Welcoming spouses and partners to CERN
The questions related to Diversity were examined in the framework of the Five-yearly Review, which was approved in December 2015. The first themes implemented this year concern helping spouses or partners integrate into the working world, and improving the balance between professional and private life.
To this end, the Social Affairs Service and the CERN Diversity Office organised together on Tuesday, 15 November, a “Welcome Drink” for the spouses and partners of employed members of the personnel of CERN who have recently arrived in the region.
This event was an occasion for the spouses and partners to meet and greet with various internal services at CERN, including the Staff Association, as well as local networks that can provide assistance in integrating into the region, in terms of job search for instance.
Therefore, several service providers were present, including:
- the Geneva Welcome Center (CAGI), a welcoming network for newly arrived employees of international organisations and agencies,
- the “Groupement Transfrontalier Européen” (GTE), an association designed forcross-border workers, and
- the International Dual Career Network (IDCN), an association created by companies of the Lemanic region for spouses looking for employment.
Staff delegates Corinne Vetele and Juan Garcia Perez were at the Welcome Drink to introduce the Staff Association and particularly the activities and offers we provide.
Carole Dargagnon, the headmaster of the Children’s Day-Care Centre (EVE) and School was happy to answer the questions of many parents looking for information on childcare and schooling of their children.
Many spouses and partners were also very interested in the CERN clubs, represented by Rachel Bray.
These various services offered by the Staff Association correspond perfectly to the image of CERN in terms of diversity and integration. Clearly, everyone who attended really appreciated this event.
We would like to offer our congratulations to the organising team, as well as everyone who contributed to turning this idea into a reality.Plans are already in the works for the second “Welcome Drink” in May 2017. Please help us spread the word to your new colleagues when they arrive at CERN!
