0:00:27.515,0:00:30.995
I was born in Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast.

0:00:31.795,0:00:33.185
But to be honest,

0:00:33.195,0:00:35.485
I can't remember what Africa looks like.

0:00:36.195,0:00:38.594
For the simple reason that,[br]when I was a kid,

0:00:39.235,0:00:41.715
I was taken and brought somewhere else.

0:00:43.435,0:00:49.035
Growing between United States and Europe[br]doesn't mean living a healthy environment.

0:00:50.515,0:00:53.155
My biological father[br]was an African father,

0:00:53.715,0:00:56.515
with that, back in the days:[br]African mentality.

0:00:57.835,0:01:00.515
According to him, he was the boss

0:01:01.035,0:01:04.595
and we, the kids,[br]had just to follow his rules.

0:01:05.105,0:01:06.755
Simple as it was.

0:01:08.115,0:01:13.015
I knew I was good enough to do something[br]extraordinary later in my life,

0:01:13.835,0:01:17.395
but at that time I was not allowed

0:01:17.395,0:01:20.515
to follow the passion[br]I had for several things,

0:01:20.515,0:01:23.795
especially sports and computer science.

0:01:25.675,0:01:28.795
My desire was to live in one environment

0:01:28.795,0:01:33.835
where all individuals could freely aspire[br]and achieve their dreams,

0:01:33.835,0:01:36.915
according to their abilities[br]and perseverance.

0:01:38.435,0:01:40.195
That's why I thought that

0:01:40.195,0:01:42.995
leaving my parents’ house[br]and moving somewhere else

0:01:43.875,0:01:47.675
would be the only way[br]to truly achieve better life prospects.

0:01:50.075,0:01:52.955
That single day in which[br]I left my parents' house,

0:01:52.955,0:01:56.755
I felt like my period of jail[br]was finally over,

0:01:56.755,0:02:00.575
and my life as a free man[br]was about to start.

0:02:02.595,0:02:05.075
Living without economic resources

0:02:05.075,0:02:09.155
forced me to develop the ability[br]to do more with less,

0:02:09.875,0:02:13.395
and I learned how to turn adversity[br]into an opportunity.

0:02:15.135,0:02:16.725
I was broke.

0:02:16.725,0:02:20.515
But, despite the challenges,[br]I worked hard to go to university.

0:02:21.995,0:02:25.935
I chose international rights and diplomacy

0:02:25.935,0:02:29.924
without any clear idea[br]of how the academic path

0:02:29.924,0:02:32.974
would turn to be helpful[br]later in my professional career.

0:02:34.465,0:02:39.125
During university, I fell in love[br]with macroeconomics and geopolitics.

0:02:39.125,0:02:41.875
So, after my graduation,

0:02:41.875,0:02:46.065
I applied to go to work[br]for one of the biggest banks ever,

0:02:46.065,0:02:49.098
and for the most interesting[br]country of the world:

0:02:49.098,0:02:50.698
the European Union.

0:02:51.315,0:02:52.965
In 2010,

0:02:52.965,0:02:56.985
I started working for a private agency[br]of the European Union.

0:02:57.995,0:03:01.475
And my job was the monitoring[br]of several factors

0:03:02.195,0:03:05.075
to anticipate through[br]data collection and analysis

0:03:05.755,0:03:07.955
the potential movement of individuals

0:03:07.955,0:03:09.755
leaving their country of origin

0:03:09.755,0:03:12.995
towards the external borders[br]of the European Union.

0:03:14.155,0:03:20.015
In the same year, 2010,[br]we had the so-called “Arab Spring”.

0:03:21.165,0:03:23.285
And since then,

0:03:23.285,0:03:26.555
the immigration has become[br]the megatrend of our time.

0:03:28.155,0:03:30.350
Since then,

0:03:30.350,0:03:33.000
the debate focuses too much

0:03:33.000,0:03:37.285
on the distinction between refugees[br]and economic immigrants.

