Monaco explores eco-real estate tech system

Monaco will benefit from a ‘Real Estate Tech Innovation Program’ that is being developed in partnership with the ESCP Europe Business School in Paris. Prince Albert discussed the research program during a visit to the school last week, where he was also given an Honorary Doctorate Award for his environmental commitments.

On Tuesday 24th November, the Prince was taken on a tour of the campus, which is this year celebrating its bicentennial. He participated in the ‘Stand up for a sustainable world’ conference, challenging a crowd of students to seize the issue of sustainability and consider an environmental paradigm in their future careers to help build a more sustainable world.

“You who will soon have the power to engage, lead and guide companies and people … You must be aware of the issues shaping our world and our future. You need to understand how climate and biodiversity are decisive and essential factors in our common future,” said the Sovereign Prince.

After answering questions from students, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco received the Honorary Doctorate Award from ESCP Europe Business School in recognition of his commitment to sustainable development and for his action through his foundation.

In his thanks, Prince Albert also addressed the new strategic collaboration between his government and ESCP Europe. The ‘Real Estate Tech Innovation Program’ will allow joint research on the impact of technology applied to real estate, will offer the public and private sectors of Monaco an opportunity to benefit from this research, and will facilitate the creation of an eco-real estate tech system in the Principality.

“Real estate is a strategic issue for the Principality of Monaco in being… a centre of excellence,” said the Prince. “To support the development of this sector, and to encourage it to engage in a more sustainable and more modern approach: these are the challenges that we have decided to take up together.”

 

 

New product labels celebrate Monaco’s history

Products and experiences linked to the Grimaldi of Monaco Historic Sites can now be identified through a new label. The first group of products to receive this ‘certificate’ were recognised during the 24th Monte-Carlo Gastronomy Fair.

The new label, created by Managing Director of Monaco Inter Expo (MIE) Albert Croesi and Director of the Prince’s Palace Archives and Library Thomas Fouilleron, allows for products and experiences that are locally-tied to Monaco to be clearly identified, giving people an opportunity to discover the traditions and know-how of the ancestral Grimaldi fiefs.

“This label, which will be affixed to the products, is a natural and logical extension of the meeting of the historic sites of the Grimaldi of Monaco, which MIE has been organising for two years rather than the Palace,” said Albert Croesi. “The meeting of the historic sites of the Grimaldi of Monaco is, in fact, to present to visitors the history of the ancient ‘fiefs’ linking them to the Grimaldi dynasty and to promote these French and Italian territories, as well as their cultural heritage.”

Labelled products must meet a certain set of conditions, namely that they be a local food or artisanal product from an area deemed within the territory of the Grimaldi Historical Sites of Monaco. These products can be of an intangible nature, such as a local dance troupe or folk group from a designated community.

“The network of Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco has a potential of about 150 communities,” added Thomas Fouilleron. “The first products we have just labelled come from Valentinois and Matignon, territories with a fine gastronomic tradition and secular links with the Principality.”

Municipalities of the historic sites will give the MIE their opinions and expertise on the authenticity and quality of the products and services proposed.

 

 

Digital health records soon available in Principality

Patients in Monaco will soon benefit from having their medical history stored in e-health records. EHRs, as they are otherwise known, are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorised users. 

The Government of Monaco and the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health recently met in Paris at the Delegation for European and International Affairs to discuss the future of e-health in the Principality.

The meeting, led by Deputy Delegate for European and International Affairs of the French Ministry of Health Elvire Aronica and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Didier Gamerdinger, was dedicated to discussions on shared medical files and the positive impact on caring for patients in future.

E-health records will soon be available in Monaco and will contain pertinent information on any health-related act carried out in Monaco, except in the case of explicit refusal by the patient, allowing both authorised medical professionals and patients to have records available at their fingertips, saving time and possibly lives.

The ideal set-up is to have an open exchange system with health care providers outside of the Principality, particularly in France, to ensure the best care is possible by allowing medical teams access to instant patient data, and opening the doors to the newest telemedical practices.

“The shared medical file that will be set up in the Principality of Monaco will have to be interoperable with foreign healthcare systems and more particularly with the French system, to be truly comprehensive and at the service of the patient,” said Didier Gamerdinger.

Monaco is dedicated to the implementation of digital health records within its borders, but is also taking measures to educate health professionals abroad on the benefits of using technology in patient assessment.

In October, Monaco hosted the e-HealthWorld Conference at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel, bringing together health care workers to learn more about connected health care options, notably the burgeoning telemedicine field.

Telemedicine, sometimes called telehealth, is the distribution of health related services and information via email, phone or video conference. It allows long-distance clinician and patient interactions with regard to care, advice, diagnosis, reminders, monitoring, education and even more advanced situations such as remote robotic surgeries, physical therapy at a distance or test interpretation.

The advent of e-health can allow patients, particularly the elderly or those with limited mobility, almost instant access to health care as well as creating a system whereby patients are not required to be physically present in a hospital or doctor’s office to receive information.

