On 26 January 2026, students at ISN stepped beyond the traditional classroom experience as they welcomed representatives from SOS Méditerranée for a powerful presentation on humanitarian action, migration, and global responsibility.

The visit offered students a direct connection between global issues and real human experiences. It also reflected key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), and the central role of Quality Education (SDG 4).

During the session, Marion Fantin-Durand, Regional Representative for Alpes-Maritimes, introduced students to the mission and daily reality of SOS Méditerranée. The organisation focuses on saving lives at sea, particularly migrants and refugees attempting dangerous Mediterranean crossings. Through its search and rescue operations, the organisation helps protect vulnerable populations while upholding fundamental human rights.

Students gained insight into the realities faced by rescue teams operating in high-pressure environments, where ethical decisions can directly affect human survival.

Connecting Learning Across Subjects

The project brought together students from Grades 9–12 across Global Politics, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Individuals & Societies, while also extending into a Grade 8 Middle Years Programme (MYP) project.

This cross-disciplinary approach allowed students to examine migration not only as a political or social issue, but also through ethical, legal, and humanitarian lenses.

To deepen this understanding, students heard testimony either from a crew member working onboard the Ocean Viking rescue ship or from a legal expert specialising in migration and maritime law. These professional perspectives helped students understand both the operational challenges of rescue missions and the complex legal frameworks governing international waters and migration policy.

Students Engage with Global Challenges

A structured question-and-answer session gave students the opportunity to engage directly with humanitarian professionals. Discussions explored responsibility, international law, ethical dilemmas, and the protection of human rights.

Many students commented that hearing first-hand experiences made the realities of migration feel more immediate and personal, moving the topic beyond headlines and statistics.

Reflecting on the initiative, the organising team, as part of their Global Politics Internal Assessment (IA), highlighted the importance of giving young people opportunities to engage with real-world global challenges:

Sergio Galvis Humanities Coordinator and TOK teacher stated, "The SOS MEDITERRANEE visit to ISN Nice was a powerful reminder that global citizenship starts with empathy, evidence, and the courage to engage with complex realities. Through thoughtful discussion and the exhibition, our students connected human rights to real lives—and left with deeper questions, stronger understanding, and a clearer sense of responsibility.” 

Mey ISN Grade 12 student commented, "Through my volunteering with the Red Cross migration program in Monaco, I fortunately discovered SOS Mediterranée, and having been able to work with this wonderful organization has been a great pleasure and I truly hope that the student audience was able to take away something valuable from the presentation. This engagement directly connects with my Global Politics Internal Assessment, which analyzes the effectiveness of the EU's migration policy in balancing human rights and state's interests. I was able to collect helpful supporting evidence from the videos displayed during the presentation that illustrated the atrocities that incoming migrants face in the Mediterranean sea, and how SOS Mediteranée helps."  

Aleksandra (Grade11) added, “In my IA I will be studying issues of responsibility and human rights. SOS Méditeranée gives real meaning to these concepts by turning ethical questions into actions that save life’s.”

Marion Fantin-Durand also expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to engage with students, “Thank you to ISN for inviting SOS Méditerranée to give a presentation and to display our exhibition ‘Save – Rescue – Protect’ in the school courtyard. It was truly inspiring to share our values with 70 attentive students — the next generation. As we mark the association’s tenth anniversary, we are reminded why we continue our mission: no one should be left to die at sea.”

Grade 8 students also reflected thoughtfully on the experience.

Chloe (Grade 8) shared, “We were lucky and privileged to have SOS Méditerranée, a European sea rescue association, come to ISN to talk to us students about the importance of taking care of our sea as a community. This was an incredible experience, as it not only expanded my knowledge on this topic but was also eye-opening.”

Alina (Grade 8) highlighted the academic relevance of the visit, “In my opinion, students interested in choosing Global Politics or Global Perspectives as their main subjects could benefit from this amazing visit from SOS Méditerranée. We can definitely use this opportunity to gain more knowledge about refugees and migrants who are trying their best to reach a better future and a safer life. I genuinely enjoyed this experience and believe it will help me in my future journey toward becoming successful in politics.”

Serafina (Grade 8) reflected on the human dimension of the presentation, “It was a pleasure to meet representatives from SOS Méditerranée. The presentation showed me global issues and human experiences that are happening right now. I saw how SOS Méditerranée takes action to save migrants and refugees from danger while crossing the Mediterranean. Marion Fantin- Durand, the Regional Representative for Alpes-Maritimes, showed us their mission and daily
life, highlighting the crucial role the organization plays in rescuing people in distress at sea.”

Highlighting Women’s Voices in Humanitarian Contexts

The visit concluded with the SOS Méditerranée exhibition Éclaireuses d’Humanité: Visages et parcours de femmes en Méditerranée. The exhibition explores the experiences and agency of women across multiple perspectives, including women in exile, women rescued at sea, humanitarian workers, volunteers, and citizens supporting rescue efforts. The exhibition also connects to SDG 5 – Gender Equality and will remain accessible to the ISN community until the end of March.

Learning That Lasts Beyond the Event

Beyond the presentation itself, the initiative helped students connect classroom learning with current global realities. It encouraged empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of civic responsibility.

Most importantly, the visit reinforced a simple but powerful message: every life has value. In a world where global crises can sometimes feel distant, experiences like this help students recognise the human stories behind world events and their own potential role in shaping a more just and compassionate future.

Education is not only about understanding the world. It is about learning how to change it.