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Day: 5 December 2019

Monaco Telecom shows its support for PA2F

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/12/2019

Monaco Telecom has given a donation to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, money that was raised from its commitment to reduce the use of paper in its organisation.

Martin Peronnet, General Manager of Monaco Telecom, recently gave Olivier Wenden, Vice President Managing Director of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a donation from revenues gained from the dematerialisation of its customer invoices.

Each month, Monaco Telecom issues some 22,000 invoices, 85% of which are now sent electronically. It is a drastic reduction in their paper consumption in line with the company’s social and environmental responsibility policy adopted in recent years.

The amount donated to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will help support projects related to the preservation of forests and the biodiversity they shelter.

Deforestation remains a major problem, which is still increasing in some parts of the world. Reducing paper consumption helps to combat this ecological threat but also to save water and energy resources.

Going even further in their commitment, Monaco Telecom management used the opportunity to sign the ‘Charter on Wood’, an initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Government of Monaco, MC2D and IMEDD.

The wood charter component of the initiative ‘Monaco commits itself against deforestation’, aims to educate Monegasque companies in the responsible use of wood products and wood derivatives found in their purchases or within the framework of their customers relations and suppliers. Nearly 60 Monegasque companies have already committed to the charter, the most successful are rewarded at an annual awards ceremony at the Hotel Métropole Monte-Carlo.

 

 

Major step forward for gay rights in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/12/2019
National Council votes

Same sex couples in Monaco will be able to benefit from a host of legal rights afforded to married couples and their children, under a new Free Union law that has just been passed by the National Council.

After reading a very detailed report by Pierre Van Klaveren on bill 974 and the civil contracts of solidarity, the law on the common life contract and the contract of coexistence was unanimously adopted by the Monaco National Council on Tuesday 4th December.

“It’s true, we would have preferred two different texts, but as we are pragmatic, we had declared ourselves ready to accept a single law, if it had two separate elements, with separate rights for couples and families, without hypocrisy, because of course their relationships are different. It’s done,” said President of the National Council Stéphane Valeri.

The rights recognised to couples, of the same sex or of different sex, protect a person in the most difficult situations of their life, such as disease, through the social coverage of their partner, or in death by more favourable succession rights or co-ownership of a lease.

Mr. Valeri made a point of highlighting the fact that the common life contract is very different from a marriage contract, which remains unattainable for same sex couples in Monaco.

According to French law, the union libre is an agreement between adults which grants rights between parents and potential children, but holds no obligation of sexual fidelity, nor does it grant reciprocal duties and rights between partners.

“Tonight, through the joint work of the Monaco Government and the National Council, we are moving our country even more on the path of modernity,” said the council president. “This is good news firstly for all concerned couples – and I know there are many with us tonight. These couples will be able to benefit from the recognition of their situation, to which they can legitimately aspire. It is also excellent news for the international image of Monaco, a modern state which is always respectful of its institutions and values.”

 

Top picture: National Council votes in Free Union law. Photo: National Council

 

 

 

Results are in on satisfaction survey

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/12/2019

In October and November, nearly 4,000 people responded to a call to give their opinions on the quality of life in the Principality, and it’s no great surprise that traffic and construction noise were tops on the list of complaints.

The survey was organised by the National Council and revealed that over 80% of participants think that noise pollution is a significant problem, be it from road traffic, especially of the two-wheeled variety, construction sites, or just the general noise of daily life on the streets.  

Respondents also think driving in Monaco is increasingly challenging. 83% report having trouble getting around by car on a regular basis, whilst 89% say vehicle travel has become harder full stop. The possible solutions mentioned by those asked were to limit the number of vehicles entering the Principality, creating car parks at the entry points to the city, and making road improvements for two-wheeled vehicles.

Pedestrians, on the other hand, are finding their lot vastly improved, with 70% stating so.

Transportation options in the Principality elicit strong sentiments and unambiguous expectations. Over half of those polled would take the bus more often if it were free, and 71% believe that only residents and those working in Monaco should be able to get a free ride. Test runs by the National Council for free bus services are soon to conducted on one of the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) lines, which would encourage those who may not otherwise take public transport to do so.

One in four are very willing to use Monabike, especially if improvements such as more designated bike lanes are created and the enforcement of helmet wearing is implemented for the safety of bikers.  

People were also concerned with a few health-related matters, though quality of care was not one of them. These thoughts were more along the lines of the impact of 5G on health and topics concerning living environments, such as water quality.

Overall, the news is good for Monaco’s quality of life. Despite the things that people would like changed, almost everyone is united in saying that life is good compared to so many other places in the world, with 90% asking for the adoption of a plan to maintain the lifestyle already enjoyed. This, the National Council asserted, is now a top priority.

The breakdown of respondents to the poll was 70% Monegasque, 21% residents and 9% commuters.

 

 

International Day of the Handicapped

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/12/2019

Since 2011, Monegasque school children and citizens have taken to the streets and put themselves in the shoes of the disabled by experiencing, for a few hours, their daily struggles. 

