Interview: Olivier Wenden, Managing Director Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Despite setting his sights on diplomacy, the decision makers in Monaco had other ideas for Olivier Wenden. After working his way through the ranks, this 38-year-old Monegasque native is now heading up the most powerful non-profit in Monaco – the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Mr Wenden spoke to Monaco Life about what led him to the foundation, the one initiative that he is most proud of, and how his path to diplomacy has come full circle.
Monaco Life: Where did it all begin for you?
Olivier Wenden: I am a Monegasque citizen with a background from Luciana, Corsica, on my mother’s side. I was educated in Monaco and then had the opportunity to attend a summer camp with Andover in the US, thanks to the Monaco USA Association, and I have amazing memories of that time. Then I went to Paris to study a very specific French curriculum called Hypokhâgne – including literature, philosophy and history, before being accepted at Sciences Po Bordeaux studying public economy, international trade, and general culture. Then I went to Paris to do a Masters in International Trade in three languages – English, Spanish and French.
At this point, I wanted to stay in Paris. But one day I met with a head hunter who said to me: “You have a great resume but you are Monegasque, so you don’t really need to work.” It was in 2003 and I thought that, by then, the cliché of Monaco was over. But apparently not for everyone, and it really struck me.
At the same time, I received a very nice opportunity to work at the Grimaldi Forum, which had just been established, with the sales and marketing team. I stayed for two years, before taking a communication position with parliament, at the request of Stéphane Valeri, president of the parliament at the time. Over five years, I worked in everything from communication and international affairs to chief of staff. I was there during negotiations with the Council of Europe and two political campaigns, so I enjoyed returning to political science, which I studied, but also working for my country, which was very important to me. Since the age of 12, I always wanted to work for Monaco, abroad if possible. I had this sense of diplomacy, an urge to be part of the new trend of Monaco, no longer a cliché that people had in their minds.

Bernard Fautrier and Olivier Wenden ©NM

In 2013 I joined the government in the foreign office, because I still had diplomacy in mind. After a year, Bernard Fautrier, vice president of the foundation at the time among many other responsibilities next to the Prince, called me to come in for an interview because he had created, with the permission of the Prince, a new position in the foundation – executive director. So, it was then that I joined the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and had the chance to not only work for His Serene Highness, but for my country. Prince Albert’s incredible personal commitment to the environment, which is in the DNA of the Grimaldi family, is part of this new image of the Principality and I wanted to be involved in that, to celebrate its incredible past, but to also promote the fact that the country is open to the world in terms of the current challenges that the planet has to face.
On top of that, working with Bernard Fautrier was an incredible experience. He had been here for almost 10 years and initiated such a fantastic journey for the foundation, which today supports up to 500 projects, has a €60 million budget, and more than 100 partners around the world. I feel honoured to have been appointed vice president of the foundation when Prince Albert asked Mr Fautrier to join him as a special advisor on environmental issues. My intention is to continue on the past decade of success, and there’s still plenty to do for the decade to come.
If feels like you have come full circle from the young Monegasque interested in diplomacy, who was directly impacted by this cliché of Monaco, to now heading the very foundation that represents what Monaco stands for today. Do you agree?
Absolutely. For me, today, diplomacy is mainly bridging economy and environment, and that is precisely what I feel we do at the foundation. Our aim is to enable and favour initiatives around the globe that bring development and income to local communities. That is central. We need to put the human at the centre of all of the projects and initiatives that we select. We do it to prove that favouring sustainable development while respecting the environment and biodiversity will enable you to have a win-win situation; to show you can have your sustainable income while preserving your environment.
Today, the question of environmental protection is central in every single conversation we have – with friends, family, national decision makers and, of course, on an international and multi-lateral level. This is clearly the strength of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation – it is the only foundation that is run but an active head of state. All the topics that we tackle can be addressed at the highest political level. It is in our DNA to leverage, to scale up, to lobby in a positive way. So yes, it is central with my education, with what I thought would be important to give back to Monaco. It’s called great diplomacy and it’s what we do on a daily basis, but with appreciation of the fact that we not only talk, we act.
Prince Albert II of Monaco ©Agency Sabine Brauer Photos J.Reetz

