Participants from Romania
Iuliana Tomoș
I am a math teacher and principal at Săcele Elementary School no 5, Brasov county. The school serves a challenging community and my main concern is to create an environment where respect, empathy and kindness are fundamental values. I also ensure that the students of our school not only receive academic knowledge but also an environmental education, teaching them to respect and protect nature. Together with my team of teachers I develop innovative projects so that pupils and teachers reach their full potential.
Anca Sandu
I am a preschool and Rromani language teacher at a school in Săcele (Brașov). My work in this school and in the community where it is located is more than just a job; it is a vocation that brings me satisfaction and joy. I organize projects aimed at equipping young people and their parents with skills needed in the current context of global challenges such as climate change. Through my work, I am caring for the present of my community, but also planting the seeds for a more aware and engaged community that will take care of itself as well as our planet.
Ilie Nelu Cioată
I am Nelu and basically I work as a teacher in a secondary school from Uricani, a former coal-mining town in The Jiu Valley, which cuts East to West through the southern Carpathian Mountains. Besides this I am also involved in different NGOs where we do a lot of projects for our community. My goal, as a climate educator, is to empower people to understand the importance of protecting the environment and to inspire them to make informed decisions and to take action for a sustainable future.
Cornel Baroi
I’ve been a primary school teacher for 47 years, so my whole life has been dedicated to children’s education. My projects are about the environment and healthy food. My region, the Jiu Valley, is beautiful and surrounded by three mountain ranges, forests, lakes, truly amazing wildlife and very tasty berries. We have tried to capitalize on this ecosystem through local organic products such as jams and syrups. We’re developing a Third Place at the base of the Retezat National Park, built on Buen Vivir principles.
Anca Elena Chirilă Gheorghică
I am an ecologist by training and by vocation. For more than 15 years I have been a social entrepreneur and project manager of Mai bine Association, the most active organization in Iasi in the field of human ecology and green social economy. I hold a PhD in economics, for which I tackled a heterodox theme in this discipline, namely that of economic degrowth. I believe that voluntary simplicity and closeness to nature are the most necessary and desirable individual approaches to help alleviate contemporary crises.
Andreea Ghiban
With studies in communication sciences and courses in management and leadership, as well as nearly 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, I am attracted to meaningful projects that bring people together. I long for connection beyond action, and I believe that we can influence the surrounding world for the better through compassion for ourselves and all that is alive. The Third Places network is a place where I felt that these characteristics meet so I am glad to be part of it with the projects I am involved in: CUIB and Acaju from Iasi, România.
Cristina Căpitănițâ
Guided by a sense of community, I love to bring people together at events where they can savor conviviality and develop their connecting skills. I am most at home in nature, which is why I have chosen to adopt and promote a regenerative lifestyle in all my areas of activity. As a climate education facilitator, environmental activist and manager of a restaurant with zero waste aspirations, I believe that the path I have chosen is actually an effect of the symptoms of eco-anxiety that I have and continue to struggle with.
Valentina-Camelia Bâcu
I have been working with children and teenagers for more than 15 years in museums and NGOs, developing cultural and non-formal education projects – an interactive exhibition for children about water, a cultural magazine for them, the first international children’s book-fair in Romania (BOOkerini), a museum in a box, a pop-up museum project. I strongly believe in kid-powered learning, therefore I use all my abilities to inspire and empower them to express creatively. Nature is an inspiration for me, therefore you’ll find in my projects all shades of green and optimism.
Dorina Julecătean
Active in the world of education as well as in my community, I am a teacher and community activist who seeks to shape not only the knowledge but also the character of young people. I not only impart information, but also mentor, inspire and support the development of future generations. Together with the REPER21 Association team, I have been working for many years to promote climate education, climate resilience and Buen Vivir principles in my hometown Lupeni, which is an old mining town in the Jiu Valley basin.
