The British Boarding Schools Show is coming to town for its second edition on 29th September, putting parents in front of the very best of British private education.
Steeped in tradition, revered for excellent pastoral and educational practices and renowned for giving alumni a certain leg up, British boarding schools are highly sought after by parents and students the world over. The problem is that not everyone has time to make a grand tour around the UK to visit these exclusive institutions in order to choose the best option for their child.
Enter the British Boarding School Show (BBSS). Coming to the Monaco Yacht Club from 10am to 5pm on 29th September, the event gives parents the opportunity to connect face-to-face with some of Britain’s top boarding school representatives in one place to learn about entry requirements, scholarships, bursaries or to answer any other questions parents may have.
The show offers a chance not only to meet with the Heads of schools and Admissions Directors, but will also feature meet ups with education, property and relocation specialists to help with planning to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Educational consultants, including William Petty, Director at Bonas MacFarlane, one of London’s leading educational consultancy firms, will be on hand to answer any questions and offer advice on how to narrow down the many choices available.
Interest in British boarding schools grows steadily each year, and much of this comes from outside the UK. In a system that currently educates 69,979 pupils, a full 41% currently come from abroad.
The BBSS has carefully curated the Monaco event to ensure “parents are put in front of the very best of British private education.” These schools consistently produce high-achieving, confident, well-informed young people, who often go on to leading universities in the US and UK, as well as farther afield. Alumni from these schools go on to become academics, business leaders, politicians, athletes and newsmakers.
Family tickets are free. Premium tickets are £50. This includes a 20-minute consultation with a Bonas Macfarlane consultant to discuss school options, transition and strategies to optimise the move. For more info, visit https://schoolsshow.co.uk/event/monaco
"The Prince’s involvement makes all the difference"
As the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary and the 5th edition of the Monte-Carlo Gala on 23rd September, we sit down with the Foundation’s Vice-President and CEO Olivier Wenden to talk about Prince Albert’s role in his Foundation, what its biggest achievements are so far, and where the Foundation sees itself in the coming 15 years.
It was in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather Albert I, a pioneer in oceanography who paved the way for environment protection, that Prince Albert II created his Foundation in 2006.
This small team of dedicated individuals, led by Prince Albert and Vice-President Olivier Wenden, steer the Foundation towards three specific goals: To form partnerships for projects in its priority areas of action; to raise awareness among the population and public authorities about the impact of human activities on the natural environment to encourage more environmentally friendly behaviour; and to promote outstanding initiatives and innovative solutions, in particular by awarding prizes and grants.
To date, the Foundation has financially supported 266 projects and spearheaded nine initiatives.
Monaco Life: Prince Albert is always actively involved in his Foundation, not just relying on his name to prop up the projects that it supports. How important is it to have that level of participation from the Prince?
Olivier Wenden: It makes the whole difference. It makes our DNA, our added value. The Foundation is very unique in this way. When you have the opportunity to have a chairman who is also a running head of state, things are very different. The reason is very simple: Prince Albert is deeply personally involved, and his family has always been involved, in environmental protection, of respecting nature and the sea. Therefore, it was quite natural for him to want to invest his time, his name and his energy in an action plan to participate in these worldwide efforts to save our environment.
The Foundation has instigated many initiatives for the planet, bringing together stakeholders who combine their strengths to work on a particular issue. Can you tell us more about this part of the Foundation’s work?
For 15 years now, our Foundation has been financing projects on the ground very successfully and humbly. We don’t have the pretension to achieve these goals on our own, we have achieved these advances thanks to a vast network of partners including scientists, NGOs, universities and the private sector. These topics on the ground have the opportunity to be brought to the highest political level by His Serene Highness on a bilateral agenda or multilateral arenas.
The examples are multiple, but it started with the blue fin tuna, which was saved because of the Prince’s personal involvement followed by the government through his Foundation.
We helped to create the MedFund, which is a financial fund established by the Principality, joined by France and Tunisia, to develop and strengthen marine protected areas in the Mediterranean.
The Foundation is also behind the BeMed initiative to fight against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, and the ‘Monaco makes a commitment against deforestation’ initiative that was launched in 2010.
The IPCC Special Report on the Ocean was requested by the Prince and finally approved and presented in Monaco in 2019, and Monaco is chair of the Coral Reef Initiative together with Australia and Indonesia.
More recently there was the official launch of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, which we were a seed investor in and which now benefits from the support of Germany and other states. The first seven multi-annual and multi-million projects have been agreed.
Therefore, there are many examples of this amazing added value and the Foundation’s ability to implement projects and discuss the environmental challenges at the highest political level.
