10 incredibly talented individuals from around the world have been officially inducted into the Re.Generation Campus in Monaco after meeting with Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Palace.
On Monday 10th July, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2) formally introduced the 10 “talents” – from entrepreneurs and engineers to explorers and ecologists – who will make up the very first Re.Generation cohort.
Those selected include: Ghassan Atallah, an investment consultant from Lebanon; Jahawi Bertolli, a filmmaker and TV presenter for Nat Geo Explorer from Kenya; Sabrine Chennaoui, an eco-entrepreneur from Tunisia; Pedro David Fernandez, an agricultural engineer from Argentina; Victoria Herrmann, a storyteller and geographer from the United States of America; Gunjan Menon, a wildlife filmmaker from India; Imogen Napper, a marine scientist and Nat Geo explorer from the United Kingdom; Federico Perez, a social entrepreneur and environmental advocate from Colombia; Valy Phommachak, an ecologist and journalist from Laos; and Anne-Sophie Roux, an ocean entrepreneur and activist from France.
“We are thrilled to introduce the incredible individuals who are leading the charge towards a sustainable future within the RE.GENERATION Future Leaders Program,” said a FPA2 spokesperson. “These 10 exceptional talents embody passion and dedication to environmental conservation through storytelling, research, finance and working hand in hand with communities.”
The FPA2’s Re.Generation programme, which was unveiled two months ago, has been designed to help these remarkable young people develop their leadership skills and amplify their visibility and impact on a global stage. As such, those chosen and presented this week will now benefit from a one-year communications and media support package.
They were also given the opportunity to meet with Prince Albert, who has accepted to give his High Patronage to the Class of 2023, at the Palais Princier de Monaco.
To learn more about the programme and its incoming “students”, click here.
Efforts to locate Émile, the two-year-old child missing from the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence village of Vernet since Saturday, are becoming “more targeted”, according to the regional officials.
The search for Émile, the two-year-old toddler who went missing from his grandparents’ garden in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence hamlet of Haut-Vernet on Saturday at around 6pm, continues this week, though authorities are now taking a more focused approach.
The initial search began in a five-kilometre area around the site where he was last seen, aided by hundreds of volunteers who have scoured the vicinity for any clues as to where the boy may be. This has been in addition to police searches of homes and properties in the village.
“We were spaced two meters apart,” said one of the volunteers to Le Parisien.“We were in fields, then in wooded areas. We were looking for the slightest clue, a piece of clothing or a shoe that he could have lost.”
CONCENTRATED EFFORTS
The search area is rural and mountainous, with small streams running through it, but it is the high heat that is causing greater concern.
“After 48 hours, the child should have been found in this (five kilometre) perimetre,” said the prefect of the department, Marc Chappuis, in a press conference held in Vernet, the adjoining village just north of Digne-les-Bains, on Monday 10th July. “We do not stop the search, we do not lose hope.”
The search is continuing on Tuesday 11th July, but will be adapted to a system that is “more targeted and selective”, according to Chappuis, with the deployment of “specialised means in search of traces and clues” to the toddler’s potential location.
Additionally, from this Tuesday, the site will not be accessible to anyone from outside the town, and it appears that military personnel have been brought in to assist the emergency services in their search.
NO NEW INFORMATION
According to the public prosecutor of Digne-les-Bains, Rémy Avon, two individuals reported seeing the blonde-haired and brown-eyed child on a road in the village shortly after he is believed to have gone missing.
However, as of now, there are “nonew elements likely to explain the disappearance of little Émile” despite “numerous testimonies from witnesses”, Avon added.
As for the possibility of foul play, Avon has stated that “no element characterises a criminal offense likely to be at the origin of this disappearance”, although the official did add that nothing is being ruled out at this stage.
Over 500 further calls were received in response to a call from authorities for information on the whereabouts of the toddler last seen wearing a yellow shirt, white shorts and hiking boots, though the majority were to offer help, according to officials.
