Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Simon Houdouin and I live in France. I grew up in Paris, however since I have visited other places , in France and in Europe, I want to live somewhere else. However for the moment I am an engineering student in Biotechnologies and my school is SupBiotech, located in the capital. In this establishment I like to use my free time for student associations. After making student’s night live with the Bureau des Élèves and many things about sports as the event responsible in the Bureau des Sports, I joined StopVSS. As Secretaire Général I spent a lot of my time trying to improve the organisation of this association which fights against sexual and sexist violences. This position is complementary with my job as Equalities Referent and I discuss a lot with the administration of my school.
I am also a facilitator of the 2tonnes workshop which tries to raise awareness of environmental issues : my friends and I have set up a plan for all the students at my school that allows them to participate in this workshop. These positions allowed me to get in touch with the UNIgreen administration. After discussions I decided to accept their proposition of being an ambassador. My role is to promote the Alliance by participating in meetings and communicative campaigns. I also try to be a driving force for this young entity.
Which added value or benefits of UNIgreen would you like to highlight, and why?
To address the challenges of the 21st century, higher education plays a pivotal role. Across the globe, programs are being developed to equip individuals with the tools needed to drive positive change. Since 2017, numerous alliances have been established throughout Europe, aiming to foster unity among universities and create a cohesive network for European students, because we are the future european citizens.
ALLIANCE = UNIVERSITIES + STUDENTS
UNIgreen, like many young initiatives, faces numerous internal challenges, particularly in its organizational structure. Building a strong, cohesive network across multiple universities and countries comes with complexities, from aligning diverse visions to coordinating efforts across borders. However, these challenges are part of what makes UNIgreen’s mission so important.
I am eager to contribute my part to this growing project because I believe deeply in the European Union and the power of collaboration across nations. By adding my own brick to this edifice, I am helping to shape a more united, sustainable, and innovative future for Europe.
Please tell us what UNIgreen means to you and use one word to describe it.
To me, the best word to represent UNIgreen is solutions.
Not because it is the solution itself, but because it actively seeks solutions. UNIgreen places a strong emphasis on research in critical fields such as environmental and resource challenges, agriculture, and sustainable practices. It addresses the pressing issues faced by local communities and works to improve higher education across eight countries. UNIgreen is not just about fostering unity within Europe, but also about empowering students and researchers to find the answers to some of our biggest global challenges.
