Groupe ADP Foundation
Laure Kermen
Managing Director
The IECD’s collaboration with the Fondation du Groupe Aéroports de Paris began in 2019. Why have you chosen to focus on education and guidance projects, particularly in Madagascar?
Solidarity is part of our Group’s DNA. In fact, it was behind the creation of the Foundation in 2015. We felt it was important to be more present and alongside the people in the areas where our Group operates. We wanted to support projects in sectors that needed it most. We realised that there was a high level of failure at school, so we naturally focused our actions on preventing illiteracy, providing educational support and career guidance. For us, working in the regions means building up a pool of future employees.
Why did you choose IECD? What do you see as its added value? (What have you found? How does it meet your expectations?)
We chose to work with IECD because of its recognised expertise in the field of education and professional integration. The reliability and quality of its programmes is outstanding. We had also received positive feedback from another major foundation in our sector. Finally, the programmes put in place corresponded well to the Foundation’s vision of trying to stem the brain drain in order to remain and develop the economic and social fabric of their countries. This is why we support the SESAME programme in Madagascar, which helps vulnerable young people to access higher education and then find a job.
What does this collaboration bring you (in terms of the company, your employees, your strategy, your values, your expertise, your knowledge of the sector, the country, etc.)?
We were looking for a trustworthy partner, with whom we could build a relationship of trust and have a transparent collaboration. This is what we have with the IECD teams in Madagascar, with whom we are in regular contact to see how the project is developing year after year. We are proud to be working alongside the IECD, which contributes to the development and support of young Malagasy people, and consequently to the country’s economic and social development.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Madagascar? If so, did any of the young people supported under the SESAME programme catch your attention? Do you have any anecdotes or memories to share?
Of course, I travel regularly to Madagascar to meet the IECD teams and also to talk to the young people in the SESAME programme. During one of my trips, I spoke with a group of young girls. One of them was studying medicine and was very grateful for the personalised support she had received. She was well aware that she would never have been able to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor if she hadn’t continued her studies. She seemed determined and confident about her future, and was well aware of what was at stake in her country at her young age.
Do you feel that, as General Secretary of an international group, you have a role to play in raising awareness of international solidarity among your employees?
Group employees take a keen interest in the projects we support internationally. That’s why we strive to raise their awareness of global issues and the contexts of the countries where we support projects, so that they embrace the Foundation’s vision. This strengthens their sense of belonging and their spirit of solidarity. They also realise that some of the people supported in the projects we support internationally could be their future colleagues.
And in the private sector, to meet the growing challenges facing society?
I am Vice-Chairman of Admical, an organisation that develops corporate and entrepreneurial philanthropy. Today, it is no longer possible to act alone to meet the growing challenges facing our society. So it seems obvious to me that a company’s social role needs to be integrated into its overall strategy. The lines must be crossed, and the relationship between the private sector and civil society organisations must be strengthened.
Furthermore, the involvement of companies in the growing challenges facing society strengthens the sense of belonging of employees, who are constantly seeking meaning in their work.
Finally, investing in the future, investing in young people, means creating links with them and offering them the chance to come and work for our companies.
Anything else to add ?
The IECD is one of the Foundation’s main partners, and I’m delighted to be regularly asked to help develop existing projects, as well as new ones. Our partnership is a long-term one.