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Month: December 2019

Siya Kolisi crowned Peace & Sport Champion of the Year

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/12/2019

On an evening at One Monte Carlo, in a room filled with people who exhibit both exceptional talent and a deep care for humanity, there could be only to walk away with the top prize. In the end, it was Captain of the South African 2019 World Championship Rugby Team, Siya Kolisi, who was awarded this year’s Peace and Sport Champion of the Year.

Siya Kolisi has had quite a year. Not only did he lead his Springbok’s to victory, making him a household name in the rugby world, he was also ambassador to a programme which donated photovoltaic lamps to over 100,000 South African families who live without power, he helped expand his hometown school, he bestowed sport’s equipment to his childhood rugby club and he created a national campaign to provide 262 schools with digital tablets – the exact number of points his team scored last season.

The 28-year-old is no stranger to want. Growing up in Zwide township, he recalls often being hungry and deprived, not an uncommon occurrence in these enclaves where unemployment is high and opportunities are few. But he overcame his disadvantages through determination, and now he is actively involved in showing other kids from his hometown that they can, too.

His hard work has paid off, culminating in being honoured with this prestigious award.

Siya Kolisi is presented the Champion of the Year Award

“The Peace and Sport Awards are a unique opportunity to focus the world on sport’s initiatives for peace,”said Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport. “From grassroots NGOs to governments in the world of sport. We all have a role to play and we must use this wonderful tool of sport for peace. I would also like to congratulate Siya Kolisi, Champion of the Year, who, like Nelson Mandela, has shown a unique power of sport to bring people together.”

The evening also paid tribute to several others who embody the spirit of Peace and Sport.

The CSR Initiative of the Year was given to the Danone Nations Cup, the largest children’s football tournament in the world, with more than two million participants. The event aims to encourage children to become agents of positive change in their communities.

Joël Bouzou and Prince Albert on stage at the Peace & Sport Awards

The NGO of the Year was awarded to GOALS Equal Opportunities from Haiti Football. This initiative focuses on quality education and rural inclusion to reduce illiteracy and increase school attendance for rural youth in Haiti.

Innovative Action of the Year was given to Fundación Olímpica Guatemalteca for their Records Vs Recordsprogramme. This inclusive initiative encourages participants to set sports records that are converted to local currency. The funds raised through the involvement of the whole society were used to open a new sports facility, where life skills are passed on to more than 500 young people from vulnerable communities to reduce delinquency and violence.

Diplomatic Action of the Year was won by the National Olympic Committee of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the two cities of Sarajevo and East Sarajevo for the organisation of the 14th European Youth Olympic Winter Festival (EYOF).

The Sports Organisation of the Year went to Saint-Omer Cricket Club Stars (SOCCS). Founded in 2016, this club mixes young refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Association’s mission is to use cricket as a means to overcome the high migratory tensions in the Hauts-de-France. region The Saint-Omer Cricket Club has made a significant contribution to the integration and well-being of refugees in the community.

The Development and Peace through Sport of the Year Program was given to India’s Naandi Foundation, creators of The Toofan Games. One of the largest social welfare organisations in India, The Toofan Games enable community educators to broaden the positive impact of sports programs and promote gender equality.

The Special Jury Prize went to FC Barcelona Foundation. Robot Pol is an initiative led by the FC Barcelona Foundation, in partnership with the Eric Abidal Foundation. It is part of the ‘Paediatric Emotional Wellness Program’ and is based on a robot using an audio, video and remote control software system. It gives bedridden children a chance to have an immersive experience and interact with players during workouts and games.

Finally, a posthumous award was given in memory of Guo Chuan formerly part of Monaco’s own Team Malizia, who was lost at sea in 2016 attempting to break the world record for a solo ocean crossing.

 

 

National Energy Transition Pact 2.0

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/12/2019

The National Energy Transition Pact is heading into its second year, and the government is asking signatory companies to begin ramping up their commitments with concrete plans for the future.

