Press Release: Mary David Recognized by Diplomatic Courier

MEDIA ADVISORY

September 10, 2013

Washington, DC

 

Diplomatic Courier and YPFP Recognize Mary David on “99 Under 33”

 

WASHINGTON, DC:  The Diplomatic Courier and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy are pleased to announce that Mary David, Director of Public Relations, Foundation for Post Conflict Development, has been recognized on the 2013 “99 Under 33,” an international list noting the most influential foreign policy leaders under the age of 33. The complete list is available at: www.diplomaticourier.com/99Under33.

 

The 99 Under 33 recognizes the distinctive impact each of the honorees has on his or her community today and their promise of potential as a leader in the future. This list uniquely offers insight into the creativity, determination, and passion of the diverse young people who are already tackling the world's critical global challenges. By design, this list is broad and diverse, which reflects the belief that foreign policy in the 21st century is made by leaders from all sectors.

 
“Mary David is a remarkable champion on all aspects of human trafficking. She is an asset to our Foundation and to our global society” said Claudia Abate-Debat, Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Post Conflict Development.

 “Mary David has made it her mission to aid the poor and disadvantaged in areas recovering from conflict. As a Shaper, Mary has altered the public conversation on collateral damage and encouraged the world to remember the people swept into war,” highlights Ana C. Rold, Editor-in-Chief, Diplomatic Courier.

 The “99 Under 33” recognizes seven leadership archetypes that define the list:

·        A Catalyst is from a field not typically associated with foreign policy who has had an impact on international affairs.

·        A Convener brings people together in creative ways to address a pressing international issue or enhance the foreign policy community.

·        An Influencer mobilizes people in the foreign policy community with bold new ideas.

·        An Innovator designs a new solution to a critical global challenge.

·        A Practitioner changes foreign policy from the inside through extraordinary professionalism and skill.

·        A Risk-taker takes a chance and sees it pay off.

·        A Shaper changes the public discourse on an aspect of foreign policy or raises awareness on a critical issue.

Follow the 99 on twitter: #99Under33. With questions or to interview Mary David or Mrs. Rold, please contact Press Officer Kathryn Floyd at press@diplomaticourier.org.

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About Us: The Foundation for Post Conflict Development is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization that strives to fulfil the Millennium Development Goals in Post Conflict areas.Our landmark project is the Prince Rainier III Maternity Clinic in Timor-Leste. The FPCD website is www.postconflictdev.org

About Us: The Diplomatic Courier is the global affairs magazine that connects the diplomatic and policy establishment to the next generation of leaders in diplomacy and foreign policy. The Diplomatic Courier publishes six print issues per year, as well as weekly online at www.diplomaticourier.com and a daily blog, On Point. The Diplomatic Courier is an independent publication both in its voice and its organization. Publishing opinions from all political spectrums, the Courier adheres to the ideals of freedom of expression, individualism, and fair and balanced journalism.

 

 

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FPCD at MALALA DAY

FPCD Participates in MALALA DAY at the United Nations

 

Amanda Nesheiwat, FPCD Youth Representative, presents her perspective here.

"On July 12^th, I had the opportunity to attend the first ever Malala Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.  Nearly 1000 youth from around the world gathered for a Global Youth Takeover of the General Assembly and called upon world leaders to understand the importance of educating our youth. I was happy to be there in support of Malala Yousafzai and what she represented as well as being in a room filled with youth representatives from 75 nations who made their way to NYC to have their voices heard on an issue we consider very urgent.

 

(Amanda Nesheiwat, far right, with Youth Representatives from around the world)

The event started with words by the UN Special Envoy for Global Education and the President of the General Assembly. Then Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon told us all his incredible story of how he was a child in poverty and education was everything to him and how the United Nations helped him learn to read by providing books to children. As Malala made her way to the podium, all of the youth delegates stood up including Malala’s parent’s and sang Happy Birthday to her since the UN intentionally made Malala Day on her 16^th birthday. 

(Secretary General Ban ki-Moon speaks at the podium)

As we all sat down with anticipation of hearing what she had to say, she told us that Malala Day is not in fact a celebration for her, but for all of the boys and girls in the world who raised their voices for their rights. She spoke of how the Taliban shot her in the head and thought that they would silence her and her friends, but instead created courage and strength among millions of people. She spoke of the tragedy and how common it is for young people to go to school in war ridden areas and talked of the many challenges that young woman in some parts of the world must go through to go to school.

