Academic training: HEC Paris students learn about the First Lady’s social and humanitarian initiatives
As part of their academic training, students from HEC Paris met with First Lady Dominique Ouattara, this Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at her office.
The meeting witnessed the participation of around twenty students, accompanied by Mr. Alexis John Ahyee, Director of West and Central Africa at HEC Paris.
The aim of the meeting was for the students to learn more about the First Lady’s social and humanitarian commitment through the Children Of Africa Foundation.
HEC Paris has initiated a project entitled “Academy in Abidjan” for the month of January. This project is part of the HEC curriculum and offer students the possibility for immersing in a number of specific professions. These students, members of the HEC ONU Association, have set up their own program to discover professions linked to diplomacy and institutional sectors.
As a result, they focus their research on major issues such as democracy, diplomacy, peace and economic growth, and the link between each issues. They have focused their project on “the link between peace and economic and social prosperity”. The aim of the project is to enable the students to meet influential Ivorian officials and personalities who play a key role in the country’s economic and social success. The students were also interested in topics like children ‘s wellneing and education, which are important for the sustainable development and future prosperity of Côte d’Ivoire.
This is the context in which the delegation requested a meeting with the Children Of Africa Foundation, to gain a better understanding of the projects and challenges facing the First Lady through her Foundation, and to explore how tomorrow’s young leaders can draw inspiration from the Foundation’s mission to promote similar initiatives at their own level.
The meeting focused on the projects and actions of the Children Of Africa Foundation. The First Lady, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, President of the Children Of Africa Foundation, and members of her team presented the commitments of the Children Of Africa Foundation. They gave details on the various actions undertaken since the creation of the Foundation in 1998, in the light of the issues and challenges it faces on a daily basis. The First Lady’s commitment as UNAIDS Ambassador, to adress child labor, the Foundation’s actions in the fields of education, health and social welfare, the issue of voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP), prevention and many other concerns were all raised by the First Lady and the members of her team, to the great interest of their young visitors.
Long before these exchanges, the honor fell to Miss Fleur Petica, spokeswoman for the HEC Paris students, to present the stakes of this visit by the HEC Paris students.
After the meeting, Mr. Alexis Ahyee was kind enough to share his feelings . “We are very happy. You can see the smiles on the students’ faces. Our students now understand how the Children Of Africa Foundation was created and structured, and how it contributes to social prosperity in Côte d’Ivoire and Africa. Our students also understand how a social and humanitarian issue can be addressed by an organization or a private foundation”, underlined Mr. Alexis Ahyee, Director of West and Central Africa at HEC Paris. Returning to the lessons learned from this meeting, Mr. Ahyée revealed that the students will be asked to write astonishing reports after the event. “These students will write what we call an ‘astonishment report’. It’s an individual report that counts as part of their academic curriculum.
Each of these students will have his or her own interpretation of this meeting. It’s a pedagogical and individual cog in the wheel. They asked a variety of questions. Each had his or her own answer. For them, it’s an enrichment of their academic career. Enrichment provided by professionals. It’s this practical experience that we’re looking for , and that’s what we’re here to do today,” revealed Mr. Ahyee.
A cocktail was offered by the First Lady to her young guests.