0:03:37.755,0:03:39.285
Forgetting that, globally,

0:03:39.715,0:03:44.795
immigrants represent approximately[br]three percent of the world population,

0:03:44.795,0:03:50.175
but produce more than [br]nine percent of the global GDP.

0:03:51.715,0:03:53.235
The debate can't see

0:03:53.235,0:03:57.575
that immigration is not just inevitable,[br]but it is necessary.

0:03:59.035,0:04:04.115
The contribution of immigrants[br]can be seen in every aspect of our life.

0:04:06.075,0:04:10.565
We see it in religion, in politics,[br]in business, in arts, in education.

0:04:11.195,0:04:13.795
Even in athletics and entertainment.

0:04:15.075,0:04:18.035
There is no part of our nations

0:04:18.035,0:04:22.455
that has not been touched and shaped[br]by our immigrant background.

0:04:23.275,0:04:26.315
And we got to recognize

0:04:26.315,0:04:29.955
that the energy that immigrants[br]bring to host communities

0:04:29.955,0:04:33.275
is a key reason why the American economy

0:04:33.275,0:04:38.785
has been the greatest engine[br]of prosperity and innovation in history.

0:04:41.034,0:04:43.755
Without the opportunity[br]for his biological parents

0:04:43.755,0:04:48.995
to leave their country of origin[br]and build better life prospects,

0:04:48.995,0:04:51.335
in a country they deserved to call home,

0:04:52.275,0:04:57.195
Steve Jobs would never be able[br]to deliver us the iPhone,

0:04:57.195,0:04:58.575
as we know it today.

0:04:59.955,0:05:02.835
Without the opportunity[br]to leave their country of origin

0:05:02.835,0:05:06.825
and build better life prospects[br]in a country they deserved to call home,

0:05:07.675,0:05:10.855
Sergey Brin and Sundar Pichai[br]would never be able

0:05:10.855,0:05:14.325
to deliver us Google as we know it today.

0:05:16.355,0:05:19.075
I know, some of you are going to tell me

0:05:19.075,0:05:22.675
that stories of immigrants[br]can be positive and negative.

0:05:23.835,0:05:25.025
And it's true.

0:05:25.835,0:05:29.195
But we cannot pretend[br]to understand immigration

0:05:29.195,0:05:31.455
without hearing all of them.

0:05:33.915,0:05:39.235
Individuals that leave their comfort zone[br]and choose the journey to the unknown

0:05:40.635,0:05:43.762
are necessarily equipped

0:05:43.762,0:05:48.715
with drive, creativity, determination

0:05:48.715,0:05:50.725
and just plain guts.

0:05:51.475,0:05:54.795
But too often they are distrusted

0:05:54.795,0:05:58.245
by the country of arrival[br]in host communities.

0:05:59.675,0:06:00.845
And you can feel it.

0:06:02.035,0:06:04.395
There is this anti-immigrant sentiment

0:06:04.395,0:06:06.607
that is spreading everywhere[br]around the world.

0:06:09.235,0:06:11.755
So the world, not just Europe,

0:06:11.755,0:06:15.785
urgently needs better tools[br]to manage international immigration.

0:06:16.675,0:06:19.355
Well-managed immigration,[br]in the third millennium,

0:06:20.195,0:06:22.715
builds on reliable data and evidence.

0:06:24.275,0:06:26.635
But too often data is seen

0:06:27.475,0:06:30.515
as the abstract business[br]of technical experts,

0:06:30.515,0:06:32.155
operating in backrooms.

0:06:33.195,0:06:37.362
Yet, data is more than numbers.

0:06:38.795,0:06:42.155
It is essential to defy[br]challenges, design responses

0:06:42.155,0:06:45.145
and monitor the implementation[br]of immigration policies.

0:06:45.980,0:06:47.320
Thereby,

0:06:48.010,0:06:52.155
data enables us to manage[br]for better immigration outcomes,

0:06:53.195,0:06:55.000
skills recognition,

0:06:55.000,0:06:58.395
fill the labor market shortage[br]in a targeted way,

0:06:59.035,0:07:03.795
speed up asylum system[br]and increase net remittance flow.