 Unfortunately, there are currently 57 million children in the world who do not have access to education.  Perhaps the most memorable quote from her inspirational speech was when she told us that our books and pens are our most powerful weapons saying that extremists are afraid of women and the power of education. These powerful words brought some of us to tears including the Secretary Ban, his wife and Malala’s parents. No child should ever have to go through such a traumatic experience just to get an education, our human right. The youth presented a “Global Youth Resolution: The Education We Want” to the Secretary General and the US Special Envoy for Global Education that we had all put together previous to the event.  The resolution resonated with the Millennium Development Goals and laid out a plan for fair and affordable universal education. Since Malala Day, world leaders have recommitted to prioritizing education. I feel so honored to have been at Malala Day with so many inspiring and passionate young people who are shaping the outcome of our future.  

(A standing ovation from the world's youth for Malala)

 By: Amanda J Nesheiwat

FPCD supports International Day of Charity

The FPCD supports the United Nations efforts to create an International Day of Charity.

 

Please find herewith, the text of the General Assembly Resolution on this important international day.

 

"

International Day of Charity

The General Assembly,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,1 which states that

 

recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all

members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the

world,

Recalling the goals and objectives of the Declaration2 and Programme of

Action3 on a Culture of Peace,

Reaffirming Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980

on international years and anniversaries and General Assembly resolutions 53/199

of 15 December 1998 and 61/185 of 20 December 2006 on the proclamation of

international years,

Reaffirming also the recognition, set forth in the United Nations Millennium

Declaration4 adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the Millennium

Summit, of the fundamental value of solidarity to international relations in the

twenty-first century,

Deeply concerned that poverty persists in all countries of the world,

particularly in developing countries, regardless of their economic, social and

cultural situation,

__________________

* Reissued for technical reasons on 14 December 2012.

1 Resolution 217 A (III).

2 Resolution 53/243 A.

3 Resolution 53/243 B.

4 See resolution 55/2.

A/67/L.45

2 12-64506

Recognizing the work done by Member States and the United Nations system

and the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering within

and among nations,

Affirming that charity may contribute to the promotion of dialogue among

people from different civilizations, cultures and religions, as well as of solidarity

and mutual understanding,

Recognizing the efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, including

the work of Mother Teresa,

1. Decides to designate 5 September as the International Day of Charity;

2. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system

and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including

non-governmental organizations and individuals, to commemorate the International

Day of Charity in an appropriate manner, by encouraging charity, including through

education and public awareness-raising activities;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the

attention of all Member States and organizations of the United Nations system.

UN Secretary-General OP-ED

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

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OP-ED ARTICLE: “The World is Over-Armed

and Peace is Under-Funded”

August 2012

            Last month, competing interests prevented agreement on a much-needed treaty that would have reduced the appalling human cost of the poorly regulated international arms trade.  Meanwhile, nuclear disarmament efforts remain stalled, despite strong and growing global popular sentiment in support of this cause.

The failure of these negotiations and this month’s anniversaries of the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki provide a good opportunity to explore what has gone wrong, why disarmament and arms control have proven so difficult to achieve, and how the world community can get back on track towards these vitally important goals.

Many defence establishments now recognize that security means far more than protecting borders.  Grave security concerns can arise as a result of demographic trends, chronic poverty, economic inequality, environmental degradation, pandemic diseases, organized crime, repressive governance and other developments no state can control alone.  Arms can’t address such concerns.   

Yet there has been a troubling lag between recognizing these new security challenges, and launching new policies to address them.  National budget priorities still tend to reflect the old paradigms.  Massive military spending and new investments in modernizing nuclear weapons have left the world over-armed -- and peace under-funded.

Last year, global military spending reportedly exceeded $1.7 trillion – more than $4.6 billion a day, which alone is almost twice the UN’s budget for an entire year.  This largesse includes billions more for modernizing nuclear arsenals decades into the future.

This level of military spending is hard to explain in a post-Cold War world and amidst a global financial crisis.  Economists would call this an “opportunity cost”.  I call it human opportunities lost.  Nuclear weapons budgets are especially ripe for deep cuts.

