Publications

Our inspiration comes from the character and work of one man, Elzéard Bouffier, a character created by Jean Giono in his short story "The Man Who Planted Trees". Between 1913 and 1947, this Provençal shepherd succeeded in reviving his region by planting trees. The beautiful forest he succeeded in creating enabled the surrounding villages to welcome new inhabitants at a time when the region was threatened with desertification. For Elzéard, it was a long task, made up of patience, solitude, self-sacrifice and generosity.

From this short reading, we always feel inspired. It gives us the keys to discernment for our profession: as recruiters, it teaches us about the work to be done on living things; and as committed men and women, it teaches us about the positive action of man on his environment:

"For the character of a human being to reveal truly exceptional qualities, one must have the good fortune to be able to observe his action over many years. If this action is devoid of all selfishness, if the idea behind it is one of unparalleled generosity, if it is absolutely certain that it has sought no reward anywhere and that, what's more, it has left visible marks on the world, then we are, without any risk of error, looking at an unforgettable character. "

Jean GIONO