Last Thursday, the Mission for Energy Transition Monaco presented their latest aspirations to representatives from companies who have previously signed onto the pact, including the Grimaldi Forum, SBM Offshore, My Marketing Manager, various hotels of the Principality and offices of the State Services and Concessions.

The meeting started by covering the previous pledges made by the companies of a formal commitment followed by implementation of solid actions, an official survey of the need for exchanges, tools or training, and a measure of progress under the three central themes of mobility, waste management and energy savings.

They went on to discuss with the representatives what their next steps for the programme will be and included such ambitious ideas as adding more water points in the Principality, encouraging and expanding the use of MonaBike as an alternative mode of daily transportation for employees, building more electric vehicle charging stations and urging people to carpool rather than drive alone.

The companies and institutions will have until March 2020 to submit their choice of voluntary actions to the Mission.

The National Pact comprises a simple and comprehensible Commitment Charter, which covers all stakeholders and sets out the three major areas for action as part of the energy transition: transport, waste and energy. It is translated into annual action plans indicating what, specifically, each person or organisation who has signed up will do to contribute to the energy transition effort, highlighting the greenhouse gas emissions thus prevented.

 

 

New digital fitness ground is free for all

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/12/2019

Two new digitalised sporting and training grounds have been unveiled in Monaco, providing free, easy to use exercise facilities for all ages in the Principality.

The new MonaMove sports station and Parkour ground were officially inaugurated on Thursday 12th December by Counselor for Equipment, Environment and Town Planning Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Chief Digital Officer Frédéric Genta, and former French international rugby player Sébastien Chabal.

“These two new accessible and free spaces illustrate the development of sport for all in the city and will contribute to improving quality of life in a fun, free and connected way,” said Marie-Pierre Gramaglia.

Sébastien Chabal’s company Vivaciti has created the technology that allows users to connect to the MonaMove equipment via a mobile app. Through the placement of sensors on each apparatus, people will be able to measure their physical activity in real time and personalise their training with the exercise and thematic programs designed by Sébastien Chabal, including muscle strengthening, posture and stretching.

“MonaMove, an outdoor sports station that is connected and free, aims to facilitate and support the practice of sport for all through digital,” said Frédéric Genta. “Driven by Extended Monaco and at the heart of the Smart City program, it is a service that will facilitate the well-being of Monegasques and residents.”

Like its twin located at the port area of Fontvieille, this station consists of 18 apparatus, integrates a complete weather station for temperature, humidity and air quality, and is 100% energy self-sufficient thanks to a solar panel.

MonaMove is located on the Stefano Casiraghi Esplanade, next to the solarium and adjacent to the new Parkour space. This 300 square metre ‘playground’ for kids and teenagers provides an opportunity for them to do Parkour – a training discipline in which people try to get from one point to another without assistive equipment, in the fastest and most efficient way possible. It was developed from military obstacle course training and has become a huge hit with youth.

With this new site, young people will be able to climb and perform acrobatic jumps on different apparatus including a Gibbon cage, a bar for precision jumps, and a pass bar. Thanks to a flashcode, they can also access videos of their efforts.

 

Photo: Frédéric Genta, Marie-Pierre Gramaglia and Sébastien Chabal © Direction de la Communication – Michael Alesi

 

The IUM inaugurates its new premises

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/12/2019

The architecturally exciting new home of the International University of Monaco has been officially inaugurated by H.S.H. Prince Albert II and National Council President Stéphane Valeri. 

After the traditional cutting of a red ribbon and the unveiling of an inaugural plaque, participants visited the 2,000 m² site, which encompasses ultra-modern and intelligently connected classrooms, meeting rooms and study spaces.

Director General of the University Jean-Philippe Muller thanked Prince Albert for his support since the IUM was established in 1986.

The University also acknowledged that assistance of the Department of the Interior when the idea of the IUM leaving its premises at the Stade Louis II arose almost two years ago.

According to a statement from the IUM, the size of the new Stella campus will allow the university to reach its growth objective, which is 800 students within a few years, up from the current 650 students today.