Such weapons are useless against today’s threats to international peace and security.  Their very existence is de-stabilizing: the more they are touted as indispensable, the greater is the incentive for their proliferation.  Additional risks arise from accidents and the health and environmental effects of maintaining and developing such weapons.

The time has come to re-affirm commitments to nuclear disarmament, and to ensure that this common end is reflected in national budgets, plans and institutions. 

Four years ago, I outlined a five-point disarmament proposal highlighting the need for a nuclear weapon convention or a framework of instruments to achieve this goal. 

Yet the disarmament stalemate continues.  The solution clearly lies in greater efforts by States to harmonize their actions to achieve common ends. Here are some specific actions that all States and civil society should pursue to break this impasse.

Support efforts by the Russian Federation and the United States to negotiate deep, verified cuts in their nuclear arsenals, both deployed and un-deployed.

Obtain commitments by others possessing such weapons to join the disarmament process.

Establish a moratorium on developing or producing nuclear weapons or new delivery systems.

Negotiate a multilateral treaty outlawing fissile materials that can be used in nuclear weapons.

 

End nuclear explosions and bring into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Stop deploying nuclear weapons on foreign soil, and retire such weapons.

 

Ensure that nuclear-weapon states report to a public UN repository on nuclear disarmament, including details on arsenal size, fissile material, delivery systems, and progress in achieving disarmament goals.

Establish a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

 

Secure universal membership in treaties outlawing chemical and biological weapons.

Pursue parallel efforts on conventional arms control, including an arms trade treaty, strengthened controls over the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, universal membership in the Mine Ban, Cluster Munitions, and Inhumane Weapons Conventions, and expanded participation in the UN Report on Military Expenditures and the UN Register of Conventional Arms.

Undertake diplomatic and military initiatives to maintain international peace and security in a world without nuclear weapons, including new efforts to resolve regional disputes.

And perhaps above all, we must address basic human needs and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  Chronic poverty erodes security.  Let us dramatically cut spending on nuclear weapons, and invest instead in social and economic development, which serves the interests of all by expanding markets, reducing motivations for armed conflicts, and in giving citizens a stake in their common futures. Like nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, such goals are essential for ensuring human security and a peaceful world for future generations.

No development, no peace.  No disarmament, no security.  Yet when both advance, the world advances, with increased security and prosperity for all.  These are common ends that deserve the support of all nations.   

Reflections on Peace and Conflict

Reflections on Peace and Conflict

By Costa Constanti

When I came to Cyprus to live permanently in 2006, I was 26 years old. After 26 years in 'exile' in Australia, far from the homeland, in a country that welcomed my family and nurtured them, it was odd and painful to return to the homeland, to repatriate to an island that neither seemed to care that I was there, nor seemed to want to assist me. I rent an apartment in the capital, in the south, the so called free areas, but my heart yearned to live and breath in the places my ancestors are from, Kyrenia. 

I remember the first times I went to my family's home, occupied by strangers, settled in from Anatolian Turkey. They had no place being in my home. They were not related to the island, the environment, the sea, the air... it had nothing to do with them, yet here they were, living in my house, welcoming me into my own home with coffee and treats. I felt odd. At the same time I felt guilty, thinking 'they are human too', after nearly 40 years, how could I uproot them from what they now call 'home'. 

As I looked out from the peaks of the hills over the coastline of Kyrenia, I saw how much development there was, how much life went on, how a new wave of life had filled every corner of this part of heaven. But, still, there was plenty of land, plenty of fields, plenty of room. I too could build a new home, share the air of my ancestors and enjoy the lands that my DNA was created from. I have no problem with people, Turkish or Greek. My problem is with the decision makers, who speak on our behalf, burying our feet further into the ground, in such a negative way. I wish they could grow up and compromise, learn to live together, much as they do in the UK, Australia, Canada etc. Why must they stare at each other across barb wire fences, crossing in designated spots to buy Dixan for their laundries in the north and cheap jeans for their outings in the south.. How ironic it is that I can sit in my mothers cafe sipping coffee with my Turkish Cypriot friends, yet I have to go home, via a long detour to cross the checkpoint, to go 'home' at night. Why when I had a Turkish girlfriend I was frowned upon by so many. Was she not also human like me?

