Advice from the Entente Cordiale Day Winners: Marquess of Lansdowne Prize
- ecchallenge
- Jul 25
- 5 min read
In this first instalment of our Entente Cordiale Day Winners series, we hear from the recipients of the Marquess of Lansdowne Prize, one of the top honours awarded during the 2025 Entente Cordiale Day Challenge. These standout students share insights into their winning project, their experience during the competition, and advice for future participants.
Elyse Chaves, Eugénie Chéné, and Aglaé Fricoteaux, French students from University College London, received the 4th prize on the UK side for their report, 'The Desert Light Project: How Solar Parks in the Sahara Could Revolutionise Renewable Energy'. As first- and fourth-year students in International Social and Political Studies, their multidisciplinary project explored how solar-hydrogen parks in the Sahara could catalyse a global green transition.
Combining interests in international relations, energy policy, and environmental justice, they take a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on technical feasibility, geopolitical cooperation, and local impacts. Their research highlights how international cooperation, specifically the involvement of France, the UK, and the International Solar Alliance, can drive sustainable energy solutions that transform the global energy landscape and stimulate economic development for a greener, more equitable future.
The award honours Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne, a pivotal British statesman and Foreign Secretary from 1900 to 1905. Lansdowne played a central role in shaping British foreign policy and strengthening diplomatic ties with France, culminating in the 1904 signing of the Entente Cordiale. His legacy of fostering peaceful cooperation remains at the heart of this modern-day challenge.
Winners of the prize enjoyed a private visit to Bowood House (the Lansdowne family estate), received a Maison LIP watch and a gift offered by Maison Hermès, and were invited to present their project at Buckingham Palace before senior members of the Royal Household.
What was your process for writing the report?
We first identified renewable energy as a major theme intersecting with the challenges of climate change, biodiversity and developing countries. Noticing a significant gap between the vast solar potential of regions like the Sahara and the limited number of solar parks currently in place, we focused our research on addressing this disparity. We then developed a sustainable plan to harness this potential through solar-hydrogen parks, while also reinforcing international cooperation and ensuring economic viability for both producing and consuming countries.
What made your solution stand out, in your view?
Compared to most other teams, our project did not focus on a single, localized issue. Instead, we tackled climate change on a global scale by targeting one of the world’s most promising yet underused regions for clean energy production, the Sahara. We explored how large-scale solar-hydrogen parks in this region could revolutionize the clean energy market and significantly reduce global emissions. What we believe made our solution stand out was its technical depth: we researched the most sustainable methods of capturing solar energy, assessed the transportability and durability of existing technologies, and considered how they could be adapted to extreme desert conditions.
How did you prepare for the Oral Presentations at the Summit?
We decided to approach the presentation like a TED Talk while avoiding overly technical language that might overwhelm a non-specialist audience. For our slides, we kept text to a minimum and focused on visual elements like flowcharts and images to support our message. We practiced extensively, timing each part and gradually memorizing not only our own sections but also each other’s, so we could present smoothly and confidently. To prepare for the Q&A, we asked family and friends to challenge us with potential questions and backed our responses with solid data. Most importantly, we truly believed in our project and knew it inside out, which made a real difference in how we delivered and defended it.
How did you find the Entente Cordiale Day Summit and the two-day event as a whole?
These two days surpassed all my expectations. The event was exceptionally well organized, and I had the chance to meet incredible people in some truly breathtaking venues in the heart of London. It was a unique opportunity to connect not only with other international students passionate about addressing global challenges, but also with individuals who embody the spirit of the Entente Cordiale and represent its future.
Did the experience change how you view international collaboration or diplomacy in any way?
Seeing so many young students come together, eager to learn from one another and ready to drive change, gave me a real sense of hope for the future of international collaboration on urgent global challenges like climate change. Engaging with English and French officials, as well as representatives from institutions like Buckingham Palace and the Élysée, also made me realize how complex diplomacy can be. Different agendas, bureaucracies, and institutional layers often slow down even the simplest processes. This experience highlighted how vital cross-border relationships and the right diplomatic connections are to accelerating meaningful progress.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to future students entering this competition?
My biggest piece of advice is to believe in yourself and in your project. As a first-year student, I know it’s easy to feel like you’re not experienced, smart, or creative enough to take on a challenge like this. But don’t let that stop you. If you have an idea you’re excited about, that passion will drive you forward. The more you work on it, the stronger your project will become. And don’t be afraid to start over, even two weeks before the deadline. No effort is wasted; everything you learn along the way will only make your final project better.
What have you accomplished since winning one of the Entente Cordiale Day Prizes?
Since winning one of the Entente Cordiale Day Prizes, our team had the incredible honour of being invited to both Buckingham Palace and the Élysée Palace. Beyond the ceremonies, the networking opportunities were invaluable. Meeting such inspiring people gave me new perspectives and opened doors; especially in terms of potential internships and career paths for next year.
Their journey with the Desert Light Project is not only a story of academic excellence but also a powerful example of how youth-led innovation and international collaboration can light the way toward a greener, more united future.
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