How does the foundation select projects to support and how involved is Prince Albert in that decision-making process?
His Serene Highness heads a local team of 17 people here at the headquarters in Monaco, while there are 10 offices located around the world with only volunteering representatives, one person per country. We are all very humble with the work we can do. His Highness has appointed governing bodies to help him in the selection of these projects. When we receive projects, and we receive around 300 a year, we eliminate the projects that are not within the environmental scope of the foundation – which are fighting against climate change, preserving biodiversity and protecting access to water resources. When a project fits this field of action we then submit it to the Scientific and Technical Committee, made up of 15 experts from different backgrounds and locations, who give their recommendations. These meetings are presided over by the Prince. Afterwards, the projects go to the Board of Directors, who are all international high-level personalities mainly at a decision-making level, who give their final comments or blessing, which are either approved or rejected by the foundation.
We have a priority in the mission statement given by the Prince to act firstly on the Mediterranean, then the polar regions, and finally the least developed regions, which are quite vast. Hence, we don’t give short term support. The average time of support for a project is three years, with multiphases if necessary. For example, the Amur leopard living at the border between Russia and China was hurtling towards extinction. Since 2011, we have supported a project with WWF China and WWF International, which is now in its 4th phase because it has been successful and the Amur leopard is such an emblematic species. Now, the results are quite positive and the Prince actually visited the site in China last year.
Over the past five years, the foundation has placed a real focus on ocean conservation. Not to say that we don’t work at all on biodiversity and climate change, but we felt that we were most needed on this topic.
Bluefin Tuna

What achievement are you most proud of?
It is an incredible story, because in less than five years Monaco, the Prince and the foundation truly managed to save a species that was on the brink of extinction – the Mediterranean Bluefin Tuna. Experts approached the Prince and the foundation and said that there was only two years left of stock in the Med. His Serene Highness very bravely said that he will address the problem and requested that the species go on the red list, which meant it would not be fished anymore. There was a vote at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and it was not approved, so the Bluefin was not on the red list. However, the media attention was so great that the European Commission had to act. The fishing quota was raised, there was a better monitoring of the situation, and increased education for fisherman.
Meanwhile, spontaneously, the restaurants in Monaco kicked into action without having any formal government direction and decided that Mediterranean Bluefin Tuna would no longer be served in the Principality. For me, that was the first civil society movement in favour of a species or the environment without any incentive or lobby behind it. It was just an inner feeling by the people in Monaco that they needed to act.
So that for me was a source of optimism, surprise, and encouragement that this is possible. And so it should be.
Do you get discouraged then when you see powerful entities, like the American government, pulling out of sustainable initiatives like the Paris Agreement?
Yes, but in parallel, I think people and companies are no longer waiting for a miracle to happen or for their national government to act. In the United States, many cities and states are not waiting for the federal government to move on climate change, they are choosing to follow the Paris Agreement regardless of the official position of the USA.
At our level, we felt that there was a pivotal moment two or three years ago when companies started to introduce scalable industrial solutions.
So, there is a time for political debate and discussion, and there is a time for action. Both are operating in parallel, it seems, and we hope that they will be aligned at one point.

Greta Thunberg was recently selected as TIME magazine’s Person of the Year. How much hope do you place in someone like Greta?
I think she is a catalyst; a symbol; an icon. The young international generation have found in her an example – she is a person who says what is on her mind. Greta Thunberg represents a generation, she expresses a fear, and she has the will to act and to be more transparent on the topic. If the young generation is not willing to accompany the change, then the planet is doomed.
But I do think that the orientation, strategies and decisions have to be made by the generation above, the people in charge right now. We can’t afford to wait another decade for decision makers to make the right choices. The Greta Thunberg generation is putting on pressure – politically and economically. And having economic pressure on companies is usually the best way to implement change. Millennials will no longer buy randomly, they will buy with values, and among those values are ethics, environmental protection, sustainability and meaningful buying. So, with all these values they will, in a way, be part of the change, even though they are not the decision makers of the time.
How does the foundation support the future generation?
For many years now, the foundation has supported Students on Ice, a programme which enables two pupils from Monaco to go to the Antarctic and the Arctic regions with 120 other students from around the world, accompanied by scientists, dignitaries, historians and artists. They see the beauty of these landscapes and witness first-hand the impact of climate change. When they return home, they give a speech in front of HSH Prince Albert and fellow pupils, and every year we hear the same kind of response: “This trip has changed my life, firstly to be a part of this group, and also to have witnessed the beauty of this planet”.
Some of those students are now focusing their education and future careers on environmental projection. So, this is a project that literally changes the lives of teenagers and shapes their futures.
 
