Simon and Paul chose to travel internationally by bike in partnership with the Talents For Future association. They had an unforgettable adventure!
Why did you choose cycling and Talents For Future?
International mobility was an opportunity for us to embark on an adventure that aligned with our values. We wanted to do so using carbon-free means of transport, while also giving it meaning.
We discovered the Talents For Future association (more information), whose goal is to raise awareness of climate issues among future talents in French schools around the world. This goal perfectly matched our values!
We chose to go to the Balkans, a region that is exotic but not too far away: you don't have to travel to the other side of the world to have a great adventure. Our starting point was Venice, then we stopped in Zagreb, Sarajevo, Podgorica and finally Tirana before returning to Florence. That's more than 2,150 km by bike and 25,000 m of elevation gain!
What did your project involve?
The association gave us contacts in schools and provided educational materials for our presentations. We trained more than 428 students, from kindergarten to high school, on climate issues and biodiversity. These students, who often come from very privileged backgrounds, are the decision-makers of the future, whether in France or in their own countries. What's more, they often come from families whose daily lives generate high levels of carbon emissions. We know that, globally, the wealthiest 10% of the population are responsible for 50% ofCO2 emissions. These families, just like us, have a role to play!
The Talents For Future training program consists of three modules: understanding, practicing, and taking action. The first two are a little depressing, but the third gives us hope! We realize that we can all take action at our own level, whether it's by stopping flying, eating less or no red meat, being careful about what clothes we buy, getting involved in politics, etc.
How was your trip?
We left for Venice by train on October 5, then hopped on our bikes for eight weeks.
Thanks to this mode of transportation, we had some unforgettable encounters: we were welcomed by a Bosnian couple in a small village far from everything, and by a French expatriate in a superb apartment in Venice. These wonderful encounters were made possible by the hospitality of these people.
We also had a few mishaps, such as being chased by Kangal dogs guarding herds grazing on a mountain road, but in the end, nothing serious!
What have you learned from your experience?
During the training sessions, we felt that people were listening to us. We were two young people who had come to talk to other young people, and that caught their attention.
If we managed to raise awareness among even just 10 of them, our trip will have been a success!
We also hope that our project will inspire other Arts et Métiers students.
- Note: traveling by bike rather than by camper van reduced our travel emissions by a factor of 50! Not to mention the impact on biodiversity, water, soil, waste, etc., which was also greatly reduced thanks to this mode of transportation! In the future, adventure-based travel will have to be done on two wheels, or at least by means other than plane or car!
