International Day of Education
To mark the International Day of Education on January 24, 2023, Mécénat Servier reaffirms its commitment to children, enabling them to access education and as such prepare the world of tomorrow.
Education remains an excellent way of upholding children’s rights and supporting a country’s development. That is why Mécénat Servier is resolutely pursuing its work in favor of access to knowledge. “Along with support for health, education is a major priority for us, emphasizes Corinne Massin, Director of Corporate Philanthropy and General Delegate of Mécénat Servier Charity Fund. With the strength of our international network, we support projects that promote equal opportunities – in both France and abroad – giving children the freedom to build their future and make their dreams a reality.”
Morocco: Exemplary Action with Enfance Maghreb Avenir
This is the first partnership established by Mécénat Servier with Morocco via the call for Joint Initiatives projects made to the Group’s subsidiaries and sites. Launched in 2006, the association EMA works in coordination with the Moroccan Ministry of Education in 17 public schools. Supporting nearly 17,000 children from the slums of Greater Casablanca and Marrakech, its goal is to enhance the social integration role played by schools through the creation or development of healthy, clean, and attractive environments within them, from kindergarten to high school.
“The theme of education is key to the development of Moroccan society, and the situation is critical in some cities. We visited several of these schools and the idea of investing in a joint project with our colleagues at the Nouasseur production site suddenly became obvious. In addition to financial support, it was very important for us to contribute through skills-based sponsorship. More than 50 employees had already been directly involved in a similar project through various activities: painting the school walls with the children, setting up a botanical area, participating in a training day on IT or job interview preparation, etc. The link created with the 120 children of Bouzayne school remains very present in our memory.” – Florent Darchez, General Manager of Servier Morocco
France: Fighting School Dropout with Espérance banlieues
Since 2018, Mécénat Servier has continued its involvement alongside the Espérance banlieues network. After the Cours Jules Verne school in Le Mans, followed by Cours La Galiote in Poissy, Mécénat Servier has joined forces with Cours Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in Asnières-sur-Seine, offering a grant of €66,000 a year for three years. This will enable the long-term sponsorship of a class of 15 fourth graders, funding their school fees, outings, and other school activities, with the objective being to tackle school dropout using pedagogical, educational, and integrative approaches. A new three-year partnership with Cours la Boussole in Mantes-la-Jolie has recently extended Mécénat Servier’s work in favor of access to education for young children in elementary school.
“With Servier Group employees, we spent a day in a class of fourth graders. After raising the flag in the courtyard, we exchanged ideas on medicines and research. This was followed by a very touching show put on for us by the pupils. The morning ended with washing windows, children and adults together! After a picnic, we visited Les Invalides in the afternoon. I really appreciated the atmosphere and the omnipresent benevolence. The educational teams teach these young people, who are often from disadvantaged backgrounds, to have confidence in themselves, to respect adults and children, and to love France. It has opened my eyes to the fact that a different type of approach is possible…”. – Yolande De Pillot, Servier employee
The mobilization of Mécénat Servier in favor of education is part of a long-term dynamic that is more crucial than ever given the international situation.
