Bertrand Piccard
A pioneer unconstrained by certitude and stereotypes, an explorer of the human spirit more than an adventurer, he rejects all dogmas other than the need for all-embracing curiosity. As an enthusiastic balloonist and aviator, Bertrand tackles challenges that others consider impossible. He made the first ever non-stop round-the-world flight in a balloon and launched the "Solar Impulse" project for a solar airplane, in which he flew from Europe to Africa without a single drop of fuel. A doctor and psychiatrist, he derives from his training in hypnosis and his interest in oriental philosophies a different focus, putting human beings and their quality of life in the foreground.
"If I came back from my expeditions saying that I was motivated simply by a desire to break records, everyone around me would understand perfectly. But that's not really what drives me. I prefer to drop the language of the adventurer and put across the messages that I really care about."
A persuasive communicator, he has a striking way of always trying to build bridges between the extremes in order to develop synergies instead of oppositions. Through his books, lectures and interviews as well as in political encounters he tries to promote a human-oriented vision that leaves ample room for pioneering spirit and innovation in everyday life.
A pioneer unconstrained by certitude and stereotypes, an explorer of the human spirit more than an adventurer, he rejects all dogmas other than the need for all-embracing curiosity. As an enthusiastic balloonist and aviator, Bertrand tackles challenges that others consider impossible. He made the first ever non-stop round-the-world flight in a balloon and launched the "Solar Impulse" project for a solar airplane, in which he flew from Europe to Africa without a single drop of fuel. A doctor and psychiatrist, he derives from his training in hypnosis and his interest in oriental philosophies a different focus, putting human beings and their quality of life in the foreground.
"If I came back from my expeditions saying that I was motivated simply by a desire to break records, everyone around me would understand perfectly. But that's not really what drives me. I prefer to drop the language of the adventurer and put across the messages that I really care about."
A persuasive communicator, he has a striking way of always trying to build bridges between the extremes in order to develop synergies instead of oppositions. Through his books, lectures and interviews as well as in political encounters he tries to promote a human-oriented vision that leaves ample room for pioneering spirit and innovation in everyday life.
