The government has put out the call for Monegasque students who wish to apply to the College of Europe and have all of their tuition fees covered by the Principality.
The College of Europe, a specialised training institution focusing of European Affairs, is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 academic school year.
Until 15th January, any Monegasque citizen who meets the requirements can apply for admission to one of the two campuses, one located in Bruges, Belgium, the other in Natolin, Poland.
In order to be considered for the one-year intensive programme, which runs from September to the end of June, candidates must be of Monegasque nationality, be perfectly bilingual in French and English and hold a Master’s Degree in Economics, Law, Political Science and Administrative and International Relations or Diplomatic Relations.
Any citizen who is accepted is eligible to be part of a contract whereby in exchange for the state paying all registration fees, the student will accept to work for the Monaco Civil Service for no less than a five year period after graduation.
The College of Europe admission process is highly selective and competitive. Considered to be the equivalent of Harvard for aspiring Eurocrats, it is a hothouse for ambitious and talented minds who are interested in getting an advanced degree in political and diplomatic studies. The institution consistently churns out the best and brightest minds and counts many current European leaders from its former ranks.
Interested parties who meet the requirements are invited to contact Isabelle Costa, Deputy Secretary General of the Government in charge of the Europe Unit on (+377) 98 98 92 04 or at icosta@gouv.mc, and to apply directly on the website of the College of Europe (www.coleurope.eu ) before the deadline of 15th January 2020.
Monaco’s environmentally-friendly, digitally advanced Christmas decorations were officially switched on last week, signaling the start of the festive season in the Principality. This year, the decorations are hiding some interesting surprises.
There are now 112 decorative lights extending across the streets of Monaco and 615 motifs on posts, as well as 19 ‘scenographies’ positioned at key points including the Place du in Canton.
As it has done for several years now, the Monaco Council uses decorations that are exclusively LED-equipped, reducing energy consumption. The majority have also been made with 100% biodegradable structures derived from sugar cane, recycled materials and recyclable aluminium meaning that the decorations can be recycled or disposed of ‘greenly’ after their use. Meanwhile, a fault detection system has been installed to ensure better energy monitoring.
Mayor Georges Marsan, members of the local council, and Monegasque seniors were present for the official ceremony which took place on Friday 22nd November at the Place d’Armes.
“The environment has become a major concern throughout our institution, and Marjorie Crovetto Harroch, who is in charge of that sector, is implementing many actions with great enthusiasm and conviction,” said Mayor Marsan.
photo copyright – Mairie de Monaco
Monaco’s Christmas decorations have a new interactive dimension this year, falling within the Digital Transition framework. Using mobile applications, people will able to interact with the lights in various locations throughout the Principality. For example, on Promenade Honoré II, the augmented reality app Playmagic Monaco (available on iOS and Android) is customised for the Monaco City Council and will offer interactive and 3D games mixing virtual and reality for an entertaining and unusual experience.
Another app, Monaco Magic Colors (also available on iOS and Android), will change decorations on Christmas trees at the Place d’Armes and the Christmas Village. With a simple click, it will be possible to alternate the colour of the trees and also add animations, such as a comet or a flag. Other interactive installations include control desks in front of certain decorations, including Santa Claus at the Boulevard des Moulins, where young and old will be able to press to trigger and be surprised by lights and sound.
After the official lighting ceremony, senior citizens were taken through the streets of Monaco in a designated bus to view the illuminations.
The decorations will remain in all areas of Monaco until 5th January 2020, while the district of Fontvieille will remain in the spotlight until 2nd February for the 44th International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo and the 9th New Generation Festival.
Top photo: Mayor Georges Marsan, members of the local council, and Monegasque seniors at the Place d’Armes. Photo copyright – Mairie de Monaco
Oceanographic Institute partners with CFM Indosuez
The Oceanographic Institute has gained a major new sponsor, Monegasque bank CFM Indosuez Wealth Management. The new partnership will help the institute continue its mission to transmit knowledge of and protect the world’s oceans.