Meanwhile, Monaco Ocean Week in March is at the crossroads of these various levels, because it is a coalition of local partners involved in ocean conservation under the leadership of His Serene Highness, gathering together the Government, the Prince’s Foundation, the Scientific Centre of Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute and the Monaco Yacht Club, as well as international governmental bodies.
The Prince Albert II Foundation has mobilised alongside Size of Wales for a project to support Northwest Peru’s Wampis Indigenous Nation in its fight against deforestation.
In addition to these major initiatives, the Foundation also supports community projects on the ground, from preserving the Amur Tiger on the Russian border to implanting ‘Blue Schools’ in Nepal. Why are these smaller projects important?
We can all act at our own personal level, being the individual level, the household level, the city, regional, and national level, and then the international level. All of these approaches are complimentary and not exclusive of one another. We often think that the top-to-bottom approach, waiting for national legislation or regulation, is key. But in the majority of cases, if you tackle the issue on a bottom-to-top approach, things usually go faster.
There is not one magic solution, it is a mix of solutions that works. With the BeMed initiative, for example, we decided to do both. First of all, we built a network of stakeholders – companies, local and national authorities – to help streamline deregulation and design new legislation. But in the meantime, there is also a network that supports micro projects on the ground that have an immediate impact.
So, there are various levels that, in coordination, need to be boosted to leverage local action at a much larger level. But there is also the challenge of progressing faster and quicker. This pandemic has definitely shown us that we need to act urgently, that it is no longer for the future generations, but for the ongoing generation. The majority of scientists say we have 10 years and not more to solve the problems, otherwise it might be too late. It is a question of scale and a question of time, and therefore joint action is crucial.
Let’s go back to the Global Coral Reef Fund, which is an unprecedented funding drive to finance the preservation of coral reefs. Why was that important for the Foundation to be involved in?
The protection of coral reefs is central today. They are a symbol of the impact of climate change on the ocean. Coral feeds more than a billion people across the globe, so it is central to human life on the planet, and central for oceanographic life.
The interesting part about the Global Fund for Coral Reefs is the blended finance. There is a dual mechanism involving more traditional philanthropy, but there’s also impact investment – finance from governments, private sectors, NGOs, foundations, families and individuals. The objective is to give the fund, just like we did with the MedFund, the core capital to finance projects around the world, to study the resilience of corals, to study how to conserve them in some areas, and to study how we can hopefully one day transplant some resilient corals in suffering areas. We aim to raise US$100 million to implement more projects, but several of them have already been selected, from Fiji to Indonesia. A detailed list of the projects can be found on the website.
Photo of Princess Charlene and Prince Albert at the 2020 Monte-Carlo Gala, by the Prince’s Palace
The Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health on Thursday 23rd September is the Prince Albert Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year. How much money has it generated since its creation?
It has raised enough to be able to honour all of our commitments, more than €20 million in total.
Why did the Prince Albert Foundation choose to team up with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation this year?
We are particularly proud this year to join forces with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation through a series of lots that will be auctioned in support of their relentless efforts for the well-being and development of children.
Taking care of the environment and the health of the planet also means taking care of its inhabitants, especially the younger generations. By uniting our two Foundations for this particular edition, which will be held in the Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace, we wanted to promote the complementarity of our actions and celebrate the deep commitment of Their Serene Highnesses for the future of humanity.
The competition was motivated by the Covid crisis and took on the theme: ‘Humanity and wildlife: crossed destinies, shared territories’. We wanted to involve professional and amateur photographers to see: a) if they believe that cohabitation is possible, b) whether it is positive, or c) if it is a tragic combination. The overall intention was to involve the community in these topics and visual photographs are usually better than words. We also thought it would be a nice way to celebrate our 15th anniversary with an exhibition, which we’ve now just taken to Rome.
Has the pandemic steered the Foundation in any particular direction?
First of all, I would like to emphasise that we had the great opportunity not to stop our activity and to honour all of our commitments, and this is important to underline because it is very unusual in this climate to achieve these goals.
It also enabled us to study and assess new initiatives to be developed and the first one will be the cohabitation between human beings and wildlife. This is a topic of importance, as the Covid crisis has revealed, and therefore we wanted to deepen this reflection.
We also have a new approach to what we are doing, and what we are doing well. This “One Health, One Planet” approach is a very wholistic and multidimensional approach, which helps to reorganise the way the Foundation introduces to the public the concept of the ocean and humanity. We are accelerating the process of federating the actors, and promoting the solutions and innovations, which are a key pilar of Ocean Week.
