General Director of the Vision du Monde association
Can you introduce yourself ?
My name is Camille Romain des Boscs, I am 40 years old (already!) and am the happy mother of 3 very lively children : a little boy aged 5 and two girls aged 4 and 1 year old.
Can you outline your journey for us?
After starting in an embassy in Russia and in companies in the press sector and then industry , I took a new direction, integrating the humanitarian sector in 2011 . I joined the Vision du Monde association as Marketing Director and then in 2014, I took over as General Director of this wonderful NGO , which aims to enable every little boy and girl, to live life to the fullest, even in the most difficult contexts.
What makes you get up in the morning?
Children! Mine literally because they are still young and wake up early, but those for whom I get up are the children who suffer and for whom the association works every day. It is for them that I try to mobilize my intelligence, my heart and my energy as best as possible.
Contributing to moving the lines of a world, where everyone can live their life in dignified conditions , where every child can be protected from all forms of violence , is very motivating.
How are your days going? What are they punctuated by?
No day is like the other.
Since the start of the pandemic, we have been living in the countryside in Burgundy, and the first thing I do when turning on my computer is to say hello to my team and check in on the news. People are essential in what we do, and that starts with quality relationships with my colleagues (especially women)!
As director, I have an agenda which is punctuated by the supervision of the association's actions , the support of my management team , the exchanges with my board of directors and my peers: both at Vision of the World but also in the associative world, because together we are stronger!
You have been working for Vision du Monde for more than ten years already, have you noticed an evolution in the engagement rate?
This year has proven that even in times of crisis, the French are generous and reach out to the most vulnerable, even beyond our borders . This is a tremendous encouragement to continue our actions more than ever.
What is the mission or subject that struck you the most? For what ?
Certainly the meeting of a Syrian woman in an informal refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. We begin to exchange in a tiny prefab with a family. As we were all seated, I only realized after a few minutes that she was about to give birth. With no hospital to go to, a barely heated shelter to accommodate her little one. I was 7 months pregnant myself! What a cruel mirror and what a difficult start in life for her baby. The kind of encounter the memory of which cannot leave you.
What is your mantra? Or a public figure who inspires you?
Keep on the sunny side of life!
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to get involved?
Commitment can take many forms, sometimes through very small things, small changes. Don't try to set the bar too high but go for it, test, experiment, think, adjust.
What human values or qualities do you hope to pass on to your children?
Paying attention to what surrounds us: people, the universe in which we live. Curiosity, love and of course humor !
With the social structure setting up individualism as master today, how can we combine a busy family life and dedication of such quality?
Well, above all you have to accept not being perfect and try not to put too much pressure on yourself. I'm lucky to work for a cause that makes so much sense that even if it sometimes spills over into schedules, we manage to manage it. And I'm also lucky to have a great husband by my side who 100% supports my commitment and takes over on many issues.
What do you think about “Green Entrepreneurship”?
Essential for the world of tomorrow , we should no longer have to put green in front...let it be obvious for any company, particularly those starting their business.
How do you choose your partners? What are your prerogatives?
We ensure that in terms of values , human respect and financial rigor we are aligned!
Following the draft report submitted by the IPCC, how are you directing the actions promoted by World Vision in order to intervene as best as possible in countries already affected by its environmental consequences?
What do your desirable futures look like?
In all its programs World Vision takes environmental dimensions into account. Both so that families can have the necessary resources in the long term but also to develop resilience in the face of predictable shocks (stronger droughts and floods for example, requiring learning to manage and store crops differently). We are also developing a fantastic approach: assisted natural regeneration which consists of making the soil green again without having to replant trees. It’s a brilliant approach because it’s extremely effective (link for more info?).
My greatest wish is that one day we can say that yes, today every little boy and girl can grow up in a loving, stable environment and develop all their potential!
For more information or to take your first step for these residents, do not hesitate to contact our Camille or take a closer look at their activities on their social networks!
But what is World Vision?
It is the major player in access to drinking water, the main objective being to provide drinking water to disadvantaged populations.
DO YOU KNOW THE GLOBAL 6K FOR WATER?
It is a solidarity race created by the World Vision partnership of which Vision du Monde is a part. Its aim is to raise participants' awareness of the importance of access to drinking water and to directly finance projects that address this issue.
Why 6 km? What does 6 km represent?