An open mind, open eyes and a relatively open-ended mission: 44-year-old Giacomo De Stefano is a traveller who advocates a responsible relationship with the matter he travels on – water. For about ten years, the Italian architect has dedicated his life to the protection and sustainable use of water and all associated resources world-wide. In an attempt to draw attention to environmental pressures, he set out to travel from London to Istanbul by boat. Although this journey itself might not be too unusual, the route and means definitely are: Giacomo rows and sails across the continent, relying purely on in-kind donations and the hospitality of the people he meets.

A fair share of his 5,200 kilometre journey is spent on the Danube. In late September 2011, the ‘Man on the Rive’ visited the ICPDR Secretariat in the UN Office Vienna to learn more about the work of the commission, but also to ask questions about environmental pressures, challenges and shortcomings. But how does such a journey work – travelling across a continent without a single Euro in cash? The answer to this question is also the underlying idea of the trip: Giacomo travels sustainably, tries to keep his presence in nature as non-invasive as possible, and his use of resources at the minimum.

A sustainable journey. The boat was transported from Giacomo’s native city Venice to London by a courier who offered to take it on board a truck that would have enough free space, beside the goods being taken to London anyway – to optimise transport and avoid any additional environmental impact. Giacomo sleeps in the boat under a canvas tent made from old truck tarpaulins. He uses a wood stove from a beer minikeg to cook, warm the boat and dry his clothes. He also uses this stove to bake bread, using flour given by people he meets on the way. Fish and fruit complement his diet, as well as any other food given to him by locals he encounters.

Using both low and high technology. Giacomo uses no satellite navigation instruments, only the sun and the stars. At the same time, thanks to some technology partners, Giacomo is able to broadcast live from various locations he stops at, to tell people what he has seen in the preceding kilometres. The electricity needed on board to charge the telephone necessary for talking on the radio is supplied by a small solar panel. For this, he primarily uses personal encounters – but also technical support. He records, films and takes photographs of many encounters with the assistance of an accompanying camera team.

In October, Giacomo was forced to temporarily suspend his journey to return home for a family emergency. But he will be back on the river in spring to resume his journey, picking up where he left off in Budapest. Giacomo will be all the more devoted to listening, observing and sharing information with those who know more than he does.

Frequent updates and the current status of his journey – including a post on his visit at the ICPDR secretariat - can be found on the tour website: www.manontheriver.com

Benedikt Mandl is the Technical Expert for Communication and Public Participation in the ICPDR Secretariat, and is the Executive Editor of Danube Watch.