Frankly, we can only hope that an aftermath of Covid is that people are truly understanding of the fact that their personal health, the health of their children and their relatives, is totally dependent on the health of their environment and the health of animals. There is an interconnection of all topics and I think that again, hopefully, the great conclusion that will come after this crisis is that there will be this general knowledge and apprehension of the problems that each need to be sorted altogether. Climate cannot be sorted without dealing with the ocean issues; biodiversity cannot be seen in silence without climate and ocean; it is impossible.
Olivier Wenden: “Climate cannot be sorted without dealing with the ocean issues; biodiversity cannot be seen in silence without climate and ocean.”
As you celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, where do you see the next 15 years?
I don’t think we can plan that far ahead, but our Board of Directors last year decided that, over the next couple of years, we will continue to structure, strengthen and develop our own initiatives – so that’s a concept that is brought to life by the Foundation and which we look for sponsors, project managers on the ground and actors to federate. BeMed is one such concept that we have achieved, and we have seven initiatives ongoing at the moment. We have been given the green light to strengthen these initiatives and therefore maybe do fewer projects, those supported by others looking for financial support. We would like to achieve a 50-50 balance.
Meanwhile, we are about to launch new initiatives in 2022, and we will continue to federate the actors on various topics, to help raise awareness. This is a day-to-day job and we cannot release the pressure on this topic. In parallel, we will help leverage the solutions that exist. Sometimes they just need to be put to the right companies, the right decision makers. Sometimes they are small, but we try to scale these solutions on a much larger level.
So, I would say the Foundation will continue to bridge this gap, to connect the dots between the decision makers, the private sector and the NGOs.
Olivier, you have been a part of the Foundation for seven years now, serving as vice-president for almost two years … how have you found the experience?
The personal experience is outstanding and I would say that time flies when you work with a chairman who is personally involved on a very regular basis. We can see the results on the ground, as well. We can see that involvement from the Prince and his Government can lead to great successes in the international arena. So, it is great news for Monaco, and it’s also great news for the planet. It is a pleasure to be part of this team, a dedicated small team.
In fact, one of our challenges is that we need to keep our team as flexible as possible with this start-up spirit, even though we are tackling more and more topics and challenges that requires full commitment. And I must thank the team who is working with me because it really is a collective effort, and I can only thank them for their commitment.
Top photo of Olivier Wenden by Stéphane Danna, Government Communication Department
CFM Indosuez initiates Monaco’s first solidarity finance offer
CFM Indosuez Wealth Management has inaugurated an innovative solidarity finance offer with the Oceanographic Institute that includes a donation of €130,000, 30% of which comes from investors fees.
As a precursor of responsible finance in Monaco with the first Monegasque fund dedicated to sustainable development, CFM Indosuez has created a solution aimed at the growing number of investors who wish to contribute to the energy transition and the preservation of the environment.
In collaboration with Crédit Agricole CIB, CFM Indosuez has developed a responsible and solidarity-based offer that is part of its partnership with the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, which works with people to raise awareness, convince and commit to the protection of the Ocean and its biodiversity.
As a result, the institute benefits from a donation that is made up in part by fees paid by investors (30%) and supplemented by CFM Indosuez (40%) and Crédit Agricole CIB (30%).
The CFM Indosuez Oceano offer is based on an index that is central to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and which also guarantees that the investment is directed towards financing projects linked to the ecological transition.
“The Oceanographic Institute and CFM Indosuez share a common ambition, that of a more sustainable future for the planet and the ocean,” said Oceanographic Institute CEO Robert Calcagno. “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership through responsible and solidarity-based finance, which will contribute to the deployment of our programme in favour of the poles.”
This first offer of solidarity investment by CFM Indosuez enables the Oceanographic Institute to receive a donation of €130,000 which will be allocated to its ‘Poles’ programme aimed at improving knowledge of the polar worlds and the threats to their ecosystems.
Mathieu Ferragut, CEO of CFM Indosuez, added: “We are very pleased with the enthusiasm of our clients to invest alongside us in responsible finance. We will continue this commitment in line with the Principality’s objectives. We will certainly consider new solidarity finance offers for the benefit of the Oceanographic Institute and, why not, other Monegasque associations that contribute to the protection of the planet and the ocean.”
The Oceanographic Institute, founded by Prince Albert I, has been working for over a century to protect and learn about the ocean. It has sponsored countless projects and programmes on both a national and international level in the pursuit of its mission.
