Monaco and The Foundation for Post Conflict

Development: An overview of
Health –related projects in Timor-Leste

Slide-show and Remarks by Ms. Claudia Abate, Project Coordinator,

Monaco Red Cross, Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for
Post Conflict Development

Forum for Global Health and Human Rights

5 November 2009
Columbia University
Hammer Health Sciences Building, Room 401

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Forum for Global Health and Human Rights Organizers- Peter Liou and Floria Chi,

FPCD Advisor on Global Health Issues Ivan Kotchetkov,

Students, Faculty and Friends of Columbia University,

It is my honour to be with you today to share the Foundation for Post Conflict

Development’s experience with Global Health through Quality Leadership in Timor-Leste.

This leadership has been in conjunction with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of

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Monaco toward improving our common humanity in 3 ways: Sustainable Peace through

Maternal Health, Reforestation and Nutrition and an Evolving Legacy.

Quality Leadership

There are no adequate words nor time to describe all of the humanitarian actions of

Monaco, for at present these actions touch all corners of the globe with the help of 50

local Non-Governmental Organizations.

Timor-Leste is but one example of where heartfelt projects are ongoing due to the quality

of Prince Albert II’s leadership to engage -not necessarily in response to a natural disaster -

but in response to the needs that define the essence of humanity. This unlikely

combination of North-South Cooperation is also attestable to the leadership of the

Foundation for Post Conflict Development in turning the attention of the Philanthropic

Prince to an often forgotten corner of South East Asia.

I will present a glimpse of the FPCD and Monaco’s health related actions in Timor-Leste via

slide-show images that translates into confidence building, achievement of the Millennium

Development Goals and a commitment to sustainable peace through health-related

projects.

Sustainable Peace through Maternal Health

Because of Prince Albert II’s personal commitment to sustainable peace, and the FPCD’s

mission of fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals, the root causes of poverty are

being tackled in Timor-Leste through community based approaches. For example, Monaco

is the catalyst for changing the birthing culture of Timor-Leste through a partnership with

the Government of the Principality , the Government of Timor-Leste, the Monaco Red Cross

and The Foundation for Post Conflict Development . Through the creation of the very first

maternity clinic – The Prince Rainier III Maternity Clinic - the lives of mothers and

babies are being saved. Together we are directly addressing Millennium Development

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Goals 4, 5 and 8 (Namely: Reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and

creating a global partnership for development).

To date, 1000 healthy babies have been born – whereby the first boy is named after his

kind benefactor: “Albert”. The Maternity Clinic started as a pilot project and has evolved.

It will be used as the model and be replicated throughout the country’s 64 sub-districts

and is included in Timor-Leste’s National Development Plan.

On April 18-19 2008, Prince Albert II made an historic visit to Timor-Leste to inaugurate the

country’s first Maternity Clinic. This special day coincided with the wedding anniversary of

His Beloved Parents Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco- a treasured fact by

the local community. During this visit, the Prince also inaugurated the Becora Youth

Center whereby He planted a symbolic tree.

Reforestation and Nutrition

What does planting a tree have to do with Nutrition?.... a lot!

Prince Albert II’s concern for the environment is encapsuled in the Foundation that bares

His Name. However, above and beyond the Prince’s Foundation work, the Sovereign Prince

has directed the Government of Monaco to support 5 years of The Reforestation and

Family Income Project under the auspices of President Jose Ramos-Horta’s Anti-Poverty

Initiatives. This is an integrated programme that addressed global health from a nutritional

angle by creating kitchen gardens, diversification of food crops, fish ponds, and shade

trees so that families can increase their nutrients on one hand and earn a living on the

other, all while making a positive impact on the environment.

Our reforestation project is not just planting a tree for the sake of the tree. The programme

concretely addresses Millennium Development Goal number 1: Eradicate extreme poverty

and hunger.

Evolving Legacy

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The future of Monaco-Timor-Leste relations is embraced by the past . In 1979, the beloved

Princess Grace of Monaco visited the Timorese Refugee camps in Portugal at a time when

Statehood was but a dream. In this regard and in Her image, a special Princess Grace

Medal programme was announced by Prince Albert’s Envoy, Madame Jacky Deromedi in

Timor-Leste on 30 August 2009. This day was special because it commemorated the 30

Year Anniversary of Princess Grace’s visit to the Refugee Camp as well as the 10 Year

Anniversary of the United Nations- led referendum that allowed the Timorese people to

choose their self-determined right of independence.

Her Excellency Madame Jacky Deromedi also announced that the evolving legacy and

leadership of Prince Albert II , the FPCD and Timor-Leste will reach a new plateau – the

creation of The Princess Grace Maternity Clinic in Oecussi, Timor-Leste in 2010.

In conclusion, I can share with you how proud I am that the FPCD has facilitated this

monumental work. Monaco’s combined efforts in Timor-Leste symbolize the evolution of

the humanitarian legacy of the Principality brought to a new level by His Serene Highness

Prince Albert II. Assisting the marginalized of this world are part of the fabric of the

Principality's identity and the FPCD will be at the side of Monaco, Timor-Leste and

marginalized of the world no matter where they are.

The challenge for you as medical students and future health practitioners is how to

overcome the global health challenges that interlink our common humanity. If we address

global health in a qualitative way, we can address the root causes of poverty and when we

combine the two – we arrive at true leadership.

As you define your personal, innovative, goals you may focus on confidence building at

the community level and achieving the Millennium Development Goals so that we can

arrive at sustainable peace through health-related projects.

This is my greatest wish for each of you as you advance your studies here at Columbia

Medical School.

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Thank you for your kind attention.

Pictured above: 19 April 2008, on the occasion of the Inauguration of the Prince Rainier III Maternity Clinic in
Same, Timor-Leste. (left:) Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão shows attendees first baby girl born in the Prince
Rainier III Maternity Clinic. Photo credit: Martine Perret UNMIT/DPI (center:) H.S.H Prince Albert II and Timorese
youth participate in a tree planting ceremony during the FPCD/FXG Bercora Youth Center Inauguration in
Becora District, Timor-Leste, in honour of Monaco’s reforestation efforts. Photo credit: Palace of Monaco (right:)
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and FPCD Executive Director Ms. Claudia Abate present portrait of H.S.H.
Prince Rainier III and Prince Albert II to Chief Midwife Justa Pereira. Photo credit: Palace of Monaco.