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Day: 3 February 2022

ASM match preview: “I’m not someone who has spies”

by: Luke Entwistle
03/02/2022

Before Saturday’s crunch clash against Lyon, Philippe Clement addressed the media, seeking to allay the portrayal of the match as a do-or-die moment in AS Monaco’s season.

Fans hoping to attend the clash received a boost pre-match, as the club announced that up to 8,000 spectators will be allowed into the Stade Louis II on Saturday night. The match is therefore set to be the most attended since Clement’s arrival at the club in early January.

From the outset, Clement looked to downplay the importance of the match. “Naturally it’s an important match against a great team. It isn’t the decisive match, there are still 15 matches after that, and when we win it isn’t decisive, nor is that the case when we lose,” he said.

The Belgian manager is focusing on his own side’s capabilities, rather than those of their talented opponents. “I am not someone who follows the other team’s training, who has spies in order to have knowledge in advance of the match. I always want my team to be ready.”

For this crunch match against a rival for the Ligue 1 podium, Monaco will have to do without some important first-teamers. Monaco Life observed training at the club’s centre in La Turbie on Thursday, and amongst the most notable absences were Aleksandr Golovin (illness), Myron Boadu (muscle injury), and Guillermo Maripan, the latter, however, Clement confirmed would be rejoining the squad before Saturday and is in contention for the match.

Monaco will also be without key defender Benoit Badiashile who, despite engaging in some light, personal training, has not yet rejoined the group. Monaco Life can, however, report that Djibril Sidibe, Alexander Nubel and Radoslaw Majecki have returned to group training after missing out on the Coupe de France victory against Lens.

Clement will be hoping that the absentees are soon back in contention for first-team football, the manager telling Monaco Life, “The group isn’t incredibly large. With all the games now, we need players.”

Lyon come into the game with an almost complete squad to pick from and on a rich run of form, which sees them unbeaten in their last nine fixtures. The side also recently strengthened their squad with the addition of Tanguy N’dombele from Tottenham, and the purchase of former Monaco midfielder Romain Faivre. Monaco have also failed to beat Lyon since 2019, but if they are to keep pace with their rivals, then that will have to change.

Although, as Clement says, none of the 16 remaining matches are “decisive”, the fixture against Lyon is, however, more important than most. A loss against a rival for the Ligue 1 podium could provide a killer blow to their chances of Champions League football next season. The stakes are high and the atmosphere will be electric inside the Stade Louis II when the game kicks-off on Saturday night.

Click on our Instagram post below to see video of Thursday’s training session…

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZhGpc3sf3d/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

Photo of Thursday’s training session by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

Women’s Rights Committee progress report

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/02/2022
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Creating a new victim’s compensation fund and assisting in a report on the wage gap between men and women in Monaco are on the agenda for the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights this year.

Despite 2021 being a difficult year with many cancellations and postponements due to the pandemic, the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights had a banner year, according to the annual progress report.

At a press gathering this week, the Committee revealed that 16 actions were carried out in the realm of women’s rights and violence against women in Monaco. They also formed 34 partnerships and collaborations, and helped push through two new laws in the National Council.

Additionally, they increased social media activity, therefore raising visibility, ending the year with 122,958 views on their sites.

Céline Cottalorda, Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, took stock of the year, saying it was “satisfactory thanks to the many advances but also, beyond words, a year in which actions were taken at the highest levels of the State with an accelerating feminisation movement.” She added that “despite the encouraging signs and the progress, the fight continues, in particular against the scourge of violence against women.”

The Committee also spoke about the future, notably events and actions for the coming year. Raising awareness, especially amongst young people, is high on the agenda, as well as creating a victim’s compensation fund for sexual and domestic violence offenses, including funds for children, and assisting in the publication of a report on the wage gap between men and women in Monaco, which will be released by IMSEE, the Principality’s statistical agency.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Isabelle Berro-Amadeï highlighted the role that youth play in equality, saying, “I do not forget the tremendous involvement of young people. It is indeed more relevant than ever to turn to these young people. They are the builders of a society that wants to be more inclusive, without sexual or sexist discrimination.”

Through its cooperation programs in the field and its presence in international forums, the Principality maintains continuous political and financial support for the protection and emancipation of women. Monaco was notably elected in 2021 to the Board of Directors of ONU Women.

