In this interview with Monaco Life, former Rotary Club of Monaco President Alain Dewe reflects on his diverse career, charity work, and active role in Monaco’s clubs, including the Monaco Ambassadors Club.
Monaco Resident Alain Dewe, a native of the picturesque Canton of Valais in Switzerland, has led a rich and diverse professional life. His career has been marked by a strong connection to Africa, with three distinct phases. He first served in high administration, then transitioned to the private sector, and finally, he advised several African leaders. In his most recent years, he has focused on business development in the French-speaking sector, further deepening his ties to the African continent.
Alain Dewe’s commitment to the Rotary Club is truly inspiring. Over half a century ago, he joined the Rotary and has been an active member ever since. His involvement has spanned across the globe, from the Clubs of Lome in Togo, Niamey in Niger, Chantilly, Noumea in New Caledonia, Abidjan, Neuilly, Crans-Montana, to the prestigious Rotary Club of Monaco, which he presided during 2022-2023.
Monaco Life’s Features Journalist Celina Lafuente de Lavotha spoke with Alain Dewe about his actions as President of the Rotary Club of the Principality, his impressions of the Principality, and why associations like the Monaco Ambassadors Club are integral to expat life.
Monaco Life: Could you share with us some of the crucial actions the Rotary Club took during your presidency?
Alain Dewe: In charity work, there are no big or small actions because, for those who are on the receiving end, they are all essential. However, I will mention those that had a more substantial impact and contributed to the notoriety and attractiveness of the Rotary Club of Monaco, part of the 35,000 interconnected clubs worldwide.
Why the need for notoriety? Because being known to potential benefactors is a source of funding of our actions. I became head of the Club at the dawn of its 86th anniversary, during 2022-2023. My first action consisted of making it operational again after Covid and adapt to the current societal developments under the theme ‘Let’s reimagine the Rotary Club of Monaco of tomorrow’. Two quotes guided me: “You don’t have to be a big country to have big dreams”: Prince Rainier III. And “Getting to the Moon, not because it’s easy, but because it’s difficult”:President John F. Kennedy.
Collectively, with the members, we redesigned the contours of the Club to be more communicative and dynamic. We aimed to become more attractive—a keyword in Monaco—and more active by effectively mobilising benefactors. The priority was to raise funds from generous donors and charitable institutions during galas and the traditional Monaco Rotary Golf Cup, which we entirely allocated to our caritative actions.
These, oriented towards youth, elders, culture, the environment, and health, including our critical role in emergency aid, are recounted in the 44 pages of the 2022-2023 Rotary Club of Monaco brochure. Among them, I will mention four for their original character, involving several actors: Purchase of equipment for ASM Rugby school students; A double action for seniors and research consisting of purchasing roses sold to the public by the Rotary Club of Menton, partly to the benefit of Neuro-Vascular Research Unit of the Nice University Hospital, and of offering them, in the Monaco colors to the Principality’s retirement home residents; Access to culture for all, a partnership with Theatre des Muses, to offer 170 free tickets to people who generally do not have access to the theater; Raising awareness among young people about the protection of cetaceans and biodiversity in the Pelagos sanctuary by co-financing with the Fondation FPA2, of realization of a film designed by children for children, contributing to cross-border day bringing together kids from San Remo, Nice and Monaco at the Nice nautical base.
As for emergency aid, I would recall the efforts to collect funds for earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the floods in Emilie-Romagne in Italy and, closer to Monaco, our interventions in the Roya Valley affected by storm Alex.
One of the most significant works during my presidency was the ‘Monaco Appeal’. This event, which saw the visit of Jennifer Jones, President of Rotary International, welcomed by HSH Prince Albert II, was a pivotal moment in the fight against poliomyelitis, launching a strong move towards its definitive eradication.
What do you consider the advantages of living in the Principality?
The role of security is essential in the Principality, allowing residents to enjoy the ‘Land of the Arts and the Art of Living without fear’. I congratulate the Monaco Public Security, and hope for their continued success in maintaining the safety of the community.
In addition to the advantageous taxation and the flourishing economy, I will happily list my Prévert-Style list, or endless inventory: location, openness to the world of today and tomorrow, artistic life, health facilities, the climate, club life, and their commitment to Monaco. Ultimately, these successful alliances of a village and F1 capital, while remaining a paradise for pedestrians, and the exciting fact of rubbing shoulders with this remarkable generation of Monegasques between 35 and 55 years-old.
Monaco combines all the elements of an exceptional living environment. However, I will temper them with a diffuse concern about the need to improve access conditions and intramural circulation to avoid affecting the quality of life for everyone now and in the future.
Could you please tell us about your interests?
Outside of my professional and philanthropic commitments, I have a range of interests and activities that I enjoy. It is curiosity/creativity, corporate spirit and interest in humans that still guide my steps. I have great pleasure in establishing human relationships, meeting interesting people and initiating discussions on various topical subjects to “move the lines”. This love for human interaction has led me to join several clubs in the Principality, including The Swiss Club and, more recently, the Monaco Ambassadors Club. I also make it a point to engage in indoor sports activities for an hour each day, play golf whenever I can, and follow rugby and F1 as a spectator.
I used to travel to remote places; nowadays, my travels are within Europe, especially the Mediterranean basin. Finally, I take advantage of the many events organised in the Principality, whether artistic, cultural, or sporting. I am also interested in societal evolution, at the extreme speed with which it impacts us, making less obvious what awaits us.
For example, I wonder about the future of the Principality, as a pole of attraction, compared to Dubai, Singapore and Miami.
You will allow me to express a regret, in the form of a call. That of not counting British residents in the Rotary Club of Monaco, where there are more than 10 nationalities. I invite them to join us and for that to consult our site https://www.rotary.mc
When and why did you join the Monaco Ambassadors Club (MAC)? What are your impressions?
I joined MAC at the beginning of this year. MAC’s reputation precedes it; the level of diversity of its members, its openness to the world, and history are attractive to me and confirmed by friends who were already members. The first contacts were excellent, plus the international and friendly atmosphere and the quality of exchanges are very positive. The Club is perfectly managed, and the first events I participated in met my expectations.
Does MAC’s mission resonate with you?
MAC’s commitment to bringing together personalities and supporting the economic development of the Principality and prestigious institutions already constitutes an attractive program. Furthermore, the President, Christian Moore’s, wish to focus on charitable works mainly speaks to me, as it would involve aiming for original actions adapted to the Club’s character and its members and aiming for excellence.
Given your experience at the helm of the Rotary Club of Monaco, do you have ideas or events to propose to MAC?
Yes, of course! We could consider awarding a ‘MAC Annual Prize’ to the person or entity that has successfully contributed to promoting art in Monaco or preserving the marine environment, for example.
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Main photo: Prince Albert II with Alain Déwé, Former President of the Rotary Club of Monaco, and Jennifer Jones, President of Rotary International. Source: Palais Princier de Monaco