Day: 8 March 2018

The National Council marked International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8, as it has done every year since 2004. This year, Brigitte Boccone-Pagès, the first female Vice-President of the National Council introduced the theme Women in the City of Tomorrow (les Femmes dans la Cité de Demain) to the hundred prominent local women invited to the event.

“I would like to remind you of the importance given by the National Council to the rights of women. Importance because it is thanks to our legislative work that we will contribute actively to the reduction of inequalities between women and men in the Principality. Importance because it is enough to see the number of legislative texts under examination in this commission on the rights of woman and family that I have the honour to chair once again,” Ms Boccone-Pagès said.

In his opening remarks, President of the National Council Stéphane Valeri extended a warm welcome. “You have been invited tonight because you represent the Women of Monaco. Because you make the Principality alive by your activities, through your professional lives, and your political commitments, and I thank you warmly.”

Referring to the recent elections for the National Council, Mr Valeri said; “Our role here at the National Council is to advance the great cause of equality between men and women, through the tools that are ours and through the application, as much as possible, of proposals that were contained in the political programme that the Monegasques have just chosen by their vote.”

In concrete terms, Mr Valeri said that the elected body would be setting up a commission to initiate action to reduce income inequalities: “Of course, we want to reduce salary inequalities, which are very real, as all the studies show, by proposing the creation of a commission of control and complaint dedicated to this question.”

Mr Valeri also promised tough action on workplace harassment and violence against women, which he described as a “terrible scourge”.

The President of the Council also referred to female representation. “In terms of gender equality, how can we not approach the topic of parity in politics? I am fortunate to be able to chair a National Council that has a record number of women in the history of our institution: but they still represent only a third of elected officials.”

Mr Valeri finished with a quotation from the 19th century French writer Stendhal. “To illustrate this Ideal City of Tomorrow, I quote: ‘The admission of woman to perfect equality would be the surest mark of civilisation; it would double the intellectual forces of the human race.’”

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A cyclist was killed after being struck by a bus in Cap d’Ail late on Tuesday morning, shortly after 11:30 am, local French language daily Monaco-Matin reported.

The accident happened on the Basse Corniche close to the Gendarmerie in Cap d’Ail. The victim, a man in his sixties, died instantly after being struck by the vehicle travelling from Monaco towards Nice. He had been going in the opposite direction.

According to a witness: “The cyclist first hit the car he was following and had just braked.” He crashed and his head crossed the white line. As the bus passed, his head was crushed by the back wheel of the bus.”

A judicial inquiry was opened to establish the precise circumstances of the accident.

The Federation of Monegasque Enterprises (FEDEM) and France’s UPE06 signed a partnership agreement in Monaco on Thursday, March 8, to boost economic relations between the two territories by promoting synergies.

FEDEM has defended the economic and social interests of the companies of the Principality since 1945. With 28 affiliated employers’ associations, it represents companies to the authorities and participates in changes to the legal and regulatory provisions to ensure that Monegasque social law is adapted to the operational realities of companies.

Under the joint leadership of CPME and MEDEF, the Union pour l’Entreprise des Alpes-Maritimes (UPE06) promotes the development of the department’s economic activity and attractiveness. With 34 branch unions and 30 entrepreneurs’ associations, it promotes entrepreneurial thinking in its social, economic and environmental components.

This new partnership between these two major players in Monegasque and French Riviera economic life will facilitate relations between companies in the two territories and promote common entrepreneurial values, FEDEM said.

In order to mark the first half-century of the Garden Club of Monaco, the Stamp and Coin Office has issued a commemorative stamp with a face value of €1.90.

The stamp depicts a rose, possibly the favourite bloom of Princess Grace, a keen gardener.

The Garden Club of Monaco was founded in 1968 by the Princess, a great lover of nature, who wanted to promote the art of flower arranging to encourage a better appreciation of the beauty of blossoms.

Every year, since it was first founded, the association has organised an International Bouquet Competition that has grown over the years to almost 150 entrants. With the theme of “Antiquity”, this year’s contest will be held on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3 in the Chapiteau in Fontvieille, and will be open to public on the Sunday, from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.

This International Bouquet Competition is reserved for amateurs with two juries deciding on the entries for 10 categories. The Official Jury is composed of a panel of graduates in floral art, while the Special Jury, is chaired by Club President since 1982, the Princess of Hanover, and includes personalities of the literary and artistic world.

The Garden Club of Monaco also offers 8 evening courses across the year at €60 a class. The next events are Wednesday, March 21: “An Easter Lunch”, by Sylvia Ratkowski-Pastor, Wednesday, April 11: “Contemporary Composition” by Gérard Rué, and Wednesday, April 18,: “In the Ikebana Spirit” by Rosella Zenere. Register by email: gardenclub@monaco.mc

Download rules and regulations for International Bouquet Competition, or visit the website for more details.