Jeunes Ambassadeurs in Rhône-Alpes
A quality network of international relations for local businesses
The Jeunes Ambassadeurs program was created in 1999 at the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
It resulted from ideas and concerns from on the one hand, a group of business leaders and consul representatives looking for new ways to promote their international activities, and on the other hand, heads of colleges and universities who identified a clear need to offer a richer experience to the foreign students hosted.
Program’s objectives:
> Encourage the creation of quality and long-lasting relations between foreign students and business leaders
> Encourage international partnerships for companies from the Lyon and Saint Etienne region
> Boost the reputation of Lyon and Saint-Etienne around the world
The Jeune Ambassadeur program is fully integrated into the business community and was extended to Saint Etienne in 2003.
Today the programs federates the CCI of Lyon and all of the major institutional leaders (the Grand Lyon, the General Council of the Rhone, the Rhone-Alpes Region, the CCI of Saint Etienne, Saint Etienne Métropole and the General Council of the Loire), 18 colleges and universities and over a hundred companies in the region that are most open to innovation and international activities.
The Jeunes Ambassadeurs program is based on the principal of reciprocity.
One Jeunes Ambassadeurs class lasts 6 months (from October to April) during which time the students will :
Form a pair with their « business coach » : The coach is a manager of a company whose business activity relates to the studies or professional objectives of the student. The managers mission is to help the student get to know their company, how its market is organized and operates, and to introduce the student to some of the key people in their work environment.
Attend events: planning of events, companies visits, cultural excursions, international conferences and forums, organized festivities.
Participate in Award programs: a competition is open to the students on the theme of a business, cultural or institutional link between their home city or region and Lyon or Saint Etienne. The competition is a way to validate the knowledge acquired during their stay (knowledge of the business community, networks, regional culture) as well as their motivations and aptitude to take on the role of an ambassador.
In exchange for benefiting from this tailored hosting and program, upon return to their home country, the jeunes ambassadeurs from Lyon and Saint Etienne agree to :
Communicate on the expertise of the companies and the relations established with their directors.
Encourage contacts between members of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs network: the other jeunes ambassadeurs, the coaches and the colleges and universities.
Facilitate international partnerships: communicating information, finding required correspondents, etc.
You want more informations about this hosting program ? Visit www.jeunes-ambassadeurs.com
