Québec and Assembly of European Regions usher in new era for Québec-Europe youth exchanges

Monday, December 14, 2009

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The Assembly of European Regions (AER) and Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec (LOJIC) have signed an agreement that marks the start of a new era for occupational stays for young adults from Québec and Europe.

Loupe

<i>Left to right:</i> Christos Sirros, Alfred Pilon, Michèle Sabban, Rui Bettencourt and Klaus Klipp.

“This European opening is a major advance for Québec,” said Alfred Pilon, LOJIQ Executive Manager. “Québec is now directly linked to over 270 European regions when it comes to developing occupational internships and favouring international mobility for young people from Québec and European regions.”

According to AER President Michèle Sabban, “The programs and structures deployed by the AER for young people are aimed at improving young Europeans’ chances of entering the labour market, allowing them to acquire occupational experience abroad and involving them actively in European democratic life.”

Young Québec adults have access to privileges formerly reserved for young people from the AER member regions. AER initiatives like Eurodyssee, which enables occupational internships abroad, the Youth Summer School, the Youth Regional Network and the Youth Ambassadors Project are now open to young Quebecers.

The agreement signed in front of M. Klaus Klipp, general secretary of the AER, was signed by Michèle Sabban and Alfred Pilon. Rui Bettencourt, Secretary of the Eurodyssee Program, and Christos Sirros, Québec’s Delegate General in Brussels, served as honorary witnesses.

About LOJIQ

LOJIQ is made up of three agencies created by the Québec government, namely the Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse (OFQJ), the Office Québec Wallonie Bruxelles pour la jeunesse (OQWBJ) and the Office Québec-Monde pour la jeunesse (OQMJ), which have grouped together their services under the LOJIC banner in order to offer a “single window” approach in the area of international mobility for young Quebec adults. LOJIC helps participants develop their occupational and personal skills by allowing them to deploy a project in a foreign country. Year in, year out, LOJIC welcomes over 4,000 young Quebec participants and more than 2,000 young foreigners.