During the ceremony, Jean-Marc Ayrault, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, presented the insignia of Officer of the Legion of Honor to Albina du Boisrouvray, in the presence of her family, Charlotte and Andrea Casiraghi. FXB’s founder was also surrounded by many friends, including Bernard Kouchner and Christine Ockrent accompanied by Albina’s godson, Alexandre Kouchner; Yann Arthus-Bertrand; Michèle Barzach; Jean d’Ormesson; Philippe Labro; Michel Drucker; Laurent Dassault; Xavier Bertrand; Pascal Thomas; Sylvie Rocard and several others.
In 1986, after a tragic loss, Albina du Boisrouvray abandoned her career in journalism and film production to devote herself to the cause of millions of children and women in need all around the world.
Three years later, she created the Foundation François-Xavier Bagnoud, named after her son who died in a helicopter accident, as well as FXB International, of which she is now president emerita.
For over 25 years, she worked with her staff in the fight against poverty. FXB’s flagship program is the Community Development Program FXBVillage, aimed at eradicating the predominant drivers of extreme poverty: malnutrition, lack of hygiene, inadequate housing, diseases, difficult climate conditions, lack of education and lack of income. This time-limited program has an integrated approach to break the vicious cycle of poverty, that is, the multidimensional causes of poverty are addressed simultaneously in a single response.
«The purpose is to tackle the factors responsible for extreme poverty, to establish the foundations of a life based on health, education, training, access to decent housing, while facilitating access to income generating activities to regain independence and dignity. It is neither charity nor philanthropy, it is good governance», explains Albina du Boisrouvray.
Over 17 million adults and children have benefited from FXB’s presence around the world. The international organization develops programs in the areas of education, health, community development and protection. FXB is currently present in Africa (Niger, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa), in South America (Colombia) and in Asia (India, China, and Mongolia), with the strong conviction inspired by its founder: « Investing in women and children is investing in peace ».
