UP CLOSE … with Alain de Comarmond, principal secretary for environment in the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change |03 July 2018

‘People should have more respect for nature and for one another’

“In Seychelles people should have more respect for nature and one another! We are such a small country (one of the smallest in the world), we cannot afford to continue to dirty or disrespect the environment or one another.”

This is the hope of Alain de Comarmond, the principal secretary for environment in the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, who is our Up Close guest this week.

Alain, who is originally from Beau Vallon, now lives at Anse Etoile. He has one sister and one brother and has been married to Aisha for three years.

Alain is also the project director for several international biodiversity-related projects, member of several high level committees in government such as co-chair of the national steering committee of the Marine Spatial Plan. Internationally he represents Seychelles on the steering committee of the global partnership on marine litter. Alain is also a board member of the Islands Development Company (IDC), just to name a few.

As for education, Alain pursued his primary and secondary education at Beau Vallon, the National Youth Service (NYS) at Port Launay followed by Advanced Level studies at the Seychelles Polytechnic. He then went on further studies in the UK at the University of Wolverhampton for a BSc (hons) in Environmental Management.

Alain says his first year at NYS was a very happy and important one in his self-development, academically as well as socially.

“I got to make a lot of new friends which created such a positive bond among us. It is always a pleasure every now and then to meet one of my ‘brothers’ from my  B2 cluster but also ‘sisters’ from my ‘sister cluster’ to catch up on old times but also to see what they are up to these days!

“My two years at the Polytechnic was all about hard work to realise my dream to go and study at university level. I eventually received the award for Best Geography student at A-Levels! I am forever grateful to my all teachers, lecturers and professors who have taught me so much along the way.”

Enjoying his job and what he loves about it

“This September marks 17 years since I have been working with the ministry (of environment). It has been a fantastic journey from day one. I am very passionate about the environment and my work. Though it comes with its challenges and pressures, I wake up every single day looking forward to an exciting and fruitful day at work, working with my colleagues, staff but also the interactions with the public. We have done a lot in environmental management but we still have a lot to do. If everybody joins hands and effort, we can continue with this progress,” says Alain.

He says he is also by nature a very patriotic person.  Through his work he has had the privilege to travel around the world.

“I can sincerely say that there is no country in the world more beautiful than Seychelles! There is nothing that gives me the greatest sense of pride than representing Seychelles overseas. We have made so much progress that we are well respected and admired around the world. We need to continue in this direction and should not become complacent. But the government cannot do it alone. Each and every Seychellois should take pride in this and respect the environment and do their bit.”

Challenges in his current job

As in every job there are challenges. Alain tells his:

“Meeting the public’s and everybody’s expectations can be quite challenging sometimes but as I always tell my staff, we just have to show respect, pro-activeness and honesty at all times,” he says.

Alain says continuing with the education and awareness on environmental issues remains a top priority as there is always a minority who does not respect the environment.

“For example by littering, poaching protected species like the coco-de-mer and sea turtles. Sometimes it can be demoralising but we need to continue with the work, particularly in educating and inspiring the younger and future generations so that they can continue with the work.”

What it takes to do such a job

“Passion and love for the environment and nature! I believe similar to some professions, working in environment is a vocation. You can have the academic background or other qualifications but what makes it happen and sets one apart from the other is the dedication, conviction and passion one has. One has to do a lot of personal sacrifices sometimes in their personal lives as working in environment is in essence a 24/7 profession. You always have to be ready to expect the unexpected or unforeseen at the most inconvenient moments sometimes!”

Childhood memories

Talking about life from childhood to now, like on what he enjoyed most, the mischiefs he was involved in, Alain says looking back on it, his childhood was not an easy one for his family.

“My mother had to raise three children, my older sister Jeanine, brother Gustave and myself. As a single mother, among all the challenges financially, she managed to make ends meet and provide for all that we needed. But she also raised us to become who we are today. My brother and sister were also very protective, caring and loving to me as the youngest growing up. We still have a very close bond. Among all, thankfully I managed to stay focused on my education throughout.

“I grew up with very good and close friends at school who shared my passion for sport. Quite often we were spotted playing football or basketball late after school. Besides my sporty side, I have always loved the beach from a very young age as it was one of the places where I spent a lot of my time. But all in all I was considered to be a bit of a ‘quiet and reserved’ child so I did not get down to a lot of mischiefs!”

Hobbies and past time

“I like spending most of my free time with my wife enjoying the outdoors, visiting our beautiful islands, going to the beach, going on hikes. But I also enjoy going out for a good lunch during the weekends and sometimes catching a good movie at the cinema. I am an Arsenal Football Club Fan so I try to watch as many of their games during the weekends!”

The bad and the good experiences

Alain says his worst experience was when he was involved in a very bad car accident about 9 years ago, in which, he says, he could have easily lost his life. But miraculously he escaped with a few minor injuries.

“I have always believed that God gave me a second chance in life then. This was the wake-up call and turning point in my life in reference to several things. But I also have many memorable moments in my life. For example spending two months on Aldabra back in 1998 before going to university and obtaining my degree three years after that. But the one that tops it all is getting married to Aisha three years ago. She has brought so much peace, love and happiness in my life, the three most important things for me.”

What Alain hates most in life

“Arrogance, negativity and bad attitudes!”

What would he change in life if he had the power to do so

“In Seychelles, make people respect nature and one another more! We are such a small country (one of the smallest in the world), we cannot afford to continue to dirty or disrespect the environment or each other. Globally, there are some politicians or leaders who do not care about the environment or believe in issues such as climate change. The world is a global village. We are inter-connected in so many ways, therefore we cannot afford to act or behave in isolation. I hope that in future we will have less and less of this.”

Hope for the future

“I also pray for a happy and peaceful Seychelles in general!”

By Marylene Julie