SEE ALSO:

New sexual harassment law passes National Council

 

Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

The year of Prince Albert I begins

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/02/2022
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To mark the 100th anniversary of the death of the Explorer Prince, Prince Albert I, a whole schedule of events is planned for this year. Here is what to expect.

Prince Albert I was a modern prince, even by today’s standards. His interests were vast and included advanced topics for his time such as science, exploration and oceanography. But his emphasis was on ocean protection, making him a front-runner in the environmentalist movement.

His philosophy on ruling was also incredibly forward-thinking. He was a constitutional monarch in a world of absolute rulers, making economic, social and political reforms including the creation of a constitution which stands to this day – things that were considered radical and outside the box at the time.

To celebrate this extraordinary man, the Principality has set up a number of events to introduce people to his life and work.

Currently on at the Oceanographic Museum and at the Princess Grace Theatre until 5th February, there is an international, multidisciplinary symposium which has brought together historians, art historians and scientists to discuss Prince Albert’s I actions and work.

On 17th February, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monaco will be holding a commemorative concert featuring works by Camille Saint-Saëns and Gabriel Fauré at the Auditorium Rainier III as part of the Philharmonic’s Musical Happy Hour series.

Coming up on 21st February, the students from the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier are offering a vegetarian menu in collaboration with the experimental educational vegetable garden at the Cordon d’Or restaurant in honour of the Prince.

Then on 26th February, the Monte-Carlo chess circle is organising a memorial tribute to the international chess tournament that took place in Monaco from 1901 to 1904 during which an Albert I Cup was awarded. There will be a chess champion playing against several partners simultaneously in the atrium of the Monte-Carlo Casino with a player being rewarded at the end.

From 15th March to 10th April, there will be an exhibition organised by the Monaco Media Library in connection with the series of conferences started in 2020 on sports in the time of Prince Albert I.

Additionally, there is a commemorative day marking the inauguration of the new hospital on 9th April 1902 in the Salines district, on the site of the current Princess Grace Hospital Centre, an institution built under the reign of Albert I.

Finally, since September, the Audiovisual Institute has been holding educational workshops that will go on until the end of the 2021/2022 academic year in June featuring images of Prince Albert I, as depicted in news reels and chronicled in the 2014 book Albert I in Films. They will also be exhibiting photos and films taken by the Prince himself, who was a pioneer in the world of cinematography.

The celebratory events will continue throughout the year and updates on more exhibits, conferences and shows will be forthcoming as the dates are closer.

 

SEE ALSO:

Prince Albert I honoured as Constitution turns 110

 

Photo of Prince Albert I of Monaco circa 1910

 

 

ASM to play its part in fight against cancer

by: Luke Entwistle
03/02/2022
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Saturday night’s fixture against Lyon will not only be a meeting of two Ligue 1 giants, but recognition of the incredible work done by the Monaco Scientific Centre (CSM) and the Flavien Foundation.

To commemorate World Cancer Day, which takes place on 4th February, AS Monaco will highlight the CSM and the Flavien Foundation’s commitment in the fight against paediatric cancer on the 5th through auctions, jersey presentations and exclusive experiences.

Pre-match, AS Monaco Vice-President Oleg Petrov will offer a jersey to the organisations as a symbol of the club’s support.

The club will also stage a ‘My Wish’ experience, whereby two children, supported by the Flavien Foundation, will have the unique experience of watching the match from backstage. Their families, as well as other members of the Flavien Foundation, will be invited to attend the game.

Completing the club’s tribute is an auction of the jerseys worn by Monaco players on the night. The auction will begin on Sunday 6th on the MatchWornShirt platform and continue until 13th February, with the profits being shared 50/50 between the two organisations.

The CSM and the Flavien Foundation have been collaborating since 2015 in order to improve knowledge and develop potential therapies for paediatric cancer.

The announcement comes just days after the Principality hosted the Biennial Cancer Conference at the Grimaldi Forum, which was organised by the CSM and took place under the patronage of Prince Albert II.

AS Monaco’s fixture against Lorient next weekend will also commemorate the work done by local associations who work with children with cancer. World Child Cancer Day is on 15th February, with Monaco playing just two days before. The club will therefore invite fans and volunteers from local associations to enjoy the match at the Stade Louis II.

