Executive Director's Speech at Columbia University about Health Related-Projects, Monaco and the FPCD

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

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 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 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

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.

Thank you for your kind attention.



For more information please contact the FPCD Office at contact@postconflictdev.org


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