CEC Émilie-Gourd invited Manuel Lopez Restrepo and Najibullah Mahsumi, a young talent of Afghan origin and now a student at the École Hôtelière de Genève, to test their Escape Game on the theme of migration. The game was followed by a discussion/exchange with students and teachers on Najibullah's background and point of view.

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At the invitation of the Department of Social Cohesion (DCS) of the Canton of Geneva, Yojoa presented its work in supporting talented young people from migrant backgrounds and the bridging role it plays between young people and employers. Accompanied by Marion Gouriveau from Regus, Yojoa shared its experience alongside fifteen other organizations active in the professional integration of young people through sport, art and culture.

These projects have all been supported by the Office de l'action, de l'insertion et de l'intégration sociale (OAIS) to provide an innovative and appropriate response to the growing number of young people who find themselves on social assistance.

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Yojoa's second event brought together our community of corporate partners to hear a number of testimonials on the theme of diversity inclusion in the workplace.

We talked about valorizing atypical profiles (particularly young talent with a migratory background), creating value for employers and the role of companies as agents of change.

PME Magazine highlights the employability of refugees in Switzerland, in particular through Yojoa's path to employment.

"The Confederation and cantons estimate that 70% of refugees and provisionally admitted persons have the potential to integrate into the labor market. Yet this potential remains under-utilized: by 2021, less than one in two refugees with a work permit will be gainfully employed." This is a situation that needs to be resolved quickly, especially given the current labor shortage in Switzerland.

Read the article below.

Yojoa takes part in the first "Job rencontres" day for young people under 25.
A day of 15-minute meetings between companies and job or apprenticeship applicants.
This year, over 150 interviews took place between 88 candidates and some 30 companies.

This day was a great opportunity for the ten or so young people accompanied by Yojoa to meet potential employers and develop their network.

Yojoa collaborated with the Fondation Qualife, the Association découvrir, the Association BAB-VIA, the Fondation IPT, OrTra santé-social Genève, Scène Active, the Ville de Carouge and the Ville de Vernier in organizing this event.

Further proof that together, we can multiply our impact!

Manuel Lopez Restrepo, Yojoa's Young Talent Program Manager, was a guest on RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse's "Drôle d'époque" radio program to talk about his life's journey, and in particular his arrival in Switzerland as a political refugee.
Accompanied by Emmanuelle Werner Gillioz, co-founder and director of Yojoa, they discussed the opportunities and obstacles linked to the professional integration of young people from migrant backgrounds in Switzerland, as well as Swiss migration policy and its capacity for integration.

The work of Yojoa presented by Emmanuelle Werner Gillioz on RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse during the Forum RTS show.

Article published following the opening of the Association Vivre Ensemble publication "Réfugié.es & emploi. Beyond preconceived ideas".
It highlights the employability of refugees and Yojoa's role in putting them in touch with employers.

Contribution to the brochure "Refugees & Employment. Beyond preconceived ideas", produced by the Association Vivre Ensemble, and participation in the opening evening.