong, lasting ties with the emlyon alumni network.

Embedding awareness and engagement at the heart of student life

emlyon business school’s commitment to building a more inclusive and responsible society is reflected at every level of its operations. As a pioneering institution in gender equality, anti-discrimination and LGBT+ inclusion, the School places these principles at the core of its educational mission. Within this framework, student life—and particularly associative engagement—serves as a key driver for raising awareness, preventing harmful behaviors and shaping collective practices, notably through the annual signing of the student associations’ CSR Charter.
Throughout the year, the School—represented by the Social and Environmental Engagement Department—works hand in hand with student associations to foster a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. Members of association executive boards and staff teams receive specific training covering a range of topics, with a strong focus on diversity, inclusivity, equality and the prevention of discrimination and violence.

The student awareness pathway also includes several key milestones, starting with orientation events dedicated to the prevention of gender-based and sexual violence (GBV) and the promotion of respect and consent. It continues throughout the year with initiatives such as Inclusion Days, Vigilance Days, and thematic weeks like Women’s Rights Week and Pride Week.

During the 2025 academic inductions, several associations and partners led major awareness sessions:

• Consentis delivered the workshop 'Respect and consent at the heart of student life', for PGE, Global BBA and MSc in cohorts;

• The Métamorphose collective performed an interactive forum theatre, inviting students to reflect collectively on real-life situations;

• AFL Diversity hosted a conference on the theme: 'Diversity, racism and antisemitism: understanding, deconstructing and acting.'

These initiatives illustrate emlyon’s determination to make every aspect of student life a space for learning and shared responsibility—much like the Social Entrepreneurship Prize, which celebrates student-led, often associative, projects that create social and environmental impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By engaging all members of its community, emlyon strives to build a safe, inclusive and fulfilling student experience, true to its values and mission.