We are back with our latest French Brief on France’s "intermediary bodies" and the role they play in society. How do local governing bodies (trade unions, associations, NGOs) encourage civic participation? Why are they so key for a healthy democracy and to the broader French public? Blanche Leridon, our Editorial Director, takes stock of the situation in light of the latest pensions reform debate.

Warning signs are everywhere that France’s healthcare system is struggling to adapt to surging demand. Our second French Brief, co-written by Laure Millet and Emma Ros of our Healthcare Program, provides an overview of the challenges facing France’s health sector and evaluates measures the government is taking to address them.

This past month, whether in France, Britain, or the United States, we’ve seen senior officials strike a more conciliatory tone in their statements toward Beijing. For François Godement, Special Advisor and Resident Senior Fellow for Asia and America, beyond content, it is the shift of policy of these respective statements that is meaningful.

After studying Japan's green hydrogen strategy, Joseph Dellatte, our Resident Fellow for Climate, turns to the role of hydrogen in China’s decarbonization efforts. Despite Beijing’s industrial capabilities and massive investments in renewable energy, he argues it still lacks a comprehensive green hydrogen policy to successfully transition to a low-carbon economy. If that gets answered, China could easily become the world’s leading green hydrogen giant.