Peace And Sport International Forum sees concrete results

A number of important collaborations were secured during this year’s Peace and Sport International Forum, including deals with the International Olympic Committee and the NFL. 

The 12th edition of the Peace and Sport International Forum took place in Monaco from 11th to 13th December under the theme ‘Investing in Peace, Acting through Sport’. It brought together 500 decision-makers from 90 countries, 53 high-level speakers, 10 Peace and Sport Award winners and 40 Champions for Peace, to pinpoint and share solutions to scale-up investment in longer-term efforts to transform societies and leave a sustainable legacy for generations to come.

The event began on Wednesday 11th December with three debates and a ministerial round table that allowed participants to share experiences and led to partnerships with UNESCO, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the National Football League Alumni Association.

On 12th December – to mark the 10th anniversary of their club – the Champions for Peace launched a call for action through a 10-point manifesto in which they pledged their help to transform society. A collaboration with international organisations such as the Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Olympic Committee fuelled three plenary sessions and two master-classes. A youth program fortified by partnerships with the University of the Western Cape, the Yunus Sport Hub, the Swiss Academy for Development and ENGSO Youth offered 15 young people from 13 nationalities the opportunity to express their views and make recommendations on the subject.

A press conference was held to mark the official launch of the Peace and Sport app developed by My Coach. This digital solution combines the expertise of Peace and Sport’s field programs with the digital know-how of the leading French sports app My Coach, to provide an innovative way to promote peace through evolutive, annual sports programs.

Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, and Pascal Granero, Administrative and Financial Director of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, announced the signing of a four-year partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation to join efforts and contribute to the well-being and development of children regardless of their origins and conditions, through the positive values of sport, particularly through rugby and swimming.

Meanwhile, Peace and Sport renewed its partnership with UNESCO in order to fully contribute to implementing the Kazan Action Plan (KAP), which is widely recognised as essential for facilitating international convergence to integrate sport into the UN 2030 agenda. This cooperation includes several government awareness projects, including the ‘April 6’ celebration and the development of the Peace and Sport Methodology.

Siya Kolisi is presented the Champion of the Year Award

South African captain Siya Kolisi, reigning world champion and the first black captain of the Springboks, was the grand prize winner at the prestigious Peace and Sport Awards Ceremony held on Thursday night, winning the 2019 Champion of the Year Award.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene at the Peace and Sport Awards. Photo: Prince’s Palace

In the presence of Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II of Monaco – Patron of Peace and Sport – and Princess Charlene of Monaco, other organisations were also accoladed, including the FC Barcelona Foundation, the Danone Nations Cup and the Bosnia and Herzegovina National Olympic Committee with two cities – Sarajevo and East Sarajevo – for jointly organising the 14th European Youth Olympic Winter Festival (EYOF).

Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, with Monaco Life Publisher Eric Brundage signing the MOU

The Forum ended on Friday 13th December with a networking session for all delegates, to encourage interaction and make contacts to generate new synergies and initiatives for peace through sport. Peace and Sport then signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Football League Alumni Association to promote sport as tool for social development, capitalising on the willingness of retired NFL players to give back to their local communities. The collaboration was facilitated by Monaco Life Publisher Eric Brundage.

“This agreement will give Peace and Sport access to NFL Alumni Association events to help spread the Peace and Sport mission in the United States, while the Alumni Association will also be making available its brand and players to enhance the Peace and Sport mission abroad,” said Mr Brundage.

Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, with Monaco Life Publisher Eric Brundage

“This unprecedented edition of the International Forum demonstrated that investing in peace can have a positive impact on business whilst helping to create more inclusive societies,” said Joel Bouzou.We’ve spent three amazing days learning and sharing. Delegates have strongly expressed their desire for change to foster peace throughout the world. I would like to thank everyone for their contribution, and I am delighted to build on the foundations that have been laid here.”

Didier Drogba, Vice President of Peace and Sport and Champion for Peace, added: “This Forum has initiated a new way of thinking and acting. It has succeeded in highlighting initiatives that, in time, will transform societies and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. The manifesto launched by the Champions of Peace is anchored in this dynamic and has already received favourable feedback promising tangible action for peace.”

 

Top photo: Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport

Read also:

Pyrros Dimas awarded in Monaco

Siya Kolisi crowned Peace & Sport Champion of the Year

Government approves free bus trial

The government has announced the trial of a free bus service throughout the Principality during the busy summer period next year. According to a recent survey initiated by the Mairie, one in two people in Monaco said they would take the bus more often if it were free.

The free service, currently earmarked for Line 4 only, will come into effect from April 2020 and run until October 2020.

