Creating eco-conscious citizens one student at a time
The 15t edition of Monacology, the Monegasque Environmental Awareness Week, will run from June 11-14, 2019, from 8:30 to 16:30, under the theme “Monaco: My Sustainable City”, with nearly 1,000 students in the Principality expected actively participate in the workshops organized in the Eco-Village on Quai Antoine 1er, just in front of Stars’N’Bars. The mission of the association created in 2004 by Kate Powers, Didier Rubiolo and Olivier Arnoult, is to invite for one week, students from the Principality to the Eco-village to raise awareness on the protection of our ecosystem and life in the planet.
Prince Albert’s commitment to the sustainable development of the Principality is reflected in the actions of His government, in the preservation of biodiversity and eco-conscious management of resources. This edition will encourage an interactive exchange of ecological actions put in place by institutional associations and private companies in the Principality.
Interactive eco-workshops
The zero-waste philosophy is slowly entering our daily lives, and this will be an opportunity to present various methods that are easy to implement to reach that goal. For example, Eco-schools will run a Tawashi manufacturing workshop; Tawashi is a sponge made with old socks or T-shirt sleeves. Students will learn about tissue recovery and recycling, to integrate to their new zero-waste lives.
The Monegasque Association for Nature Protection (AMPN), created in 1975 at the initiative of Prince Rainier III, to create and manage protected marine areas in the Principality, will give a presentation on the marine educational area, a small coastal area with students’ participation. It helps develop eco-citizenship among the very young and provide information on sustainable development. It also strengthens the preservation of natural marine and coastal environments through the mobilization of schools and local actors.
The presentation will emphasize on the various stages of its creation and the contribution by 7th C class students of the Ecole des Révoires; the abundance of the selected site; and the status of the places drawn up by the students and the “action for the sea” projects.
Party without balloons!
The Oceanographic Institute will present an educational workshop on the negative consequences of balloon releases on biodiversity, in particular on sea turtles and birds. They will encourage students to find alternative festive solutions, that are better for the environment.
The release of balloons that are much appreciated by children, is not trivial. Inflated with helium, the balloons fly away and disappear in the sky. But out of our sight, they deflate or burst, often falling into multiple fragments on land or sea. Floating on the surface, confused with jellyfish and other prey, they are ingested by turtles and other animals, such as birds and marine mammals. That is why on April 27, 2019, the “Balloonless Celebration” initiative was launched, jointly led by the Oceanographic Institute, which works for the protection of the ocean and the fight against marine pollution.
The Monaco Government, which drives the reduction of single-use utensils in the Principality and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which drives the BeMed initiative for waste reduction in the Mediterranean.
Within the “Monacology” eco-village, the Oceanographic Institute will host a booth for 4 days around the theme “Party without balloons”. Educational workshops will be offered, explaining to the youngest the consequences of balloon releases on the marine environment, especially marine turtles, and begin to reflect on new party practices. The children will be invited to propose their ideas to invent a party that can also please sea turtles and other inhabitants of the sea! At the 2nd edition of the Oceanographic Museum Festival, Saturday, June 6, 2020, the best idea will be rewarded.
A bill dating from May 22 was approved at the French National Assembly, to prohibit the release of non-biodegradable plastic balloons. Taking several years to disappear, these remain a threat to marine animals. As the researchers have pointed out, we must not let go of balloons in the atmosphere!
Responsible consumers
More than thirty organizations representing the Prince’s Government, the National Education of Youth and Sports, and the private sector, will join in focusing on the sustainable commitments of the Principality, by means of dedicated workshops.
We must all work together to protect our environment while improving our quality of life and the health of all living things. It involves changing our habits by changing our way of consuming and the waste we make. The goal is to inspire students, who will, in turn, motivate their parents, to find ways to consume responsibly.
Loyal partners & sponsors
Exhibitors
Monacology village is 100% green
- The chalets, graciously made available by the Town Hall, have a lifespan of more than 10 years.
- The waste is sorted in the bins provided by Société Monégasque d’Assainissement.
- Enlightenment Alsace provides the photovoltaic panels that produce the electrical energy necessary for the autonomy of the village
- Crédit Agricole financially supports Monacology
- The food offered to the participants by the Stars’n’Bars is bio and locavore (a diet that consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food)
- Our partner FRESH by Nordaq will supply the filtered and bottled water on site to all students, a way to reduce the carbon footprint generated by the transport and manufacture of plastic bottles.
- Thanks to the support of the DENJS that MONACOLOGY grows every year. With a larger audience to raise awareness, Monacology is achieving its goal.
- The DAU provides the plants that decorate the village.
- SMEG is a historical partner of MONACOLOGY, and since its creation, in addition to its participation in the workshops, it provides financial support.
- The Monaco Yacht Club provides assistance in the logistics and organization of the Monacology village.
- The APAVE ensures the certification of the photovoltaic installation of the village.
- For the first time, Stars’N’Bars customers contributed financially to Monacology, donating 20 cents for each burger ordered.
- Scooty financially supports Monacology and responds to new needs of urban mobility.
The Monegasque Environmental Awareness Week will provide students with tools that will help them develop their knowledge about environmental protection. It is not just a matter of providing information, but to encourage students to question a lifestyle that threatens our planet and all living things. Education for sustainable development is learning to design new solutions to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Today’s Quote
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”Margaret Mead
Monaco Reporter 