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Month: November 2024

Three visionaries in sustainability and conservation recognised at 2024 Planetary Health Awards

by: Niki Borisova
08/11/2024
Planetary Health Awards

Prince Albert II of Monaco has led the 2024 edition of the Planetary Health Awards, an annual event that honours pioneering individuals, companies and institutions for their efforts to safeguard the environment and promote conservation and environmental protections. This year’s laureates included Instituto Juma, Professor Lidia Morawska and NatureMetrics.

On Thursday, 7th November, Prince Albert II of Monaco took to the stage at the Salle Garnier to speak about the importance of collective action and cooperation in front of a truly international audience gathered for the 17th edition of the Planetary Health Awards.

The event itself is organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and was created as a platform to recognise, celebrate and champion the outstanding contributions of environmental activists, scientists, private companies, NGOs and non-profit organisations in the realms of conservation and environmental protection.

“That is the spirit of this Foundation,” said Prince Albert in his opening speech. “Since its creation in 2006, [the Foundation] has always been built upon the imperative of collective action. In times when the world is so divided, when it is so difficult to agree on basic values, this spirit is more than ever necessary. We therefore need to keep innovating and identifying both the dangers and opportunities.”

The Prince continued, “It is the responsibility of all of us to leave our children a planet in better health, one that is not condemned to destruction or injustice; to be aware of the dangers as well as our responsibility; to be both clear-eyed and determined.”

2024 Award Winners

The 2024 edition of the Planetary Health Awards honoured three distinct winners: the Instituto Juma of Brazil; Professor Lidia Morawska, a Polish-Australian physicist; and NatureMetrics, an environmental biotechnology company specialising in the use of DNA-based techniques.

Indigenous leader Juma Xipaia (second from left) with Professor Lidia Morawska (centre) and NatureMetrics’ Pippa Howard (second from right). Photo credit: Philippe Fitte / Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

The Instituto Juma is a non-profit organisation founded in October 2020 by indigenous leader Juma Xipaia. Focused on conserving the Juma Reserve and surrounding ecosystems through a combination of sustainable development practices, environmental education and scientific research, the institute works to protect biodiversity, promote carbon offset programmes and support local communities in adopting eco-friendly livelihoods to combat deforestation and climate change.

Speaking at the event, Xipaia said, “It takes courage to change the world that we need and that the future generation deserves… There are plenty of treaties and agreements about climate change, and we have enough of that. What is lacking now is transforming this knowledge into action. I believe it is important for us to assume and realise that it is our actions that are creating those changes and that it is through our actions that we can reverse that. I come from a land very far away, but we happen to be in the same sphere, on the same planet, in the same boat.”

Professor Lidia Morawska is a renowned scientist and expert in air quality and environmental health, best known for her pioneering research on the role of airborne particles in the spread of infectious diseases and her work advancing the understanding of indoor air pollution’s impact on public health.

Upon receiving the award, Professor Morawska said, “I have dedicated my life to the study of air and the impact of its quality on human health and the environment. The complexity and interdisciplinary nature of this field of science never ceases to fascinate me and inspire me to explore further. My dream is for my work to be one small pillar in keeping this planet habitable, with a clean and unpolluted atmosphere, and filling our indoor spaces with pollution-free air to help us thrive.”

The third winner, NatureMetrics, is a world leader in the provision of nature data and information. It was founded in 2014 by Dr. Kat Bruce, a biodiversity scientist.

Pippa Howard, NatureMetrics’ Chief Nature Strategist and the person who accepted the award on the company’s behalf, said, “I just came back from COP16 where reports were released that our planet is in crisis and biodiversity is in catastrophic decline. This impacts every one of us: our economies, our livelihoods, our health and our ability to be resilient in the face of a changing climate. It was reinforced to me just how vital it is – to the protection and restoration of our planet – that we need to communicate more simply the state of nature to help us make better decisions, to encourage the flow of action, capacity and financial resources to deliver on the goal of protecting and restoring our ecosystems. We all need to rally to action.”

In addition to the prestigious awards, the event spotlighted the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s commitment to supporting young scientists. A special segment of the evening saw Prince Albert present diplomas to students of the IPCC Scholarship Programme in recognition of their research on climate change and its impacts. The Prince’s eponymous foundation, along with the Cuomo Foundation and Moët Hennessy, is a key programme partner.

