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Month: November 2024

Innovation in the service of disability: Monaco to host inaugural Handipact Day

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/11/2024

The Monaco Government is fulfilling its promise to address the challenges faced by people with reduced mobility living and working in the Principality by launching Handipact Day, an event aimed at championing innovation as a driving force for inclusivity.

On Tuesday 3rd December, Monaco’s Department of Social Affairs and Health, with the support of the government, will host the Principality’s first-ever Handipact Day.

The pioneering event coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Under the theme ‘Innovation in the Service of Disability’, it promises to be a day of discovery, collaboration and inspiration.

According to the United Nations (UN), more than 1.3 billion people worldwide live with “significant” disabilities—an astonishing one in six of the global population. Yet progress in improving the daily lives of this demographic has been slow, an issue the Monaco Government hopes to address on a local level through initiatives like Handipact Day.

Taking place at the Novotel Hotel from 10am to 4pm, the event will showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions designed to transform the lives of people with disabilities and reduced mobility. Many of these innovations will be unveiled in Monaco for the first time.

A standout feature of Handipact Day will be an expert roundtable discussion, bringing together influential disability ambassadors and pioneers in assistive technology. The goal is to ignite positive conversations about the role of innovation in breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity.

The event is designed to inspire action, uniting businesses, associations and advocates under one umbrella to generate and implement practical solutions that can enhance and improve the quality of life for those living with disabilities in Monaco and beyond.

Admission is free, and the venue is fully accessible to persons with reduced mobility. For more information about this landmark event, click here.

Read related:

ClicBus: Monaco launches on demand bus service for areas not served by regular routes

 

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: Rollz International, Unsplash

Unity and inclusion at the heart of the Peace and Sport Forum’s 2024 agenda

by: Niki Borisova
27/11/2024

The upcoming Peace and Sport International Forum in Monaco will explore how sport can drive unity, inclusion and peacebuilding efforts at both a local and international level by empowering individuals and promoting community values.

The 2024 Peace and Sport International Forum is set to take place at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, in the presence of numerous sporting personalities from around the world, on 2nd and 3rd December.

The event will focus on the role of sport in promoting peace during a year marked by global conflict and Olympic celebrations. Themed ‘Speak Your Peace’, the forum aims to address how sport can foster unity, empower marginalised groups and build stronger communities.

It will begin with a welcoming cocktail and President’s Dinner, hosted by the founder and president of Peace and Sport, as well as former French Olympian, Joël Bouzou, at the hotel on the evening of 2nd December.

The following day will feature a series of sessions and panels led by prominent figures in the fields of sport and international diplomacy, with discussions focusing on the use of sport as a tool to promote education, inclusion and equality.

Experts and athletes, including Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar, an Olympic gold medallist in high jump and Champion for Peace, Didier Drogba, the Vice President of Peace and Sport and a former professional footballer, and Masomah Ali Zada, a Refugee Olympic Team cyclist and Champion for Peace, will share their insights on sport’s potential to address societal challenges.

Other sporting names set to contribute include Canadian runner Charmaine Crooks, France’s taekwondo Olympic medallist Marlène Nidecker and England’s marathon runner Paula Radcliffe. The Tour de France’s director, Christian Prudhomme, will lead a session on the specific role of cycling.

One of the initiatives to be showcased during the forum is the newly announced four-year partnership between the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body for world cycling, and Peace and Sport. This collaboration aims to promote inclusion and peace through cycling. A pilot project in Rwanda, the host of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, will train coaches and provide cycling sessions to refugees, fostering unity and offering an accessible mode of transportation.

“This partnership reflects our shared belief in sport’s unique ability to bridge divides,” said Bouzou of the new initiative.

UCI President David Lappartient has described the project as “a significant step forward in ensuring global access to cycling and its values of unity, respect, inclusion, and diversity.”

The schedule also features sessions on investment in sport-for-peace programmes and the role of athletes in mentoring and leadership. Field projects from Togo, where football is being used to teach teamwork and conflict resolution to young people in disadvantaged areas, and India, where cricket programmes are helping young girls build confidence and challenge traditional gender roles, will be highlighted to demonstrate practical applications of these ideas.

Another highlight on the agenda is the Peace Walk, which will start at the Prince’s Palace at 6pm on 3rd December.

