MONACŒCOART® Interviews: Virginie Atlan, President of "Nous les Ambitieuses!".
- M Abti
- Apr 1
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 2
MONACŒCOART® Interviews: Virginie Atlan Linari ➡️ Director of the Maison Métropole Nice Côted'Azur Région Sud in Paris; Founder and President of ‘Nous Les Ambitieuses!’, ‘Femme Culture2021’; Awarded the ‘Médaille de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de l'Engagement Associatif’ (Medal of Youth, Sports and Associative Commitment; Knight in the Order of the French Legion of Honour.
🔹 Raising youth awareness on key issues of sustainable development in an interactive and playful way, helps to raise tomorrow’s eco-conscious citizens.
BIOGRAPHY
With a solid knowledge background in Management Economics, Marketing and Company’s Communication, Virginie Atlan Linari started her career in a large insurance group, role held for seventeen years. During her career, she has moved from managerial functions to commercial animation to develop communication within the Corporate Social Responsibility strategy in two subsidiaries of the Group. She was then able to accumulate an advanced level of professional and human experience which allowed her to shape a consistent sense of commitment and the highest ethical values. In parallel to her job, she has always been involved in social action and political activity.
In 2014, she decided to turn over a new leaf serving citizens and the community. “It is when everything is going well that you have to change!”, she stated. I therefore enthusiastically welcomed the proposal of Christian Estrosi, President of the Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur, to build up the Maison de la Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur in Paris, as integral part of the Maison de la Région Sud Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur. The body is considered as a strategic asset for the promotion of the PACA territory and its major economic actors.
That was an opportunity for her to express at best her creative and engaging side, always motivated by great enthusiasm. Not by chance, she is used to signing her emails with the hashtag #ilovemyjob. In this period, she created some editorials like the Matinales Économiques and the WEbTV CarteSurTableTV promoted by the Maison MNCA & Région Sud. In March 2020, she established Nous Les Ambitieuses!, a leading association to promote culture at territorial and international level. This women’s alliance was meant to give life to a national influential network to foster net-positive initiatives. She is used to defining its mission as follows: “We act in a ‘start up’ mode through positive action and with goodwill at the heart of the territories and for all citizens”.
Mission Jeunesse (Youth Mission) Writing and Drawing Contest by ‘Nous Les Ambitieuses!” Association.
Created four years ago by Virginie Atlan’s Association, this unique creative contest supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and under the High Patronage of the French National Commission for UNESCO, is addressed to students, from Middle School to University. The core mission is to make new generations express their perception of the future. The fourth edition in partnership with Prince Albert II of Monaco, is entitled Let’s Preserve Our Resources, Citizen and Environmental Ambitions! To pay tribute to the health of Planet Hearth, with special focus on ocean and biodiversity preservation. The initiative, which can be attended until the 12th May 2025 providing your works through the official platform (link below), will be animated with the contribution of with experts and engaged companies to encourage youth to implement ethical and responsible actions. Recycl’Art, a workshop focused on recycling of waste materials, is the real novelty of this year. Laurent Ballesta, the most popular photographer and marine biologist, is the main sponsor of this year’s edition, interacting with students and participating in the association’s key events in Monaco.
MONACŒCOART® had the privilege to interview Virginie Atlan Linari collecting her feedback to share the origins of her association, the values she believes in, her vision of sustainability and future plans.
ℹ️ To apply for the Youth Mission competition “Let’s Preserve Our Resources, Citizen and Environmental Ambitions!” please visit: MISSION JEUNESSE
🔸KEY TOPICS = 🗣️ WHERE THE IDEA COME FROM? >> 🗣️ WHO ARE YOUR PARTNERS? >> 🗣️ WHAT IS THE ADDED VALUE? >> 🗣️ A FUTURE FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT >> 🗣️ WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE 2025 MISSION JEUNESSE?
🎙INTERVIEW
MONACŒCOART®: Where did this idea come from and who is it for?
🗣️ Virginie Atlan : The association “Nous les Ambitieuses!” has chosen to focus on culture to act through positive action, at the heart of territories and internationally.
We have created two projects which are renewed every year, intended for the general public and young people. The competition format, open to all achievements: text, drawing or artistic realisation, is in line with this cultural commitment.
Supported by its partners, the association has been pursuing its positive action and impact with young generations for more than four years. We give the word to students, from middle school level to high schools, seeking for their vision of the future on a social issue of international interest. The competition is under the patronage of the French UNESCO mission.
MONACŒCOART®: Who are the partners involved?
🗣️ Virginie Atlan : H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was the first partner to support us, through a video launching our project!
We have the chance to work in detail, creating impactful workshops with Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Jane Goodall Foundation.
Our private partners are major national or international groups, committed to the cause, being our prior stakeholders. We thank them all for enabling us to achieve our ambitious goals, notably: Give Back Beauty, Ohana & Co, FERRERO France, CECI CHAN, FRE Skincare, La Gare de Monaco, Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur, Aqualung, Fortil, Team One Group, Agir Ensemble, Pif le mag (Media) and Ylan Anoufa, skilled contemporary artist acting as artistic director.
MONACŒCOART®: What is the added value of allowing the new generation to express their artistic and literary creativity by addressing key sustainability themes?
🗣️ Virginie Atlan : It is a unique, interactive, and fun way to raise youth awareness on social issues! Professors take advantage of our competition to approach the program by carrying out workshops, during which students are more receptive. Everyone participates in a positive way and contributes to the class action. We encourage students and their professors to meet eco-committed local companies in order to promote inclusion.
MONACŒCOART®: What is your favourite project from the previous editions of the competition?
🗣️ Virginie Atlan : My favourite one is a drawing made by a group of students from Monaco from the François D'assise-Nicolas Barré (FANB) school, supported by the national Postal Service which published students’ outcome in a limited-edition stamp book.
MONACŒCOART®: Your mission has always been to value positive and constructive actions aimed at a change towards a more just and sustainable society both in France and at an international level. What does it mean for you to lay the foundations of a future focused on Sustainable Development?
🗣️ Virginie Atlan : In my opinion, the world must become aware of this (= sustainability) or we will not do it again! We will not win over Nature and the Planet will overwhelm us. Planet’s resources are not unlimited, we must take care of them, or we will disappear with them!
MONACŒCOART®: What do you expect from the participants in the 2025 edition of the Mission Jeunesse Competition?
🗣️ Virginie Atlan : I expect a large international participation, that we will exceed the fourteen nationalities involved in 2024! I am moved and touched by the increasing awareness of the world’s youth. This makes me feel optimistic!
MONACŒCOART®: Do you have any other plans for this year’s major international summits?
🗣️ Virginie Atlan : Our ambition is to continue our commitment through Mission Jeunesse Contest over time and keep the same theme. There is an urgent need to act for the Ocean!
We will be sensitive to major international events and participate whenever possible.
We will be at the Gare de Monaco (Monaco Railway Station showroom) on the 7th and the 8th June 2025, for the announcement of the results of the competition. This date is not chosen by chance. In fact, it is the World Ocean Day marking the Ocean Summit in Monaco (Blue Economy and Finance Forum) taking place simultaneously. We will host a series of impactful workshops to raise awareness, together with our partners and in the presence of our sponsor: Laurent Ballesta. Last but not least, the one hundred contest winners will be announced on June the 8th in Monaco. ***
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By Maurice Abbati
Journalist; Editor; Communication, Media and Public Relations Specialist
Lecturer and Author in English language of Technical Articles and the Manual: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet, a Journey into Eco-Communication" by Springer International Publishing.
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