The Protestant missions, established in Madagascar from the early nineteenth century, played a founding role in setting up a network of educational charities and in reflecting upon how young people should be looked after. This historical heritage, linked to the English incursion into Madagascar, still holds an essential place in the subcontinent's spiritual, social, cultural and political life today.1 Our starting-point is the systematic study of the Protestant youth associations that emerged in Madagascar at the turn of the twentieth century (the Young People's Christian Union, the Young Women's Christian Union, the Unionist Scouts and Guides) and structures set up in order to bring young people together, such as Antananarivo's Christian Youth Club. We intend to demonstrate the special place of this network of associations in the modern-day forming of the Malagasy elites and its impact on the growth of awareness of national identity paving the way to the independence movement. Prior to this, we will consider the significant issue of the power of the Christian missions on the island and the historical stages of their presence.