ESCP partnered with Ibis RockCorps to promote a remarkable initiative: the "Tu donnes, tu reçois" project, inviting staff members and students to contribute 4 hours of their time to create a positive impact on the world, and in return, they won a concert ticket at l'Accor Arena Paris.
Driven by European values, ESCP’s mission is to inspire and educate business leaders who will impact the world. As European humanists, ESCP encourages its community to be part of a generation that can change the world, carrying and sharing our humanistic values of solidarity and kindness.
Volunteering is an act of civic and social commitment that is dear to ESCP DNA.
“That’s why, when Alan Nobili, ESCP Alumnus and Head of Engagement at RockCorps, approached me in November 2023 to present the project, I did not hesitate for a second to take it on! I assigned this project to Sandrine Kiefer, Head of Internal Communications. I was aware of her commitments as a volunteer with SOS Méditerranée. Then, I knew she would strongly uphold the values of solidarity”, says Marianne Condé Salazar, ESCP Brand & Coms Director.
A holistic education, encompassing personal development and social responsibility
Encouraging student and staff volunteering serves several objectives: community engagement, skills development, well-being, and building a culture of giving.
Indeed, volunteering:
- Fosters a sense of community and social responsibility among students and staff by allowing them to actively contribute to non-profit organisations or address broader societal issues.
- Offers valuable opportunities for students and staff to develop and enhance a range of skills, including leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. These skills are transferable and beneficial both personally and professionally.
- Provides a sense of purpose and fulfilment, contributing to the overall well-being of students and staff.
- Develops a culture of giving and social responsibility.
Sandrine Kiefer promoted this initiative across all the five ESCP campuses: "It was important for me to make this project visible to everyone, to spread the value of solidarity, even though - for logistical reasons - only students and staff from the Paris campus could effectively participate."
Research has shown that volunteering offers significant health benefits. Well-being is one of my top concerns as Dean for Student Experience. Why does volunteering support our mental health? Volunteering appears to be intrinsically rewarding. When we help others, we tend to experience what researchers call a "warm glow.” Second, volunteering is likely to help boost our sense of social connection. Moreover, because it provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills, I believe that the student experience should extend beyond the classroom.
Prof. Francesco RattalinoExecutive Vice-President, Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Experience
The volunteer recruitment ran from February 8 to May 29. Projects started on March 6, every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday until May 29, the date of the concert. Volunteers have had the opportunity to choose the cause they really dear to among a wide range of projects: 215 projects in community centers, schools, parks, housing estates, homeless shelters, care homes and sports halls.
As ESCP Prof. Daniela Lup explains: “Research by the NCVO – National Council for Voluntary Organisations – shows that, compared to employees who volunteer privately, for causes that they choose, employees who volunteer via company schemes were less satisfied with their volunteering contribution. The lesson here is that, when setting volunteering or charitable schemes, companies need to give more voice to employees to decide what causes they want to contribute.”
In the framework of the Ibis RockCorps initiative, volunteers have had the opportunity to choose the cause they really dear to among a wide range of projects: 180 projects were available in partnership with associations such as la Croix-Rouge Française, Emmaüs Solidarité, ATD Quart Monde, Banlieues Climat, Les Restos du coeur, les Petits Frères des Pauvres… as well as local structures committed for instance to sustainability, diversity, inclusion, combating disabilities, and street harassment.
May 29, Accor Arena, Paris… Macklemore, Ronisia, and Franglish performed for all the volunteers involved in the project at ESCP and beyond.
I joined 70 other participants in the 20th arrondissement of Paris to organise a charity flea market at a social and cultural center (the Réseau Étincelle). Fantastic energy and interactions with the residents, it's delightful to help and to feel useful, to meet other volunteers sharing common values of mutual aid and solidarity. Thank you for this initiative, ESCP rocks!
Marion Calone, Communication & Marketing, ESCP Foundation
I spent a fantastic Saturday afternoon with my cousin and about thirty volunteers. We cleaned and painted the walls of the Cité Audacieuse courtyard to make way for a new open-air café. Despite the bad weather, we all had a great time in a joyful atmosphere. And we made new friends who saw again on May 29th for the concert!
Lili Pinard, Apprentice, ESCP Foundation
Volunteering is an obvious choice for me, as I am familiar with civic actions being already involved throughout the year (managing a Youth and Culture Center, participating in a Visual Arts cultural institution). This year, I helped organise a sports event in the 20th arrondissement of Paris and I am ready to renew my commitment next year. These missions provide opportunities to meet other motivated individuals who believe in collective actions and their social impact. Ultimately, you always gain more than you give...
Yohann Marsollier, Chairs coordinator, ESCP
Enriching, human, and festive… that is the way I would describe my experience! What initially motivated me to get involved was the chance to dive into my first volunteer adventure, and the promise of a concert as a bonus was just the cherry on top. Although I'm not currently involved in other volunteer activities, this experience has sparked a strong desire in me to participate more in the future. If this initiative is held again next year, I will absolutely be there! The joy of meeting new people, the personal enrichment from the mission, and the unique celebration with fellow volunteers make it an unforgettable journey. To my colleagues, I would wholeheartedly say: jump in! This is an amazing opportunity that brings countless benefits, and experiencing it together would make it even more special!
Sandra Deschamps, Federal Programme Manager, Executive Education, Executive MBA, ESCP
A creative, supportive, and enriching experience
For a while, I had wanted to get involved with one or more associations during my internship in Paris, but I never had the time to do the research. When I received information about Ibis Corprock from ESCP, I didn't hesitate for a second to sign up and even convinced a friend to join me. Volunteering is not just an act of generosity; it's a necessity. We often live in a bubble, forgetting how crucial our contribution can be. Imagine if every ESCP student dedicated two hours a week to volunteering – that would amount to nearly 20,000 hours per year, or 833 days of work. A small contribution can really go a long way. By getting involved, we can develop valuable skills such as empathy, time management, and teamwork, while also strengthening our network and reputation. We have the privilege of receiving a quality education; it is our duty to share it with others. So, we need to step out of our bubble and make a difference. Every hour dedicated to volunteering helps build a better world. We are young with plenty of skills, and it takes little to accomplish extraordinary things.
Elisa Somà, MiM Student, President of Agora student union
Julien Zhang's experience as Intern at RockCorps
Julien applied to RockCorps because he found the concept both innovative and motivating.
“They encourage young people to volunteer in exchange for concert tickets, creating a positive dynamic that promotes community engagement and offers a unique cultural experience. This model effectively raises awareness and mobilises youth for significant social change.
I have personal experience in volunteering from my time in China, where I saw firsthand the positive impact on local communities and myself. The concept of RockCorps is inspiring, and I am eager to be part of such a meaningful project. Joining RockCorps would allow me to contribute to a significant cause and bring my experience and enthusiasm to a dedicated team.
During my internship, I worked with Audrey, Partnerships Manager. My days were mainly spent raising awareness among young people about our projects and trying to communicate our initiatives as much as possible with youth centers in the Île-de-France region and local missions. This experience allowed me to develop my skills in communication, project management, and partnership relations. I also coordinated a few volunteer projects.”
About RockCorps:
RockCorps is a global movement that believes in the power of music to engage young people in transforming their environment. Through an exclusively produced concert to thank volunteers for their time, RockCorps brings together individuals from all walks of life to work hand in hand towards a more united and compassionate society.
In 2024, RockCorps returns to France with Ibis as the main sponsor. The Ibis RockCorps programme recruited 15,000 young people this spring in Paris, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Lille, Marseille, Nantes, and Lyon.
The ibis RockCorps project has been nominated in the category of World's Leading Sustainable Partnership at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards.
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