I think the only way forward from here is when the people come out on the street and shout, 'enough is enough'. They should cripple the two sides of the island with strikes. We should take to the streets and say to our so called leaders 'we are tired'. We do not hate. We do not want to continue living in a time bomb. We have suffered, they have suffered. We have all settled somewhere else on the island. With free movement and free settlement, let people live wherever they like. Let one vote count as one vote. May we all be Cypriot citizens, proud of our difference. We are Greek, Turkish, Maronite, Armenian and Latin Cypriots, we should be proud of this, show the world together that this region can live in peace. Grudges only harness psychological cancers. 

The military of Turkey needs to leave, the Cypriot army needs to disband, Turkey must become a partner, not an occupier, Greece can publicly apologise for the coup it staged in 1974, the G/Cs can apologise for treating T/Cs as 2nd class citizens and show them that they are Cypriot too, the T/Cs can stop claiming to be mistreated and start showing some trust in the G/Cs. G/Cs need to have contact with Turkey and start understanding the Turkey of today. We are sick and tired of the politicians talking about the Cyprus problem only. Let's concentrate on the real issues of today.

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The views expressed herewith are those of the Author's. The FPCD supports and welcomes points of view, research and information about all aspects of post conflict development. Should you wish to submit an article for publishing on FPCD's platforms, please contact us at research@postconflictdev.org

FPCD DC Intern Represents the Foundation

FPCD Intern Hits the Streets of DC to Increase Outreach

By Rachel McGuirk

FPCD Intern Rachel McGuirk attended the 4th World Children’s Festival at the National Mall, on June 17th-19th. WCF is an educational program that integrates arts and sports in order to foster children's creativity and co-creation. It brings together a diverse community focused on cooperative learning, giving the FPCD an opportunity to meet passionate members of the community, eminent educators, and field experts.

On June 8th-9th, FPCD Intern Rachel McGuirk had the opportunity to attend the Aid and International Development Forum in DC. Focused and involved in the delivery of humanitarian aid relief and development, the AIDF brings together over 1,500 members from USAID, US Government, NGOs, and the corporate sector. In this environment, FPCD was able to participate in dialogues with international NGO directors to continue to build partnerships to cohesively address development issues.


FPCD Intern Rachel McGuirk attended on June 22nd an InfoShop lecture at the World Bank titled “Managing Openness: Trade and Outward-Oriented Growth after the Crisis.” The World Bank lecture analyzed the question of how to manage trade strategies so as to maximize the benefits of open trade markets while minimizing the risks of volatility.


On the 22nd of June, 2011, FPCD Intern Rachel McGuirk attended World Refugee Day at the Rayburn House Office Building in DC. Human Rights First, a non-profit organization, hosted a photo exhibit of the refugee process, including images of individuals willing to host refugee families in their homes. The captivating display attracted members of congress and several members of the DC community to observe together the strength of those forced to leave their homeland.

FPCD Intern Hits the Streets of DC: Human Trafficking Awareness



FPCD Intern, Rachel McGuirk, attended several events focused on drawing attention to the ever present problem of human trafficking. The US State Department estimates that there are somewhere between 600,000 and 800,000 people trafficked in the United States. DC Stop Modern Slavery (DC SMS), a diverse and growing community working to end modern slavery, hosted an informative session on July 13th, 2011 on current anti-human trafficking laws that now exist in the DC area. The speakers at the event were Katherine Chon, President and co-founder of Polaris Project, Mary C. Ellison, Director of Polaris Project, and James Dold, Policy Counsel for the Polaris Project.

Rachel McGuirk had an opportunity to talk with Mary Ellison, and engaged in a discussion of the current state and federal laws combating modern slavery. These include Senate Bill 1037, signed into law on August 8th, 2011, which will clear prostitution convictions for human trafficking victims.

On July 29th-31st, 2011, SID World Congress hosted an event aimed to tackle issues such as gender equality and development, and human trafficking. This event featured key individuals who are leading the policy discussions at the very top of the development and humanitarian aid food chain. They included Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank, and Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to President Obama.


