Advance Global Health: Achieve the Millennium Development

Goals
Second Annual Youth Pre-Conference
In Preparation for the 63rd Annual United Nations DPI/NGO
Conferenence in Melbourne, Australia
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
16 June 2010
The Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the UN

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Chair of the Second Annual Pre-Youth Conference , Ms. Jo Anne Murphy

Pre-Youth Conference Programme Coordinatorand FPCD Director, Mr. David Gethings,

Distiguished Panelists, Distinguished Youth, Excellencies and Friends,

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

through Maternal Health, Reforestation and Nutrition and an Evolving Legacy.

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Quality Leadership

There are no adequate words nor time to describe all of the health- related humanitarian actions of Monaco, for

at present these actions touch all corners of the globe.

Timor-Leste is but one example of where heartfelt projects are ongoing due to the quality of Prince Albert II’s

leadership. 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 that focus on youth.

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

health and creating a global partnership for development).

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

“Albert”. And I am pleased to inform that not a single mother has perished in our Clinic. The Maternity Clinic

started as a pilot project and has evolved - it is now the model and in is included in Timor-Leste’s National

Development Plan.

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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 with the Center’s Youth Leader.

Reforestation and Nutrition

What does planting a tree have to do with Nutrition and Health?.... 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 addresses 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, which then interlinks with the

health related MDGs.

Evolving Legacy

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.

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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 the

marginalized of the world no matter where they are.

The challenge for you as concerned young people, 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.

I have always been a strong believer in the power and contribution that young people can make. After all, I was

once like you.. filled with dreams and the desire to “make a difference”. Today, my core FPCD team is composed

of young, dynamic, highly motivated and intellegent people!

As you define your personal, innovative, goals you may wish to focus on confidence building at the community

level in order to achieve the health- related Millennium Development Goals. This way , together we can arrive at

sustainable peace through health-related projects.

This is my greatest wish for each of you as you relfect on your experiences here today at the Second Annual

Youth Pre-Conference.

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.