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Month: December 2024

Monaco named World Capital of Sport for 2025

by: Elsa Carpenter
23/12/2024

Monaco has been officially named the World Capital of Sport for 2025 by the Association of European Capitals and Cities of Sport (ACES) in recognition of the Principality’s dedication to supporting athletes and the practice of sport at all levels.

The announcement was made by ACES, a non-profit organisation that annually recognises cities and regions promoting sports and active living, during its Award Gala at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday 12th December.

The title is being passed to Monaco from Sofia, Bulgaria, which held the distinction of World Capital of Sport in 2024.

Monaco’s recognition stems from its proactive sports policy, led by Prince Albert II, who has long advocated for the role of sports in fostering peace, development, and well-being. Furthermore, the Monaco Government has been a strong supporter of sport at all levels, from promoting physical education in local schools to backing elite athletes and hosting major international sporting events, such as the final stage of the 2024 Tour de France.

The handover ceremony in Brussels was attended by Frédéric Labarrère, Ambassador of Monaco to Belgium, who accepted the symbolic ACES flag on behalf of the Principality.

During the event, ACES President and Founder Gian Francesco Lupattelli praised Monaco for its significant contributions to the global sports community, noting that the Principality’s efforts in promoting sports would inspire other cities and nations.

In a statement published by ACES, the organisation highlighted the key role played by Prince Albert II in Monaco’s nomination, noting, “His commitment to sports and well-being has played a pivotal role in Monaco’s recognition as a frontrunner in the global sports community. As the World Capital of Sport for 2025, Monaco is poised to host a series of events, competitions, and initiatives that will further promote the importance of sports in leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle.”

Read related:

Monaco in the running for ACES World Capital of Sport award 

 

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. 

 

L-R: Robert De Vita, President of ACES France; Gian Lupattelli, President and Founder of ACES; and Frédéric Labarrère, Ambassador of Monaco to Belgium. Photo via Monaco Communications Department

Young people of Monaco invited to join Council of Europe’s ‘Rejuvenating Politics’ programme

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/12/2024

The Mairie de Monaco is offering an exciting opportunity for young individuals aged 18 to 30 to take part in the Council of Europe’s Rejuvenating Politics programme. The initiative invites local youth to represent the Principality as delegates at the upcoming Congress of Local and Regional Authorities sessions in Strasbourg, scheduled for March and October 2025.

The programme aims to amplify the voices of Monegasque youth and residents of the Principality, encouraging their participation in shaping local governance and international discussions while providing ambitious changemakers with valuable experience in the political realm and equipping them with tools to influence change both locally and globally. 

It will see promising delegates collaborate with Monaco’s Municipal Council representatives on various policies and topics, and engage in debates that have the potential to help bridge generational divides and address critical societal issues. 

Participants will also develop local projects under the Congress’s guidance, fostering dialogue between youth and elected officials while demonstrating innovation and commitment to their communities. 

Applicants interested in joining the Rejuvenating Politics programme must: be aged 18 to 30; hold a passport from one of the 46 Council of Europe member states; reside in one of these states; demonstrate openness, motivation and a willingness to strengthen dialogue with officials; and be fluent in English. 

Applications, which must include a 30-second video explaining the applicant’s aspirations, must be submitted online by 31st December at 11.59pm. Further details are available on the Mairie’s website. Click here for more 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 source: Council of Europe, Facebook

Princess Charlene Foundation partners with Carlo app to empower local giving

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/12/2024

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has announced an innovative partnership with Carlo, Monaco’s popular payment app, enabling users to support charitable causes directly through the app. The collaboration aims to unite the local community in championing vital social initiatives.

Starting Friday 20th December, Carlo app users can contribute to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s work by making donations via the app.

According to a statement, the partnership aligns with the shared mission of fostering solidarity and advancing the Foundation’s key causes, including water safety education, promoting sports for all, and instilling values such as respect and community cohesion.

