Month: November 2016

Programme Coordinator, Emilie Silvestre, and Programme Officer, Laetitia Vecchierini, from the Government of Monaco have visited the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Lebanon Field Office to see first-hand the implementation of Monaco-funded projects.
Since 2013, “Improving Diabetes Care for Palestine Refugees in Lebanon” has strengthened the quality of diabetes care, especially in the prevention and early detection of disease complications and associated illnesses. The recent American University of Beirut socioeconomic survey in Lebanon 2015 showed that 6.7 percent of Palestine refugees in Lebanon and 4.8 percent of Palestine refugees from Syria suffer from diabetes, suggesting that this intervention is of critical importance.
The Monaco delegation visited the Shatila refugee camp and had the opportunity of meeting and discussing the positive outcomes of the project with trainees at the Shatila Health Centre. The delegation also visited the Beirut Polyclinic, where they witnessed the utilisation of equipment and laboratory kits needed to screen and monitor diabetes mellitus. They also attended a diet awareness session and a discussion with patients about diabetes, how to manage it and how to prevent it through a proper diet.
As part of the project, health awareness campaigns were also conducted and education materials, such as posters and pamphlets, were produced to inform Palestine refugees about preventive measures, including advice on diet, risk factors and early symptoms.
Thanks to the support of Monaco, 40 medical officers and 35 nurses selected from UNRWA health clinics and centres were trained on the screening, early identification and management of diabetes mellitus by the Lebanese University.
“Given a continued shortfall of funds affecting UNRWA’s core service provision, the partnership and support from Monaco to improve health-care services for Palestine refugees in Lebanon is invaluable to the Agency,” said UNRWA Deputy Director, Sebastien Laplanche.
Monaco has been contributing substantially to the Agency’s health projects since 2011, initially on cardiovascular care and currently on diabetes. “It is our State’s responsibility to contribute to addressing refugees’ needs and working with UNRWA is one part of our response,” said Bénédicte Schut, Director of the International Cooperation Office in Monaco.
The international development policy of the Government of Monaco is focused on fighting poverty. In accordance with national policies of partner countries, Monaco intervenes in three priority areas: health, education and socioeconomic integration. Each year, Monaco provides support to more than 130 projects in 12 partner countries in Subsaharan Africa and the MENA region.
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs, making Monaco’s contribution all the more important. (Source: UNRWA)

The seventh Industry Observatory meeting was held in the auditorium of Monaco’s Lycée Technique et Hôtelier on Tuesday evening.
This first anniversary meeting was chaired by Mr Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance and Economy, in the presence of Mr Serge Pierryves, Director of Economic Development. This was an opportunity to present the work of the Observatory in detail to the heads of companies in attendance and to review its progress after six meetings during its inaugural year.
The Prince’s Government wanted to thank the 60 industrial companies of the Principality which, during 2016, were kind enough to contribute to the work of the Industry Observatory, by inviting them to this first anniversary event.
Topics for the financial year 2017, announced on Tuesday, include subjects as diverse as an assessment of ongoing negotiations with the European Union, company financing, and reports of the successes of industrial companies operating in the Principality.

Top Marques Monaco, the supercar show, has announced that its 2017 event will host a record number of supercar launches. Six supercars will be officially launched at the show, which runs from April 20 to April 23 at the Grimaldi Forum.
While two of the models remain “top secret”, according to the organisers, the new models will include the D8 GTO-RS, from Dutch boutique carmaker Donkervoort, the 2,000 bhp Berus from Keating Supercars in the UK, the €1.8 million Asfane Italian supercar by Frangivento, and limited edition hand built cars by British coach builder David Brown Automotive.
Top Marques Monaco was founded in 2004 and is now the third-biggest event in Monaco, with about 42,000 visitors and 1,300 test-drives in 2016. Tickets are now on sale.
Article first published November 30, 2016.
 

As recently reported at Monaco Life, Monaco’s harbours and coastline have been badly affected by large amounts of debris washed to sea by recent storms along the eastern Riviera. Monaco’s maritime services have responded quickly and efficiently to the danger of larger items, such as tree trunks, potentially causing damage to boats entering or leaving Port Hercules and the port at Fontvieille.
A number of animals, living or dead, have also appeared among the detritus, including at least one large wild boar. Several snakes have washed ashore, still living, but none of them have posed any threat, according to the Monegasque authorities, which swiftly removed them for later release.
In the meantime, temperatures have rebounded towards their seasonal norm and largely clear and untroubled skies are forecast for the coming week.

On Saturday, November 26, the Grimaldi Forum accommodated a full house for TEDxMonteCarlo. With the theme “(r)evolution”, the all day conference focused on innovation in the areas of engineering, technology, the arts and design.
The goal of TEDxMonteCarlo was to bring together visionaries and experts in a wide variety of fields to share their ideas for the future, unite the community and inspire new thinking.
Although the Principality of Monaco is the world’s second smallest country, it boasts some of the leading business leaders, scientists, athletes and environmental experts from across the planet. With such a diverse community, Monte Carlo serves as a fitting location to host a TEDx to attract a spectrum of high quality speakers and participants.
Notable speakers, with a discourse of less than 18 minutes each, Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag, Creative Director Jenke Ahmed TAILLY, and Vitality Chief Health Officer, Derek Yach, among many other impressive names.
HSH Princess Charlene graciously wrote the program foreword stating “this event demonstrates the thirst for knowledge and understanding in the Principality.”
The Monaco community was certainly engaged at the sold out event, with not a single one of the 400 seats left empty – and with a waiting list of more than a hundred would-be attendees
The TEDXMonteCarlo 13-strong team, lead by Licensee and Curator Nazanine Matin, and the advisory board made up of seven members, couldn’t have hoped for a more successful event and have created a buzz for a repeat performance next year.