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Prince’s Foundation to help restore Australian ecosystems

Prince’s foundation helps Bangladesh cope with climate change

 
Top photo: Olivier Wenden © NM. 
 
 
 

Prince's Foundation to help restore Australian ecosystems

Amid Australia’s ecological emergency, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will be lending its support to projects and organisations that help restore ecosystems in the fire ravaged country. The foundation says it is working with the Embassy of Monaco, Honorary Consuls in Australia and Board Member Professor Tim Flannery to select the projects.
In an official statement sent from the Prince’s Palace on Monday 6th January, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco expressed his support to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a time when giant fires have been consuming the country for several months, causing considerable loss of biodiversity and endangering local communities.
“I have sadly seen that entire towns have been engulfed in flames, that residents across several states have lost their homes, especially in New South Wales, and that wildlife and the environment have undergone extensive damages; a situation exacerbated by persistent heat and drought,” said Prince Albert.
The Australian government is set to revise the total amount of land burnt to 17 million hectares given the late addition of figures from the Northern Territory. Scientists estimate that close to one billion animals have perished, 29 people have died and 6,000 buildings have been destroyed.
Victoria’s state capital Melbourne, Australia’s second-biggest city and a major tourist drawcard, was classified as having the “worst air quality in the world” this week as cooler temperatures brought particles in the air close to the ground.
As nightmare scenes continue, climate scientists are warning that Australia’s fires are a harbinger of what is to come for the rest of the world as the planet warms due to human activity. It is a sentiment echoed by Prof. Tim Flannery, eminent Australian biologist and palaeontologist, Director of the Department of Zoology of the Australian Museum of Sydney and climate specialist, and member of the Board of Directors of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
In a statement this week, Tim Flannery points out that Australia’s unprecedented bushfire season has occurred during the hottest, driest year ever recorded in Australia.
“Natural factors would result in a year as hot as 2019 once every 350 years,” says Professor Flannery. “But human caused greenhouse gases increase the odds to one year in eight. The greenhouse gases we all emit today are stoking the bushfires of tomorrow. It is critically important that all nations increase the ambition of their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.”
In light of the ecological emergency, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation announced this week that it will work with local entities, in the framework of its missions to preserve biodiversity and combat climate change. In order to ensure that its assistance is as effective as possible, the Foundation is collaborating with Prof. Tim Flannery, the Embassy of Monaco and the network of Honorary Consuls in Australia, in order to identify the organisations and projects to support to help restore the ecosystems.
 
Note: Monaco Life will keep readers updated on which projects the Prince’s Foundation chooses to support.
 
Photo source: Pixabay
 

New head of civil aviation

Jérôme Journet

Jérôme Journet has been appointed head of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, following the retirement of Bruno Lassagne.
Mr Journet is an engineer graduate from the National School of Civil Aviation (ENAC).
After studying engineering, mainly in Toulouse and Canada, Jérôme Journet spent the next decade working at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and the Athis-Mons regional control center.
During that time, he was able to familiarise himself with the different facets of civil aviation, working with operational and air traffic control, as well as involving himself in European studies and research projects.
In 2011, Mr Journet was assigned to the operations management of the Directorate of Air Navigation Services (DSNA) to carry out a national coordination mission. This experience allowed him, in particular, to understand budget management and civil engineering projects, according to a statement released by the Prince’s government.
Jérôme Journet then left the Paris region to settle in Bordeaux-Mérignac where he headed the Center for the Exploitation of Central Systems (CESNAC). In 2016, he moved to the West Indies to head the Antilles-Guyana air navigation service. Jérôme Journet was in charge of air traffic control, aeronautical information and aeronautical search and rescue operations for the airspaces and airports of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guyana.
 