The collaboration was celebrated with an official agreement signing, where the Princess Charlene Foundation expressed its enthusiasm for the new venture. “We are delighted to collaborate with Carlo to offer everyone a new way to contribute to the Foundation’s missions. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of the children we support,” a spokesperson for the Foundation stated.

Carlo cofounder Armand Bahri echoed these sentiments, highlighting the app’s commitment to creating a culture of generosity. “Carlo has always sought to promote mutual aid and solidarity. This partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is an important step in encouraging acts of generosity through a simple and accessible tool,” he said.

Every donation, regardless of size, will contribute to the Foundation’s impactful projects both locally in Monaco and across the globe. By integrating philanthropy into everyday transactions, the partnership hopes to inspire the community to take collective action toward a brighter future.

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: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

Young artists shine in Monaco’s Christmas drawing contest

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/12/2024

The Condamine Market came alive on Thursday as children, parents, and grandparents gathered for the prize-giving ceremony of the 2nd annual Mon plus beau dessin au Père Noël contest. Organised by Monaco’s City Hall, the event celebrated the creative talents of children aged up to eight years.

The winners were announced by Axelle Amalberti Verdino, Deputy Mayor in charge of Animations and Leisure, joined by fellow Council members Marjorie Crovetto, Jacques Pastor, Jean-Marc Deoriti-Castellini, Karyn Salopek Ardisson, and Nathalie Vaccarezza. Apolline (three years), Pierre (four years), Victoire (six years), Clément (eight years), and Lilly (eight years) emerged as winners for their heartwarming and imaginative creations.

Additionally, a special ‘grandparents’ prize’ was awarded to Arthur (five years), chosen by beneficiaries of the Seniors’ Unit.

The winning drawings will soon be printed on placemats to be distributed at the Condamine Market’s gourmet hall, blending festive art with community celebration. Each winner also received a gift voucher in recognition of their efforts.

To honor all participants, the event concluded with a snack party, bringing children and families together in the joyous atmosphere of the market.

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: Mairie de Monaco

 

F1’s 2025 grid is now complete: who’s in and who’s out for next season

by: Elsa Carpenter
20/12/2024

The chats have been had, the deals have been done, and the final, coveted places on Formula 1’s 2025 grid have been taken. Here’s a guide to who’s in and who’s out for the upcoming season.

The 2025 Formula 1 grid is complete, following two major shuffles and replacements within the Red Bull family. All of the drivers for the next season, which will begin in Melbourne, Australia, in mid-March, have now been confirmed, with six drivers set to make their full-season debuts. For half of the rookies, the 2025 season will mark their first time racing in the F1 arena.

Red Bull

Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen will be joined next season not by Mexico’s Sergio Pérez, but by New Zealand’s Liam Lawson. The 22-year-old is said to have impressed Red Bull bosses during his time standing in at sister team VCARB during the 2024 season.

Pérez had signed a deal with Red Bull that should have seen him stay until 2026, but the Mexican and the team parted ways with immediate effect earlier this month.

Ferrari

Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, who famously won a historic victory on his home circuit at the Monaco Grand Prix this year, will be joined at Scuderia Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton. The British driver is a seven-time World Champion. It was revealed in a shock announcement back in 2023 that he would be replacing Leclerc’s longtime teammate, Carlos Sainz.

See more: F1: Lewis Hamilton will join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in 2025

McLaren

There will be no changes at McLaren for the 2025 season. Briton Lando Norris will continue to race alongside his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri. The duo helped the team surge through the rankings to claim the Constructors’ title in 2024 and will both stay on at McLaren for the foreseeable future, with both having signed long-term contracts.

Mercedes

George Russell will be joined by newcomer Kimi Antonelli for his fourth season with the Silver Arrows. Antonelli, an 18-year-old Italian racer, has no F1 starts to his name but has been a protege of Mercedes for some years now. He was signed by the team as a junior in 2018, during his karting days, and later skipped F3 entirely, going into F2 with PREMA under Mercedes’ wing.

