Marie Celhaiguibel, “Young Citizens” Representative on the Adour-Garonne Basin Committee

A Life Sciences student at UPPA, Marie Celhaiguibel, aged 19, is the first “Young Citizens” representative on a river basin committee in France. Alongside her, 80 young people are committed to water management in the South-West.

What did you do after your Baccalaureate? 

I’m currently a third-year Life Sciences student on the UPPA campus in Anglet. This subject was part of a presentation in my high school just a few months before my Baccalaureate, and I thought the course was interesting and matched my desire to study something in connection with ecology. I didn’t have a precise idea of the job I wanted to do, but the Biology of Organisms pathway opened doors to research, teaching, management of protected areas, etc. I applied via Parcoursup and was accepted. Three years later, I can confirm that the course is really interesting with very diverse content, from geology to genetics via aquatic life and the study of embryos… Also, studying on the UPPA campus in Anglet is great for me, as it’s just a stone’s throw from where I live! In addition, the classes here contain no more than 50 or so students, which facilitates contact with the lecturers. It is a very friendly university that supports you whatever your choices! Once a year we have a meeting with a teacher to review our progress, work placements, choice of options… In my second year, I did some tutoring and my first work placement in teaching to “see if this job would suit me”. This year, I chose a placement focused on ecology research. 

How did you get elected to the Water Committee? 

In my first year, I received an email from a lecturer inviting students to take part in the Odyssy tour, a five-day trip to learn about water issues in the Garonne catchment area and meet people involved in water and sports activities... I jumped at the chance and signed up. Afterwards, we had to plead a case in writing to the Chairman of the Adour-Garonne Basin Committee. I took the opportunity to request greater involvement of young people in water policy and the associated bodies. To start with, a group of 80 water ambassadors was created, which included all the young people who had taken part in the Odyssi. Then, in 2023, a seat became available on the Basin Committee and elections were held to appoint a “Young Citizens' Representative”. Five ambassadors stood in the election, including myself. To support my candidacy, I produced a video in which I also talked about my environmental awareness, the role of young people in the water management challenge, my desire to get involved in a community, etc. I was elected in November 2023 for a three-year term. My task is to better understand the challenges connected this resource and get young people involved in all the issues. For the time being, I attend meetings, learn, meet specialists, etc.

What words do you spontaneously associate with UPPA? 

Proximity, quality, diversity

What advice would you give to a young person starting a course at UPPA?

I'd say go for it. UPPA’s Life Sciences course on the Anglet campus offers quite exceptional study conditions: a working environment, approachable faculty, individual support, etc. I’d also suggest building on what you learn on campus with voluntary work in associations linked to the environment, to gain a better understanding of the field and exchange ideas with different people. For my part, I've worked on permaculture projects, helped build greenhouses, and now I'm a member of the Water Parliament! It’s great on a personal level and will help boost your CV! 

Want to find out more?

https://eau-grandsudouest.fr/comite-bassin/comite-bassin