Adriana Moldovan
With an open heart towards people and nature, I am dedicated to cultivating harmony and well-being in every person, whether big or small. I believe in the power of education to shape characters and inspire young souls to love beauty, protect nature and respect the world around them. Nature is for me a friend and a constant source of inspiration, offering lessons in balance, beauty and fragility. I try to instill in my students respect for the planet and care for what surrounds us, so that together we can preserve this wonderful world.
Cyril Legrix
French and a resident of Romania for 20 years, father of two children, I chose to transition from service outsourcing to urban agriculture. As co-founder of the Climato Sfera association, I am dedicated to implementing meaningful urban agriculture projects in Bucharest, promoting sustainable practices and fostering community engagement in creating a greener city (Community gardens, urban composting network…)
Melania Nan
I am a teacher who is constantly concerned with self-improvement, finding within myself multiple resources of will to evolve. I really want to help children to learn and develop. I am concerned about ecology, in particular climate change. I carry out actions in the community where I try to raise awareness to move from environmental awareness to individual and collective action. Together with the REPER21 team I work to promote climate resilience and Buen Vivir in Lupeni, which is an old mining town in the Jiu Valley basin.
Elena Gheorghica
I am working at Kyralina, the french bookshop from B, where we share our values of belonging and participating in community’s lives, our concerns about today’s society preoccupations, our desire of living with sense and care of all living. Having both a strong personal and professional interest towards ecology, I try to stay informed and spread the word through the love for reading, for knowledge, for some kind of wisdom that we can only reach together.
Dana Peca
As a researcher with 20 years in molecular biology, I found myself yearning for more during the pandemic. I embraced yoga, becoming a teacher, and now guide families on nature tours, revealing its wonders. I blend science with nature contemplation, fostering deep connections between people and the environment. My workshops with children are a joy—they are still part of nature, their bonds intact. I believe in “buen vivir,” where returning to innocence and nurturing nature lovers can help us overcome the climate crisis.
Corina Puișor
I am a geography teacher in Călărași, a city on the Danube in southern Romania. My job makes it easier for me to express and share Earth health values in various experiences with children and adults in the community. I am involved in projects and programs focused on sustainability, both from a curricular and operational point of view, and any experience in this regard is very useful in my work, but also in my life as a citizen. I believe in the power of our planet to make people better.
Anastasia Staicu
I’m a woman who believes in worlds built of ideas and love, I believe in the opportune moment – a point in time when change is possible. In ancient Greece the embodiment of this qualitative time was Kairos, the opposite of Cronos – linear, quantitative, measurable time. My biography is a string of encounters with people who create worlds around themselves. I was born in Kazakhstan, spent my adolescence in Russia, swept myself in Romania. I created Seneca Anticafe Community Cultural Space, Seneca Green Publishing House and Seneca Ecologos Ecological Education Center. I am a mother of two children, author of educational programs, trainer, editor, project coordinator.
Participants from France
Hélène Hache
Co-founder of Hop(e) Collective, I support business transitions. After 15 years in IT, I chose to turn my environmental concerns into my profession, training in circular economy and new business models. I believe a new economic and social system is possible, combining frugality, creativity, and low-tech for resilient and desirable models. My ecosystem allows me to bring all the necessary skills to my missions, ensuring an effective transition towards a sustainable future.
Romain Bui
Hi, I’m Romain from France. Like Neo, I chose to act for a sustainable world once I discovered reality. I’m a Batman-like figure with two lives: an engineer developing future technologies and a climate adventurer. For 5 years, I’ve explored various paths to sustainability, with food as my compass. I love growing and cooking vegetables, and sharing meals. I’m passionate about creating a better world through technology and sustainable practices. Discover more in my writings here or connect on LinkedIn (@Romain Bui).
Elsa Fougerouse
As long as I can remember, I have always loved transmitting! Particularly affected by environmental issues, I try to make a difference on my scale. I have made many changes in my life to show that it is possible, and positive! My wish list? To rely on nature-based education to encourage wonder at nature, to continue to develop the climate fresk to support awareness, to encourage people debate and to give everyone a voice on these societal issues…
Valérie Garcia
Committed for 15 years to ecology and the Living, I have more recently worked on the theme of societal changes. Being a sophrologist, it is quite natural that I specialized in eco-emotions, in order to better understand and relieve them. I accompany those who wish to do so to put more coherence in their daily lives and to find or maintain the Joie de vivre! My field of action is broad (from children to adult): writing books, conferences, leading workshops, internships, talking circles, podcasts.
