For more than seven years, extreme athlete Norman Bücher has been running around the world as a youth ambassador, giving young people a voice. For his project “7 CONTINENTS – Run for Voices,” he talks with children and young people on all seven continents about their hopes, dreams, and fears, carrying their messages all the way to the United Nations. As a sponsor, we have been supporting this endeavor since last year, and we’re glad to share the latest stops in this post, along with a look ahead to the final leg of the project.
School events in Karlsruhe
During his African leg last year, Bücher was accompanied by a cameraman. This resulted in a moving documentary film. It is particularly important to him to show the film to students in the Karlsruhe area.
The film centers not only on the extraordinary running routes through Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, but above all on the encounters with young people and their personal stories. Afterward, students can discuss topics such as education, future opportunities, courage, responsibility, and community together with Norman Bücher.
May 22, 2026 – Pestalozzi School Durlach
The series kicked off on May 22, 2026 at Pestalozzi School Durlach with two film screenings, each followed by workshops. In total, around 240 students from grades 3 through 9 experienced the film that day and discussed what they had seen afterward.
June 23, 2026 – European School Karlsruhe
About a month later, a screening also took place at the European School Karlsruhe.
For the roughly 120 students in attendance, the event offered a chance to gain new perspectives. It became clear that young people around the world often share similar hopes and dreams – regardless of which country they live in.
Further dates are planned in the coming weeks.
“I didn’t run around the world to give young people answers. I ran to ask questions.”
Norman Bücher
Voices from students on the documentary:
“We were really impressed that people who are struggling still have such a strong sense of community.”
“We especially liked the interviews. It was cool to hear what young people had to say.”
“Thank you for giving us these insights.”
A conversation with Norman Bücher
Following the school visits so far, we spoke with Norman Bücher – about moving encounters and what adults can learn from young people.
What was the most moving moment of your journey that has stayed with you?
There isn’t just “one” most moving moment for me. What has always stayed with me are the moments when I met people – when strangers invited me to eat with them, when I encountered people with incredible hospitality and warmth.
Why is it important to you to show the film specifically in schools?
Because 7 CONTINENTS is about young people and their perspectives and hopes. The film gives young people here in Germany unfiltered insight into the everyday lives of other young people in East Africa. The documentary allows viewers to look beyond their own horizon and encourages reflection. That’s very important to me personally.
What impact do you hope to have on the students?
The best part is when I immediately notice that something has made an impression. That’s exactly what the feedback shows – for example, when students talk about how impressed they were by the sense of community among the people featured in the film, or how much they enjoyed listening to the young interviewees from East Africa.
Your experiences are interesting to us adults, too. For example, what can teachers and parents learn from your experiences?
Ask more questions – explain less. I didn’t run around the world to give young people answers. I ran to ask questions. Many adults believe their job is to pass on knowledge, provide solutions, or point the way. My project shows something different: young people often want to be heard first.
Everyone wants to be seen. Whether in Rwanda, India, Bhutan, or South America: People are different, but one need seems to be the same everywhere: “See me.” Teachers can have an enormous influence on this. Often, decades later, a person doesn´t remember worksheets or lesson content – but they do remember the teacher who believed in them. The teacher who asked, “How are you really doing?” Adults who saw their potential.
Humanity is not a side note. Many adults invest enormous energy in performance, structure, processes, and results. This is especially important for teachers: professional competence is important. Humanity makes the difference.
The final leg of your journey is coming up soon. Can you give us a small preview?
At the end of August, I’ll set off from the Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the final leg of 7 CONTINENTS. After running thousands of kilometers and having countless encounters, I’ll reach the United Nations in New York in mid-September. That is the symbolic destination where I’ll present the voices, hopes, and messages gathered from young people over the course of more than seven years of this project.
We wish you all the best for the journey, and thank you so much for the interview!
Our commitment to 7 CONTINENTS
Norman Bücher’s experiences show what can happen when you truly listen to young people: open conversations instead of ready-made answers, a genuine shift in perspective, and the feeling of being seen and taken seriously. That’s exactly why we at IT-Choice support this project: to facilitate encounters that inspire reflection, foster understanding, and encourage young people to make their voices heard. Because the future is created where people listen to one another.
Image source: 7 CONTINENTS, Norman Bücher
