Day: 23 November 2024

Through a new collaborative project backed by artists including the talented Mr OneTeas, schoolchildren in Monaco are using art to confront bullying.

On 21st November, Monaco Life attended a creative session at Lycée Albert Ier alongside the pupils who are raising awareness about the pain caused by bullying through a new and insightful campaign.

Organised by Women Leaders Worldwide Monaco (FLMM) in partnership with the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports, the initiative will unfold in the form of four workshops in November, during which middle and high school students will participate in art classes led by a number of renowned artists. Among those involved in the project are Beli, Mr OneTeas and Patrick Moya.

Supported by several FLMM members, the workshops are designed to provide a creative space where students can express their experiences and emotions related to bullying.

Ines Bensalah, a member of the Association des Jeunes Monaco and Youth Director of Women Leaders Worldwide Monaco, who spearheaded this initiative, shared with Monaco Life, “When I was younger, I experienced bullying so severe that I had to leave school. It was a turning point in my life because, without that experience, I don’t think I would have ever become an artist. In a way, it was destiny—I turned something painful into something positive. Now, I want to help other kids before they have to go through what I did.”

During the session, the third of the overall campaign, students collaborated on a collective mural, adding their individual contributions to a pre-existing artwork. The resulting piece is a visual representation of their shared stand against bullying, merging personal perspectives into a cohesive collective message. The session was led by Monaco’s well-known graffiti artist, Mr OneTeas.

“This initiative is incredibly meaningful because bullying is a significant issue in schools worldwide. It offers young people a way to express themselves and share feelings they might struggle to put into words. Art has the power to create real change,” Mr OneTeas told Monaco Life.

The broader project aims to compile the four murals created during these sessions into a collaborative art book titled Protège contre le harcèlement en milieu scolaire. The book, which will feature texts provided by the Pen Club to accompany the artwork, is scheduled for publication in April 2025.

One participating student told Monaco Life, “Seeing everyone’s work come together made me feel like I’m not alone.”

The next session will take place on Thursday 28th November at Lycée Rainier III.

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Photo credit: Chloé Jade Szibbat

The system for mandatory childhood medical examinations in France is changing from the start of 2025, marking a significant shift in how children’s health is monitored from birth to the age of 16.

Currently, children in France undergo 14 required medical examinations within their first three years of life. This will be reduced to 13 under new guidelines set out by the French government, which will come into effect on 1st January.

The examination to be excluded is typically conducted between the third week and the end of the first month of a newborn’s life. Instead, the early check-ups will focus on the first few weeks and months, with assessments taking place within the first eight days after birth, during the second week, and then monthly from the second to the fourth months. Health authorities believe this revised schedule will continue to provide sufficient coverage of critical developmental milestones.

In addition to the adjustments in early childhood, the new regulations introduce an extra examination for children during their seventh year. This brings the total number of check-ups between ages seven and 16 to four, compared to the current three.

These later assessments are designed to address the increasingly complex health needs of school-aged children and teens, focusing not just on physical health but also on mental well-being. Doctors will now screen for conditions such as anxiety and depression during these visits—a state-level recognition of the importance of mental health in a child’s overall development.

Each mandatory examination will provide a comprehensive evaluation of a child’s physical and psychological development and see healthcare professionals assess growth charts, psychomotor skills such as walking and grasping, and psycho-affective development, while also reviewing vaccination records to ensure they are up to date.

Parents and guardians play a crucial role in ensuring children attend these mandatory appointments. By law, they are required to present their child for these examinations, which can be conducted by the child’s regular doctor or another qualified physician of their choice. Importantly, these check-ups are fully reimbursed by health insurance, with no upfront payment required, except in cases where fees exceed standard rates.

These changes reflect a more targeted approach to children’s healthcare, balancing the need for close monitoring in infancy with increased attention to the later stages of childhood. By adapting the schedule, health authorities aim to provide a more effective framework for ensuring children’s health and well-being as they grow.

For more information on these changes, click here.

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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 credit: Daniel Thomas, Unsplash