Philippe Thiévenaz
Communicator and designer of ecological transition projects. I am committed to cities and territories. Photographer, facilitator, storyteller, game animator (“Let’s invent our low-carbon lives”), fresco animateur (“New narratives”, Climate, Ecological Renaissance, Biodiversity)… Passionate about third places to rebuild society, Bicycle and cycle-logistics actor (Bike-Taxi…) to inspire territories and succeed in the ecological transition…
Laure Audigier
Engineer in Environment and Quality of Life, I help entrepreneurs and organizations to improve their ecological and social contributions, with 3 axes: 1) To increase self-confidence and improve relationships by understanding and training the autonomic nervous system – this helped me to overcome my burnout. 2) To facilitate collective intelligence and the emergence of new forms of governance. 3) To raise awareness of climate issues and support ecosystem regeneration programmes. My belief is the ecological and social transition will bring us greater peace, joy, health and prosperity.
Marie-lou Le Yaouanc
After 7 years working in the pharmaceutical industry, I decided to change my life and I now work on my own professional project. I want to participate and do my part in the change of society imposed by current social and environmental concerns. I am convinced that the world needs more joy, cooperation, intuition and art in this big change we’re currently facing ! My proposition is to guide companies, universities and all collective in their transition, using in particular the amazing tool theatre.
Odeline Dallongeville
A biologist and ecologist by training, I have always wanted to preserve nature that amazes me. I like to share, pass on and learn. I try to accept all the great opportunities that come and trust life to get out of my comfort zone and live to the fullest.
Dominique Gruyer
My career aims to maintain and develop quality of life. Trained in Sustainable Development and QSE management, I’ve worked in public and private sectors (QSE, CSR, ISO 26000) and territories (March’ethic, Agenda 21). My actions have integrated environmental concerns, climate adaptation, and socio-economic issues. Facing medical deserts, I created an herbal shop in Yonne, an alternative to pharmaceutical lobbies, within the COOP Métamorphose. This activity addresses current health problems.
Marc Laget
We are in Montpellier a group of inhabitants owners of their houses and gardens, growing plants, setting bird houses and ponds for insects and frogs, sharing meals and knowledge with everyone in the local training center for disabled people, trying to convince the city to develop a green dynamic, promoting real environmental obligations…playing theater… but not still a real living third place ! We Will try to follow you ! See complementerre-montpellier.org
Chloé Brébant
I am born in the middle of Fontainebleau’s forest. As a huge Ghibli movie fan, I always admire nature as a strong entity with it own will. I strongly believe that human should understand how nature works to progress with it and not against it. In m’y mind, forest is a magical place where essential things to the world happen and that go beyond human understanding. Respect the environment where we live and we operate is for me a duty, this is why I choose to study forest ecology.
Participants from Italy
Priscilla Massimei
I am an accountant and have been seeing numbers turn into profits for years. I decided to further my studies in the field of economics and sustainability so that these numbers can also guide us towards positive change for living beings and the planet. I recently became a mother and my concern for future generations has increased. What kind of planet do we want to leave to our own? Hence the desire to become more involved as a protagonist of change. Although I have not been able, for the time being, to transform my work, I am constantly engaged in dialogue with people convinced that each person is precious and that change in daily actions is fundamental and necessary to accompany an ecological and social transition.
Elisabetta De Blasi
I am a sensory expert, a certified taster and the Tasting Lab founder.I write gastronomic guides and teach food sensory education. I have a humanistic culture and in fact the narrative and anthropological aspect is not secondary to me, but it is what unites my other two souls, the dialogue with Nature and the value of what is worked with the hands. I am interested in mending everyone’s relationship with themselves and the natural environment through the senses and awareness. I deal with participatory planning with a vegetal vision.
