Youth in Lebanon will now benefit from a France-Monaco initiative that funds community projects designed to better the lives of young people.
Monaco’s Minister of External Relations and Cooperation Laurent Anselmi and Ambassador of France in Monaco Laurent Stefanini reaffirmed their commitment to the programme on Friday 27th November, one year after the two countries launched their first call for projects.
Of the 200 associations that applied, 19 were selected to implement their projects for the benefit of their communities.
Among them was a Moroccan project which helps young preschool educators receive training certification in the Marrakech region, and a project dedicated to the training and professional integration of young people living in precarious situations in Mauritania.
Like its predecessor, this second call for projects targets NGOs (non-government organisations) on the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean that are mobilised around issues such as training, mobility, youth integration, and the social and solidarity economy, for the benefit of youth in the Mediterranean Basin.
This year not only saw an increase in budget, but also the inclusion of Lebanon, adding to a list which includes Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia.
“I am delighted with the renewal of this joint initiative with the French authorities, as well as an extension of the call for projects to Lebanon, a country friendly to the Principality and a partner of Monegasque international cooperation,” said Laurent Anselmi. “I hope that this second call for projects will experience the same success as the first, benefitting young people in the Mediterranean.”
Laurent Stefanini added: “France welcomes this essential partnership with the Principality of Monaco… it demonstrates our common commitment to improve the situation of youth in the countries of the southern shore of the Mediterranean and to build bridges between NGOs on both shores. This new call for projects, consolidated and extended to Lebanon, responds to a real need for cooperation, especially in these uncertain and difficult times due to the pandemic.”
Photo © Government Communication Department / Michael Alesi
Month: November 2020
What is Monaco’s “favourable” situation?
Photo source: Pixabay
1st ground breaking forum on ocean and human health
The highly anticipated forum titled ‘Human health and the ocean in a changing world’ will finally go ahead in Monaco in December, featuring input from the world’s leading experts and culminating in the first ever ‘Declaration of Monaco’.
The forum, originally postponed because of Covid, will be held over two days – Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd December – incorporating face-to face sessions at One Monte-Carlo and videoconferences.
The event is free and open to all, however prior registration is necessary.
It is being jointly organised by the Boston College, the Scientific Centre of Monaco and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
“The interactions between ocean and human health are numerous, complex and yet largely unknown to the major part of the public, the stakeholders and the scientific community. While the future state of the ocean will largely determine the future health and well-being of everyone,” says Professor Patrick Rampal, head of the Steering Committee, in his foreword on the programme.
Held under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the program will focus on three sessions. The first topic to be discussed is the risks that oceans can present to human health, in particular those caused by climate change, including the warming of sea water and extreme weather phenomena.
The next topic of discussion on Wednesday focusses on the benefits that oceans can provide, in particular for food, molecules extracted from the seabed for pharmacological use, and the positive effects on health and well-being caused by contact with marine spaces, called “blue health”.
The whole of day two on Thursday will be devoted to a major theme: the effects of ocean pollution on human health.
There will be 12 physical or virtual summary presentations by renowned international speakers, as well as 12 short articles, selected by the Scientific Committee of the Symposium from among the 95 scientific articles submitted by researchers.
The forum will culminate in a final report and a ‘Declaration of Monaco’.
For more information and registration, visit: http://www.oceanhealthmonaco.org
Hoping to head to the slopes this season?
Photo source: Pixabay
Maradona’s footprint on Monaco
As the world mourns the death of football great Diego Maradona, we turn back time to 2003, when the Argentinian legend left his mark – quite literally – on the Principality.
Football fans across the globe were shocked to hear the sudden passing of Diego Maradona on Wednesday. He died of a heart attack in Buenos Aires just days after successfully receiving surgery on a brain blood clot, aged 60-years-old.
AS Monaco football club took to Twitter to join the world in mourning his death, writing: “A magnificent player has just left us. Rest in peace Diego”.
Un joueur magnifique vient de nous quitter. Repose en paix Diego ? pic.twitter.com/KAq3AKxJuv
— AS Monaco ?? (@AS_Monaco) November 25, 2020
On their website, the club shared that he was “an example for many Argentinian players who came to AS Monaco, including Omar Da Fonseca, Ramon Diaz and Marcelo Gallardo.”
But Diego Maradona left more than great memories and inspiration in the Principality. He was also the first sportsperson to receive the Golden Foot award in Monaco on 26th August 2003, an international recognition given to players who stand out for their athletic achievements and for their personality.
Maradona was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, and became a Napoli club legend scoring 81 goals in 188 appearances. He was also a compelling character, known practically everywhere, by everyone.
For his award in Monaco, a brass plaque was created, featuring an imprint of his most precious gift – his feet – together with his signature and his jersey number ‘10’.
The Argentinian marks the start of the Champions Promenade in Monaco, a beautiful walking path which runs behind the Grimaldi Forum and hugs the Mediterranean Sea. He is joined by other football greats including Platini, Ronaldo, Fontaine, Rivera, Kopa, Madjer, Pelé, Gullit, Figo, and Zanetti.
It is Monaco’s equivalent to Hollywood Boulevard, something that Maradona himself recognised in 2003.
He told reporters at the time: “I said before that Hollywood has actors’ hands, but for the footballers this place will be more fascinating.”
Diego Maradona at Golden Foot 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣3️⃣#diegomaradona #maradona #diegoarmandomaradona #legendary #goldenfoot #goldenfooted #footballculture #futbolmemes #videoofthedayi #monacotoday #playersonly #malefoot #award #history #soccer #champions #sport #video #feet #scores #gold pic.twitter.com/HlBl0IQEiQ
— GOLDEN FOOT AWARD • Monaco (@GoldenFootMC) April 2, 2020
Grace Kelly silver screen mask collection
The Princess Grace Foundation-USA has unveiled an exclusive line of limited-edition, hand-sewn face masks inspired by Grace Kelly’s iconic fashion looks to help support the creative community in America.
The face masks were designed exclusively for the Foundation by Paul Tazewell, Princess Grace Award Winner, Tony Award-winning Hamilton costume designer and designer for Spielberg’s upcoming West Side Story.
The limited-edition face masks feature three designs inspired by Grace Kelly’s most memorable fashion moments on the silver screen – Rear Window, Dial M for Murder and To Catch a Thief – along with a sleek mask design heralding the Foundation’s illustrious crown logo.
“We look forward to selling these hand sewn limited edition masks to people who are interested in supporting the arts as well as anyone who is a fan of Princess Grace’s iconic Hitchcock film looks,” Brisa Trinchero, CEO Princess Grace Foundation-USA told Monaco Life.
The face masks can be obtained by donating to the Foundation – $100 per mask (approx. €85) – and the proceeds will directly support the Princess Grace Foundation’s performing arts grants program and put critical funds directly into the hands of many deserving artists at a time when they need it most.
Under the direction of Matthew Neff’s company neffnyc, a full-time costume stitcher for the current Broadway revival of West Side Story, these unique masks are being hand-sewn by the artisans of Broadway’s costume community who lost their jobs due to Covid-19.
To make a tax-deductible donation to the Princess Grace Foundation and receive your choice of Grace Kelly-inspired face masks, visit https://pgfusa.org/masks/.