The event will conclude with the Peace and Sport Awards Ceremony at the Oceanographic Museum. The awards will recognise individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to peace-building efforts through sport.

Since its inception, the Peace and Sport International Forum has brought together over 5,000 delegates from 115 countries, establishing itself as a key platform for discussions on the role of sport in peacebuilding. This year’s event continues to build on that legacy, exploring how sport can help address global divisions and foster understanding across communities.

For the full programme, click here.

 

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: Peace and Sport Awards 2023

Vassilis Spanoulis confirmed as new Head Coach of AS Monaco Basket

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/11/2024

Vassilis Spanoulis, one of the most celebrated figures in European basketball, has been named Head Coach of AS Monaco Basket for the next two seasons, with a contract extension option for a third year. 

Following the news that Sasa Obradovic would be stepping down as Head Coach of the Roca Team, it has been confirmed that the former Greek basketball player-turned-coach Vassilis Spanoulis will now take on the leading role at the club. 

The announcement marks a significant step forward for the Monaco side as they aim to regain their momentum and solidify their position among Europe’s elite clubs. 

Spanoulis, a EuroLeague legend and current coach of the Greek national team, brings a wealth of experience to the Principality.

He joins after a successful stint with Peristeri Athens, where he achieved notable milestones in his debut seasons as a head coach.

Under his guidance, Peristeri reached the Greek National Cup final, secured third place in the Greek Championship, and advanced to the Basketball Champions League Final Four. These impressive achievements earned him the title of Coach of the Year. 

The appointment also follows an extraordinary playing career. Spanoulis, nicknamed “Kill Bill,” is a three-time EuroLeague champion and was a key figure in Greece’s 2005 European Championship victory. He has been named the EuroLeague Final Four’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times and was once the league’s overall MVP. Until recently, Spanoulis held the title of the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer—a record now held by Monaco’s Mike James, who he will now coach. 

Spanoulis also left his mark on the international stage as the Greek national team’s coach, leading his squad to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where they reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Germany. 

His arrival in Monaco is seen as a pivotal move to build on the club’s rapid ascent and position the Roca Team as serious contenders for the European Cup now and in seasons to come. 

Read related:

Vassilis Spanoulis linked to Head Coach role at AS Monaco Basket

 

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: Peristeri B.C.

 

Stasha Palos’ nature-inspired art takes root in Monaco

by: Niki Borisova
27/11/2024

Monaco’s G&M Design Gallery invites visitors to step into the world of Stasha Palos, where art becomes a celebration of resilience, hope and the beauty of nature. Her latest exhibition, Where’s My Stash?, offers a personal journey through vibrant paintings and evocative sculptures that captivate and inspire.

Located on Avenue Princesse Grace, G&M Design Gallery is currently hosting Where’s My Stash?, an exhibition featuring the varied works of British artist Stasha Palos. The exhibition, which began with an opening cocktail on 15th November, is scheduled to run until the end of December, with a possible extension through to the end of January.

Palos was born in Johannesburg in 1972 and relocated to London with her family at the age of seven. She is the daughter of Greek-South African jazz drummer-turned-retailer Robert Palos and Tina Green, a Monaco resident renowned for her work in interior yacht design.

At 47, Palos has established herself as both a painter and a sculptor, with previous exhibitions at London’s Saatchi Gallery.

The Where’s My Stash? exhibition spotlights her affinity for traditional English subjects, including birds, gardens, and flowers. Her art is apolitical, focusing on capturing the beauty of the natural world. The bird paintings, in particular, hold deep personal significance for the artist, as they were created during a period of depression. Palos views these small birds as symbols of hope and strength, representing the possibility of finding light in dark times. Only two bird paintings from the collection remain available at G&M Design Gallery; the others have already been sold.

In addition to her paintings, Palos has ventured into sculpture. This Monaco exhibition features pieces such as Reader, a limited-edition bronze sculpture depicting a figure engrossed in reading, with the content deliberately obscured to suggest that individuals should choose their own reading material. Another piece, Peace and Love, is a bronze sculpture designed for both indoor and outdoor display.

For more information about the exhibition and G&M Design Gallery, click here.

To see more photographs of the collection in situ at the gallery, click on the images below:

Read related:

Portraits of Princess Charlene among highlights of Moretti Fine Art’s ‘She Said Yes’ exhibit

 

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. 

