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Day: 18 October 2024

Mois Sans Tabac: Monaco to offer lung cancer screenings to over 50s

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/10/2024

In line with the Mois Sans Tabac this November, the Monegasque government is launching a potentially life-saving scheme that will offer free lung cancer screenings for heavy smokers over the age of 50 in the Principality.  

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, claiming 1.82 million lives in 2022. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and the second most common in women, with the vast majority of cases occurring among current and former smokers. 

In an effort to combat this disease, Monaco’s government is providing heavy smokers aged 50 and over the opportunity for screenings as part of its Mois Sans Tabac campaign this November. 

Highlighting the importance of early detection, Christophe Robino, Monaco’s Minister of Health, emphasised the stark statistics, stating in an interview with France3 Côte d’Azur, “On average, the probability of survival is 20% at five years when the tumour is detected in time; when it reaches Stage 4 (with metastases), survival rates plummet to less than 5%.” 

The initiative targets Monaco residents who are beneficiaries of the Principality’s social security system and have a smoking history of at least one pack per day for the past two decades or more. 

“We estimate that around 15,000 individuals could be eligible for this screening,” the Minister noted, “but not all will necessarily qualify, especially if they are occasional smokers.” 

Eligible individuals will be contacted by post and asked to provide a record of their smoking habits. Those identified as “heavy smokers” will then receive an invitation for an x-ray to detect any potential lung lesions or issues. If any irregularities are found, they will be referred to a specialist for further testing. 

In addition to screenings, participants will be encouraged to quit smoking. 

Monaco already implements measures to reduce smoking rates, such as prohibiting smoking in restaurants and other indoor areas. Future bans will extend to smoking in the presence of minors, as well as a potential complete ban on smoking on beaches and the sale of “puffs”, the flavoured e-cigarettes particularly popular among young people. 

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo source: National Cancer Institute, Unsplash

New ‘Scale of Violence’ tool launched in Monaco to measure violence

by: Niki Borisova
18/10/2024

Monaco has introduced new tools to help assess the level of violence within relationships. One is aimed at professionals working with affected individuals, while the other has been specifically designed for youth. 

Céline Cottalorda, the Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, introduced the initiative at a press conference on 17th October at the Direction de l’Action et de l’Aide Sociales.

It was developed by Monaco’s Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights in partnership with the Direction de l’Action et de l’Aide Sociales and the Direction de l’Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports.

The new tool, a violence scale created by Monegasque professionals, is a small booklet that aims to recognise and help prevent violence in various forms.

“No violence is justified, therefore we need to put in place measures that can identify violence,” said Cottalorda, adding that this scale builds upon similar barometers used in France but is explicitly tailored for Monaco, making it a unique resource for the Principality.

The tool is bilingual, available in French and English, and designed to be compact and easily portable. There are two versions: one for adults and one for youth. It measures three forms of violence—economic, physical, and psychological—and includes contact information for urgent assistance. The youth version replaces economic violence with cyber violence, and uses appropriate and tailored vocabulary. The scale features three levels: serenity, alert, and danger, each with corresponding descriptions.

See more: Monaco’s Committee for Women’s Rights reflects on a year of action and progress

“We wanted to think of a comprehensible and accessible method,” said Audrey Seren, Social Worker at the Direction de l’Action et de l’Aide Sociales.

The booklets will initially be available only to professionals who work closely with cases of violence, such as the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG), justice department, and the Association for the Assistance of Victims of Criminal Offences (AVIP).

EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE NATURE OF VIOLENCE

In addition to the general brochure, a version specifically tailored for young people has also been produced, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Social Services and the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports. This youth-focused version addresses forms of violence relevant to younger audiences, such as cyberviolence, and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. To distinguish it from the adult version, the design of the youth brochure features illustrations from the Blitz manga, which was created for the 25th November 2023 campaign to eliminate violence against women.