0:07:05.635,0:07:10.515
Large benefit accrues[br]to country of origin and destination,

0:07:11.075,0:07:13.475
when immigration is managed well.

0:07:14.475,0:07:17.145
Mismanaged immigration, on the other hand,

0:07:17.875,0:07:19.635
puts migrants at risk

0:07:19.635,0:07:22.915
and paves the way[br]for this anti-immigrant sentiment,

0:07:22.915,0:07:26.155
that is spreading everywhere,[br]especially in Europe.

0:07:28.315,0:07:32.835
In Europe, immigration[br]divides communities,

0:07:33.755,0:07:37.422
while the motto of the European Union

0:07:37.422,0:07:42.291
is “Unity in Diversity”.

0:07:44.635,0:07:45.955
According to data,

0:07:45.955,0:07:51.955
to achieve greater competitiveness,[br]European Union needs all its talents.

0:07:51.955,0:07:53.160
And guess what?

0:07:53.160,0:07:56.905
Immigrants represent a potential[br]also for the creation of new jobs.

0:07:58.035,0:08:01.755
More than seven percent[br]of self-employed in European Union

0:08:01.755,0:08:05.165
were born outside[br]their country of residence,

0:08:05.795,0:08:08.955
which is more than two million people.

0:08:08.955,0:08:13.785
Of theirs, 47 percent were born[br]outside the European Union.

0:08:17.035,0:08:19.515
It is time to wake up, people.

0:08:20.275,0:08:22.635
It is time to take our responsibility

0:08:22.635,0:08:26.675
and give an answer to 258 million people

0:08:27.195,0:08:30.835
estimated to be residing[br]outside their country of origin.

0:08:31.715,0:08:35.195
It is time to turn immigration[br]into a huge opportunity,

0:08:35.195,0:08:38.835
not just for immigrants,[br]but especially for host communities.

0:08:40.184,0:08:43.955
All of you are going to ask me,[br]Yes, nice, so how are we going to do that?

0:08:44.995,0:08:48.185
My answer is simple: four steps.

0:08:50.195,0:08:55.955
One, do a preliminary screening[br]of skills, background and aspiration

0:08:55.955,0:08:59.395
of all immigrants,[br]especially newly arrived.

0:09:00.755,0:09:04.355
Two, train all immigrants[br]with a good balance

0:09:04.355,0:09:09.115
between a theoretical approach,[br]based on information and knowledge,

0:09:09.115,0:09:13.245
and a practical approach,[br]based on direct experience.

0:09:14.395,0:09:19.155
Three, analyze collected data[br]to ease the matching

0:09:19.155,0:09:21.675
between most skills identified

0:09:21.675,0:09:24.785
and career placement[br]available on the market.

0:09:25.755,0:09:31.595
Four, ease the access[br]to deserving immigrants

0:09:31.595,0:09:35.555
with fundamental tools they need[br]to achieve an economic independence.

0:09:38.435,0:09:44.635
So, tonight I'm going to share with you[br]the most extraordinary part of my life.

0:09:46.455,0:09:52.195
In 2017, I had the privilege[br]to become the founder of MyGrants.

0:09:53.435,0:09:57.675
MyGrants is the first app[br]based on microlearning

0:09:58.395,0:10:01.715
especially designed[br]to deliver support to immigrants

0:10:01.715,0:10:04.115
through a series[br]of thematic modern quizzes.

0:10:05.675,0:10:10.835
The quiz provides immigrants[br]all information and training needed

0:10:11.355,0:10:17.085
to build consciousness,[br]new skills and renewed credibility.

0:10:17.915,0:10:19.235
To assess the background,

0:10:19.235,0:10:23.805
we assume that trainees[br]initially begin with no prior knowledge.

0:10:24.395,0:10:27.755
Through MyGrants, they can learn[br]simple concepts like,

0:10:28.635,0:10:31.725
How many stars are there[br]on the European flag?