Prince Albert II of Monaco on stage with the students of the current IPCC Scholarship Programme. Photo credit: Philippe Fitte / Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Following the awards ceremony, a roundtable discussion with the evening’s winners provided insights into addressing global environmental challenges. The discussion showcased the potential of blending traditional knowledge with scientific innovation in the fight for better planetary health.

Read related:

Monaco’s Oceanographic Institute champions biodiversity credits at COP16

 

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 credit: Philippe Fitte / Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Monaco unveils culture.mc, a new one-stop website for events and exhibitions

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/11/2024

The Prince’s Government, with the assistance of Princess Caroline of Hanover, has revealed its latest endeavour to support and promote Monaco’s vibrant and diverse cultural scene: culture.mc, a new one-stop website featuring all the creative goings-on in the Principality.

The inauguration of the new online platform was held on 7th November in the presence of Julien Dejanovic, the director of Monaco’s Digital Services Department; Françoise Gamerdinger, Director of Cultural Affairs; Princess Caroline; Monaco’s Interior Minister, Lionel Beffre; and Interministerial Delegate for Attractiveness and Digital Transition, Frédéric Genta (seen left to right above). Each represented the success of the collaborative efforts and vision that brought the project to fruition.

The website was developed by the Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Interministerial Delegation for Digital Transition and has been designed to appeal to a wide-ranging audience.

From locals to tourists and teachers to students, the platform is positioned as a one-stop cultural guide to the Principality. On the site, visitors can access a centralised calendar, which will be regularly updated with all the latest shows, showcases and events, as well as buy tickets online and explore Monaco’s artistic community.

A special highlight is the “watch-listen” section, which features recorded performances, podcasts and cultural reports that will appeal to anyone looking to experience events remotely.

There are also dedicated spaces for young audiences and those interested in Monaco’s heritage, including conservation and promotional events.

To find out more about the latest happenings in the Principality and to see the new site in action, visit www.culture.mc.

Read related:

Countdown on to Monaco’s ‘Take Care of Wonder’ pavilion at Osaka Expo

 

 

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: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department

 

Adopt a plant: Mairie revives eco-friendly giveaway at Princess Antoinette Park

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/11/2024

More than 150 plants will be gifted to the public on Wednesday as part of the Mairie’s ongoing commitment against waste.

Since launching its eco-friendly plant recycling initiative in 2022, Monaco City Hall (Mairie) has helped give over 1,000 plants a second life by distributing seasonal greenery to residents, promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness in the Principality.

On Wednesday 13th November, this green initiative returns with a new session at Princess Antoinette Park, where around 150 plants will be offered to the public.

The event, scheduled for 12:30 pm outside the park’s birthday room, will welcome participants looking to adopt plants such as geraniums, sage, iris, begonias, coleus, phormiums, and canas. Gardeners will be on hand to share tips and advice on planting and maintenance, ensuring the plants flourish in their new homes while supporting Monaco’s commitment to reducing waste.

This annual plant-sharing event aligns with the Mairie’s broader environmental goals, aimed at minimising waste and fostering a circular economy.

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: Annie Spratt, Unsplash

France cracks down on influencers with new rules targeting social media “excesses”

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/11/2024

In a bid to curb the growing influence of social media personalities, the French government is tightening rules on influencers, their agents, advertisers and the platforms distributing their content. The new regulations aim to better protect the public from misleading promotions and boost transparency.

In June 2023, the French government passed Law No. 2023-45. The law set out a specific legal framework for influencers, their agents and other entities in the sector in an effort to regulate influencers’ commercial influence and combat abuses. It also required greater transparency from influencers regarding their advertising relationships and prohibited promotions of certain sensitive topics. This includes a ban on advertising alternative medicines, specific high-risk financial investments and some digital assets.

On 6th November 2024, Order No. 2024-978 was submitted to the Council of Ministers. According to a statement from the French Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (DILA), published on X, this update to the regulations seeks to further address the “excesses of influencers on social networks”.

The new ordinance expands on the original regulations by tightening restrictions on influencers based within the EU who engage with French audiences. Additionally, it plans to standardise how commercial intent is disclosed, aligning with the European directive against unfair commercial practices. Influencers will also be required to use clear and consistent terms such as “advertising” or “commercial collaboration” when promoting products or services online.