IUM

Jean-Philippe Muller said he is also very optimistic about the future of the IUM in the district of Condamine, saying he hoped “that the next 33 years at Stella will be as fruitful as the 33 past years at Stade Louis II.”

The next goal for IUM is to obtain, from 2020, the prestigious AACSB accreditation that would allow it to join the ranks of the 796 best international business schools.

Top photo: accompanying H.S.H. Prince Albert II from left to right are Stéphane Valéri, president of the Conseil National, Dr Jean-Philippe Muller, General Director of IUM, and Patrice Cellario, Conseiller de Gouvernement pour l’Intérieur. Copyright: Prince’s Palace, Gaëtan Luci.

New study shows major gaps in ocean protection

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/12/2019

A study presented by the Group of Friends of Oceans and Seas has exposed a worrying lack of protection for important marine areas worldwide.

The study, conducted by Dr Ellen Pikitch, Professor at Stony Brook University in New York and Chief Scientific Officer of the Ocean Sanctuary Alliance, is entitled Gaps in the Protection of Important Ocean Areas and was presented last week at the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations in New York City.

The presentation revealed that a large number of maritime zones that are identified as being in need of protection are not designated Marine Protection Areas. The vast majority of these zones fall in under the jurisdiction of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).

©DR

EEZ’s are sites where nations have special rights regarding use of marine resources as well as exploration. These zones stretch from the coast to 200 nautical miles into the open ocean. They are different from territorial seas, which convey sovereign rights over the waters to a particular state, in that these areas cover only what goes on below the surface. The surface is still considered international waters and therefore no country cannot prohibit ocean going vessels from using these sites for travel purposes.

The findings of the study has been compiled on the World Database on Protected Areas, managed by the UN Environment Programme and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Marine Protected Areas comprise just 4.8% of the world’s oceans. What’s more, less than half that, or 2.2%, of the oceans fall under the highly protected category of no-take marine reserves.

 

 

Olympic Committee meets with Monaco in NYC

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/12/2019

From gender equality to carbon neutrality, the Olympic Committees are taking steps to face the challenges and changes affecting us all globally, and the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations played a large part by hosting a meeting to debate these hot topic issues.

Despite its vaunted position in the collective worldwide history, the Olympic Games of today are subject to the same scrutiny as any other large international event. To that end, the decision-makers of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo met earlier this week in New York City to discuss and adopt measures pertaining to crucial subjects such as gender balance amongst athletes, the matter of the participation of a team of refugees, the use of recycled marine plastics as the construction material of choice for podium building and how to keep the Games as carbon neutral as possible.

The meeting was put on by the Group of Friends of Sport for Sustainable Development and was held at the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations. The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr. Thomas Bach, and the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Mr. Yoshiro Mori, led the meeting and shared with the group these issues in advance of the UN General Assembly meeting to adopt the Olympic Truce. The IOC Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Luis Moreno, IOC member and President of the Inter-American Development Bank, were attending a meeting of the group for the first time.

Later, during the General Assembly meeting to adopt the Olympic Truce, an Ancient Greek tradition dating back to 776BC ensuring safe passage for athletes and spectators as well as guarantees the host city was shielded from attack, Japan expressed gratitude for the worldwide support after the Fukushima disaster of 2011 and went on to tell those present how the medals for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been fashioned from 80,000 tonnes of recycled mobile phones and other discarded electronics collected over a two year period.

Isabelle Picco, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations, spoke and gave her full support of the measures being taken by the Olympic Committee, especially those pertaining to gender equality and endorsement of public policies.

Additionally, she reminded those present of the ongoing contributions of the Permanent Mission to promote sustainable sport practices and development. She went on to wish the athletes good luck and expressed her hopes for the success of the Games.

 

Photo: Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Sport, HE Isabelle PICCO and Talal Al-KHALIFA, Chargé d’affaires of Qatar, surrounded by Dr. Thomas BACH and Mr. Yoshiro MORI, as well as Mr. Luis MORENO, during the meeting.