On Thursday, 7th May 2015, the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation and the Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD) signed a partnership agreement in favour of Thai youth, under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Thierry Viteau, Ambassador of France in Thailand, at the Residence of France in Bangkok (Thailand).
In the aim of establishing a long-term partnership, the Foundation’s Delegate General and Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s great-nephew, Olivier d’Agay, and IECD’s Head of Projects in Thailand, Simon Martin, signed a framework agreement defining the objectives of their collaboration and the common vision they share for youth.
In 2009, the IECD, along with its local partner TBCAF (Tak Border Child Assistance Foundation), developed the Hospitality and Catering Training Centre (HCTC), a hospitality and catering school in Mae Sot in northwest Thailand, which aims to give the disadvantaged boys and girls of the region, in particular those of Karen origin, new prospects for the future in a very promising sector.
The school, which has just seen its second batch of graduates, benefits from growing recognition in the hospitality sector and can rely on a strong partnership with the Accor group. The school not only offers professional training firmly focused on practical aspects, but also a comprehensive educational programme enabling students to develop both personal and professional projects and to become the responsible citizens of tomorrow.
The Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation had the desire to act in favour of disadvantaged Thai youth and has therefore decided to support the educational and training programmes implemented by the IECD that mirrors its values, starting later this year.
This partnership will focus on strengthening the educational programmes offered to the youth by the school. Access to reading and language learning will be enhanced, particularly thanks to the creation of an interactive resource centre and a pedagogical garden that will bring education in sustainable development to a new level for the students, whose training includes a cooking specialisation.
The Foundation will also help to improve the daily lives of students at school and within the boarding house by participating in the renovation of several buildings and facilities and covering a part of the school fees. Thanks to this special support, more then 60 disadvantaged youth will therefore be able to attend school and have a healthy and nurturing environment to thrive and grow in.
During the official signing ceremony, a former student, Ms Kasemsri, who is from Poblaki, a small village without electricity nestled in the mountains of the Thai-Burmese border (situated 150 km from Mae Sot) where her parents cultivate rice, gave a speech explaining her unique experience with the HCTC. Four years ago, Ms Kasemsri, who is 20 years old today, joined the HCTC to prepare her future and support her family. Before she graduated, the school’s management offered her one more year of training consisting of internships at prestigious hotels and restaurants as well as at hospitality schools. She achieved this while learning English, hence she has been offered the opportunity to join the HCTC’s team in Mae Sot as a permanent teacher. She is truly a role model for her school and for the entire community!
Photo Credits : ©FASEJ
1- Olivier d’Agay, S.E.M. Thierry Viteau and Simon Martin.
2- Christophe Lejeune, Regional VP HR Accor Group, Olivier d’Agay, His Excellency Thierry Viteau, Simon Martin and Ms Kasemsri.
3- Artist Arnaud Nazare-Aga, Christophe Lejeune, Nicolas Delsalle-Mun, Secretary-General of the Foundation, Simon Martin, Olivier d’Agay, Ms Kasemsri and His Excellency Thierry Viteau.
4- Olivier d’Agay and Ms Kasemsri.
5- Guests and journalists invited by the French Embassy in Thailand.