 

Top photo: ©DR

Leclerc keeps podium but Ferrari fined

In yet another controversial race, Charles Leclerc found his way back to the podium at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but not before his team was fined €50,000 for fuel infringement.

Charles Leclerc finished the 2019 racing season with a well-deserved third place finish after world champion Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, but not without a nail-biting moment when stewards could have disqualified the Monegasque pilot for fuel discrepancies.

Earlier this year, the FIA issued a technical directive which obliged all teams to disclose the amount of fuel they intended to put in the car for the laps to the grid, the formation lap, the race, the in-lap and any needed fire-ups. Inspections would then occur by the FIA to make sure teams were following the rules.

About 40 minutes before the race, the stewards clocked a 4.88kg inconsistency in the amount of fuel logged and the amount actually in Leclerc’s car. They noted the difference but said they would not investigate until after the race.

Ferrari representatives went to the stewards when the race was over, and the stewards deemed Ferrari had indeed broken the regulations. At this point, they could decide whether to fine the team or penalise Leclerc directly. It was finally decided to impose a €50,000 on the team and allow the pilot his third place slot.

Regardless of the outcome of this race, Leclerc was guaranteed to end the season in a respectable fourth place, 24 points ahead of fifth place driver and fellow teammate Sebastian Vettel.

 

 

Bella and the city

Lifestyle contributor Isabella Marino gives us her hot tips of the places to see, and be seen, in the Big Apple.  

I just got back from an unforgettable trip to New York City! It was a week filled with glamour, culture, fashion and food.

I came to New York to attend the Princess Grace Foundation Awards Gala, but I took the opportunity to enjoy the city with my friends, walking through infinite skyscrapers, discovering the top fashion destinations and tasting delicious food in the trendiest restaurants in the city.

So, I want to share with you my favourite spots in NYC:

Restaurants:

  • La Goulue: a cozy traditional brasserie for local New Yorkers. Great for lunch.

  • Le Bilboquet: a simple and fun French restaurant where you will most probably meet people you know from Monaco! Great for lunch on Sundays.

  • Harry Cipriani: Warm and fun atmosphere with welcoming Italian staff. A safe card for lunch or dinner, always a great buzz and nice crowd. Try the pasta with veal ragu’.

  • The Polo Bar: This is so far my favourite restaurant for dinner if you want something more typically American. Michael Douglas and Ralph Lauren are just a few of the people that I saw casually dining here. Enter the Ralph Lauren home and prepare yourself for the best pastrami sandwich, wagyu burger, ice cream Sundae and whisky based cocktail Smoky Pistol. The decoration beautifully reflects the identity of the legendary brand Ralph Lauren.

  • Indochine: Perfect if you are looking for a more alternative dinner and if you like exotic flavours.
  • Socialista: A must in SoHo. A trendy, young and fun bar inside Cipriani Downtown restaurant.

Shopping destinations:

  • The luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman
  • Spring Street and Prince Street in Soho with a mix of boutiques of renowned luxury brands, emerging designers and fun affordable brands.
  • Ralph Lauren flagship store in Madison Avenue (best cappuccino)

Art:

  • MoMA. Exposing some of the most valuable and famous paintings from artists such as Basquiat, Miro’, Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Magritte and Monet.
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Visit the Costume Institute exhibition.

Hotel:

  • Baccarat Hotel: chic design hotel in excellent location. I loved the interior design, the bar and the avocado toast for breakfast!

Read also: Princess for a night

 

Monaco’s Christmas Village blanketed in ‘snow’

The theme of this year’s Christmas Village, White Christmas, will be played out in three different ‘Nordic’ villages at Port Hercule in Quai Albert 1er.

From Friday 6th December until Sunday 5th January 2020, the magic of Christmas will be on display for young and old to enjoy. The annual Monaco Christmas Village will feature all the well-loved aspects from years gone by, such as the wooden kiosks with vendors selling gifts, hot chocolate, food and, of course, mulled wine. There will also be fun fair rides for the kids and the iconic ice skating rink fashioned over the municipal swimming pool.  

In addition, this year there will be three ‘villages’ set up for everyone to enjoy. The first is called the Igloo Village, meant to evoke life on the ice floes of the far north. The igloos light up at night, giving off a welcoming glow, and are accompanied by sled dogs and a delightful animated whale.

Next there is the Inuit Village, which in contrast to the others, is brightly coloured and fashioned from wood. The style is typical of Inuit homes and offers visitors a glimpse into their world. Father Christmas will be stationed in this area, so make sure to keep an eye out for him.

The last is the Ice Village, the wildest and most natural section, where icebergs meet frozen totems in a nod to the frozen lands near the top of the world.

Opening hours are from Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturdays from 11am to 10pm. Christmas Eve will be open from 11pm to 7:30pm, Christmas and New Year’s Day from 2:30pm to 9pm.