0:10:32.515,0:10:34.395
Eight, twelve or fifteen?

0:10:35.595,0:10:37.075
Things they need to know like,

0:10:37.075,0:10:39.335
What is the first step[br]of the asylum system?

0:10:40.075,0:10:42.235
And things that could be interesting like,

0:10:42.235,0:10:46.355
How many startup accelerators[br]are in place across Africa?

0:10:47.195,0:10:48.555
Trainees read the question,

0:10:48.555,0:10:52.475
and choose the option of answer[br]they think to be the correct one.

0:10:53.475,0:10:56.195
They collect a single point[br]for each correct answer.

0:10:56.875,0:11:00.395
And even if the answer selected is wrong,

0:11:01.035,0:11:04.755
the app is providing a formative feedback[br]to guide self-reflection.

0:11:06.755,0:11:09.755
The assessment of background[br]is fundamental

0:11:09.755,0:11:12.115
in order to identify skills

0:11:12.115,0:11:15.635
that immigrants may have acquired,[br]formally or informally,

0:11:15.635,0:11:17.575
during their previous life.

0:11:18.875,0:11:22.115
The training program,[br]always based on microlearning,

0:11:22.995,0:11:25.035
uses the power of technology

0:11:26.035,0:11:29.715
making lifelong learning[br]available for free to all immigrants.

0:11:31.115,0:11:35.675
Adaptive training gave us the opportunity[br]to personalize the training program

0:11:35.675,0:11:40.825
according to their areas[br]of strengths, weaknesses and interests.

0:11:41.795,0:11:45.025
Trainees can choose[br]among three main destinations:

0:11:46.195,0:11:49.805
higher location, job placement[br]and entrepreneurship.

0:11:50.915,0:11:53.395
Modern quiz attempt and repeated,

0:11:53.395,0:11:56.915
collected points,[br]percentage of correct answers

0:11:56.915,0:12:00.435
and average time[br]to finish each single module

0:12:01.035,0:12:03.075
are among the main evidence used

0:12:03.075,0:12:07.535
to generate the monthly report[br]of performance for each single trainee.

0:12:09.315,0:12:13.321
Data mining and machine learning[br]give us the opportunity

0:12:13.321,0:12:16.955
to track if and when trainees reach

0:12:16.955,0:12:21.475
from beginners, competent,[br]proficient or expert level of mastery

0:12:21.475,0:12:23.415
in one or more topics.

0:12:24.915,0:12:26.965
MyGrants' unique value

0:12:26.965,0:12:30.555
is the huge database[br]of competences and skills

0:12:31.195,0:12:33.955
of over 44.000 immigrants,

0:12:35.155,0:12:37.635
where skills are empowered and validated

0:12:37.635,0:12:40.795
according to local, regional[br]and national occupational needs.

0:12:42.345,0:12:45.835
Through database, MyGrants is offering

0:12:45.835,0:12:49.945
a new and simple hiring process[br]for smart businesses.

0:12:50.755,0:12:52.835
Companies have the opportunity

0:12:52.835,0:12:56.475
to pick in real time[br]or track the performance

0:12:56.475,0:13:01.115
to program the hiring[br]of the most suited, talented immigrant,

0:13:01.115,0:13:03.385
according to the role they require.

0:13:04.795,0:13:10.315
In 2018, we matched over 920 talents

0:13:10.955,0:13:13.835
with private companies seeking individuals

0:13:13.835,0:13:16.395
with the right skills they need[br]to grow and innovate.

0:13:17.995,0:13:23.755
But we realized that up to 90% of talents[br]with a job contract in their hand,

0:13:24.755,0:13:26.915
did not show up the first day of work.

0:13:27.905,0:13:29.415
Do you know why?

0:13:31.315,0:13:33.405
Economic constraints.

0:13:34.875,0:13:38.955
When it comes to credit,[br]most immigrants are just left behind.

