The Monaco Red Cross and some private individuals are still putting out calls for urgently needed supplies to be sent to the refugees of Ukraine. Here’s how you can help and what is needed now.
As the conflict in Ukraine drags out and intensifies, more and more people, 1.5 million so far, are being forced to flee their homes. A large number of those crossing borders into Poland, which is currently hosting the lion’s share, as well as Hungary, Slovakia and other points across Europe, are women and children. Some travel by car, bus or train, others have been forced to walk. It is truly a dire situation, made worse by cold winter temperatures.
There are ways to help those in this trying time get food, clothing and other essentials through organised efforts made here in the Principality.
As ever, the Monaco Red Cross is on the case, and has raised €250,000, including an €80,000 donation made by the organisation itself. The funds raised have been given to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) to be allocated. The ICRC has been given €150,000 toward emergency relief and the remaining €100,000 went to the IFRC to help refugees.
Additionally, the Monaco Red ross has offered shelter to four families in the Principality who were able to flee the fighting.
In addition to the efforts made by the Red Cross, four residents, Gabriella Vogogna, Marcella Kern, and Ian and Ewa Petts, have already sent a truckload of supplies to refugees and are filling up a second.
They are asking for things such as winter clothing, shoes, pillows, blankets, food, toiletries, medicine and anything that may be useful or practical to be brought to the Millefiori building on Rue des Genêts and left with the concierge. The 20m3 truck will depart on 14th March.
The items will be sent to the Polish city of Stalowa Wola where local counsellor Renata Butrym will receive them and distribute them to the refugees. Ms Butrym works for Polish MP Marek Rzasa, who greets the people streaming across the border into the city of Przemsyl.
Much of what is collected will go to those who have made it into Poland, but some will find its way back in Ukraine, where food and medical items are in short supply.
Meanwhile, the Pharmacie de Soleil on Boulevard de la République in Beausoleil is collecting money donations which they will then transfer to medical supplies to be transported to Ukraine.
People are also encouraged to donate mattresses if possible. They can be collected by phoning Zhanna on 0640619755.
Saint Paul’s Church on Avenue Grand Bretagne is still collecting items between the hours of 10am and 4pm ahead of a Friday departure and is asking specifically for baby items such as bottles, formula and nappies.
Photo of the first collection of goods sent to Poland, organised by Gabriella Vogogna, Marcella Kern, and Ian and Ewa Petts
Lions Club gala returns with auction of sculptures
The works of local artist Marcos Marin, including sculptures of Josephine Baker, Princess Grace, Audrey Hepburn and Frank Sinatra, will be auctioned at the Lions Club gala in April, the funds contributing to the group’s humanitarian work.
It was announced in a press conference on Monday that the Brazilian artist, who is known for his optical works, will be auctioning off four of his sculptures in order to raise funds for the Lions Club.
The Lions Club is a humanitarian group that is engaged in helping deprived people both in the local region and globally. The club, which consists of 38 members, is this year celebrating its 60th year, having been founded in 1961.
After last year’s postponement due to pandemic restrictions, the gala will return to its usual slot this year on 2nd April and will take place under the patronage of Prince Albert II.
Although the gala, which is important for raising funds for the club’s humanitarian activities, was postponed last year, it didn’t prevent them from doing work on the ground. Notably, they raised funds to donate a dump-truck to the local town of Tende after they were devastated by the storm.
In the aftermath of the explosion that shook the Lebanese capital of Beirut, they also donated digital tablets to school children for them to continue their studies.
While the gala at the Salle Belle Epoque in the Hermitage Hotel in Monte-Carlo is almost sold out, it is still possible for the public to participate in the auctioning of Marin’s works over phone.
People will also be able to see the Aston Martin DB11 from James Bond that will be on display, as well as all of Marin’s works that are up for auction.
How do I talk to my children about the war in Ukraine?
After years of disruption and fear brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, war has now broken out in Ukraine and is making the news all day, every day. For most kids, this will be their first experience with war and the media surrounding it. Clinical psychologist and children’s author Dr. Regine Muradian has this advice for parents.