For now, all his anxious family can do is wait – and hope – that Émile is found soon, safe and sound.
Natives and friends of Switzerland came together last week to enjoy a lively concert in the Place du Palais, featuring performances by the Streichmusik Alder group and yodeller Martina Enderlin.
On Thursday 6th July, members and friends of the Club Suisse de Monaco met for at the CastelRoc restaurant facing the Prince’s Palace.
The highlight of the event was a performance by the Streichmusik Alder band, a prestigious musical group from the Canton of Appenzell that can trace its roots back to the Alder brothers in 1884. Over four generations, the band has continued to evolve and has become a much-loved group in Switzerland that is known for its traditional instrumentation of dulcimer, hand organ, violin and double bass.
“With every note, they transport the audience to the picturesque Swiss landscape and let the hearts of the listeners beat faster with their passionate performance,” said Club President Arik Röschke. “The traditional valley swinging as well as the swinging of the big cowbells also fascinated the audience.”
For this part of the live music, the talented yodeller Martina Enderlin stepped into the limelight.
“With her impressive vocal versatility and deep understanding of the yodelling tradition, she amazed the audience,” continued Röschke. “Her singing filled the garden at the Prince’s Palace with traditional Swiss sounds.”
Among the guests present for this fantastic event were the former presidents of the Club Suisse de Monaco: Roger Bollag, Henri-Claude Salzmann, Philippe Ragaz and Arlène Arquin.
For more information on the Club and its upcoming events, which are often open to non-members as well as members, please click here.
The next big engagement will be a Great Gatsby-themed gala night to honour the 50th anniversary of the Club Allemand International de Monaco, in the presence of Prince Albert II de Monaco, on Monday 17th July.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
Beach days in Nice just got better with the opening of the new Bocca Mar, a private beach bar and restaurant at the foot of the Palais de la Méditerranée.
The restaurant scene in Nice hits fever pitch in summer, when eateries throw open their doors and put up umbrellas for the thousands of visitors and locals keen to enjoy a bit of al fresco dining on the city’s streets.
But for something extra special, many hit the Promenade des Anglais in search of a top-quality beach restaurant to quench that thirst.
After a rooftop bar comes a beach spot
Following on from the success of Bocca Nissa, a rooftop bar in the Cours Saleya, Bocca Mar’s creators, Panorama Group, decided to branch out into beach dining.
With epic views onto the Baie des Anges, the Bocca Mar restaurant reflects its locale with a stylish coastal aesthetic of wicker and bamboo. The loungers set up on Nice’s famous stoney galets allow patrons to pass a day under the brilliant Niçois sun in full comfort.
In high season, live music and DJs will play tunes until late in the evening, making Bocca Mar a great place to stop off on your way back home after dinner in the old town – if you didn’t already eat here!
Mediterranean menu
Atmosphere is important, of course, but it’s the food that makes Bocca Mar special. Dishes are meant to be shared and range from tapas such as hummus with Iberian charcuterie and padrón peppers to more sophisticated choices like octopus or sea bass carpaccio and fritto misto.
Whole sea bass, Côte de Boeuf, lamb chops and an Angus beef steak also feature on the menu for those with bigger appetites, and vegetarian options, such as grilled aubergine and quinoa salad with greens, are available for the non-meat eaters in the crowd.
Desserts are no less tempting, with mousse au chocolate being a house favourite.
The summer fun park at Monaco’s Port Hercule will open on Friday 14th July and visitors will notice a few new additions this year.
Each year, the Monaco Mairie organises events and activities for all on Quai Albert Ier.
This year, the summer fun will run from Friday 14th July to Sunday 20th August, between the hours of 4:30pm and 10:30pm.
It will feature the popular carousel, ‘Crazy Kart’ karting, two basketball courts – one for adults and an inflatable court for children, a trampoline, and ‘duck fishing’ for the little ones. There will also be shaded areas for passers-by.
