The Director General of Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Planning and Development, Philippe Lasmel, has set the tone for the Moayé internship and employability program initiated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Côte d’Ivoire, stating that “any program that enables young people to grow and discover professional life can only be encouraged.”
According to Mr. Lasmel, the UNFPA initiative aligns fully with this ambition by offering young graduates a concrete immersion into the world of work. “We have seen in these interns a real desire to learn and a strong determination to build a solid socio-professional future,” he noted, describing the program as a “valuable” opportunity to strengthen their employability.
He stressed the need to go beyond access to employment and promote “decent, skill-building jobs with real prospects.” In his view, the Moayé program provides a practical response to the persistent gap between academic training and labor market demands.
Launched in 2025, the Moayé internship program has already enabled 15 young people to join UNFPA. Through this initiative, participants develop a wide range of skills, including project management, communication, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and reproductive health issues.
Designed as a strategic investment in human capital, the program aims to provide a first professional experience—sometimes with an international dimension—while strengthening technical, behavioral, and ethical skills, promoting innovation and hands-on learning, and advancing gender equality and youth leadership.
The rigorous selection process for the second cohort resulted in the selection of 12 interns out of more than 1,035 applications, highlighting the strong interest of young people in such opportunities.
The UNFPA Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, Saidou Kaboré, refocused the discussion on the organization’s core mission: ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can reach their full potential.
Addressing the interns directly, he shared practical advice to help them succeed in their professional immersion. He emphasized that an internship goes beyond simply seeking employment: “It is прежде all about learning what the work environment is.”
He highlighted several key values, including critical thinking—encouraging interns to question and improve ideas—knowledge sharing among peers, integrity and respect in a workplace where abuse of power and harassment are strictly prohibited, and open-mindedness, which is essential for innovation and progress.
He also encouraged the young participants to adopt an ambitious vision, striving for “absolute excellence” and contributing to making Côte d’Ivoire and Africa globally competitive.
Finally, he urged the interns to become role models for future generations. “Be inspired by the paths you admire today, so that tomorrow, others may be inspired by yours,” he concluded.