Fjords, polar bears, whales, ice… These images were displayed at the Technique et Hôtelier High School of Monaco. Marie Sophie Danckaert and Lisa Ginocchi, high school students at FANB and Lycee Albert-l, brought back snapshots from the Arctic. They are the winners of the Students on Ice competition (organized in the Principality by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Directorate of National Education, Youth and Sports) last year, which allowed 120 students from 13 countries to go to polar regions last summer. They re-traced their journey yesterday morning, in the presence of Prince Albert II, who is also Honorary President of the Students on Ice Foundation.
Memories and the environment
Firstly, the memories. The discovery of a new culture. Workshops led by scientists. Swimming in two-degree water. “Cold seizes you,” says Lisa Ginocchi. “And anyway, we do not feel anything after five minutes,” completes Marie Sophie Danckaert. The journey to the Arctic is one of those experiences that change your life. “There are emotions that cannot be explained, you have to live them,” a statement which summarizes everything.
But above all, awareness is most important. In particular, “some of our actions have negative effects on certain parts of the world”.
The two high school students were able to observe the melting of ice, indicating Climate Change or the “proliferation of mosquitoes – which is abnormal.”
Sustainable development
The basic goal of Students on Ice is awareness. Geoff Green, the founder who was present yesterday, sees the Arctic as “a classroom.” It allows learning about yourself but especially about the planet. In fact, the goals of Students on Ice are to “educate youth about the importance of the polar regions… and inspire initiatives which contribute to sustainable development”. The organization exists since the year 2000 and it continues its work. Next summer, new high school students from around the world will return to the Arctic. Including students from Première d’Enseignement Général of Monaco. The competition (an essay or photo essay on the theme “Man and Wildlife”) will take place next Wednesday and judging by the reactions from high school students in the room yesterday, there will be many candidates.
Beatrice Borromeo and Pierre Casiraghi at Gstaad Ski Centre
Pierre Casiraghi and his wife Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi were seen on their winter holiday at the Gstaad Ski Centere in Southwest Switzerland. Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi is pregnant and the couple is expecting their first baby very soon.
