La MFR of Gionges had a unique experience: for the first time, its students participated in an Erasmus mobility in French Polynesia, alongside young people from the MFRs of Rurutu and Huahine. This project, part of the KA154 framework, had a dual objective: to raise awareness among young people about environmental issues and to give them a place in the European citizen's voice.
Welcomed by the Faora Lab and MFREO of Vairao, young people from Champagne discovered eco-responsible and sustainable agricultural practices: permaculture, agroforestry, agroecology, etc. Field visits, such as that of the Uta's faapu, allowed them to understand how to reconcile local traditions and agricultural innovation.
But the experience wasn't limited to the fields: the students also experienced a true cultural immersion. Between discovering a pearl farm, a morning at the Nuutere marae, a shared Polynesian meal, and numerous workshops (weaving, drumming, singing, traditional games, local cuisine), they immersed themselves in the richness of Polynesian heritage. Highlights of this adventure: the preparation of a ma'a Tahiti (traditional oven) and an impressive firewalk that will remain etched in their memories.
This mobility was part of a cycle of exchanges between Champagne and Polynesia. After welcoming a Polynesian delegation to France, the young people of Gionges in turn experienced immersion. Between the two parts of this adventure, they also participated in the Youth Festival at the European Parliament, alongside other MFR delegations, confirming the European dimension of their commitment.
During their stays, the young people worked on their public speaking skills and presented their thoughts on the environment and rural youth to the administrators of their MFR and their regional federation. These moments of exchange allowed them to showcase their experience and demonstrate that their voice matters in the future of the regions.
This adventure is only one step: it marks the entry of these territories – in France as in Polynesia – into a broader cycle of mobilizing the voice of rural youthOther meetings will fuel this dynamic in the years to come, offering young people spaces to express themselves, share and act on the environmental, social and cultural issues of tomorrow.
