Day: 21 May 2019

One of Monaco’s most exciting new organisations, the Latin American Association, is organising an evening of traditional food, entertainment, art and dancing. The gala is designed to introduce guests to Columbia through its music, cuisine and folklore.

The fun-filled night will be held on 22nd June at 8.30pm at the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel. Valet parking will be available for guests and the evening will include a welcome cocktail, buffet dinner with Colombian specialities, and dancers with a live band, representing five different regions. There will also be a tombola, art exhibition showcasing the work of Colombian artists and a DJ party. Dress code is tropical chic.

The evening hopes to raise awareness of Colombia as one of the world’s most diverse countries, with many biological ecosystems. It is the only South American country bordering the Caribbean and Pacific ocean, and it has five geographical regions  – Caribbean, Pacific, Andean, Llanos Orientales and Amazonian – which make Colombia one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. This gives it a unique richness in culture, art, folklore and music.

The Latin American Association of Monaco (AMLA) is giving people the opportunity to discover a country full of wonders. AMLA’s charitable work focuses on children and families living under distressed situations in Latin America. Its partners include the ISM (volunteering charity work assignments), the Princess Grace Hospital, Richmond Global Health Alliance, Guatemala’s Volcano Explosion Aid and Somos Huellas in Chile.

Funds raised from the Colombian Gala will go towards helping Colombian children access “game libraries”, also referred to as “Ludoteques”, a project supported by Mission Enfance Monaco.

Read also: Check out Monaco’s first Latin American Fashion Show

The Mark Challenge, created by the International University of Monaco, has completed its 6^th edition. The international competition allows participants to present business ideas pertaining to the luxury market.

Around 50 business schools and universities, 269 students, and 104 projects from around the globe took part. The top seven finalists were given the opportunity to present their plans to a panel of potential investors and community leaders.

This year’s first place winners were three IUM students who have crafted a coral and ocean-friendly sunscreen through their Monaco-based company, Lía Monaco, which will launch its first products within the next two years.

The goal of The Mark Challenge is to bring together skilled and motivated business students with professionals to encourage an entrepreneurial environment where they can cultivate high-value service activities whilst fostering corporate social responsibility.

HSH Prince Albert II can now add Doctor Honoris Causa to his long list of titles. The Prince was awarded the doctorate for his commitment and action against climate change in the Arctic. 

On 16th and 17th May, Prince Albert visited the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland, to participate in the PhD ceremony.

After accepting his degree, Prince Albert made a short speech declaring his gratitude for the acknowledgement of his efforts, and reiterated the need to keep spreading the word, using science and education, about the global environmental emergencies we are facing.

The Arctic region is currently experiencing the largest disruption of ecosystems due to climate change, and it is crucial to make the link between human involvement and the environment, said the Prince. 

“Establishing this link is also thinking of all humanity because the Arctic, perhaps more than any geographic area in the world, has a direct influence on the entire planet,” he told the crowd. 

Prince Albert talked about the ties between the Prince Albert II Foundation and the University of the Arctic, where he funded training of young graduates to be future leaders in economics and politics.

The Prince also found time to visit the Arktikum Museum, dedicated to the Arctic and the scientific knowledge and environmental challenges they face.

For the next few days, be careful where you park. Starting Wednesday 22^nd May at 8pm through to Sunday 26^th May at 10pm, the Monaco Police Department will be impounding any vehicle blocking any part of the circuit or parked illegally.

To avoid inconvenience, it is recommended to choose an alternative to driving in Monaco altogether.

If this is not possible, drivers should use one of Monaco’s many public parking garages. Street parking will be severely limited and access to many streets will be restricted to residents only.

Those whose cars have been removed can go to the Fontvieille Police Station on Avenue des Ligures to retrieve their vehicles from around 6am to 10pm.

Outside of these hours, owners of impounded vehicles must go to the Police Department office at 9 Rue Suffren Reymond.

Last Saturday’s European Night at the Museums allowed public access to the Exotic Garden’s botanical centre, which is providing two new, free tours.

The new premises, opened in late 2017 and located next to the Exotic Garden, boasts an impressive 10,500 plants. Set over three levels, the centre has seven full time gardeners, 900m2 of greenhouse space and 1,000m2 of shelter. 

The objective of the centre is to protect and conserve the rare or endangered species of plants they house, as well as to proliferate their growth. Around 85% of the species found here are protected.

The botanical centre also intends to be a database and study hub for those interested in botany and the biodiversity of plant life from different places around the world.