Day: 27 March 2019

The University is abuzz. “We see the cafeteria changing,” say the students. Plastic straws, cups, and coffee stirrers had all been replaced with biodegradable alternatives. “Small changes make a big difference,” says Christopher Landert and Ferdinando Zeni, Masters students in Sports Management. “It shows how easy and how quickly positive change can be made.”

In line with a global student effort to reduce waste and save the environment, the International University of Monaco has launched #Objectivezeroplastic Days. The student initiative in the cafeteria aligns with IUM’s conservation goals, and the greater goals of Prince Albert II and the Principality.

Working with Albert II Foundation, students from the Social Media and Event Management course worked on a project to create a buzz for Monaco Ocean Week. Starting with videos and images to bring social media buzz, the Zero Plastic Initiative was launched a couple of weeks ago, challenging students to visually answer how they would replace plastic in their daily lives.

“We know that Instagram is the most popular space for social media. We wanted to spread the idea beyond our audience,” explains Gergely Heilig, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration student who is part of the team that initiated #objectivezeroplastic. Readers can find entries on Instagram from this hashtag, which will also be shared on Monaco Ocean Week social media.

“This week, everything is eco-friendly with no negative ramifications,” says Roneé McLaughlin, MBA student and CEO of Roneé Claire Organic Skincare. A large net hangs on the cafeteria bulletin board, where students have posted how they can reduce plastic use in daily life at IUM, and information on how to reduce plastic consumption can be seen all over the room.

For the two day event in the University cafeteria, no plastic could be used, not even by beloved cafeteria owner Giovanni “Gianni” Brisci. “It is difficult to work without plastic,” he says. “The materials that replace plastic aren’t yet advanced enough.” Pointing to a wooden fork and a paper coffee cup, Mr. Brisci explains that some students were not as satisfied with the non-plastic alternatives. But if the materials improved, it would be easier to run his business without plastic, and he emphasised a need for non-plastic alternatives at a fair price.

IUM as an institution will progressively replace plastic, beginning with the cafeteria. Supporting the voice of the students and the efforts of Monaco Ocean Week, the University is working towards having a budget and the right solutions to be completely plastic free.

“This is something we have to do for 2020. The objective is to have zero plastic at the University,” says Sophie Delorenzo, Director of Corporate Relations.

In September, the University will move into the new Stella building, a fresh new space with a zero plastic culture.

‘Digital service of the financial sector’ has been the subject of the first Business Time session of the year, organised by the Junior Chamber of Economy of Monaco (JCEM).

The event was held on Tuesday 26th March at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo Hotel. Fintech is a contraction of “finance” and “technology” and refers to innovative startups who use digital technologies, like artificial intelligence, to provide financial services more efficiently.

“Online banking, crowdfunding, mobile payments, savings management, financial advice and decision support … Fintech is already everywhere and represents an important challenge in terms of innovation, growth and employment across the world,” said JCEM in a statement. “It significantly changes the relationship of the general public with financial institutions, and opens new horizons.”

During an evening of thematic networking, three speakers shared their experiences and knowledge of the field, and addressed current and future issues. They were Camille Tyan, co-founder of French Fintech company PayPlug, Pierre-Alexandre Rousselot, General Manager and co-founder of Monegasque company KeeSystem, and Gregory Gadzinski, Professor of Quantitative Finance and Economics.

Business Time allows for exchanges and debate during a cocktail dinner, conducive to networking and the creation of new business opportunities.

The Business Time concept was launched in 2016 to highlight a new entrepreneurial theme at each event, a pole of excellence of the Principality, illustrated by the exceptional participation of renowned personalities in the targeted sector.

It is an opportunity for people to increase their knowledge, develop their professional network and to meet strategic players from Monaco.

The Young Economic Chamber is a global movement (Junior Chamber International) comprising of leaders, entrepreneurs, executives and managers, whose objective is to develop local economic attractiveness. In Monaco, its program is based on three major themes: entrepreneurship, networking and training.

Created in 1963, the Young Economic Chamber of Monaco has more than 130 members and is the initiative of many major projects in the Principality: the creation of the Pedestrian Princess Caroline Street, No Finish Line, Startup Weekend, the Business Creation Contest, Trade Survey, and Get in The Ring.

Important steps to protect the world’s endangered reefs have been made during Monaco Ocean Week, which began on Monday.

The International Coral Reef Initiative is an important aspect of MOW, which runs until 30th March. Monaco is co-presiding the initiative alongside Australia and Indonesia until 2020.

On 26^th March, the event brought together more than 50 participants and recalled the main objectives of the ICRI 2018-2020 action plan, which was also endorsed recently at the 4th Assembly of Nations for the Environment.

As a result, the group has made recommendations for member states of the Convention on Biological Diversity concerning a new target for the preservation of coral reefs from 2020. It comes amid an urgent need to act to save the reefs, which are threatened with large-scale decline by 2050.

The meeting was also an opportunity to reiterate the involvement of ICRI in the Coral Reef Community of Ocean Action, which it co-chairs with the UN Environment and to present the results of projects co-financed by the Prince’s Government to promote the resilience of coral reefs and associated ecosystems.

What better way to celebrate women than with art? And with that idea, luxury Swiss watchmaker HUBLOT and Marc Ferrero cultivated the art of storytelling in their respective fields. A story of timeless adventures is embodied by a truly unique timepiece.

Big Bang One Click, unveiled last week at Baselworld, pays homage to the 21st century woman who distinguishes herself through the multiplicity of her roles. A wife, mother, friend, lover, business woman, femme fatale, fashion icon or night owl… She is embodied as the heroine of modern times. She is disarming and makes light of the simple or complex adventures that she comes up against.

The dial tells the story of this heroine of modern times with ‘Lipstick’–an iconic work by local artist Marc Ferrero. Enigmatic behind her dark glasses, she remains majestic in the face of the unexpected and affirms her femininity, armed with her lipstick.

Spinels in shades of red, topazes for the turquoise version, and 42 fine stones decorate the bezel of the new 39mm case. With its ‘One Click’patented fastening system, the leather strap makes way for a version in alligator and rubber, a touch of sophistication appropriate for the moment.

As a painter, Marc Ferrero is recognised for a his signature style that distinguishes him from other Provencal artists. Using unmixed primary colors, he works the canvas to explode into near-abstract images. Expansive Provencal skies, vibrant bouquets of sunflowers, or lush lavender fields.

Available in red and turquoise, the special series will be available in 50 copies of each tone at Hublot Monaco.