A CM2 class from Ecole des Revoires, along with private individuals from the Principality, joined together earlier this week to spend a few hours experiencing what it is like to be blind in the Principality of Monaco.  

With masks covering their eyes and using white canes, they traversed Rue de Gabian to Avenue Albert II crossing roads with the assistance of sonic crossing signals and guide strips and then took a bus especially provided by the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) where they tested the voice announcement system to indicate stops inside the bus.

After their experience, the group met with visually impaired persons to share their impressions of the systems.  

“Today the Directorate of Action and Social Assistance has proposed to students and adults to put themselves in a situation of visual impairment and test the specific amenities available in the city to help the visually impaired,” said Didier Gamerdinger, Minister of the Department of Social Affairs and Health. “This contributes to a common awareness.”

Organised by the Social Inclusion and Handicapped Division with Didier Gamerdinger, Patrice Cellario, Minister of the Interior and representatives of the elected assemblies, this experiment exhibited the latest efforts made by the government and CAM to make the lives of the visually impaired less stressful by incorporating measures to ensure safer passages walking and travelling in Monaco.

International Day of Disabled Persons, celebrated every year since 1992 on 3rd December, is a United Nations-sponsored event, which has met with varying degrees of success. The day is meant to create an understanding of the issues faced by those with disabilities and to rally support for their dignity, rights and overall well-being, as well as to promote integration with disabled persons to foster greater understanding.

 

 

 

Rommy Gianni and Monte Carlo Polo team take Dubai win

by:
05/12/2019

In the enchanting setting of Dubai, the Al Habtoor Polo Resort hosted the Monte-Carlo Polo Team Diamond Cup by Billionaire Mansion. 

A friendly battle took place between the Monte-Carlo Polo Team, presided by wellknown Monaco real estate businessman Rommy Gianni, and UAE’s Dubai Team, presided by tycoon Rashid Al Habtoor and his son Tariq. Meanwhile, his brother and UAE’s polo prowess Mohammed Al Habtoor joined forces with Rommy.

Ambra de Michele with the Monte Carlo Polo Team


Rommy Gianni and his team stole the victory with a 5-2 final score. Breathtaking play by each of the four “chuckers” saw the Monte-Carlo Polo Team push their horses to their highest levels of speed to fight and win against a very fierce opponent. It was a thrill for all, a game of great passion and great sportsmanship spirit.

Paola Alcolei, Monika Resetkova and Ambra de Michele with Rommy Gianni after the win

Monte Carlo socialites Paola Alcolei and supermodel Monika Resetkova were lending their support from the stands, while I had the honour of presenting the cup to the captain of the winning team.

Ambra de Michele

The victory was celebrated with a sumptuous dinner party at Billionaire Mansion Dubai where Flavio Briatore greeted both teams in an elegant and festive atmosphere.

YPO elects Economou as chairman

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/12/2019

Monaco-based Anastasios (Tassos) Economou has been elected chairman of the Board of Directors of YPO, a global leadership community for chief executives.

It was announced earlier this week that Economou will be the 69th member to hold this office and will succeed current YPO Chairman Elizabeth Zucker. He will begin his term on 1st July 2020.

A member of YPO Monaco, Economou is the Founder and Managing Director of iGroup. Focusing on relative value investing, iGroup looks to spot an industry that is at the low part of the business cycle and invest in it. Industries where iGroup primarily are present include shipping, tech, spirits, real estate and biotech.

“YPO is very dear to me, it is my second family,” says Economou. “I cherish our values and the time we spend together. I am humbled to have been chosen to serve YPO further from the position of chairman and I look forward to being able to serve this family and make the YPO experience even more relevant for all my peers.”

The YPO chairman is elected by member peers on the board. Economou continues the legacy of YPO’s founder and first president, Ray Hickok, who set the standard for peer leadership.

“Tassos brings an incredible combination of business acumen, YPO experience and an energetic personality to the role of YPO chairman that I know will have an amazing impact on our organisation,” says Zucker. “Working alongside him over the coming year will be both my great pleasure and an honor.”

Economou joined YPO in 2005 and has been an active member at the chapter, regional and global level, having held more than 25 leadership positions.

He is an elected director of the YPO board and currently serves as Chair of the Membership Council, Co-Vice Chair of the Chapters and Regions Committee, and a member of the Strategy and Finance Committees. He is also a member of the Chapter Model and Prominence and Diversity Work Groups.

Economou was awarded the Alexander L. Cappello award in 2017, which is YPO’s highest honour in membership development service. That same year, he was recognised with the Best of the Best YPO Region award for his work with the Europe Region. Tassos is also the Creator of the YPO LAB (Leaders Across Borders) program where members inspire their peers with life-changing moments shared through storytelling.

YPO brings together more than 28,000 chief executives in over 130 countries, who are driven by the belief that the world needs better leaders. Members’ companies are diversified among industries and types of businesses, employ more than 22 million people globally and generate USD9 trillion in annual revenues.