Victor Roussel, a Volontaire International en Entreprise (VIE) at AGS Douala in Cameroon, has won the Performance and Integration category of the Grand Prix VIE Award for Central Africa. The award was presented on 26 November, 2019 at the Consul General's residence in Douala.

International corporate volunteering is a civic service managed and developed by Business France. It gives young French people, or nationals of the European Economic Area between the ages of 18 and 28, the opportunity to go on a professional mission to French companies established abroad, for periods ranging from six to 24 months.

The AGS Group started the recruitment of VIEs in 1999 and over the past 20 years has welcomed more than 300 young graduates.  Eleven are currently in post, seven in Africa and four in Europe. Many of them remain at AGS after the end of their assignment and have become branch managers or executives.

The Grand Prix VIE for Central Africa is ​​open to VIEs working in Central African countries: Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Chad.

The award was created to honour the most promising VIE in Central Africa. It is organised by the Foreign Trade Advisors of France (CCEF), in partnership with the Business France Central African office and the teams of the Regional Economic Service.

Victor, who holds a master's degree in Business Engineering, decided after two work experience periods in France to continue his professional life abroad to acquire international experience and discover a different culture. International corporate volunteering was an ideal option for him.

International volunteering in Africa represents less than 10% of the VIEs around the world, a statistic that disappoints Victor. "It is a pity that Africa is not the continent of choice for most VIEs,” he said. “To complete a VIE mission in Africa enables candidates to gain responsibilities very quickly. You also face more obstacles on a daily basis, which forces you to develop your adaptation and management capacities quickly.”

Photo: (From left to right): Pascal Louchelart, Vice-Chairman of the Committee of French Foreign Trade Advisors in Cameroon and President of the Jury of the Grand Prix V.I.E Central Africa 2019; Victor Roussel, the Performance Award winner; and Christophe Pujalte, representing the Committee of French Foreign Trade Advisors in Congo.