To read the new rules in full, click here.

Read related:

EU opens formal investigation into online retail giant Temu

 

 

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: Julio Lopez, Unsplash

Customers of major French banks warned of scam targeting online accounts

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/11/2024

Clients of Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, and Crédit Mutuel are being cautioned against a new phishing email scam that could compromise their personal and banking information. Here’s what it looks like. 

Customers of three major banks in France – Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, and Crédit Mutuel – are advised to be vigilant following reports of a phishing scam targeting their online accounts. Since early November, clients have been receiving fraudulent emails claiming to provide important account messages, luring recipients to click a link that mimics a legitimate bank login page.

The scam involves an email that suggests the recipient has received a new message in their banking portal. Once clicked, the link redirects to a page resembling the bank’s official login site, asking customers to enter sensitive information such as their account credentials, name, and address. After this step, a confirmation page appears, stating that a bank advisor will contact them soon, adding to the false sense of authenticity by linking to the bank’s real website. However, the damage is already done if the victim has entered their details, as scammers can then use this information to access bank accounts, authorise transactions, or withdraw funds without the account holder’s knowledge.

An example of the scam banking email, received by Monaco Life

How to stay safe from phishing scams

Banking customers are advised to take several precautionary steps to avoid falling victim to this scam. Firstly, they should be cautious of unsolicited emails, especially those that request sensitive information or prompt recipients to click on a link. In cases like these, always go directly to the official bank website by manually entering the URL into the browser instead of clicking any links provided.

Additionally, there are some tell-tale signs that the emails and websites associated with the scam are fraudulent. For instance, the fake website linked in the scam email displays a Spanish domain suffix ‘.es’ rather than France’s ‘.fr’. The scam emails also originate from a suspicious address containing the term “hotam-ovdim,” which is not associated with any legitimate French bank. Clients are encouraged to compare suspicious emails to previous genuine correspondence from their banks, paying close attention to sender information and language.

Victims of phishing scams are advised to report any suspicious emails to the French website Signal Spam and to contact their bank immediately if they believe their details have been compromised. Taking swift action to limit account access can help prevent potential losses and secure account information.

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: Stephen Phillips Hostreviews Co UK, Unsplash

 

Beausoleil’s annual Christmas concert combines classical and holiday music

by: Niki Borisova
07/11/2024

The annual Christmas concert at Espace Prince Jacques in Beausoleil will feature a mix of classical and international holiday music, with performances by renowned artists.

The annual Christmas concert, organised by The Golden Voices in partnership with MIMA Club Monaco, at Espace Prince Jacques in Beausoleil, will take place on Sunday 1st December at 4pm. This year’s concert will feature a mixed programme, combining classical music with international holiday favourites centred around Christmas.

The event will showcase a distinguished lineup of professional artists, beginning with Vanina Aronica, a renowned soprano known for her classic crossover style. Vanina, the creator of the Vanina & Friends concert series and founder of The Golden Voices Music Awards, began her career at the Opéra de Nice. She has since performed worldwide, including in Los Angeles and Cannes, and has become a producer, vocal coach, and recording artist.

Lorenzo Caltagirone, a lyric tenor and prizewinner of the Pavarotti Foundation, will also perform. Lorenzo studied at the Arrigo Boito Conservatory in Parma and is a member of the Opéra de Monte Carlo, where he performs in solo roles.

The concert will also feature José Pick, a versatile Belgian tenor and pianist who founded the Golden Pick Orchestra. José has worked with notable artists like Roberto Alagna and is known for producing musicals, operettas, and other shows.

Stéphane Ben, a tenor with a warm and powerful voice, will also perform. Stéphane, who won the Jury Prize at The Golden Voices Music Awards, is also a DJ and presenter. Rémi Colombat, a violinist, will also contribute his skills to the musical programme.

Following the concert, attendees are invited to a ‘verre de l’amitié’, a casual reception to celebrate the Christmas season together. The event is open to the public, and those interested are encouraged to confirm their attendance in advance.

For more information, click here: https://www.mimaclubmonaco.com.

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: David Beale, Unsplash