The contentious issue of free public transport has been debated for six months in Monaco, with the council wanting a completely free bus service throughout the Principality. The government, however, has expressed reservations about whether a free service would be incentive enough for more people to use public transport.

At a council meeting on Monday evening, the Minister for Equipment, Town Planning and the Environment Marie-Pierre Gramaglia announced that the government would go ahead with a free experiment for six months on a popular line that crosses the Principality.

But National Council President Stéphane Valeri questioned the appropriateness of Line 4 and asked that further consultation be undertaken before the government confirms details of the trial. The government agreed.

The issue will form part of the primitive budget which will be voted on Thursday evening.

 

 

 

Monaco’s Philharmonic to provide Dubai Expo music

The Monaco Pavilion at the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai will be filled with beautiful music supplied by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Principal Conductor and Artistic Director Kazuki Yamada of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic has been asked to record the musical score, entitled Monegasque Fantasy and composed by Dédé Truqui. 

The score mixes modernity with tradition and follows several themes. His Homage to Princess Grace has a distinctly Irish flare, the Homage to Prince Rainier utilises sounds from earlier times, and The Rise of Prince Albert II focuses on today and the future. Additionally, there is a farandole, a lively Provençal style tune, that gives a nod to both the Monaco national anthem and to Hereditary Prince Jacques.

Dédé Truqui is best known for his collaborations over the years with Aimé Barelli at Le Sporting. He is locally renowned for his love of regional traditions, which he expresses through his music, poems, drawings and parodies.

The music, like the Pavilion itself, will highlight all the many facets of the Principality, a 360° perspective of Monaco.

The architectural design of the Monaco Pavilion in Dubai 2020

The Monaco Pavilion is being touted as “a kaleidoscopic experience that will reveal new perspectives” and will feature replicas of the quaint streets of the city as well as a Garden of Opportunities, which features the warmth and sunshine the Principality is so known for.

The Expo 2020 Dubai takes place from 20th October 2020 to April 2021 and is the first World Fair Expo ever held in that region. Nearly 200 participating countries will gather over a six month period to celebrate culture, collaboration and innovation on a grand scale.

 

Top photo: © Communication Department – Manuel Vitali

Moscow Ice Show comes to Monaco

The Moscow Circus on Ice comes to Monaco this Saturday for two spectacular performances.

The ice rink at the Port of Monaco will host the ice show featuring the delightful and amusing feats combining the grace and precision of ice skating with the excitement of circus acts.

The performance will give onlookers a chance to see daring stunts, juggling acts, silly clowns, stilt walkers, magicians, light shows and, of course, skating. In all, 40 artists will perform at the open-air rink.

The Moscow Circus on Ice was first established in the 1980’s in Russia by non-touring troupes. They include as part of their show traditional Russian music and dance, including favourites such as the kalinka and the kasatchok, along with exquisite costumes.

Two performances will be given on Saturday 21st December, the first at 5:30pm followed by an 8:30pm show, and each one lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. No public skating will be possible on the day of the show. Be there early as admission is free and seating is subject to available spaces.  

For more information contact +377 93 30 64 83/+377 93 15 06 09 or email them at animation@mairie.mc

 

Photo: Mairie Monaco

AS Monaco eliminated from BKT League Cup

No one can say they weren’t the Comeback Kids of the season, but despite all the hard work and great effort, AS Monaco was knocked out of the BKT Coupe de la Ligue on Tuesday night after a disappointing defeat to Lille.

It was a tough night at the Stade Louis II for the Red and Whites, as they took a pounding 0-3 defeat from LOSC Lille. But despite the loss, there were a few bright spots for Leonardo Jardim’s boys.

First, this match saw the return of goalkeeper Danijel Subašić, who had been suffering from an injured thigh since last May’s game against Saint-Etienne. Though he gave up three goals on the night, the Croatian played a good match and made some excellent saves against tough opponents. 

This night also saw the return of fellow Croatian and former Montenegrin International, Stevan Jovetic, who did not start the match but replaced Cesc Fàbregas. “Jove” had been out since April of last year with a torn ligament he got playing Reims. He played a strong game, nearly scoring a goal in the 75th.

In addition to the welcome return of two old faces, a new one appeared on the scene as well. This was the inaugural match for Arthur Zagré, the 18-year-old PSG alumni and French U-19 International star, who played a very active game in his left-wing offense position, showing his excellent technical abilities and a willingness to hustle.

The Red and Whites will have their chance for revenge against Lille on Saturday night, when they play them again at home for the 19th matchday of the Ligue 1 Conforama series.

