LABCITOYEN PROGRAMME

The program of the French Institute dedicated to the major themes of human rights, gathered in Paris from 1 to 9 July, 60 young Francophones from around the world aged 20 to 26 around the theme: “Education and Rights of the Rights “. Around this theme, the French Institute invited these young representatives from 45 countries, selected for their excellence and commitment, to share their experiences, strengthen their skills, meet leading French and international actors. The theme of the 2018 edition has been addressed through various topics: access to education, gender approach, innovative educational devices, human rights education, sport and education, the fight against unequal opportunities, fight against illiteracy, media education.

I had the honor to represent Nigeria in this program because of my commitment to gender issues and education.

The first day was marked by the participants’ presentation and I was impressed by each participant’s projects. Everyone is doing something impressive in their country. We talked globally about the situation of women in the world, and particularly the issue of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Violence and Inclusive Education) at UNESCO headquarters.

On the second day, we had a training session in Eloquentia. We worked on public speaking, how to make a plea. My group has particularly worked on how to make a public speech. I liked the way people stayed focused following the facilitator’s advice. At the round table discussion, we talked about innovations in the field of education. Each group had an example of innovation. We also had some organizations that talked to us on innovation.. What impressed me the most was the commitment and participation of all the guests. They foght body and soul to produce good results. It was not for gain or salary alone. There was a clear interest in doing these exercises.

On the third day we went to Tremplin. We talked about innovation in the field of education through sport. The representative of Tremplin and another social enterprise association that helps the disabled spoke to us. Then came a round table discussion where we had the honor of meeting the director of ply4. Its structure is to create learning tools so that people learn about human rights through sport. Later, we had an official of the preparation committee for the Women’s World Cup in Paris in 2019 . We talked on reasons why women’s football is not valued like men’s football. There was also a speaker who was the director of a sport school. They want people to be educated athletes. We were later introduces to ”Les Hauts Parleurs”, it is a French-language web channel. It is a platform for disseminating our learning activities. What attracted me were the activities of the association that educates about human rights through sport. It’s a good idea. In the afternoon, we went to The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. We learned how to advocate with the director of FDH. Through group work, we thought about how to help the projects of some participants coming from Africa and the South American. I was also impressed by the quality of the work done and the presentation of the work of a participant from my group who worked on women’s empowerment.

On the fourth day we visited the Second Chance School. We met with the director and the trainers, as well as the students. The School allows those who have failed in education to find a job. Physiological training and supervision are given to them to integrate well into the community. It is very remarkable. People who have not received training in their countries come to France to succeed. We had a meeting at the institute of journalism with the director of the institute. Then, we had a presentation by an association that fights against discrimination in education. They help people on the verge of dropping out of school, to keep them in the system. They also help them in the job market. They find work faster than others.

On the last day we went to Maif Social Club. We were divided into two groups. The first group went to see a startup employer who was working on robots. He seeks to improve the social state of men through the robot. We also visited an exhibition that showed the differences and similarities between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. The second group worked on illiteracy. An association that looks at the situation of illiteracy in France, explains how to combat illiteracy by referring to the problem through advertising. Then we talked about language and the insertion of migrants. Several associations help migrants learn French. They help them to integrate into the community. Maif social club society helps startups, encourages innovations related to technology and social innovation. People think that technology has to be social. (They want technology to help society). We had an exchange with the director of CLEMI. It is an association that works on the education of minors with the media. They train teachers. One group learned how to fight information manipulation and the second group, challenges in education.

I like this program, because we have not only discussed the problems, but also we have proposed solutions to issues.

This is an opportunity for me to thank very sincerely, the French Institute and the French Embassy in Nigeria. I also thank Ms. Marina Lacan for her help.

http://en.rfi.fr/France-encourages-new-generation-global-citizens-through-Labcitoyen-programme-ADEWUYI ROSELINE ADEBIMPE

http://www.institutfrancais-nigeria.com/labcitoyen-2018/-ADEWUYI ROSELINE ADEBIMPE