Global Compact International Yearbook 2017

FORGING A GENERATION OF
RESPONSIBLE LEADERS
The Adecco Group’s 'CEO for One Month' enables young people from across the globe to
experience the responsibilities, challenges, and excitement of helping to lead a major multinational
business for one month. More than simply an opportunity to gain valuable experience,
it aims to forge a generation of responsible leaders imbued with the values that underpin the
UN Global Compact Principles.
By Lilian Furrer, The Adecco Group
Youth unemployment is a problem that
just will not go away. Worldwide, more
than 200 million people are without work,
and almost 40 percent of them are 25 or
younger. Issues such as skills mismatches
and a lack of experience combined, create
a virtual discriminatory barrier to
employment.
Recognizing the scale of the problem,
The Adecco Group – the world’s leading
provider of workforce solutions – established
the Way to Work initiative to
tackle youth unemployment and indirect
discrimination against young people in
the job market. The initiative involves
a range of activities and opportunities
for young people of all levels of ability,
education, and experience.
Overcoming barriers to employment
While trying to address some of the entry-level
barriers that hamper access to
employment for young people through
its Street Day (pop-up career workshops),
the 2017 Experience Work Day, and internship
opportunities, Way to Work is
helping to shape a new generation of
young, educated talent through ‘CEO for
One Month’ in an innovative manner.
The goal is to equip participants with the
insights, understanding, and first-hand
experiences of how to become principled,
responsible business leaders.
CREATING A CULTURE
OF RESPONSIBLE
LEADERSHIP
“‘CEO for One Month’ has had a
huge impact on my career. It has
helped me understand that, as a
leader, you have an impact on the
world. And you should do all you can
to make sure the impact is a positive
one. It’s not about one person making
decisions in isolation, otherwise you
live in your own bubble and things
will never truly change.
Joël Cleopatre, ‘CEO for One Month,’
Mauritius
“A lack of skills and experience are often
the main barrier to entry or career progress
for young people. Through Way to
Work, we help break down those barriers.
It’s heartening to see how ‘CEO for
One Month’ – now entering its fourth
year – is helping to forge responsible
leaders of the future,” says Alain Dehaze,
CEO of The Adecco Group.
‘CEO for One Month’ attracted more than
54,000 applications in 2016, with 50
becoming an Adecco ‘CEO for One
Month’ in their countries. From this
group, ten were then shortlisted to run
for the global ‘CEO for One Month,’ with
the successful candidate – 22-year-old
Camille Clément from France – working
alongside Alain Dehaze in October
2016.
“Before applying for ‘CEO for One Month,’
I thought it was only charities and NGOs
that were interested in making a difference
and operating sustainably,” says
Camille. “But being part of this initiative
helped me understand the opportunity
you can give – and – the duty you have
as a corporate leader to act responsibly
and make a difference.”
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Global Compact International Yearbook 2017