Prince Albert supports Soroptimist fundraising gala
The Soroptimist International Club of Monaco, presided by Dr. Françoise Ragazzoni, celebrated its 40th anniversary on Friday, November 30, 2018 at the Hermitage Hotel, under the High Patronage and in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Stephane Valeri and Didier Gamerdinger, with a gala where Euro 195,000 were raised to benefit pediatric cancer research.
Illustrious professors David Khayat and Pascal Pujol were among the distinguished guests. Professor Pujol, Head of the Oncogenetic Service at CHU in Montpellier, is the leader of the research project Aladin, in association with teams from CHU Nice and the Public Assistance of Hospitals in Paris. Its main objective is to identify new generic determinants of cancer in children.
(Photo: Prof. Pascal Pujol, Dr. Francoise Ragazzoni, HSH Prince Albert II and Prof. David Khayat © Axel Bastello, Palais Princier)
This genetic procedure using the most modern tools coupled with an exhaustive analysis of the genome of the tumor, it is in fact an original project that will lead to notable advances in the determination and therapeutic care of malignancies in children. This study of a cost of Euro 190,000 will be entirely financed by the International Soroptimist Club of Monaco.
Understand, Defend and Engage
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that economically empowers women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. The name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. And so Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as “the best for women”.
The Soroptimist International(SI) was created by Violet Richardson in 1921 in Oakland, California, USA, and today counts with an international network of 76,000 women in 123 countries gathered in 3,000 clubs, all defending the rights of women and girls. Each year SI raises more than 7 million dollars and implements more than 4,000 projects to assist a million women and girls around the world. Their motto is: Understand, Defend and Engage.
In 1924, Suzanne Noel founded the SI Club of Paris, the first in Europe. In 1946 the Soroptimist organized a reception for the delegates to the UN Conferences, including Eleanor Roosevelt, and in 1948, the SI obtained the consultative status from UNESCO. The SI also received the consultative status from ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Board) in 1950, and from UNICEF in 1966.
Soroptimist International comprises four federations worldwide:
- Soroptimist International of the Americas – Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland – Headquartered in Cheshire, England
- Soroptimist International of Europe – Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland
- Soroptimist International of South West Pacific – Headquartered in Sydney, Australia
Soroptimist Monaco – Empowering women & girls to live their dreams
The Soroptimist International Club of Monaco, created on November 4, 1978 by France Delarue Ballet under the patronage of HSH Princess Antoinette de Monaco, is made of professionally active women who work together at the local, national and international level to educate and enable the autonomy of women and girls to allow them to reach their potential and improve their lives.
Since its creation Soroptimist Monaco, supports young people taking their first steps in careers in culture and the arts, the Soroptimist Club of Monaco has set up a number of scholarships, that run for a two-year period and are awarded to promising students at three of the Principality’s schools.
The Princess Grace Academy, with its close links to the world-famous Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo, seeks to produce the danseurs étoiles of tomorrow. In addition to developing technical excellence, the school also understands the importance of producing graduates with well-rounded personalities – performers with the confidence to navigate unexpected situations and to take charge of their own careers.
At the Ecole Supérieure d’Arts de la Ville de Monaco, also known as the Pavillion Bosio, students can study a wide range of subjects up to master’s level. They also benefit from the school’s links to an extensive network of art schools, museums, dance and theatre companies.
Monaco’s conservatoire, the Académie Rainier IIIteaches music and drama to 5-27 year-olds. The school was founded in 1922, but has recently moved into new premises with high quality rehearsal rooms and cutting-edge audio recording equipment.
To thank the donors whose generosity makes the program possible, they are invited to a gala evening where the scholarships are awarded where entertainment is provided by students from the three above-mentioned institutions.
Soroptimist Monaco has invested in the following concrete actions:
- Creation of Jeune J’Ecoute
- Scholarships for young patients
- Drilling of wells in Africa
- Donations of equipment to Princess Grace Hospital Center
- Donations for cancer research
- Support of Professor Luc Montagnier for AIDS research
- Assistance for the creation of shelters for people with Alzheimer, sponsored by Claude Pompidou
- Action against landmines
- Creation of the site Handiplage and Audioplage in the Principality in 2000 including financial follow up
- Financial participation with other associations to sponsor children or fight against abuse
- Donation of guiding dogs to the Association des Chiens Guide d’Aveugle
- Financial support to several local associations: Ecoute, Cancer, Reconfort, AMAPEI, Mission Enfance, Enfants de Frankie, Namaste, Soupe de Nuit, Anges Gardiens, Petites Soeurs des Pauvres, Saint Vincent de Paul, Mendiants de l’Amour, Secours Catholique, Monaco Town Hall
- Support for RETINA assisting research on macular degeneration
- Member of CCSIM (Comite des Clubs Service Internationaux of Monaco, gathering the following clubs: Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary and Zonta)
The list goes on an on but we just wanted to name a few, to give an idea of the extent of the operations of this solidarity club.
Today’s Quote
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.” Michelle Obama
Monaco Reporter 