Meet Gaëlle Carmon: social worker and co-host of the LevelUp! workshop

How does LevelUp! differ from other training programmes offered by LISKO to beneficiaries of international protection? 

“LevelUp! offers an interactive and educational journey in the form of a game. Participants, through personalised avatars, navigate through different key stages of integration in Luxembourg: discovering the country, language learning, introduction to the professional world and strengthening social connections. This immersive approach, enhanced with practical advice and video testimonials from former refugees and sector professionals, enables beneficiaries of international protection to become actors in their own success in their host country. Unlike other workshops, one of the conditions for participating in LevelUp! is having obtained international protection status within the last 6 months, as it is important to help them understand the realities of Luxembourg as quickly as possible.” 

You were also part of the project team that worked on designing the workshop. Can you tell us a bit about that? 

 “Indeed, I participated for several months in all internal discussions as well as exchanges with the external company that handled the technical development of the game. As social workers who have been working with beneficiaries of international protection for many years, our team observed that despite our efforts to convey information and explain that they need to be active participants in their integration, the messages were difficult to assimilate due to a lack of understanding. That’s why we thought of a workshop incorporating new, more interactive and participatory teaching methodologies.” 

What can you say about the impact of this workshop on the beneficiaries? 

“It’s still too early to evaluate the impact of this workshop but what’s certain is that it generates a lot of reflection and questions. Our beneficiaries are happy to be able to discuss the realities they encounter in their daily lives and our way of functioning, which is sometimes different from theirs. I feel that because the information is presented differently, with the possibility to exchange with each other, it is received more impactfully. To cite an example, at the end of the workshop, we give them a challenge card with a small task to complete within a limited time. They become aware that although they are in a vulnerable situation and are being supported, they must take action to move forward.”