Report of the lunch of exchanges between old and new CERDI GPEs on Friday, August 22, 2025. A meeting initiated by the Office of the Cerdi Alumni Network of Benin


The Cerdi Alumni Network of Benin organized an exchange lunch bringing together:

• New graduates of the Master in Development Policy Management (GPE) recently returned from Clermont-Ferrand,

• Students leaving for the same training at CERDI, France.

The main objective of this meeting was to promote the sharing of experiences, to create a link between generations and to ensure better support for future students in their academic and professional career.

The national coordinator of the Network recalled the mission of the Cerdi Alumni and the importance of solidarity between old and new. The new graduates shared their academic, social and professional experiences in France, with a focus on:
o working methods and academic adaptation,

o internship and networking opportunities,

o challenges related to integration and community life.

Leavers asked practical questions and expressed their expectations. Counsellors and elders provided recommendations on time management, the choice of memory themes, the research of