Wake up and smell the coffee for a cause Monday

FGM (1)

A special ladies coffee morning has been organised on Monday, February 6th, in support of a worldwide protest to Stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The coffee and pastries start at 10:45 am, followed by a discussion on how to support the Ifrah Foundation (ifrahfoundation.org), as well a look at the ongoing detrimental effects of FGM on woman’s health, and the worrying worldwide statistics, which are nothing short of alarming.

The group hope to connect via Skype with the association’s founder, Ifrah Ahmad, an Irish citizen born in Somalia, who is one of the world’s foremost campaigners and activists against FGM and currently working with the team in Somalia.

During the morning, donations to the foundation will be encouraged through the sale of orchids to support this important cause for women.

For those who wish to continue the dialogue on how to help influence and educate others on stopping this brutal practice, a lunch (wine not included) is being arranged at a nearby restaurant on the Rock following the coffee session. Fifty euros will be added to the cost of each set meal and given to the Ifrah Foundation.

The event is being held in a private home. Please RSVP emmabeanland@gmail.com for directions.

For those unable to attend, donations can be made by PayPal directly on the Ifrah Foundation homepage.

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Free screening of Solar Impulse movie

André Borschberg, Prince Albert and Bertand Piccard and Burak Oymen.
André Borschberg, Prince Albert and Bertand Piccard with Burak Oymen.

An exciting opportunity to learn more about the round the world flight by Solar Impulse is being offered by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Prince’s Government.

The public are invited to see the film, Solar Impulse, the Impossible World Tour, on Monday, February 13, in the presence of the two founders and pilots, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, who will speak and answer questions following the showing of the film.

In order to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity, it’s necessary to email solarimpulse@fpa2.org, giving the names of everyone in the party by Wednesday, February 8.

Doors open at 5 pm and the film starts at 5:30 pm, at the Auditorium Rainier III.

The Principality of Monaco actively supported the Solar Impulse 2 project as part of its campaign to promote renewable energy. Monaco also welcomed the control centre for the mission here in Monaco.

Article first published February 2, 2017.

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Hugh Grant, a real sport in Monaco

Photo: Tine Hemeryck
Photo: Tine Hemeryck

Hugh Grant will be in Monaco to host the 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards on February 14 at the Salles des Etoiles.

The first Awards Ceremony was staged in the Principality in 2000, during which South African President Mandela said during his now famous speech, “Sport has the power to change the world.”

Mr Mandela’s inspiration led to the formation of the Laureus Sport for Good Movement, which has improved the lives of countless young people.

Mr Grant said: “As always, this is a massive occasion for the world’s sporting community and I’m really delighted to be hosting the event, particularly in Monaco where it all started back in 2000. This isn’t just about who wins the awards, it’s also about Laureus and its friends reaffirming their support for what Nelson Mandela.”

Mr Grant won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for his part in Four Weddings and a Funeral, and was nominated for Golden Globes for Notting Hill and About a Boy.

The organisers stated: “The greatest names in sport, past and present, will join celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, fashion and business at the Awards Ceremony on what promises to be an evening to remember.”

Article first published January 30, 2017.

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From Monaco to Madagascar, Charlotte starts her mission

Charlotte Gamba, International Volunteer of Monaco and Pierrot, one of the students of the EPHATA school in Madagascar © DCI
Charlotte Gamba, International Volunteer of Monaco and Pierrot, one of the students of the EPHATA school in Madagascar © DCI

Monaco’s International Cooperation Department has sent a new Monaco International Volunteer (VIM) into the field. Charlotte Gamba, 24, has started her mission with the Ephata school, supported by the Monegasque Cooperation.

The specialised school teaches blind and partially-sighted children in Fianarantsoa, Madagascar. Established in 2002 by the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary the Immaculate, Ephata offers guidance adapted to visual handicaps, enabling children to benefit from education with a maximum degree of autonomy.

During this year of volunteering, Charlotte, a Monegasque and a lawyer by training, will have the task of assisting the Administrative and Financial Manager of Ephata, and in particular to organise training in labour law.

She will also participate in the implementation and development of the school’s educational programmes, in particular providing support in French and English.

She will also be responsible for developing an activity generating income for the school: the establishment of a “bush taxi” line – a taxi collective between Antananarivo, the Malagasy capital, and Fianarantsoa.

Currently, six VIMs are on long-term missions in three priority countries of the Monegasque Cooperation: Morocco, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar.

Each job opening is published in the Journal de Monaco. Job profiles vary according to the needs of the partners of the Monegasque Cooperation. An application form is available on the website under the heading “The International Volunteers of Monaco”.

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Monaco students go electric for a day

Photo: © Manuel Vitali / Direction de la Communication
Photo: © Manuel Vitali / Direction de la Communication

The Electric Vehicles Club of Monaco invited 4th grade pupils and high school students from the Secondary Industrial Technical School to try out electric vehicles at the Parking des Pécheurs on Thursday, February 2.

In close collaboration with the Directorate of National Education, Youth and Sports, and the Directorate of Environment, the 18th edition of the Jeun’Elec event involved a presentation of all types of electric transport, from scooters to bicycles, and from cars to karts.

A road safety workshop, led by the Directorate of Public Safety, was offered to young people interested in driving a “two-wheeled vehicle”.

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Beyond the hands-on testing of electric vehicles, the objective of the day was to sensitise pupils to the problem of the environment and pollution related to urban road transport, as well as the notion of intermodality.

Students were invited to participate in the Jeun’Elec Competition by making a video clip on the theme of electric mobility.

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Prince Albert makes Historique

Photo: Twitter Info Monaco
Photo: Twitter Monaco Info

HSH Prince Albert added to the excitement at Port Hercule on Tuesday night as crews participating in the Monte-Carlo Historic Rally set off at 9 pm on the last two stages.

The Prince gave the starting orders for this colourful and nostalgic motor sport event – now in its 20th edition – that was eventually won by a Belgian crew, Michel Decremer and Yannick Albert in an Opel Ascona, who had held the lead since the eighth stage.

The Italian crew of Aghem and Cumino took a close second place in a Lancia Fulvia 1200, while two more Italians, Fontanella and Scrivani, took third place on the podium.

The Monegasque partnership of Daniel Elena and Olivier Campana in a VW Golf GTI came in sixth, ahead of the highest placed French team of Raymond Durand and Sebastien Choi in an Opel Kadett GTE.

The Automobile Club congratulated all the crews for their endurance and enthusiasm.

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