“We have experienced an extraordinary story of philanthropy that, once again, must be reminded, has lasted for over 20 years. And it is a story of incredible fertility that needs to be told.” These are the words of Olivier Brault, Director General of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, who describes the unique adventure experienced by the Institute and the Foundation over two decades. A collaboration based on a shared commitment to innovation, research, and the transformation of education. An alliance built around a common vision to create a sustainable and inclusive future. Here’s an overview of this exceptional partnership in three chapters.

Chapter 1: The Encounter

This first chapter revisits the origins of the partnership between the Learning Planet Institute and the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller: the Liliane Bettencourt Prize for Life Sciences awarded to François Taddei in 2003; the meeting between two biologists, François Taddei and Ariel Lindner, and their desire to explore, through collaboration and interdisciplinarity, new ways of learning, teaching, and conducting research; the Foundation’s interest in contributing to R&D for the common good and supporting “an invention of something new that addresses a real need” (sic); the creation of the Centre for Research and Interdisciplinarity (CRI) in 2006. It also tracks the journey of two young talents: Aude Bernheim and Flora Vincent, alumni of the Master’s programme and the Doctoral School developed by the Institute, who have become outstanding researchers.

Chapter 2: The Take-off

The second chapter explores the evolution of this partnership over the years. With the support of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, the Centre for Research and Interdisciplinarity (CRI – now the Learning Planet Institute) was able to develop innovative programmes, establish itself within the worlds of research and education, while fostering a bold and collaborative approach. The Institute has also offered students, researchers, and educators a unique environment to rethink the future of education and society. An experiment attested to by Kevin Lhoste and Edward Stevenette, who highlight the intellectual and personal enrichment they have gained within this ecosystem, both as students and, today, as employees. This phase allowed the Learning Planet Institute to multiply its impact and expand its connections with local, national, and international partners.

Chapter 3: The Future

The final chapter offers a look at the future perspectives of the Learning Planet Institute and opens up new horizons for reflection and action. Building on the extraordinary experience gained in recent years, and in line with international challenges – notably those raised by the UN – to strengthen the active participation of young people in decisions related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Institute now seeks to empower youth to invent, co-construct, and act together for the future. This is exemplified by Maiwand Qayomi, a Master’s student, and Pearl Oriele Perumal, winner of the Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge 2024, who embody the youth working to make a positive impact on the world.

As the partnership comes to an end, the Learning Planet Institute remains true to its mission: shaping the education of tomorrow, by bridging knowledge and co-constructing sustainable solutions to the challenges of today’s world. The Institute is ready to write the next chapters of its history, with new projects, new collaborations, and a stronger commitment to accessible, inclusive, and transformative education.

Acknowledgments

The Institute warmly thanks the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller for its generosity, trust, and the crucial support it has provided since 2006.

“An Adventure at the Crossroads of Knowledge”, a story told by the Learning Planet Institute and the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, featuring, in order of appearance: 

• François Taddei, co-founder of the CRI and president of the Learning Planet Institute
• Ariel Lindner, co-founder of the CRI and director of Engaged Life Science (ELiS)
• Olivier Brault, director general of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller
• Aude Bernheim, head of the “Molecular Diversity of Microbes” laboratory at the Pasteur Institute, alumni of the AIRE Master’s and the FIRE Doctoral School, and co-founder of WAX Science
• Flora Vincent, head of the “Symbiosis in Marine Unicellular Eukaryotes” laboratory at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, alumni of the AIRE Master’s and the FIRE Doctoral School, and co-founder of WAX Science
• Kevin Lhoste, manager of the MakerLab at the Learning Planet Institute, alumni of the FIRE Doctoral School and founder of the MakerSpace student club
• Edward Stevenette, project manager of the Learning Planet Institute’s International Alliance and alumni of the AIRE Master’s
• Maiwand Qayomi, AIRE Master’s student and founder of the “Second Life for Afghan Women” project
• Pearl Oriele Perumal, education activist and winner of the Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge 2024

Find out more 

• The 3 chapters can be found in the playlist on our YouTube channel
• Fondation Bettencourt Schueller
• Support us