Credit: Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg (JEL)

On Tuesday 24 March 2026, Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg (JEL), in collaboration with A&O Shearman, organised an Innovation Camp at the firm’s premises in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

Described by the organisers as “an inspiring Innovation Camp to rethink the future of work with young people”, the event brought together 43 young people aged sixteen to nineteen from various Luxembourg secondary schools around a current challenge: imagining the future of work.

The challenge proposed by A&O Shearman invited participants to reflect on the following question: “How could companies design working environments, tools or programmes that align with how young people perceive success (for example, balance, meaning at work, impact) while enhancing company performance?”

Magali Maillot, HR Director and COO of A&O Shearman Luxembourg remarked: “Listening to how young people define success is essential to co-creating the workplace of tomorrow. By taking on the Jonk Entrepreneuren challenge, we wanted to spark a real dialogue between the expectations of a generation that refuses to choose between meaning and performance, and the realities of the professional world. The message is clear: balance, impact and high standards are not compromises; they are genuine drivers of sustainable performance. The collective energy and boldness of the participants proved this: when companies listen to these new voices, they do not just become better places to work, they become more effective.” 

Divided into ten teams, the students were supported throughout the day by five firm employees, who coached them in developing practical solutions adapted to real-world professional contexts. At the end of this intensive day of reflection and creativity, the teams presented their projects to a panel of five members:

• Fabian Beullekens, Partner at A&O Shearman

• Victoria Woestmann, Counsel at A&O Shearman

• Magali Maillot, HR Director and COO Luxembourg at A&O Shearman

• Laurent Derkum, Director of HR, Marketing/Communications, ESG at Banque Raiffeisen

• Caroline Chartier, Head of People Experience HQ at Ferrero

The organisers noted that the proposals put forward by the young participants demonstrated “great maturity and a strong understanding of the expectations of new generations in the workplace”.

In first place were Team “ErA&O”, who presented a global innovation programme aimed at bringing together young professionals to share ideas, collaborate across different offices and actively contribute to shaping the future of the company. The team consisted of four students: Lia Dos Santos Salvador, Uma Kurtagic, Augustin Pirlet and Kiara Dias.

In second place were Team “The Law of Success”, who presented a series of innovative strategies to strengthen engagement among young talent, including: AI-assisted administration to automate repetitive tasks; a responsibility and purpose programme enabling employees to actively participate in CSR initiatives; and sports days and competitive programmes to strengthen cohesion and motivation. The team members are Apolline Nevouet, Johnny Long, Pierre Sauvegrain and Manon Poëzévara-Couque.

In third place were Team “Timehub”, who presented an application based on artificial intelligence aimed at improving work-life balance through an intelligent calendar with an integrated goal-tracking system. The solution was developed by Emma Louarn, Gediminas Balčiūnas, Martin Arenas-Gomes, Samuel Labignette and Tiago Serra Rodrigues.

In addition, a “jury’s favourite” prize was awarded to the team composed of Anastácia Popova, Arnout De Meyere, Edouard Segui Rouanet and Xamantha Gavadan for their proposal to improve the internal time-tracking software. Their idea involved automating time entry through detection of completed tasks using artificial intelligence and integrating a feature encouraging lawyers to take regular breaks (“recovery blocks”) to prevent burnout and improve work-life balance.

The organisers said the Innovation Camp perfectly illustrated the mission of Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg: connecting young people with the professional world and developing their entrepreneurial skills, creativity and critical thinking and offered the opportunity to work on real-life issues and actively contribute to imagining solutions for the world of tomorrow.