La Boudeuse: the reasons for a partnership

How could BNP Paribas not be associated with a great international adventure that begins in France and whose purpose is to understand a changing world? This one sentence sums up the raison d’être of BNP Paribas’ support for the new mission of La Boudeuse. The mission statement that gave impetus to this two-year scientific adventure sets the following scientific objective: to understand the world and some of the challenges that we will all have to face in the short term.

But the aim of the La Boudeuse mission is also to inspire as many people as possible to follow its progress. This is one of the aspects of this project that make it so exciting: a fully-restored, traditional three-masted sailing vessel, equipped with the latest technology and carrying a team of high-level scientists.

Thus, through its mass appeal, this mission aims to raise awareness amongst the general public, and in particular amongst the younger generations, of some of the most important aspects of Sustainable Development.

Our partnership, initiated by the BNP Paribas Foundation, is built on loyalty and trust. The Foundation, a long-time supporter of the diverse missions and adventures led by Patrice Franceschi and his crew, wanted to renew its partnership with La Boudeuse by supporting a scientific study programme focusing on mercury pollution of rivers and deforestation around the Amazon, Orinoco and Parana rivers. BNP Paribas’ support for this programme also serves as a means of communicating and drawing attention to the Group’s commitment to environmental issues, in an unbiased manner and with the necessary scientific objectivity.

However, the relationship between BNP Paribas and La Boudeuse is being taken to a new level in this new Earth Ocean mission.

In effect, the entire Retail Banking division in France has thrown itself behind this mission for the next two years, rallying together in support of the project.

Developed and managed by the BNP Paribas e-communications team, the La Boudeuse website, has been designed to the specifications set out by Patrice Franceschi: highly interactive and evolutive, it will track this extraordinary human and scientific adventure. The site will be updated regularly by the La Boudeuse crew, give us a unique insight into the events recorded in what is essentially a ship’s log… of the electronic variety.

Through these three entities, representing the Group, the La Boudeuse adventure will naturally enjoy the support of all 205,000 BNP Paribas employees in over 85 countries around the world.

BNP Paribas is not only a sponsor of this project, but also a companion in the true sense of the word, in a clear demonstration of the quality of our relations with Patrice Franceschi and his crew, and our common desire to continue with these rewarding exchanges.

The official La Boudeuse website: http://la-boudeuse.org/