Established in 1906, the Oceanographic Institute has been working for more than a century to promote effective management of the world’s oceans. It’s aim is heighten awareness and to convince and mobilise as many people as possible around the protection of the oceans and their biodiversity.
With the financial support of CFM Indosuez Wealth Management, the value of which has not been revealed, the Oceanographic Institute can further strengthen its capacity to transmit knowledge and promote greater understanding of the marine environment among the general public, economic and political decision-makers, the media, and opinion-leaders, in order to promote its protection.
Oceanographic Institute’s CEO Robert Calcagno and CEO of CFM Indosuez Wealth Management Mathieu Ferragut (C)M.Dagnino
The partnership marks a new stage in the societal and environmental engagement of the bank, which also recently signed the National Pact on Energy Transition.
“Taking action every day in the interest of our clients and society is the very purpose of CFM Indosuez and our entire group,” said Mathieu Ferragut, CEO of the bank. “We are delighted to crystallise this new engagement with the signature of a major long-term partnership with the Oceanographic Institute, whose values and dedication to the Principality we share.”
The Indosuez Wealth Management network is represented in Monaco by CFM Indosuez Wealth, whose roots date back to 1922 when it was created by prominent Monegasque families, some of whom still hold a total of 30% of the bank’s share capital. It now has six branches in the Principality and Monaco’s biggest trading floor.
In 2019, CFM Indosuez Wealth Management was named Best Bank in Monaco by Global Finance magazine for the third year running.
“The Oceanographic Institute and CFM Indosuez share a common ambition, that of a more sustainable future for the planet and its oceans,” said Robert Calcagno, the Oceanographic Institute’s CEO. “We are delighted to have it as a privileged partner, whose support is crucial for us to be able to take action and constantly bolster collective mobilisation.”
The Oceanographic Institute supports several national and international projects including symposiums, exhibitions and educational programmes through environmental mediation. It draws on the support of two other bodies, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and the Maison des Océans in Paris.
In February, Irina Peterson will embark on the adventure of a lifetime. She will be one of 300 carefully selected women across the globe to take part in eXXpedition and the only woman representing Monaco. Her mission: to collect ocean debris for research purposes. Her goal: to help save the most endangered marine species on the planet.
Irina, co-founder of Broth by Design, spoke to Monaco Life about why she is willing to put her life on the line for an all-female research mission.
Monaco Life: Can you tell us how it all began?
Irina Peterson: As a young girl growing up in communist Romania, every Sunday morning I would watch Jacques Cousteau’s documentaries, mesmerised by the underwater ‘Silent World’. Even though we had a black and white television at home, when I closed my eyes I could see the vivid colours of the marine life and it was all so incredible to me. This legendary French navigator transported me to the ocean and allowed me to escape that grim childhood and have my own dreams.
eXXpedition North Pacific-leg Hawaii to Vancouver. Photo: eXXpedition
When did you decide to take that dream and make it a reality?
Months ago, I discovered eXXpedition, a concept created by eco warrior Emily Penn. Her ambitious plan is to organise round the world sailing trips, taking a total of 300 women on 30 different voyages with a professional crew through some of the densest ocean plastic accumulation zones in the world. Plastic pollution will be studied onboard the research vessel while samples will also be sent to three of the most important marine institutes in the world – Plymouth, Georgia and Hawaii. Those institutions, in turn, will share their findings on the impact that microplastics and chemicals have on our bodies and our health.
So, I applied and the process took about six months. Finally, I was told that I will be part of the expedition I wanted, which is the trip from Galapagos to Easter Island. I was also informed that they had chosen me over 10,000 candidates, so when I realised I had been selected from such a large pool of people, and that I was the only woman who will represent Monaco on the expedition voyages, I realised that there is a much bigger story to be told, one that connects to my own personal story and brings forward practical solutions which are within the means of each one of us to do.