Photo courtesy: ©Direction de la Communication – Michael Alesi
 

Rallye Monte-Carlo participants revealed

A total of 88 drivers have applied to enter the first round of the 2020 FIA World Rally Championships (WRC) that starts next week with the Rallye Monte Carlo.

The Rallye Monte Carlo kicks off on 20th January for its 88th edition and is the first date on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar. This year’s course will be marked with many thrilling changes, including several novelties and difficulties different than previous years, as well as a full quarter of the course being new to everyone.

Though the 20th is the start date, the first two days are dedicated to test races on the Route de la Garde in Gap, giving participants a taste of what is to come. 

The racing officially begins on 23rd January, leaving from Quai Albert 1er in Monaco at 5pm and will go on for the next four days through specially chosen courses spanning from Hautes-Alpes to Alpes de Haute Provence and finally back to the Alpes-Maritimes before racing back to Monaco for the Award Ceremony on Sunday 26th January at 3pm.

Of the team professionals taking on the gruelling course, 11 are entered in the WRC premiere class for Hyundai, Toyota and M-Sport. Five drivers will compete in the WRC2 class for Hyundai, Citroën and M-Sport and the biggest class is the WRC3 class which will see 13 privateer drivers entered, meaning they aren’t officially racing for any particular team. The rest are racers looking to have some fun and take on a new challenge.

 

 

 

Monaco Basketball defeat Kazan Unics

Roca Team braved the Russian winter to play the Kazan Unics on Tuesday night. Their 84-78 win has revived Euro Cup hopes for the Monegasques putting them back on the right track.

Faced with last year’s Euro Cup semi-finalists, AS Monaco basketball rose to the challenge.  

Without the help of star player Will Yeguete who was out with a knee injury, the Roca Team nonetheless took control from the start playing a very offense-oriented game, despite finding open shots challenging against the Unics.

An incredible series of three-pointers by Dee Bost, Norris Cole and Anthony Clemmons kept their opponents on their toes and kept them in the lead. The Unics were not deterred though and kept hitting back, but by halftime, the men of the Rock were firmly in the lead.

Monaco’s magic seemed to be broken though after the break. That amazing first half rhythm was slow in returning and the Kazan’s scored seven points straight off the mark. Fortunately, after about four minutes of play, JJ O’Brien and Paul Lacombe found their sea legs and gave Roca Team a bit of breathing room, though not for long. 

The Unics were in no way giving up though, and after an amazing three-pointer from American Errick McCollum, Coach Sasa Obradovic called for a timeout.

Anthony Clemmons reacted playing a tough defence, and after some pretty tough ball handling for both sides, Monaco had a firm 61-55 lead at the end of the third quarter. 

The fourth quarter was bound to be exciting, but no one knew just how much. The Russians fought back aggressively and by the 35th minute had tied the game 67-67. No longer having the luxury of the lead, Roca Team bit back and Anthony Clemmons planted a huge three-pointer two minutes from the end, then JJ O’Brien not only landed a money shot, but also was fouled, giving him an extra shot, which he converted. After another penalty was called on Kazan, it was pretty much game over for them, leading to the Monegasque’s much-needed and hard fought victory.

 
 
 

The best holiday destinations for 2020

Abercrombie & Kent Founder and Co-Chairman, and Monaco Life contributor, Geoffrey Kent reveals the places he’s most excited to travel to in the new decade.
 

A child in Ethiopia

Ethiopia

The offbeat destination being whispered about by travellers whose preferred mode of transport is the helicopter is Ethiopia.
One of Africa’s most enthralling yet overlooked destinations, this incredibly diverse country easily earns its spot on my list for this year, following on from one of my Inspiring Expeditions here last autumn. It’s rich in heritage and has a vibrant tradition of worship, as well as spectacular landscapes and compelling tribal cultures. However, due to a lack of infrastructure, the easiest way to get around is in the air.
Swoop over the stunning mountain ranges and lakes and fly to the Omo Valley – home to strikingly diverse and beautiful people such as the Kara, the Hamar, Mursi, and Nyangatom.