 

Photos supplied

Prominent Monaco figures come together to speak out against violence towards women

by: Niki Borisova
26/11/2024

Leading voices from the Monaco Government and civil society have united to address the critical issue of violence against women, reaffirming the Principality’s commitment to supporting victims and raising awareness of abuse in all its forms. 

In recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, held worldwide on 25th November, Monaco’s Minister of State, Didier Guillaume, brought together key figures from local government, administrative services, and civil society to discuss ongoing efforts to support victims and combat violence against women.

“Women, who are the primary victims of domestic violence, deserve to have their voices heard, listened to, and valued,” he said. “When we look at the situation globally, it’s clear this is a planetary struggle; no country is immune, and Monaco is not in a bubble.”

According to the latest publicly available data, 49 incidents of violence were reported in Monaco during the first 10 months of 2024. In comparison, 46 cases were recorded during the same period in 2023.

Minister of the Interior Lionel Beffre suggested that the rise in numbers reflects women’s growing empowerment. “These numbers reflect an increase in reporting, showing that women are more willing to come forward,” he explained.

Monaco’s efforts to tackle this issue intensified after ratifying the Istanbul Convention in 2014, a Council of Europe treaty aimed at preventing violence against women. Since then, several laws have been introduced, including recent legislation ensuring compensation for victims of sexual offences and crimes against children. The Mairie de Monaco has also appointed a team of specialist harassment officers to bolster efforts to better support victims of abuse and violence.

Meanwhile, Christophe Robino, Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, stressed that the issue goes beyond statistics.

“It’s not just about numbers; it’s a matter of principle,” he said. “Even a few cases are always too many.”

Minister of State Guillaume also expressed gratitude to the professionals and volunteers involved in this year’s campaign, which aimed to spotlight often overlooked forms of violence, such as economic violence, violence in sports, and violence against women with disabilities, under the theme of ‘invisible violence.’

See more: From shadows to light: Monaco’s Women’s Rights Committee launches new campaign to end violence against women

“Invisible violence is even harder to combat. We are not addressing this issue simply because it is the 25th of November. We do it because we are deeply committed,” concluded Guillaume.

Read related:

Unseen and unheard: Women’s Rights Committee hones in on hidden forms of abuse

 

 

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: Stephane Danna / Monaco Communications Department

Monaco delegation highlights progress and challenges at COP29

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/11/2024

The COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, concluded with a landmark $300 billion annual finance deal to support emissions reduction and climate adaptation in developing nations by 2035. While hailed as a step forward, the deal faced criticism from developing countries as insufficient to address the scale of the climate crisis.

The tense negotiations, which nearly collapsed at several points, also saw new agreements on carbon credit markets and procedural reforms, emphasizing the conference’s role as the ‘finance COP’.

Monaco’s delegation, led by Céline Caron-Dagioni, actively contributed to the negotiations. Representing the Direction de l’Environnement and the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, the team engaged in critical discussions on carbon cooperation mechanisms under the Paris Agreement. A significant exchange took place with Mexican officials Enrique Javier Ochoa Martínez and José Luis Samaniego Leyva, focusing on emissions reduction strategies and opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Monaco expressed its interest in developing carbon offset initiatives with Mexico, aligning with shared climate goals.

Caron-Dagioni also participated in a Francophone women negotiators’ event hosted by the Institut de la Francophonie pour le Développement Durable (IFDD), a long-time partner of Monaco. Additionally, she spoke at a ministerial roundtable on urban planning and climate change, highlighting Monaco’s policies to decarbonise energy consumption in buildings and improve energy efficiency.

The negotiations in Baku were far from smooth. Wealthy nations initially proposed $250 billion annually, a figure dismissed by developing countries as insufficient. Intense back-and-forth negotiations ultimately led to the revised $300 billion agreement, but the demand for $500 billion from the G77+China bloc underscored the gap between expectations and outcomes. The emotional peak of the talks came with a walkout by small island states and least developed countries, who later returned to the table as negotiations stretched late into the night.

COP29 also addressed controversial carbon credit markets, with new rules adopted despite ongoing debates. As negotiations wrapped up, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev urged delegates to stay engaged, stressing that the world’s attention was fixed on the conference.

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: Government Communications Department