The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Monaco Telecom have renewed their partnership for the sixth consecutive year in support of a sustainable food and urban farming education programme running across schools in the Principality.
At a ceremony on Monday 16th March, Monaco Telecom CEO Martin Péronnet presented a cheque of €10,675 to Foundation Vice-Chairman and CEO Romain Ciarlet. The donation derives from eco-responsible actions carried out by the operator, which commits to directing its induced contributions to environmental initiatives in consultation with the Prince’s Government and the National Council.
The programme, run by Monaco-based company Terrae since autumn 2020 in partnership with the Department of Education, Youth and Sports, brings hands-on lessons in nature, fruit and vegetable cultivation and seasonal cycles to primary school children across the Principality. To date, six schools and 600 children have taken part.
Ciarlet said the long-term nature of the commitment was key. “Passing on to younger generations a concrete understanding of natural balances and the food production cycle is a fundamental lever. By supporting this programme over the long term, we are investing in an education that embeds, from an early age, the principles of responsibility, seasonality and respect for living systems.”
Péronnet framed the renewal as a direct expression of the company’s values. “By continuing our support for the educational school garden programme, we are delivering a concrete expression of our commitment as a responsible company, rooted locally and focused on future generations,” he said.
Jean-Philippe Vinci, Director of the Department of Education, Youth and Sports, said the programme gave children something schools rarely offer. “By placing nature back at the heart of learning, the workshops led by Terrae give children the opportunity to understand where food comes from and gradually move away from a logic of blind consumption, towards developing a more conscious and responsible relationship with their environment.”
Terrae founder Jessica Sbaraglia pointed to the moments of wonder the programme generates. “Seeing pupils marvel at an herb, a germinating seed, or a vegetable they have grown themselves reminds us how important learning through nature truly is,” she said.
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Photo source: FPA2