Monaco takes part in Human Rights Council

The 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council is currently underway in Geneva, with a delegation from Monaco taking part. Over the coming weeks, experts will discuss everything from climate change to the rise of white supremacy.

Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Directeur général du Département des Relations Extérieures et de la Coopération and Carole Lanteri, Ambassadeur, Représentant Permanent de la Principauté auprès de l’Office des Nations Unies à Genève. Second row: Gilles Realini and Francesco Casalone Photo: DR/Monaco Government

The session opened on Monday 25th February, with the Council holding a high-level discussion on the major current global challenges that have a direct impact on human rights such as migration, climate change and air pollution, which the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said causes nearly seven million deaths every year. Inequality was also addressed and its relationship to instability and discontent. Finally, the Council denounced serious violations of fundamental human rights throughout the world, including freedom of expression, discrimination and violence against women.

The Monegasque delegation includes Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, and Carole Lanteri, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Principality to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Over the next four weeks, the Human Rights Council will review over 120 reports on a wide range of issues presented by more than 35 human rights experts. In the spotlight will be issues such as the death penalty, children’s rights and the rights of people with disabilities. It will also address the human rights situation in a number of countries such as Syria, Myanmar and Venezuela.

Finally, on 15th March, the Council will consider a report on the 3rd Universal Periodic Review of Monaco, which took place on 12th November 2018, with a view to its final adoption.  It will also commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with a debate on the mitigation and countering of rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies.

 

Final chance to get the ice skates on

People skating on the Monaco ice rink

This is the last weekend to enjoy Monaco’s open air ice skating rink at Port Hercule before it is transformed back into a seaside swimming pool. Saturday will also see the 2019 edition of the Monaco Skating Championship.

People skating on the Monaco ice rink
The rink opens every year on Port Hercule Photo: @MairieMonaco

Each year Monaco City Hall’s Municipal Department of Sports and Associations transforms the Rainier III Nautical Stadium into a 1,000m2 ice rink. Since its opening on 7th December 2018, thousands of people have taken to the ice.

With a backdrop of the Mediterranean sea on one side, and the Monaco city scape on the other, it is truly one of the most unique ice rinks in the world.

In addition to the main rink, there is also a smaller rink for younger children to get their bearings on the ice safely, with their parents, wearing small skates on their shoes. Access without skates is free for parents accompanying their children. Helmets are provided for children.

On Saturday 2nd March the rink will be closed for the Monaco Skating Championships. It will reopen for the final day of the season on Sunday.

New summer concert to showcase young talent

Poster advertising the audition

Monaco has put out a call for talented young musicians to audition for the opening act of the new MC Summer Concert in July. The successful artists will perform in front of a crowd of several thousand people, ahead of the main concert by internationally acclaimed DJ Kungs.

Poster advertising the audition
French DJ Kungs will headline the concert

Do you have talent? Are you aged between 13 and 26 years old? Do you have links to the Principality? If you have answered yes to these questions then the Monaco Government wants you to audition.

Two artists or groups will be selected to perform a set of about 20 minutes before Kungs takes to the stage. The French DJ, producer and musician is renowned the world over and is expected to draw in a big crowd to the first ever MC Summer Concert on 15th July.

Young artists are invited to send an example of up to 6 minutes showing the extent of their talent, accompanied by a set list of the covers or originals that they will perform at the concert (20 to 30 minutes), their backline (instruments and equipment etc) and a presentation of the group, which must not exceed six people.

This is an initiative of the National Council, the Monaco Government and the Monaco City Council.

Submissions must be made before 31st March to mcsummerconcert@monaco.mc

 

Monaco International Salsa Congress

Monaco salsa congress logo

Latin dance lovers will head to the Principality from across the globe this weekend for the annual Monaco Salsa Congress. Now in its 13th year, the three day event is packed with dance workshops and world-class performances.

Monaco salsa congress logo

Be it salsa or bachata, beginner or advanced, novice or just curious, everyone finds their groove at the salsa festival of Monaco.

This year, international artists from England, Morocco, Poland, Spain, Italy and Romania will join the congress, with dance lessons staged for all levels in three rooms simultaneously. There’s also a VIP dinner, shows, a Zumba masterclass, and DJ parties until late.

The congress is run by Hamidine Thiam who aims to bring together different dance styles that cross Latin music, in a friendly and festive atmosphere. He will be joined by a team of volunteers.

The congress runs from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd March at the Espace Léo Ferré. More information can be found at salsamonaco.com

 

 

ASM Basketball names new coach

Obradovic on court

Serbian Sasa Obradovic has officially taken over as the new head coach of ASM Basketball. The team made the announcement on Monday, with both sides willing for a long term cooperation.

Obradovic on court
This will be Obradovic’s first time coaching in France. Photo: ASM Basket Twitter

The 50-year-old coach spent the previous two seasons in Lokomotiv Kuban’s bench and parted ways with the Russian club four months ago. He’s been a free agent since.

Obradovic was named head coach of the year for the 2017/2018 EuroCup, and this will be his first time coaching in France, although as a player he had a stint with Limoges early in his career.

Obradovic replaces Saso Filipovski and follows the team’s loss to Lietuvos Rytas in a do-or-die EuroCup game and elimination from the competition’s quarterfinals.