Aston Martin

The lineup remains the same at Aston Martin for 2025: Spaniard Fernando Alonso is set to continue alongside Canadian Lance Stroll, the son of the team’s owner-investor, Lawrence Stroll.

VCARB

Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda will be entering his fifth season with Red Bull’s sister team in 2025. He will be joined by rookie Isack Hadjar, a 20-year-old French-Algerian racer, who came second in the 2024 Formula 2 season. Hadjar’s appointment was the final piece of the puzzle, with the news that he would be stepping up to F1 coming on 20th December, days after it was revealed that the seat had been vacated by Lawson.

Haas

It will be a new outfit for Haas next year. The team is welcoming Oliver Bearman, who drove in Carlos Sainz’s stead during the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix at the start of 2024. The drive made Bearman the youngest driver to ever make his debut in Formula 1 at the wheel of a Ferrari. He is a product of the Scuderia Ferrari Academy.

The British driver will be joined by Frenchman Esteban Ocon, who departed his former team, Alpine, after the Qatar Grand Prix.

The two drivers replace Nico Hulkenberg, who has gone to Kick Sauber, and Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen, who has retired.

Alpine

Fellow Frenchman Pierre Gasly will be staying on at Alpine for 2025. He will be joined by the team’s reserve driver, Jack Doohan. The Australian is the son of former 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan and has been part of the Alpine Academy since 2022.

See more: Monaco Grand Prix guaranteed to stay on F1 calendar until 2031

Williams

Britain’s Alex Albon will continue with Williams but with a new teammate in the form of Spanish Carlos Sainz, who left Ferrari at the end of 2024. Franco Colapinto, who spent part of the season racing for Williams, is without a seat for 2025.

Kick Sauber

Sauber ousted both of its 2024 drivers after a particularly poor season. Stepping into the shoes of the exiting Valtteri Bottas, who is joining Mercedes as a reserve driver in 2025, and Zhou Guanyu, the only Chinese driver in history to compete in Formula 1, will be Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg, coming from Haas, and newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto, the 20-year-old Brazilian who won the 2024 F2 series.

Read related:

F1: Podium finish in Abu Dhabi rounds out strong and consistent season for Monaco’s Charles Leclerc

 

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: F1 Media

A snapshot of Monaco’s students: More than 6,500 currently enrolled

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/12/2024

Monaco’s schools, both public and private, are thriving, with just over 6,500 students enrolled in the Principality for the 2024/25 academic year. This slight but notable increase from the previous year reinforces Monaco’s image as a prosperous place for families from around the world to settle.

Monaco’s education system has experienced a moderate rise in student numbers this academic year, according to the latest data from IMSEE, the agency responsible for statistical analysis in the Principality. The total student population for 2024/25 stands at 6,565, marking an increase of 22 students compared to the previous year.

The Principality operates 16 primary and secondary schools, with 10 of them being public institutions. Public schools currently accommodate 65% of the student body, totaling 4,227 children. Private schools under contract teach 21% of Monaco’s pupils, while private schools not under contract welcome the remaining 14%.

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

Four of Monaco’s primary schools account for 57% of all primary students, with François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré (FANB), a private Catholic school, and École St. Charles, a public school, leading the way. In secondary education, three schools host 75% of students: Collège Charles III, Lycée Albert 1er, and FANB. The split between primary and secondary level pupils is relatively equal, with these segments representing 46% and 54% of students, respectively.

Special education programmes cater to just 1% of the student population, equaling 84 pupils.

Demographic insights reveal a fairly balanced gender distribution, with boys making up 52% and girls making up 48% of the student body. In terms of nationality, French students form the largest group at 38% (2,528 pupils), while Monegasques account for 19% (1,320 children).

Just over two-thirds of the student body resides within the Principality, while a quarter come from neighbouring municipalities and 8% commute from towns and cities further afield in the Alpes-Maritimes region.

 

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: Element5 Digital, Unsplash