0:13:40.475,0:13:44.085
They don't qualify for credit[br]because they lack a credit history.

0:13:44.875,0:13:49.835
But to build a credit history,[br]you need to get some credit.

0:13:51.147,0:13:53.046
So, the question here is simple.

0:13:53.515,0:13:57.595
How can immigrants express[br]their full economic potential

0:13:58.595,0:14:01.845
without having any access[br]to economic resources?

0:14:03.475,0:14:06.875
So, MyGrants' next challenge[br]will be access to credit.

0:14:08.387,0:14:09.776
Follow me.

0:14:09.955,0:14:13.115
If credit is linked[br]to reputation and credibility,

0:14:13.115,0:14:16.435
we need to give the opportunity[br]to all immigrants

0:14:16.435,0:14:22.155
to build and measure through evidence,[br]their reputation and their credibility.

0:14:23.475,0:14:26.683
So, instead of taking into consideration

0:14:28.463,0:14:31.875
the economic and the financial background,

0:14:33.075,0:14:37.595
we will take into consideration[br]for each applicants' credit potential

0:14:38.555,0:14:43.035
and take into consideration factors[br]like the quality of the online training,

0:14:44.195,0:14:47.315
the proficiency in economic[br]and financial literacy,

0:14:47.315,0:14:50.495
and the future career placement.

0:14:51.595,0:14:53.835
We believe that helping future customers

0:14:53.835,0:14:58.795
be successful with economics[br]and financially independent

0:14:59.435,0:15:02.315
is good for immigrants,[br]it's good for business

0:15:02.955,0:15:05.105
and it's good for society overall.

0:15:07.275,0:15:08.875
But several challenges

0:15:08.875,0:15:12.635
that immigrants, and MyGrants,[br]are trying to face and overcome

0:15:13.155,0:15:14.515
are the same challenges

0:15:14.515,0:15:18.135
that you, European citizens,[br]should take into consideration.

0:15:19.315,0:15:22.155
Let's take skills recognition[br]as a concrete example.

0:15:22.955,0:15:24.315
Did you ever ask yourself

0:15:24.315,0:15:28.885
why 40% of European companies,[br]including MyGrants,

0:15:29.315,0:15:31.955
have difficulties finding the right people

0:15:31.955,0:15:34.635
with the right skills they need[br]to grow and innovate?

0:15:36.035,0:15:41.115
The answer is simple:[br]lack of basic skills.

0:15:42.595,0:15:48.195
Around a quarter of European adults[br]struggle with reading and writing,

0:15:49.315,0:15:51.835
and many more have poor digital skills.

0:15:54.835,0:15:59.035
And if you think that financial exclusion[br]is only an immigrant-related problem,

0:16:00.200,0:16:02.015
you're completely wrong.

0:16:02.995,0:16:06.875
There is an estimated[br]two billion working-age adults, globally,

0:16:08.035,0:16:11.315
who have no access to financial services

0:16:11.315,0:16:14.755
delivered by formal[br]financial institutions.

0:16:15.635,0:16:21.235
In Europe, 47% of adults[br]have no bank account

0:16:21.235,0:16:24.015
and many more have no savings.

0:16:24.795,0:16:30.555
So, financial exclusion increases [br]the risk of social exclusion and poverty

0:16:30.555,0:16:32.235
without any distinction.

0:16:34.675,0:16:37.555
I know some of you[br]would like me to continue,

0:16:38.888,0:16:40.155
but it's not necessary.

0:16:41.315,0:16:45.635
What is perhaps necessary[br]is that all parties involved,

0:16:45.635,0:16:48.475
especially immigrants[br]and host communities,

0:16:49.155,0:16:52.715
take their part of responsibility[br]as soon as possible,

0:16:53.875,0:16:58.125
also because we have[br]our window of opportunity now

0:16:58.125,0:17:00.475
to do something extraordinary.

0:17:01.935,0:17:03.495
Thank you.

0:17:03.495,0:17:06.494
(Applause)