A new addition this year will be chalets bearing the ‘Monaco Historic Sites’ label and featuring items like biscuits, honey, jams, cider, nougat, and ceramics for sale. These will be open to the public from 6pm to 11pm.
Meanwhile, two fireworks evenings will be organised on Saturday 22nd July and 5th August at 10pm.
Access to ‘Summer at Port Hercule’ is free and open to all.
The Monaco Ambassadors Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a spectacular summer party last Thursday night, graced by Honorary President Prince Albert, club members and friends all enjoying a retro “50 years of sunshine” theme and a commitment to continue the values of the club.
The Monaco Ambassadors Club (MAC) Summer Party has become a renowned event in the prestigious club’s schedule, but this year’s party was particularly special.
Guests gathered on Thursday 6th July at the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel for a fun celebration of not only summer in Monaco, but of the MAC’s milestone 50th anniversary.
“As we reflect on the past five decades of the Monaco Ambassadors Club, we cannot help but marvel at the progress we have made as advocates for Monaco and for all its efforts and progress for sustainability, the environment, health, and sports,” said MAC President Christian Moore. “These four pillars form a big part of our club’s future contributions and today, we recognise the immense importance of these causes for a prosperous future.”
The evening,envisioned by MAC Secretary General Alessandra Sparaco and assisted by Club Manager Catherine Bernaz and Event Manager Manon Delpont, was punctuated by the Monegasque colours of red and white, including an abundance of red roses, as well as 50s-themed entertainers, a synchronised swimmimg show and live poolside music.
With the encouragement of Princess Grace of Monaco, the Monaco Ambassadors Club was formed in 1973 by founding members from over 40 countries to uphold and promote the Principality of Monaco throughout the world.
Today, under the Honorary Presidency of Prince Albert II, members continue to act as ambassadors of the Monegasque culture, and their own.
As main sponsor of the evening, La Milanesa gifted guests with a beautiful handbag for the ladies and a tote bag for the men. Founded by Cinzia Macchi, who was present at the party, La Milanesa is a Milan-based fashion brand that uses recycled natural fabrics to create unique bags that exude playfulness.
Alongside the fun and conviviality between friends, which included Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer President Stéphane Valeri, was a reminder of the real purpose of the Monaco Ambassadors Club, a vision emphasised by its honorary president Prince Albert.
“Two years ago at this party, Monseigneur made clear his intention that this Club be a leader for promoting a more sustainable life experience. Our members do not need another social club, nor do we deliver real value to our members by focusing on the social side solely. Because of who our members are, the social enjoyment we derive as members of the MAC is a lovely by-product of our activities,” said Christian Moore.
“To deliver real value, we need to adhere to our mission and to help serve as Force Multipliers, as Ambassadors for Monaco creating trade, investment, cultural exchanges etc., as we interact globally. From this point on with the opening of a club house space and collaboration with other clubs here in Monaco and globally, our mission will be more focused.”
Moore spoke about the club’s recent trip to Cyprus, made with Prince Albert, which included meetings with heads of state and other government and business leaders, as an example of the “highest and best use” of the Club, and said there are plans for similar trips in the future.
“Let this milestone not be just a celebration of the past, but a rallying call for the future,” said one of Monaco’s most well-known personalities. “As President of the Monaco Ambassadors Club, I commit to leading us into the next era with renewed determination and purpose. We will expand our sustainability efforts to meet the evolving challenges of our time, advocating for bold actions through policy influence, innovation and education. We will support the health and well-being of our fellow citizens, leaving no one behind and ensuring accessibility to quality healthcare for all. Additionally, we will strive to nurture sporting talents, fostering a culture of excellence that embodies the spirit of Monaco.”
Anyone wishing to join the Monaco Ambassadors Club can contact info@mac.mc.
Click on the gallery below to see more images of the MAC Summer 50th Anniversary party. Photos credit: Alena Borodina
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.