And that’s how Ocean Amazon was born. I also decided to create a documentary that will show my whole trip, including the 20-day expedition as well as the volunteer work I will be doing on Galapagos island with the Charles Darwin Foundation for 12 days prior to boarding the boat and – once I arrive on Easter Island – I will be meeting with local communities to understand and document the challenges their environment faces.
So, I am now learning how to film with an iPhone and a small submersible camera and will hopefully have enough material to create a beautiful story.
Through the Ocean Amazon documentary, I am hoping that we can give our children a story that they can share with generations to come, just like that little girl watching Jacques Cousteau in Romania on a Sunday morning.
Galapagos
What was the application process like?
Once I submitted my interest to be part of the crew, I received a very detailed questionnaire followed by psychological tests and I also had to prove my sailing skills. Having sailed for over 15 years at various levels (including sporting regattas) and representing the Yacht club of Monaco, of which I have been a member for as many years, I had to certify that I have a certain skill level, especially because this particular leg – San Cristobal in Galapagos all the way to Easter Island – is very difficult to sail. We have the Humboldt current, crossing the South Pacific Gyre, an area of ocean currents that led to the creation of a large plastic accumulation zone, providing unique findings for our scientific research. But we will also be in an area that is not highly navigated, so if anything goes wrong there are very few vessels, for example, to provide quick intervention. Therefore, our group of 10 selected female crew has to be prepared to help the professional sailors on board.
I also had to create a short video describing what I intend to do after the expedition, how I will be an active ambassador promoting the values of the expedition.
Why is it important that this is an all-female expedition?
Firstly, you agree with me that it is unusual, but it shouldn’t be. It should be more common to have a female-strong crew, but its uniqueness helps to raise awareness, to encourage more women to become navigators and agents of change.
Another goal is to show the link between the toxic chemicals that are found in the ocean and their impact on our health, particularly female health, including fertility, immunity and decreased IQ in children.
Last but not least, 85% of household decisions in terms of purchases are made by women, so if we get women to be more aware about the choices that they make every day – cosmetics, food, avoiding single use plastics or other harmful packaging – this will be a fantastic success.
You have received a lot of support from Monaco so far, for example Monaco Impact donated a cheque for your expedition. How are you using that support?
It is a great honour and privilege to be the only woman from Monaco taking part and one of my missions with Ocean Amazon is to give a voice to our country’s environmental concerns, as well as the Prince Albert II Foundation and its specific practical solution projects. The foundation is one of the partners supporting my project and they already have a long-standing partnership with the Charles Darwin Foundation, whose headquarters are in the Galapagos and with whom I will be volunteering.
Monaco Impact founder Peter Kutemann presenting a cheque to Irina Peterson
There are a few sponsors, and Monaco Impact is one of them, for which I am very grateful. The Gustavia Yacht Club is another, also the Monaco Yacht Club which very generously organised a dinner conference on 5th November and offered the proceeds to Ocean Amazone. They are also helping with sailing training and communication, and there are other partners who support Ocean Amazon. The proceeds will go in a few directions: to help cover my participation in the expedition, to help create the documentary and generate media coverage, and to support my Ocean Amazon initiative to save the vaquita – a porpoise of which there are only 10 to 12 believed to be still in existence in the Gulf of Mexico. When I chose my logo for Ocean Amazon I wanted to incorporate the most endangered marine animal, because I thought if humanity is able to save it then it shows what we are capable of and gives us hope for all the other endangered species.
Recently I discovered that a voice much larger than mine – Leonardo DiCaprio – is involved in a project to save the species. He produced a documentary called ‘Sea of Shadows’ which has been broadcast by National Geographic. It is an incredible documentary showing how this small porpoise has become a victim of the drug cartel in Mexico, and various groups including Sea Shepherd, activists and journalists are trying to save it while dealing with corruption. I highly recommend people watch it.
Following in those footsteps will be an Ocean Amazon documentary, so that is where some of the proceeds will also go.
Do you know who else will be joining you on the expedition?