Photo of Robert Calcagno and Mathieu Ferragut, credit: M. Dagnino – Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Renowned philanthropists John Caudwell and Modesta Vzesniauskaite are set to host their annual weekend of fundraising in Monaco this weekend, returning with their Cycle with Champions and Butterfly Ball events.
Held entirely outdoors, the two annual events on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th September have both been masterminded by former professional cyclist Modesta. In 2020, the combined events raised a record-breaking €1.3million for UK-based charity Caudwell Children.
Following last year’s two successful events, John Caudwell commented: “After such a traumatic and disruptive period in all our lives, to come together safely and share in the warmth of friendship while helping some of the most disadvantaged families in the UK was a very special experience and the money raised will go a long way in helping children all over the UK.”
On Friday 24th September a group of cyclists, which last year included UK cycling legend and 2021 Tour de France Green Jersey Winner Mark Cavendish, will set off for a 85km one-day sponsored ride set against the picturesque backdrop of the Côte d’Azur and tackling some of the region’s mountainous terrain before descending into the port of Monaco to celebrate their achievements.
Says former Olympic cyclist Modesta Vzesniauskaite: “John and I met through cycling and it is one of my greatest loves. To combine this with our greatest passion, helping charity, gives us great joy and we are so grateful to everyone who joins us to take part here in Monaco and helps to raise money for Caudwell Children.”
Following the cycling, attention turns to the outdoor terrace at the luxurious Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel where on Saturday 25th September invited guests will join John and Modesta under the stars for an evening of exquisite hospitality, entertainment and fundraising.
Charity CEO, Trudi Beswick, said: “We are overwhelmed by both John and Modesta’s unrelenting commitment and support. These fabulous events come at a time when disabled children and families are feeling more isolated and afraid than ever before, and when it has not been possible to deliver our usual calendar of fundraising events. The supporters of these events will literally be a lifeline to Caudwell Children, and will enable us to continue being a lifeline to the families we support. We are so incredibly grateful.”
Caudwell Children is a national children’s charity based in the UK, founded in 2000 by John Caudwell and led by CEO Trudi Beswick. The charity has supported over 55,000 disabled children with 653 different medical conditions. In 2019, they officially opened the Caudwell International Children’s Centre, the UK’s first independent purpose-built facility for the assessment, intervention and research of autism.
Chairman Emeritus, John Caudwell, remains the charity’s most passionate supporter and personally donates the charity’s administration and management overheads each year, enabling 100% of all direct donations to be spent directly on the children and families they support.
For more details or to support Caudwell Children visit www.caudwellchildren.com or follow them on social media.
Entries are now open for the MDO Monte-Carlo Prize, an international award for outstanding companies in terms of innovation, technology, design and sustainability.
The MDO Monte-Carlo Prize, organised by MDO and l’Arca International, will present their second edition on 24th and 25th November 2022 at the Grimaldi Forum over two full days.
The event has been slightly changed so designers and producers can interact easier, creating more opportunities for both to succeed in their endeavours.
“The Prize works on the assumption that industrial products require investment in quality, efficiency, technology, materials, systemic process, ergonomics and design,” said the organisers in a press release.
This next edition will see 14 “pyramid” trophies handed out to the winner of each of the 14 new product categories.
The categories for the competition are in components and systems for architecture, street furniture, floor and wall coverings, artificial intelligence, automation and communication, heating and air-conditioning, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, house and office, outdoor spaces, sport and well-being, lifestyle and accessories, transport, manufacturing and construction machinery. Companies are asked to put themselves forward for the category that best reflects their work.
A panel of seven judges, comprised of businesspeople, architects, and designers to award the prizes to the selected winners. The judges will take into account each company’s business profile and background, as well as the stylistic, dimensional, functional and ergonomic features of the products presented. Judges will then award special commendations to companies that have presented products mainly focused on ethical-ecological and energy related values, particularly on an experimental basis.
Each company that enters the competition will be given their own digital exhibition space to present their projects, as well as to give and get access to the other participants and visitors. Internet, catering and the installation are all part of the package.
“Today’s cutting-edge technology has given industrial products their own stylistic quality and efficiency, while design is often a key player in industrial production,” say the organisers. “The convention will investigate both sides of this culture of ours, providing a prestigious platform for interaction between industry, culture and design.”
Before getting to the grand finale, there is something organisers call the Making and Creating Exhibition-Convention that has also been organised at the Forum during the event. For two days, participants will have the chance to interact and debate the future of design in industry with university staff, business leaders, industry journalists and designers.
The official awards ceremony will be held at Grimaldi Forum on the evening of 25th November 2022.
Deadline for entries is 31st July 2022.
Photo credit: Ed Wright Images
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