Salvatore Di Pasquale
I like being creative, imagining new worlds and giving visual form to thoughts, emotions and narratives. I studied psychology to take care of people so that they are well and today I try to do this with an ecological, environmental and cultural approach: I would like care to be the starting point for everything. Growing up in the countryside, I want to inhabit non-chaotic environments attuned to plant cycles. Permaculture has helped me find some answers on how to live with other life forms.
Lorena Alessandra Urucu
Translator, interpreter, teacher, traveller and famelic reader. Part of Cubo Libro since my late teenage years because I share its core values: people and places come together celebrating differences and care for one another, from the children that come by to the books, toys and plants that get donated to the small but yet vital spot that is Largo Ferruccio Mengaroni.
Emanuela Fiorenza
I am Emanuela Fiorenza, born and grown up in the countryside, where I developed a deep connection with nature from an early age. Now living in Rome, I am committed to rekindling this bond with the environment in others. I participate in volunteer projects with Retake Roma, oversee the Aniene and Tevere river contracts, and I am involved in social inclusion and sustainable tourism initiatives. I also collaborate with Roma Rafting and the Via di Francesco network to promote the local territory.
Eddy Perrone
I am a telecommunications engineer who actually discovered he wanted to work in the world of communication.So after graduating and 4 years spent among microchips, I enrolled in an evening course in advertising and graphic design, graduated and worked for 4 years as a graphic designer and videomaker. I currently develop websites and webapps, I shot a medium-length film on Japanese shamanism and I keep asking myself how to subvert the social paradigm based on the relationship between money and work.
Carolina Galli
I have an anthropogeographical background, contaminated by botany and ecology. For me, the landscape is the great interlocutor, telling us about present and possible worlds. I consider myself a curious and creative person, who likes to explore and learn continuously, and I try to educate – and educate myself – in ecology and sustainability, working to overcome together the extreme anthropocentrism that characterises human beings today, which in my opinion limits their possibilities for progress.
Sandra Naggar
Founder of the Sistema Città Società Cooperativa di comunità, I have been pursuing the practical implementation of the civil economic model for years. Promote a holistic model cooperative, multifunctional and multi-stakeholder capable of generating well-being for the community through an economic system in which civil society participates actively as responsible representative of the territory integrating the values of sustainability and climate change.
Claudia Bernabucci
Born in Rome on 9/05/1986, I grew up in the countryside on the outskirts of Rome and attended the Amaldi scientific high school. The experiences I had during my high school years pushed me towards voluntary work with children in the neighbourhood.
I thus fell in love with Tor Bella Monaca and in 2008 I became, out of passion, librarian and cultural activist, at what in 2009 would become the Cubo Libro and from 2010 I would become president of the association of the same name. In the same years, by profession, I became an educator and coordinator of educational services, carrying out projects in schools and suburban areas, with my suitcase made of books, radio, urban gardens, activities in nature, eco-sustainable, inclusive.
Serena Baldari
My name is Serena Baldari. I currently work in communication and organisational management at a small company. I have worked as an archivist and teacher of contemporary history. I am a parent of a daughter and a son. I am affiliated with the association Pisacane 0-99 ODV, which deals with social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and the promotion of links between families, schools and the territory in the Tor Pignattara neighbourhood in Rome. The Pisacane community was the Third Place where I directed the knowledge I learnt during my training on climate change.
Valerio Gatto Bonanni
Valerio Gatto Bonanni is a theatre director, performer, a bit of a situationist, a bit of a lunatic… Head of the SemiVolanti theatre company, co-author of the art project for/with migrants Black Reality and of Altri Mondi Bike Tour an artistic event of playful science dissemination by bicycle.
Since 2009 he has used his artistic language in political activism in campaigns, actions and occupations: Terra!, Nessun Dorma, Giovani NON +, Il nostro tempo è adesso!, Teatro Valle Occupato, referendum No Triv, A Sud, Avaaz, Legambiente, Grande come una città, Quelle Brave, Salvaiciclisti Roma, Clean Cities.
