Majid Al Futtaim Egypt Partners with UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Solidarity to Provide a Training Programme for Vulnerable Children
Cairo, Egypt, 17 October 2022: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday between UNICEF for the United Nations Children’s Fund and Majid Al Futtaim Egypt, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity. This two-year partnership aims to launch a programme for the Skilling of Children and Young People, which will be executed by Carrefour, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Egypt.
The signing took place today in the presence of Philippe Peguilhan, Country Manager of Majid Al Futtaim Retail in Egypt, and Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative in Egypt, who both discussed the shared vision of this partnership. The programme will provide 200 vulnerable children at risk between the ages of 15 and 24 years with skilling and training opportunities to support their transition into adulthood.
During the session Philippe Peguilhan, Country Manager of Majid Al Futtaim Retail in Egypt, stated: “Majid Al Futtaim Retail is constantly looking for ways to provide equal opportunities and experiences for all. The partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund enables us to offer vulnerable children and young people internship and training opportunities at our stores, building on Carrefour’s unwavering commitment to and support of the communities in which it operates. We look forward to continuing to foster a safe, inclusive environment by launching initiatives and partnerships like this, that look to drive positive change within the society.”
With the support of the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS) and partnering NGOs, the children will be trained at different departments at Carrefour’s hypermarkets – including the bakery, fresh food, consumer goods, textile and light household sections – during a two-month training placement.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative in Egypt, commented: “This partnership is a step in the right direction to empower children and young people at risk as they will be provided with skills and training to support their transition to adulthood and prepare them for the labour market."
“UNICEF is working with partners in Egypt to support the government with strengthening child protection systems and the provision of improved care services to more than 125,000 children at risk. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Government of Egypt, Carrefour and to the Egyptian Foundation for advancement of the Childhood Condition (EFACC) for their efforts, and to also thank the Embassies of Denmark and the Netherlands and the Italian Cooperation for supporting the ‘training and rehabilitation’ programme”, Mr. Hopkins added.
Through this partnership, UNICEF and Carrefour contribute to the work led by the Ministry of Social Solidarity as testament to its significant impact on Egyptian society and the shared responsibility all partners have towards the community.