 

Photo: AS Monaco Official

Dinner at the Rock

There’s a new face on the Rock, Portuguese-Australian restaurateur John Contente. With his French chef in the kitchen, this pair is delivering the ultimate French comfort food in a family-style restaurant, far from the hustle and bustle of Monte Carlo.

In an interview with Monaco Life, John talks about why, in just three short months, Le Petit Bar has become such a hit with the locals.

Monaco Life: Can you tell us how you came to be a restaurant owner at the Rock?

John Contente: I was born in Portugal and raised in Australia. I went travelling in my 20s and met a girl in London who was from the south of France. We both moved there in 2005, and my first position involved opening a Four Seasons in Provence, now known as Terre Blanche. As you can imagine, it was a rude awakening coming from London to Provence, so I left that position and started working as a waiter at The Pacific and, once I learned French, I got picked up by Sass Café where I stayed for a few years. Then, The Pacific called me back to take over as manager, so I remained there for about three years, before heading over to the Fairmont and eventually the Italian restaurant Pulcinella for five years. An opportunity to take over Le Petit Bar came along, and after waiting three months for authorisation, we opened in early September 2019.

Why did you feel the need to open your own restaurant?

It has always been a dream of mine since I started working in this industry – to either have my own bar or restaurant. Here, I have both!

Why the Rock?

To be perfectly honest with you, I had only been to the Rock twice for weddings and that was it. But the price was right and the opportunity was there. I was convinced by friends and family to go ahead with it, and when I thought about it – that everything down in Monaco was way out of my price range – I thought why not start up here and see where it takes me?

What was your idea when you took over this restaurant?

My chef Jean-Marc Troussard and I have worked together before, and he wanted to come on this journey with me. His specialty is French food, so we are offering the sort of dishes that people grew up eating, but that you don’t necessarily see in restaurants anymore, like

Blanquette de Veau and sausages with lentils. It is comfort food in a very relaxed environment. We don’t want to work in ties and be too serious, we want people to come up here and feel like they are going home – to their parent’s house for a roast chicken on a Sunday. Obviously, the chef puts his little spin on the dishes but he is also staying true to the classics.

How have you found the response from customers?

Very good. For example, our plate of the day today – roast beef with caramelised shallots and roast potatoes – sold out within the hour. Our prices are also very good, probably too good to be honest. But it is the beginning. We want to get through the winter and see how it goes, and see what our market is for the coming season. We want people to come and try it, like it and enjoy their experience.

At this time of year, you must rely a lot on the day trade and the locals?

Yes, people who work in the Mairie and the Palace come in for lunch, while residents of the Rock come in mainly at night. The previous owner only opened for breakfast and lunch, so the locals were all very surprised and happy to have another option to dine in the evening.

Can you tell us about the produce you use at Le Petit Bar?

Everything is seasonal. What you see here is what you get. We can’t store anything for long periods because we don’t have the facilities, so customers are basically eating everything that is delivered in the morning. Our produce is locally sourced, fresh, and mostly organic. There are only two of us working, so everything here is made by hand. The chef even prepares his own brioche to make the dessert.

It’s an open kitchen so there’s nothing to hide here. It really is like going to your family’s house for dinner…

You can sit here and have a chat with the chef while he is cooking. Some people ask him what they should eat that day, and he will explain what came in that morning and how he is preparing it. The guests love it. That’s what makes the charm of this place, because even if you eat by yourself, there is a show going on behind you in the kitchen.

Can you tell us about the wines you have here?

I change the menu regularly because I want people to try as many different things as possible from Europe and Australia. I have a white and red from Margaret River, Australia, and I also have a white and red from Portugal. All the rest are French wines because it is a French kitchen, but I do want to put my own influence in the menu. We have a gin that’s made in Valbonne, so we also try to have local alcohol too.

How many people can you fit in here?

12 outside and 21 inside, so it’s very cosy and manageable for the two us.

What is your vision for Le Petit Bar?

To be one of the go-to places on the Rock. If you want to eat good, fresh, homemade food, then this should be your number one place to go. Apart from the gastronomic restaurant 50 metres away, the rest of the eateries here are tourist traps – pizza, pasta, sandwiches. We do real food in a laid back, family-friendly atmosphere.

Why should people come to the Rock at night?

For the experience. The Rock at night is completely different to Monte Carlo, which is so busy. There are no cars here and no scooters after 10pm. It is perfect for a romantic night out or a quiet dinner with family and friends. You feel very calm and relaxed up here.

 

Top photo: John Contente. Photos by Pixl Studio