Monaco Life: How much should we be telling our kids about the war?
Dr. Regine Muradian: Kids nowadays have access to so much information, so they probably know more than we think. Even if they are not bringing up the topic, they most surely have heard it at school or from a teacher. Asking them directly what they have heard, or how they feel is a good way to broach the conversation. As a parent or caregiver, you want to first see how much they are already aware of and then take it from there.
Is it ok to feel that they need to be protected/shielded from it?
Kids need to feel safe and that’s where we come in as parents, reassuring them that we are here. We can’t completely shield them from the information as most likely they will hear about it. I would recommend avoiding having the news on in the home when kids are around as the images can be very traumatic.
The conversations we have with children under five will obviously be different than the ones we have with school age kids or adolescents. How do we tackle this?
Kids under five may certainly have questions but may not know how to express them. Sitting down with your child and using drawings as a way for them to express their emotions and feelings can be very helpful. Children are smart and can pick up on our energy, tone, and mood. Talking openly and ensuring they feel their questions have been answered is an important role modeling opportunity. For school age children and teens, they can look up the information and see a lot of content. As a parent, listening and validating their feelings is a good way to help them express their emotions and answer their questions. Allowing a safe talking space can help them and decrease any insecurities or fears they may be experiencing.
What kind of things should we be asking them?
Most likely your child by now has heard of what is occurring or they are noticing donation stations. This may elicit a lot of questions such as “What is that for?”, “What is happening in that country?”, “Will it happen here?”, and “Are we safe?”. Being honest as a parent and reassuring them that they are safe, and you are there as a parent, is the most helpful.
What do we say when we don’t know the answer?
As a parent, we don’t always have all the answers and it is okay to say you don’t know or are not sure about something.
Do you think this will add to the kids/teenager’s feelings of vulnerability, considering everything that has happened these past two years? And how can we help them overcome that?
Certainly, these past two years have been challenging, it was a time of uncertainty, and to now have a war breakout keeps the cycle of fear. As a parent, don’t wait to bring up the topic as most likely they have already seen or heard it from social media platforms and at school from friends. You can help them overcome feelings of vulnerability by starting the conversation and talking through their insecurities and fears. You can ask questions such as, “How are you feeling? Are you scared?”. Make sure that you are monitoring their sleep. Are they sleeping more or less than they used to? How are they eating? Have you noticed any changes in their eating patterns?
What other signs of concern should we be looking for in their behavior that could signal they are having trouble with grappling the issue?
In addition to keeping an eye on their eating and sleeping habits, some signs to look out for are stomachaches, feelings of tension, refusing to go to school, feeling withdrawn and not doing activities they used to enjoy.
How important is it to use age-appropriate language and depth for topics such as this, and why?
With the younger ones, communicating via drawings and pictures can be a good way to have them express their feelings. For the older ones, using open-ended questions can help them express their emotions around any topic in general.
Should we be watching or talking about the war in front of certain age groups of kids?
Refraining from watching the news in front of our kids is best as kids are constantly watching our behaviors. If we are feeling scared or anxious, they will as well. This doesn’t mean you should refrain from expressing emotion as an adult, but be mindful that kids tend to emulate parent behaviors. We can express how we feel in a healthy way such as saying, “Yes, it is scary what is happening but we are safe and we are here to support eachother”. We can practice compassion, kindness, and helping in our own way, encouraging them to write a letter or donate a toy, however one can help.
Dr. Regine Muradian, a former Monaco resident and regular visitor to the Principality, is a licensed clinical psychologist, children’s author, speaker, consultant and mental health advocate. In her clinical practice, Dr. Muradian works with children, adolescents, and adults who present with a wide range of emotional stressors. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are her own, and not necessarily those of Monaco Life.
