Taipei: French travel writer and social entrepreneur Ludovic Hubler, along with his 10-year-old son, plans to explore Taiwan by scooter as part of a global project focused on peace. The journey is set to take place within the next two months and aims to "listen to people's voices" in areas experiencing geopolitical tensions, social divisions, or post-conflict recovery.
According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan will be the inaugural stop in Hubler's "Routes of Peace" initiative. The project involves traveling through Kinmen County and Taipei before heading along Taiwan's west coast. Hubler chose Taiwan due to its current global significance and because his wife deemed it a safe destination for their son.
The pair plans to travel in May or June, using scooters, which are a common mode of transport in Taiwan, to engage more closely with daily life. Hubler's objective is to provide a platform for the people he meets to share their stories, promoting a better understanding of peace and development issues.
Hubler believes that positive interactions between different cultures contribute to a better world. The trip will also serve as an educational opportunity for his son, S©bastien, who has visited around 30 countries but has limited exposure to Asia. Hubler emphasizes the importance of global awareness over screen time for his son, allowing him to take a few weeks off school for the journey.
Born in 1977, Hubler previously hitchhiked across 60 countries, an experience he documented in a bestselling book in France. He also founded the NGO "Travel With a Mission," which encourages civic engagement through travel. The "Routes of Peace" is envisioned as a long-term project, with plans to explore new regions every two to three years, documenting each journey through videos and books.
Hubler hopes to attend an international event in Taipei in June, where Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai is scheduled to speak. Additionally, he intends to briefly visit China and Hong Kong as part of the broader itinerary.