 

 

 

Monaco businesses strengthen ties with Dubai through MEB

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/02/2022
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Local businessman Chris Clavel was among a 30-strong delegation to Dubai for a trade mission to strengthen ties between the regions, that also included the signing of a MOU with world trade hub DMCC.

It has been a good start to the year for the Monaco Economic Board (MEB), which just returned from a multi-day trade mission to Dubai that ran from 25th to 29th January.

Dubai has long been associated with growth, ambition and innovation, and is widely known to be the Middle East’s premiere trading hub. The MEB has leapt at the opportunity to explore this vast and fast-growing market via this recent trip.

Previous visits to the city, which included a Monaco National Day trip on 13th November 2021 and meetings at the Dubai World Expo, were followed up by the 30-plus member delegation that included figures from the worlds of technology, real estate, finance and industry.

A highlight was the formalisation of ties between the MEB and the Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, designed to create more business opportunities between the two regions.

Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC Ahmed Bin Sulayem and MEB Chairman Michel Dotta sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Dubai, source MEB

The DMCC was established in 2002 to promote commerce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is now one of the biggest free trade zones in the world. It boasts a membership exceeding 20,000 companies and a business community of 100,000 people.

“The UAE offers great opportunities to Monaco’s business community, with DMCC being a key strategic partner for their international expansion,” said MEB Chairman Michel Dotta in a speech during the meeting. “The agreement will consolidate our efforts and will stimulate growth, providing our respective business communities with access to new and fast-growing markets. We look forward to working closely with DMCC to facilitate trade, increase economic activity, and support the businesses of Monaco in navigating Dubai’s vibrant business environment.”

It was Chris Clavel’s (left) 16th trade mission with the MEB

One of the Monegasque entrepreneurs to benefit from this relationship is Chris Clavel, Director of the digital technology company Baccana Group.

“Between the B2B meetings organised by the MEB at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the networking sessions at the Monaco Pavilion at the Dubai Expo, I managed to make 20 valuable contacts,” Chris Clavel told Monaco Life. “One is gently leading to a contract soon with a Dubai-based tourism marketplace needing our online marketing and SEO expertise for the European market. I have some follow up to do with the chambers of commerce of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait. I am also in discussion with the Tourism and Investment board of the Emirate of Sharjah, as well as with the Abu Dhabi University of Artificial Intelligence.

“All of this within three days. So, one can say that the MEB’s trade mission in Dubai was a success for my part, but I know that it was also the case for many other members of the delegation.”

Clavel says he will join the MEB delegation when they return to Dubai from 5th to 10th March for the Dubai International Boat Show.

Other MEB missions are being planned to St. Petersburg in June and Madrid in October.

 

By Cassandra Tanti and Stephanie Horsman. Photos by Chris Clavel unless otherwise specified

 

 

 

 

MAC reveals exciting schedule for 2022

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/02/2022
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The Monaco Ambassador’s Club gathered this week at Cantinetta Antinori for the launch of the 2022 season, and put out a call for new members to join an exciting year of events. 

It was a packed house on Monday 31st January as Riccardo Giraudi, Board Member of the Monaco Ambassador Club (MAC), welcomed around 50 members to his restaurant for the evening, including French Ambassador Laurent Stefanini.

It was the first opportunity of the year for members to come together and socialise, while hearing of the plans that the club has for the year ahead.

After two years heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the club was happy to announce that a number of events are on schedule to go ahead this year. They include the General Assembly at Mozza, an exclusive pre-launch to SBM’s new and upcoming Michelin star restaurants, the Goodwill Ambassador’s Award Gala, the Summer Party at La Vigie, Evening Cocktail at the Wine Palace, a MAC Variety Surprise entertainment evening, Thanksgiving at Michelangelo, and the Christmas Gala.

In announcing the social calendar, MAC President Christian Moore also highlighted the club’s mission.

“Emphasis will be placed on the Club’s mission to promote the Principality through support for health, the environment, the economy, business, art, culture, and trade,” he said. “Therefore, it will be an opportunity to express oneself more widely and benefit from a cooperative exchange. Your ideas for any action are welcome.”

The Monaco Ambassador’s Club was established in 1973 at the encouragement of Princess Grace and its Honorary President is the Sovereign, Prince Albert II. For nearly five decades, the club has brought together people who wish to actively promote the Principality of Monaco’s international reputation.

Those interested in joining the club can contact  info@mac.mc or visit the MAC website.