* * * * *

Rachel McGuirk studies geography and economics at the University of Mary Washington. She plans on receiving her Bachelor of Arts in May 2012. She received a national speaker award at the American Debate Association. Currently, she is the lead consultant at UMW Speaking Center, where she coaches students and carriers out presentations on communication techniques.




Copyright© 2011 The Foundation For Post Conflict Development. All Rights Reserved. The Foundation for Post Conflict Development is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501 (c) (3). Public inspection of legal documents, copies of FPCD’s annual federal tax return (Form 990’s), 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt application, IRS tax exemption determination letter or annual reports of the FPCD are available without additional charge, other than reasonable fees for copying and postage by writing to the FPCD Office. A copy of the official registration and annual report may be obtained from the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities bureau by calling (212) 416-8000 within the State, or by visiting their website at www.oag.ny.us. Our New York Registration number is: 21-33-70.

FPCD NY Intern Represents the Foundation at Key Events

Summer Recap: New York Intern Represents the Foundation at Key Events Across Manhattan

By Christie Campbell

Over the summer, the Foundation for Post Conflict Development has been present at many events, providing support for other development organizations involved in assisting emerging fragile states and learning more about what others in the field are doing. These interactions will help to strengthen the Foundation’s own projects by increasing an understanding about what others in the field are working on and forming potential partnerships.

Some of the events that the Foundation attended are highlighted below.

On June 16, the Foundation attended a US Institute of Peace panel discussion on “Funders, Implementers, and the Challenge of Effective Evaluation.” This symposium looked at the problems and possible solutions to the issue of project evaluation in the peacekeeping field. Understanding of these problems and possible solutions are essential to organizations such as the FPCD, as we try to remain accountable and reflective on our various projects.

On June 20, the Foundation attended a panel discussion celebrating World Refugee Day. In post conflict countries, the problem of refugees is a very real one, as people have been displaced from their homes and must start their lives again elsewhere, often under the most challenging of situations. Thus, the FPCD wishes to support both the UNHCR and other organizations involved with the protection of refugees.

The Foundation attended the launch of the Global Coalition to Protect Education Against Attack on June 22. The GCPEA is an organization that seeks to promote safe and secure education to children all over the world. This high level launch event highlighted many of the problems that children face with regards to security in countries experiencing and emerging from conflict, and affirmed a commitment to helping make schools a safe space for all. The FPCD supports this mission through our active involvement with the Iraqi Women’s Fellowship Foundation, an organization that seeks to help women in this war-torn country develop skills that will help them to help in the development of their country.

On June 23, the FPCD attended the High Level Working Group meeting on “Music as A Natural Resource”. This working group discussed the power of music in bringing together divided communities, and gave many concrete examples of how this has been done in many projects operating in conflicted countries. The use of music is especially effective in projects dealing with youth, one of the main focus areas of the Foundation.

July 18th marked the International Nelson Mandela Day. In honour of this great leader, the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations held a student conference. This event brought together students from different institutions and featured a lively question and answer session regarding the challenges faced by South Africa during the period of apartheid, as well as a discussion regarding the continued efforts of this country toward achieving equality.

Focus on youth is very important to the Foundation for Post Conflict Development. To this end, the Foundation was an active participant at the Youth as Strategic Partners for Development event on July 26. This United Nations event, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Brazil, emphasized the importance of including youth in a strong civil society. At the program, the Government of Brazil and the United Nations Population Fund signed a memorandum of agreement on South-South Cooperation on Youth Issues. The FPCD continues to maintain a strong commitment to the empowerment of youth in post conflict countries.

Through attendance at these events, the Foundation has strengthened its connections with other institutions and groups, and has been kept up to date with best practices within the field. The Foundation remains committed to reaching out and partnering with others, as well as continuing the learning process.

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Christie Campbell is currently an honors student at Queen’s University in Canada, with a concentration in Global Development Studies. During her time at Queen's, she has worked with the Queen's Project on International Development, a student-run NGO, as well as the University Alumni Association and the Queen's Varsity Rowing team. In September 2011, she will be starting a law degree at the University of Toronto. In the future, she hopes to pursue work in international humanitarian law, with a focus on the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons.






