ENGLISH - QUESTIONS TO: MERIEM M'RANI ALAOUI Organization Development Manager x Social Activist
MERIEM M’RANI ALAOUI CONSIDERS HERSELF TO BE AN AFRICAN EUROPEAN LED BY INTENTION. INSPIRED BY MOROCCO, ALGERIA AND FRANCE, COUNTRIES DEEPLY ENCHRINED IN HER DNA, THIS MILLENIAL WITH AN ATYPICAL JOURNEY TRULY REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF A HYPERCONSCIENT INDIVIDUAL.
IT WAS OUR PLEASURE TO CHAT WITH THE « SCIENCES PO » ALUM AND DISCUSS HER PERCEPTION OF THE WORLD AS A YOUNG WOMEN, LIVING IN 2020 BUT ALSO ABOUT HER ROLE AS ORGANIZATION MANAGER IN CHARGE OF THE COMPETENCY BUILDING OF OVER 800 INDIVIDUALS SET TO WORK FOR ONE OF SENEGALS MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECTS OF THE LAST DECADES THE « TER ».
The Train Express Regional (TER) will be, a rail line in Senegal that connects Dakar with the Blaise Diagne International Airport. The contract is valued at €2 billion euros.
The Train Express Régional will serve 14 stations on a 55 km route with a Ridership estimated at 115 000 passengers/day.
Here is a quick glimpse of the exchange we had with this millenial marked by a spirit of commitment for Africa in Africa.
“To be “Hyperconscious” for me, is the love of ones personal identity, its knowledge, but also the fact to capitalize on it, in order to create a positive impact for ourselves and for others”
— MERIEM M-A
Who is Meriem M’rani Alaoui ?
I am a Frenchwoman from Henin Baumont (North of France) of Moroccan and Algerian descent. I lived my entire childhood up until I graduated High School in Henin. During my studies in High School, I tried the Sciences Po Paris admission program that my school proposed. Indeed, my HS offered certain volunteers specific coaching in order to be well prepared for the exam. I ended up being admitted.
Can you explain this process of moving to Paris and then integrating Sciences Po?
At first, I was naturally a little bit overwhelmed, being surrounded by people who from the age of 5 know that they will make it in these type of big schools. On my side, it was an obstacle of course, France is ranked 20th in terms of equal opportunities at school. I’m a Young woman, coming from immigration and raised in Henin Baumont, factors that could have made my access in this institutions at the age of 17 difficult, if not impossible. I just had to work, work and work, and certainly don't regret it.
Have you always been intentional on where you wanted to go concerning your professional career ?
At first no, the Bachelor at Sciences Po Paris, is inspired by what is inspired by the English system, with courses that students choose based on their center of interests.. The first 3 years are therefore relatively general.
Subsequently, especially during my masters, it is true that I had this intention of going to work as an HR because it was a path that interested me, despite the disappointment that it could have created around me , I knew it could lead me to do great things.
You worked during 4 years for Danone within it’s department in charge of Africa, what was your role within the organization ?
I was admitted to the Africa division of Danone, which had just been created, directly attached to its Vice President. At that time Danone wanted to prioritize its African strategy. It’s in this context that I joined the team in order to participante in the strategic orientations to instill in the new African vision.
My role was more precisely to focus on the policies involving the development of relevant talent on the continent for Danone.
What do you remember most from this experience?
It was one of the most exciting experiences I had because it was a start-up atmosphere, with the mission of creating an ambition, in a continent that is difficult for some large groups to tackle. I had the privilege to travel in more than fifteen countries on the continent, to make diagnoses on skills in Africa and the programs to set up there. In short, a very enriching experience.
Why so animated on wanting to play a more active role on the continent ?
There are many events speaking about Africa in Paris (laughs), but I was looking for something more concrete, I wanted to live it in a factual way, and no longer from my Paris office.
Aside from my African origins, I remain convinced that the future lies in this continent. Why I am convinced of it? A lot still remains to be done here, with a boulevard of opportunities.
President Macky Sall, and Afdb President Akinwumi Adesina nspecting the Train with government officials
In terms of positive impact on the daily lives of thousands of people, of added value, of creation, I could have never had such an impact anywhere other than in Africa. This is the reason why I left my comfortable contract at Danone in Paris and agreed to restart all over again by joining Keolis & SNCF on an ambitious and decisive project for the Senegalese government TER Dakar in Senegal.
Concerning your social inclusive activities you have been socially engaged since Science Po and collaborated with organiations such as TMTT can you tell us more about it ?
I have always been driven by the desire to work on equal opportunities issues.
When I was at Sciences Po, we had partnerships with neighborhood authorities to help people far from the job market find a job. After which Sciences po and these companies work together, in order to reinforce the skills of these people.
We have supported nearly 40 people in that direction. This project, has really opened my eyes concerning the impact I want to have on the lives of other people.
In Paris, my commitment was also reinforced when I joined an association called TMTT -The Muslim Think Tanks- , the aim being to change the perception of Islam, and Muslim people.
The think tank organizes events such as thé one that took place at the National French Library, during which we popularize our mission.
I found it important to set up this kind of reflection circle, when we know for instance that a person with a Muslim name is 5 times less likely to have his resume considered for a position than an individual with a French sounding name.
To work on equal opportunities in this context is above all to work on the perception of Muslims, and minorities in general, of France. TMTT is an association which works enormously in this direction.
Whats your definition of a hyperconscious individual ?
To be “Hyperconscious” for me, is the love of ones personal identity, its knowledge, but also the fact to capitalize on it, in order to create a positive impact for ourselves and for others.
It is also to be conscious without being naive, for example there was a time during which I considered myself to be an Afro-optimist, growing up I feel more Afro-realist, because you have to be aware of the problems the continent is facing, in order to be able to develop it.
A hyperconscious accepts the past but above all accepts that he can go beyond !