Up Close … with Jean-Luc Adrienne, a young outstanding academic performer, youth advocate and SNYA parliamentarian and poet |12 November 2019

Jean-Luc the young Law graduate

‘Dreams do not materialise if you do not put in the work’

By Laura Pillay

Twenty-four Jean-Luc Adrienne is no stranger to the limelight, having featured in the local media for his academic achievements, his ongoing youth work or poetry on numerous occasions. The young law graduate certainly plays many roles, doing his part for the community and primarily, the youths of Seychelles, for whom he has been advocating since his secondary school years.

Seychelles NATION caught up with the jovial character last Saturday, (after he had completed one of his youth engagements), for a coffee and a chat about all the activities he is engaged in, his passions and aspirations.

Family life and academics

Jean-Luc is the eldest of three boys and resides with his family at La Retraite, Anse Etoile. He spent his early years in St Louis before moving to La Retraite where he attended primary school before moving on to English River secondary school. As Head Boy in S3, Jean-Luc was very active both at school level and community level, regularly partaking in activities organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), where his enthusiasm was recognised and he was appointed on the district committee to advocate for his school. As a youth advocate, the budding youth worker communicated information to the schools, and coordinated activities at school level. He recalls that his passion for youth advocacy was sparked then and he has since continued to do, even as he progressed through different stages of his personal life.

During these young years, Jean-Luc aspired to be a teacher, as interacting with others comes naturally to him. He even considered taking up a veterinarian career before finally settling his sights on a legal career, a career path through which he can help the most people, he says, and which is suited to his argumentative nature.

As such, he studied A level Law, French Language and Sociology at the School of Advanced Level Studies (Sals) in 2013, 2014. He was among the few outstanding performers having scored straight ‘A’s and was on the day awarded Best Performer for Sociology and Best Performer for French Language. His efforts led to a fully-funded scholarship in the United Kingdom (UK) where the aspiring legal practitioner successfully completed his degree, graduating with Upper first class Honours in 2018.

“I am very proud of my academic achievements and I firmly believe that my spiritual faith has helped me through everything. I would also say perseverance, even despite the lows and support from my family and friends. It is up to each individual to seize the opportunities given to us.”

Currently, Jean-Luc is employed as an employment officer at the department of employment, under the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status where he assists in settling legal employment disputes, among other duties.

“My job is very fulfilling as I do assist people in sorting out problems and I am learning a lot as well in terms of how to uphold the law not only in the service which I am providing, but also in the community. It is also an opportunity to educate and assist others outside of my work who need information and advice,” he said.

Youth-related work

Jean-Luc has been actively engaged in youth-related work from his secondary school days where he even, on top of all his engagements, held extra classes for his struggling peers and those younger than him. Upon returning from the UK last year, he signed up to the Seychelles National Youth Assembly (SNYA) after receiving encouragement of other youth workers who had advised him to sign up for two previous cohorts on account that he has always been active and been a voice for the youths.

He regularly organises and partakes in youth-related activities under SNYC, SNYA and other youth-led organisations.

“I think a lot of youths have lost their way in our society and honestly, as a youth, I find it sad. Personally, I try to interact with all youths, whether they have lost their way, in fact I think it is important that we pick them up and offer our support, to be there to listen and guide them. Just being a support system, I find usually makes a difference. Being compassionate and understanding and need a blind eye. You already have everything you need to help, just by listening and trying to understand their situation and help them through it. Even if you don’t do it alone but there are many doors on which you can knock. It is possible that the person you are trying to help is not aware of the possible solutions themselves, but if you are in a better position, I think we all should make it a responsibility to help others,” he stated.

“After all, we are a team, we are the next generation who will be taking over in the near future in terms of leadership and so we need a generation that is productive and has a sense of community,” he stated.

The mandate of SYNA is to formulate motions related to youths and relevant departments and ministries can choose to act upon their decisions, if they feel the approved motions have merit.

To the youths, Jean-Luc advises them to stay focused in anything they want to achieve and to keep in mind that dreams do not materialise if you do not put in the work saying “it will remain but a dream so it is important to work hard, make sacrifices when necessary and to be determined”.

Poetry

Among my numerous hobbies, is my love for poetry. Jean-Luc is a member of Bling Bling Poetry group and often posts his poems on social media platform, Facebook. He has also featured on local radio stations to recite his poems on numerous occasions.

“Poetry is something which does not remain static and can be inspired by anything in my case, different situations I am observing around me, my personal emotions. Some poems flow, while others can start off along a certain direction but then there is a shift, either in the situation or my own emotions and it ends up changing. It is also a means of expression and it is therapeutic whether you are writing it or saying it out loud. Poetry is also a means of expressing others’ emotions and to advocate for them as well.”

Jean-Luc also likes to socialise and is of an outgoing nature, a characteristic which he says has helped him immensely in his youth work. He intends in future to continue working with youths.

“My plans for the future are of course to continue to be hands on and be involved, to inspire other youths to look at the bigger picture amid all the social ills and negative influences and to continue advocating for youths. Personally, I also want to progress in my career.”

Photo source: Jean-Luc Adrienne