Mountain ranges in Ethiopia

Meanwhile, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela offer historical intrigue. At the same time, the other-worldly Danakil Depression and wildlife of the Simien and Bale Mountains, including Africa’s last wolves and the Earth’s only grass-eating monkeys, are a significant draw for nature lovers. All easily accessible by helicopter.
Leopard in the Yala National Park, Sri Lanka, 

Sri Lanka

The ‘teardrop of India’ suffered a devastating blow on Easter Sunday last year and experienced an economically devastating loss of tourism as a result. But since travel bans lifted – news which couldn’t come soon enough for hoteliers and those in related service industries – this enduringly optimistic island has been bouncing back.
In Sri Lanka, charming cities, lush tea plantations and iconic wildlife vie for travellers’ attention alongside eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, great beaches and national parks. For those willing to travel sooner rather than later, there’s a rare chance to enjoy the country’s must-visit sites – such as Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa – in (relative) crowd-free peace.
Yala National Park has benefitted from this lull in tourism. Strict protocols have now been put in place by the Federation of Environmental Organisations at the behest of the government. And the wildlife-spotting experience in Yala – which is home to dozens of magnificent leopards, the biggest ones that I have seen anywhere – has been improved, just in time for the return of travellers.

The Nahuel Huapi Lake in Bariloche, Argentina

Argentina

For an out-of-this-world experience, voyage to Argentina in 2020 to experience one of nature’s most magnificent events: a total solar eclipse. Set to take place on 14th December, this aligning of celestial bodies will be visible from just a few South American countries.
In rugged Argentina, where the sense of vastness and isolation is incomparable, the event will briefly plunge northern Patagonia into darkness in the middle of the afternoon. Be among the few to witness this rare, magical moment and become one of the first guests to stay at the Explora Patagonia Argentina, the latest in the hotel group’s roster of exemplary eco-lodges.

Kuang Si waterfalls, near Luang Prabang, Laos

Laos

Until recently, Laos was in the shadow of its more famous Indochinese neighbours. It’s often been overlooked by travellers considering a visit to South-east Asia. This country’s charm and authenticity are drawing a growing number of visitors to its lesser-travelled trails, however, and we expect the trend to continue in 2020. Step back in time as you explore this nation of jungles, temples, hill-top villages and ancient relics for yourself, free of the frantic pace of so many other Asian cities.
In 2020, view the country through a cultural lens by visiting the little-known Plain of Jars. Stretching across the Xiangkhoang Plateau, this vast archaeological site features thousands of enormous stone vessels, scattered by a past civilisation whose culture remains a mystery. While folklore suggests that the jars belonged to giants, further excavations in 2019 point instead towards a more anthropological answer: that this was once a burial ground. Visit this hard-to-reach UNESCO World Heritage Site by flying in via helicopter, accompanied by an expert guide.

Egypt, The Nile, Sanctuary Nile Adventurer

Egypt

After a tumultuous few years, momentum is gathering in legendary Egypt. Its mesmeric monuments, atmospheric souks, and natural wonders, which have been relatively tourist-free in recent years, are welcoming culturally curious travellers once more.
A collective breath will be finally exhaled when, in the latter half of 2020, the Grand Egyptian Museum opens to the public. Encompassing 500,000 square metres, this vast exhibition space will showcase an omnium-gatherum of Ancient Egyptian artefacts – 30,000 of which have never been exhibited in public before.
A new cinematic version of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile is on the horizon too, which undoubtedly will buoy interest in the country. Due for release in autumn 2020, Kenneth Branagh stars and directs, with Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot taking a turn as Linnet Ridgway Doyle. Should this inspire you to take a turn down the Nile – though, of course, in less dramatic style, my Sanctuary Nile Adventurer has been newly refurbished and is fit for a pharaoh.
 
Find out more: abercrombiekent.co.uk
 
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