Monaco voices solidarity with Ukraine at special UN meeting
Monaco’s Permanent Representative for Monaco to the United Nations spoke out at an emergency session held by the Security Council, condemning the aggressive acts of the Russians on Ukrainian soil, as per the sentiment of the Monegasque government.
As the fighting enters its second week in Ukraine, the world is reacting in shock and horror, and countries are banding together to call out the Russian president for his deplorable acts of violence against a sovereign nation.
In a special emergency session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York City and convened by the UN Security Council, member states adopted a resolution, called ‘Aggression against Ukraine’. The document strongly protests the current situation and “deplores in the strongest terms the aggression committed by the Russian Federation against Ukraine” and thus “demands that the Russian Federation immediately cease using force against Ukraine”.
The resolution was adopted overwhelmingly by those present, with 141 in accord. Only five voted against.
The meeting was held 28th February to 2nd March and was the first such emergency session to be held in four decades on a matter concerning international security and peace.
Monaco’s Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations Isabelle Picco was present at the meeting, and following the doctrines set out by the Principality, stated Monaco’s respect for international law and the UN Charter, as well as underlining the need to settle the dispute by peaceful means.
She went on to say that she “regretted” the violation of the Olympic truce by the Russians and expressed her sadness over the repercussions inflicted on the civilian population as a result of Russia’s actions.
In addition to the Security Council meeting, there was also a debate held on 3rd and 4th of March by the UN Human Rights Council which ended in another resolution, co-sponsored by Monaco, being drafted and approved. The goal of this resolution is to set up an International Commission of Inquiry into the Ukrainian situation. It will be responsible for conducting investigations, collecting and safeguarding testimonies and evidence of human rights violations by witnesses.
Carole Lanteri, Monaco’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, called on all parties involved in the conflict to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.
In practice, this means the protection of civilian populations and infrastructure, schools and hospitals, notably. On behalf of the Principality, she urged the two sides to resume dialogue to find a peaceful end to the conflict.
So far, this seems to have fallen on deaf ears, as the weekend’s fighting took a vicious turn, with scenes of patients being escorted from hospitals to safer havens, including children with cancer in dire need of continuous treatment and orphans, many with disabilities, being forced to flee.
Photo of the UN Security Council by Johannes EISELE / AFP
The next phase of preparatoryworks for the Monaco Grand Prix are underway with infrastructure installations at the port.
Once again this year, the Monaco e-Prix, the Monaco Historic Grand Prix and the Monaco F1 Grand Prix will take place back to back from 30th April until 29th May, so works have begun in earnest.
After preparing and resurfacing the roads for the street circuit, installations have now begun in the port area and will continue in the Monte-Carlo district on 20th March.
The usual minor traffic disruptions and parking bans are expected, while the MonaBike station at Place Sainte-Dévote will be moved to Promenade Honoré II from 21st March, and that of the Parking des Pécheurs will be closed temporarily from 21st May. The relocation of the Place d’Armes station near the Rond-Point du Canton is scheduled for the same period in May.
Users of Public Car Parks as well as those of the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) and Azur lines will be kept informed of the measures introduced at each phase of the works.
Photo: Direction de la Communication-Michael Alesi
As we mark International Women’s Day on 8th March, I am reminded that men have a crucial role to play in creating a gender equal world. I am one of them. I want to speak up and I hope it will encourage other men to do the same.
My leadership failure
The irony is not lost on me that one of the simplest contributions that men can make in advancing women’s rights can also be one of the hardest for us. Listening.
When I ran my own company several years ago, I didn’t understand gender equality. I didn’t see it as a social and economic imperative. I misunderstood it as a single issue to promote women in the workplace (certainly important). In hindsight, it would have been more beneficial to ask my female colleagues how we could have improved as a company. They might have felt more seen and heard and I might have understood them better. That was a failure in my leadership.
Several years later, as a male therapist, I endeavour to do better. As a man, I like to speak. As a therapist I try to listen. As a male therapist, I try to find the balance. When I did start paying attention to my female clients, what I saw shocked me and was the beginning of my education about power and control and its role in gender.