Starting in November, the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports will introduce this new tool during Monaco’s anti-bullying month. The leaflet will be distributed to students as early as middle school, and its introduction will be accompanied by educational activities within the Principality’s schools to facilitate its use and understanding.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo caption (from left to right): Audrey Seren – Social worker at DASO, Céline Cottalorda – Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, Marie Thouvenin-Rapaire – Director of Social Welfare and Social Services, Mylena Zamorano – Social worker at DASO – Child and Family Division, and Aurélie Montet – Head of Division at the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports. Credit: Stéphane Danna, Government Communications Department

How France plans to train the youth of today for the jobs of the future

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/10/2024

From energy and digital technologies to agriculture, health, space and mobility, the €34 billion France 2030 scheme from the government is shining a spotlight on the wide array of training opportunities and job paths available to young people looking to start their journey in building a career in a “future-proof” industry. Now in its third year, the scheme recently unveiled a new programme with over 48,000 training places and an increased focus on sustainability and decarbonisation. 

The job market of the future will likely look very different from that of today. New possibilities, roles and even entire industries are being created at lightning speed, and the French Government wants to ensure that the nation will be able to keep up with this changing environment.

The newest programme from France 2030, an ambitious national investment plan worth €34 billion, will see 160 training facilities around the country offer 48,800 talented and motivated young people the preparation they need to take on careers in fields that will be in high demand in the coming years.

Jobs of the future

The transition to renewable energies, for example, will open many doors to those who have the skills to help in France’s quest to decarbonise the economy. Students of sustainable agriculture will also find themselves in high demand as land and crop management become increasingly important in maintaining a level of output necessary to feed the population. Those interested in biomedical research and development will see a spike in demand, as will those attracted to jobs in industry, where engineers specialising in connected factories, cybersecurity or artificial intelligence will be essential in modernising and optimising production processes. Work in the space sector is expected to skyrocket too, as the race to explore the final frontier grows.

For more information about France 2030, click here.

Read related:

Innovation in the spotlight at Monaco Business event

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo source: This Is Engineering, Unsplash

International School of Monaco among Top 15 private schools in Europe

by: Niki Borisova
18/10/2024

The International School of Monaco has been ranked among the Top 15 private schools in Europe and the Top 150 globally in the 2024 Schools Index by Carfax Education, a well-respected education consultancy firm. 

According to Carfax Education’s 2024 Schools Index, the International School of Monaco (ISM) is one of the very best private schools on the continent, alongside the likes of Ermitage International School near Paris, ICS Milan International School, Vienna International School, the British School of Brussels and Lisbon’s St Julian’s School and St Peter’s International School. The International School of Nice also earned a place within the Top 15.

At a global level, the International School of Monaco is ranked among the Top 150 private schools.

Stuart Bryan, the director of ISM, has commented on the school’s achievements, saying, “We are thrilled to be once again recognised as one of the top schools in Europe and worldwide in the Schools Index by Carfax Education. This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone in our school community.”

Bryan also noted the inauguration of the ISM’s state-of-the-art new school building, which he believes will further enhance the learning environment for students in Monaco.

See more: Inside the new state-of-the-art International School of Monaco campus

The Carfax Schools Index, now in its fifth year, evaluates schools based on various criteria, such as academic performance, preparation for university entry and overall ethos. Schools are assessed for their focus on life beyond academia, considering areas such as technology and sustainability. According to Carfax Education, the rankings provide prospective parents and students with a comprehensive resource for comparing elite educational institutions worldwide.

“The Schools Index has become a valuable resource for parents looking for the best education for their child, wherever they are in the world,” says Fiona McKenzie, Head of Education at Carfax Education. “The demand for excellent schools grows and remains fiercely competitive as parents strive to ensure their child receives the strongest foundations to set them up for a lifetime of success.”

To explore the 2024 Schools Index in full, click here.

In the Instagram reel below, Monaco Life’s Editor-in-Chief, Cassandra Tanti, takes a look inside the new ISM premises in Testimonio II:

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo by Monaco Life