The Foundation undertakes educational initiatives in order teach children and adolescents about the wealth of our planet’s biodiversity, to stimulate their scientific curiosity and develop their knowledge. The youth acquires the potential to become agents of change and to improve its living environment.
The Foundation’s involvement is crystallised through projects and initiatives such as Students On Ice (SOI), whose aim is to promote education for sustainable development and to raise awareness of young people all over the world about the importance of the polar regions. Over the last 15 years, SOI has taken 2,500 students to the Arctic on educational expeditions. By increasing their knowledge of major environmental issues, they can become the ambassadors to the young people of their generation.
It is in this same spirit of scientific education that the Foundation is a partner of the Takuvik Mixed International Unit. Resulting from the association of Laval University and the CNRS, Takuvik research programme aims to gain a greater understanding of the impact of the current climatic and human-induced disturbances on the Arctic, marine and terrestrial ecosystems and geosystems. The university has worked together with Green Edge expedition’s scientists, the Arctic communities and the teaching staff to propose a simple tool accessible online, in destination to students aged 10 to 18. The young people integrate the scientific bases of Arctic oceanography within a context of climate change.
The Foundation also plays an important role in the development of the capacities of local communities. This is notably the case in the Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia’s West Papua province, the epicentre of global marine biodiversity. In this priority marine conservation area, the Kalabia boat serves as a floating educational tool for children and adolescents in more than 100 nearby villages. Today’s schoolchildren are the fishermen and politicians of tomorrow. They must appreciate the full importance of the protection and proper management of their reefs and marine resources.
Madagascar has also benefited from this will to awaken environmental awareness. Thanks to the Foundation’s support, “Vintsy Clubs” have trained over 50,000 students aged between 5 and 25, contributing to the sustainable development of the country through hands-on training and experience sharing.