Abuse on the Riviera
When I opened my practice in the French Riviera, I was surprised by the amount of financial abuse I witnessed at the expense of women in the expat community. When money is used to control and limit someone else’s actions, it is a form of abuse. I observed men who had discouraged their wives from taking jobs or becoming financially independent. In cases like this, the goal is always to gain power and control in a relationship. I was surprised at how many women did not have their own bank accounts or financial independence. Unfortunately, where there is financial abuse, there is often domestic abuse.
Through my couples work, I also observed a fair amount of financial infidelity. It was not a sexual betrayal that led some couples to the therapy door but the discovery by the female partner their male partner had hidden debts and had secret bank accounts.
When I listened to some of my female clients, they explained to me that they lived in fear of losing their children. They didn’t need me to help them identify their limited options, they needed a therapist to help them make sense of them and process the injustice. The more I listened, the more I understood why some women stay in unhappy relationships.
My role as therapist is not to make personal judgments. But when I see men order women to look different or be different, I name it for what it is – emotional abuse through invalidation. Over the years, too many women here in the Riviera have told me they intended to have cosmetic surgery, not for themselves per se, but at the wish of their male partners. Don’t look this way. Don’t talk this way. Don’t be so sensitive. You shouldn’t feel this way. You used to be thinner. These are all examples of unacceptable behaviours used to devalue and undermine women.
Gavin Sharpe
Not all men are the same
Before readers say bah humbug to me, I acknowledge not all of us men abuse our privilege.
Many of my male clients do not fit this mould and their commitment to inclusivity is unquestionable, such as my client who chose to leave his company because he could not tolerate his company’s continued sexist behaviour.
I refer also to the men who attend my weekly online men’s group, EQ/IQ. Together we are undertaking a journey of self-discovery and that includes challenging our preconceived notions about masculinity and femininity. There’s no “bro code”. We want to do better and be better. We’ve stripped ourselves of everything but our vulnerabilities.
It’s about the oxytocin
Given 8th March is also a day to acknowledge women and their achievements, let me close by recognising the women in my women’s group, Connected. I am still trying to figure out the true power of this group. Until we came together online, these women were total strangers to each other. I was the only common bond.
These women inspire each other to stand taller, be stronger and to believe in themselves. No apologies for the cliché, it is empowering. (I found out by accident that they were meeting privately and supporting each other in between group sessions).
Some weeks, I want to lead the group on feelings yet they bond through shared intellectual thinking. Then there are the weeks when I want to lead on intellect and they connect through their collective empathy. Inevitably there are those weeks when I want to connect through empathy and they connect through their female spontaneity and playfulness. As you can tell, I’m still learning. It’s an educational experience I cherish.
According to researchers, the release of oxytocin, a hormone secreted by both men and women in response to stress, is essential for women to bond. It facilitates women to take care of their children and meet with other women. Perhaps I should rename my group, Oxytocin. It’s a powerful hormone.
The future
It’s hard not to be slightly cynical about the future in terms of gender equality. As I understand it, the laws here seem to have a long way to go to be free of discrimination.
We’ve become acutely aware of the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on women. As if that wasn’t enough, we’re watching women and children fleeing Ukraine and it’s hard not to be fearful for their futures.
I hope never again to see a photograph of a group of male politicians sat around a boardroom table discussing maternity services and abortion reform without any women present.
But there is hope. Through days such as International Women’s Day, individuals and organisations are smashing stereotypes and breaking the bias.
#BreakTheBias is the theme for International Women’s Day 2022. As a man, I will do my best to keep listening.
In the spirit of this day, I hope to have raised awareness of the biases I have seen and with the hope we can move closer to a more even world.
In the words of the movement, “Together we can forge women’s equality.”
Gavin Sharpe is a U.K. qualified psychotherapist and a Monaco resident. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and not necessarily those of Monaco Life. He can be reached at www.rivierawellbeing.com.
Photo by Semyon Borisov on Unsplash
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