I met a few of the other ladies in London when we had the global media launch in September. One is a rockstar in terms of fashion activism, her name is Carry Sommers, a co-founder of ethical campaign Fashion Revolution in the UK. There is a contemporary artist named Claire McClusky from Ireland, and she wants to show how the state of the ocean impacts our emotions. There is an important eco-activist from Chile, an avid sailor who works with refugees from Syria… so they all have very diverse and interesting backgrounds and we are united in this common passion for the ocean.
Do you consider yourself an eco-warrior?
Firstly, I want to reveal the fact that I am an imperfect human and an imperfect activist. I drive a car that is not electric; I still purchase food items in single use plastic sometimes because it is convenient or there is a lack of choice; I eat meat although I try to reduce my consumption and be responsible about it; I fly, because I have an active life and a business that’s growing. This is all to say I am imperfect and I forgive myself for that and, while realising my imperfections, I am also committed to putting one step forward every day and trying to make a difference. For example, I have a little dog and when we are out walking, I take a big bag with me and pick up trash. Now, my friends do the same.
I don’t think it’s positive to just point fingers at each other and highlight the things we are not doing right, but rather celebrate every positive action that we are doing. I like to lead by example in that way.
You are never too small or insignificant to make a difference.
When does the expedition begin?
I chose 02/02/2020 as a symbolic date to depart Monaco. Then I go to the Galapagos where I will spend 12 days doing volunteer work before I join the other six ‘sailor sisters’ to board in the Galapagos on the 15th February.
AS Monaco basketball had another stellar win against Nanterre on Sunday, racking up their 22nd straight Jeep Elite Pro A games win.
Despite devastating rainfall outside, inside the Salle Gaston Médecin the AS Monaco basketball team showed 2,600 fans how the game is played with a stunning 79-69 win against Nanterre 92.
It marks an impressive winning streak that has now lasted for more than a year, with the team’s last defeat being logged way back in November 2018 against Levallois.
It was a slow start for Nanterre and Roca Team took full advantage and never lost their momentum. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the statistics. With 44 rebounds to their opponent’s 22, and high scoring players such as Dee Bost who came in with a mammoth 21 points and Anthony Clemmons not far behind with 17, the night was all about the Red and Whites.
This game also saw former Miami Heat star Norris Cole start for the first time, and he is slowly easing his way into the groove with a respectable seven points and five assists.
The defeat was a disappointment for Nanterre who had an incredible Euro Cup win last Wednesday against Unics Kazan, but they weren’t able to carry the momentum back with them. They played a spotty game with a fluctuating intensity and a defence that needs a bit of coordination.
As ever, Coach Obradovic was complementary to the team’s adversaries, saying, “I have respect for Nanterre, the way they won at Unics Kazan on Wednesday was extraordinary. They were in trouble today but with time, they will be in place. On our side, we can say that it was a good match. There have sometimes been ups and downs, but it also depends on the opponent.”
The Roca Team’s next match will be an away game on Thursday against Champagne Châlons-Reims Basket.
Top photo: Team Roca
World Food Programme targets top priority countries
The latest round of World Food Programme meetings took place last week in Rome addressing, among other topics, an urgent Level 3 emergency situation in three African nations that Monaco has involvement in.
Three countries with top priority Monegasque development cooperation: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, have just been declared Level 3 emergency zones at the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Board of Directors of the World Food Programme (WFP), indicating they are suffering from the most severe and large-scale humanitarian crises globally.
The meetings, held from 18th to 21st November in Rome, took the opportunity to look closely at, and form a strategy for, this region of more than 20 million people, who are facing unprecedented security challenges.
Monaco delegates also met with Burundi’s WFP Director to discuss the current and ongoing school canteen strategy which Monaco has been an ardent supporter of since 2015. The World Food Programme’s upcoming school lunch agenda, which will run from 2020-2030, aims to reach 73 million needy children aged five to 12 in 60 countries worldwide, focusing on nutrition, education and health.
Additionally, the WFP Executive Board was able to approve new fundraising plans for 2020-2025, policies for local and regional purchases of food, and the 2020-2022 management plan.