Copyright© 2011 The Foundation For Post Conflict Development. All Rights Reserved. The Foundation for Post Conflict Development is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501 (c) (3). Public inspection of legal documents, copies of FPCD’s annual federal tax return (Form 990’s), 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt application, IRS tax exemption determination letter or annual reports of the FPCD are available without additional charge, other than reasonable fees for copying and postage by writing to the FPCD Office. A copy of the official registration and annual report may be obtained from the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities bureau by calling (212) 416-8000 within the State, or by visiting their website at www.oag.ny.us. Our New York Registration number is: 21-33-70.

The Monaco Boys Choir and The Maubara Youth Center in Timor-Leste
Under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco

Youth helping Youth
And strengthening the bonds of cultural exchange, friendship and cooperation

Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco (Monaco Boys Choir), a world famous all- boys choir, was officially started in 1974 under H.S.H. Prince Rainier III of Monaco. While there had been a choral group in Monaco since the 18th century, this new choir was specifically designed for boys between the ages of 9 to 15 years old to act as a way of displaying Monaco’s culture. Under the direction of Mr. Phillipe Debat the group became affectionately christened the Prince’s “little singing ambassadors.”

Following the death of Phillipe Debat in 1999, the Government appointed his son and assistant, Pierre Debat, to take over in leading the choir. Performing both in the Cathedral in Monaco and in concerts around the world, the singers act as representatives of Monaco’s rich and historical culture. Further, following in the footsteps of their Philanthropic Prince Albert II, the youth perform concerts to raise necessary awareness about important humanitarian needs.

It is in this role that the Monaco Boys Choir was able to become involved with the Foundation for Post Conflict Development (FPCD). With the initiative of Maestro Pierre Debat and under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, it was decided that a selection of the 2010 July Concert series in the United States would benefit the creation of a Youth Center. Bridging cultural divides through the creation of the Maubara Youth Center is a natural progression of Monaco’s efforts in Timor-Leste.

The choir traveled through the United States during July 2010 performing concerts from New York City to Miami. The benefit concerts took place in St. Bridget’s Church in Philadelphia, thanks to John B. Kelly III, Holy Trinity Church in Washington, D.C., thanks to H.E. Ambassador Gilles Noghes, Monaco’s Ambassador to the USA, and in the Florida International University Wertheim Concert Hall in Miami, thanks to Monaco’s Honorary Vice Consul in Miami Tomas Abreu.

During the selected concerts, it was the honour of FPCD’s Executive Director to present a slide show about the special youth center project the Monaco Boys Choir are helping to achieve. The concerts were meant to educate the public about Timor-Leste, further strengthen the relationship between Monaco and Timor- Leste, and to bridge cultural divides through a new movement, that of youth helping youth.

Thanks to H.E. Secretary of State Agio Periera, the community of Maubara was identified and the Monaco Boys Choir wrote a letter expressing their intentions ( see below). On 29 August 2010, Mr. Pierre Debat, in company of H.E. President Fernando “Lasama” de Araujo and H.E. Secretary of State Periera, visited Maubara to meet with the community to familiarize them with the Monaco Boys Choir and to interact with the youth regarding the future Maubara Youth Center. Also in August 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Monaco Boys Choir, the FPCD, and the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports.

The Maubara Youth Center has been made possible under the auspices of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Mos Bele, a local NGO, and the Portuguese Cooperation.

This effort is coming to fruition in 2011 as the Monaco Boys Choir embarks on its one month long Asia tour which will take them to Singapore, China, and Timor-Leste. The choir will be visiting Maubara and meeting the children whom their singing has helped. The Choir will also perform a concert at the Palacio do Governo in Dili and at the opening of the Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting.

The 44 Person delegation will be accompanied by adult supervisors and Mr. Sebastien Lubert, Senior Programme Office of Monaco’s Foreign Affairs Office of International Cooperation, Madame Jacky Deromedi, Honorary Consul of Monaco to Singapore and Timor-Leste, Father Joseph, Vicar of the Cathedral of Monaco, FPCD Assistant Faith Bogue and Intern Alex Townsend Drake.

The visit of the Monaco Boys Choir was greatly assisted by preferential rates offered to them by Air Timor and Hotel Timor, official sponsors.

More information about the Monaco Boys Choir can be found on their website: www.lespetitschanteurs.mc