On the occasion of the 2025 World Day for Social Justice, members of the association, including both beneficiaries and mentors, took the stage in the UN's Hall of Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations to present our commitment to the integration of migrants into Swiss society through the practice of outdoor sports.
Rookie is above all a meeting place and space for dialogue between different backgrounds and cultures. We gather at the skatepark or at the base of the climbing wall, and the chemistry works! Young people exchange and improve in French, while coaches try to follow conversations in a multitude of languages. Through the sports practices highlighted in the program, team spirit and solidarity take precedence over competition. We help each other and advise on moves, new tricks, or difficult routes. At Rookie, we also talk about snow and snowboarding! Every year, more than thirty young people get into a minibus for an exceptional week on the slopes; at the chalet, we share meals and gossip, an unforgettable experience for everyone. For us, social justice also means ensuring that everyone is recognized for their unique background and cultural qualities, while having their place in society.
Long live social justice !
As part of the Antigel Festival and at the invitation of the City of Geneva, the UN opened its doors to several associations and the public to showcase the film « Les Jeunes s’engagent à Genève ». This film highlights the voices and initiatives of local youth through several Geneva-based collectives, including Art Lab, Génération Dorée, Pense à ton Soss, and Rookie Slash, in partnership with the Geneva Youth Service.
We thank Madame the Mayor, Marie Barbey-Chappuis, as well as Stéphanie Pédat, Director of the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity, for their support and for granting us a photo opportunity. A big thank you also to Christina Kitsos, SHAP SHAP, the TUK Office, UNRISD, the young Rookies, Mat Junge, and all the partners who made this possible!
Photos by Giona Mottura