December 1st marks World AIDS Day and those dedicated to fighting the disease were on hand to spread awareness or raise money for those inflicted.
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Monaco’s Princess Stephanie was one of them. All week, she has been preparing for World AIDS Day. On Monday, she met with Monaco’s Harley motor club to deploy three counterpanes to pay tribute to people who died from AIDS. The counterpanes were sent to the Names Project AIDS Memorial quilt in the United States.
For Thursday evening, Together with her brother, Prince Albert II, and sister-in-law, Princess Charlene, Stephanie was present for the annual auction at the Hotel Meridien Beach Plaza which raises funds for her charity, Fight AIDS Monaco.
Going under the hammer at the auction was such artwork as a nude sketch by Robert Redford, a large photo of Albert and Charlene from their July wedding day, and even a bust of the Princess herself made by Benatov. That one went for about €100,000.
The previous night saw the same royal trio go to the Sporting Club of Monaco to collect funds from the principality’s casinos. Initiated by Prince Albert last year, the point is to get a percentage of several slot machines from the Casino Café de Paris and Sun Casino Jackpots to go to several of Monaco’s charity associations. Chances are, some of that money went Princess Stephanie’s Fight AIDS Monaco.
“I am a dynamic woman,” Stephanie told Point de Vue recently. “I am living her day to the fullest, and still has many things to live. That’s it! ”
The Crown Prince of Norway was recently in Nepal this week, where he came as a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Development Program. Along with UNDP administrator Helen Clark, Haakon was in the Himalayan country to check out its HIV/AIDS programs, how Nepal is treating sexual minorities, as well as other issues.
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On Monday, His Royal Highness visited the Cruise AIDS, a Nepalese organization connected to the Blue Diamond Society. It focuses on fighting for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights. Upon his arrival, Crown Prince Haakon was welcomed by a group of transgenders who put on a performance for him and Helen Clark.
While at Cruise AIDS, Haakon learned about how the NGO spreads AIDS awareness and met with Sunil Babu Pant, one of Nepal’s first openly gay politicians.
The next day, the Crown Prince and Ms. Clark met with representatives of the Centre for Constitutional Dialogue, which aims to promote indigenous rights in the country. The two also went to Nepalgunj to open a market for small businesses. Those participating in the market were trained by UNDP’s vocational programs, and many of them are women.
Also on Tuesday, Haakon and Clark went to the village of Kamdi where they opened a health clinic for mothers and children. Although Nepal has lowered its infant mortality rate in recent years, it is still quite high. However, both Haakon and Clark said they were impressed by the achievements Nepal has made with expectant mothers and young children.
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While her brother and new sister-in-law are on their honeymoon, Princess Stephanie of Monaco had to attend the Fight AIDS Monaco Summer Gala on Wednesday alone.
That didn’t seem to bother her at all. The Princess treated this year’s gala like any other, as she met with those who work to battle the disease in the tiny principality during the event, held at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club. She also met with the pop group Supertramp who were performing that night.
Before the group did their concert, Stephanie helped raffle off tickets for the guests to win prestigious prizes worth several thousand euros.
Besides raising money for Fight AIDS Monaco, which Princess Stephanie is president of, the annual gala also raises funds for the Life House, a home for HIV sufferers which located just outside of Monaco.
The Norwegian Crown Princely couple began their official visit to Ghana Tuesday. The reason for this trip is to not only strengthen Norway – Ghana links, but to also praise the east African nation in its recent developments. While being a strong democratic country, it also has found oil which would further develop its economy.
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In the morning, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were welcomed to Accra by Vice President John Dramani Mahamane. The Vice President gave to the couple a traditional kent, or hand woven garment, as a gift.
Afterward came the signing of the agreement between Norway and Ghana on the Oil for Development (OfD). It was Norway’s Minister of Environment and Development Erik Solheim, who presented the agreement, together with the Ghana’s Energy Minister, Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei, and Sherry Ayittey, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
Later, Haakon and Mette-Marit attended the UN Country Office, where the discussion was about how Ghana fulfilled most of its UN Millennium Goals. It has cut its population living in extreme poverty by half and has successfully tackled it HIV/AIDS problem. Today, Ghana has a 2% infection rate among its adult population, which is lower than many other African nations.
Mette-Marit expressed her satisfaction about this during a speech. “As a UNAIDS special representative, I have made it a main task to support a new generation leadership in the AIDS response. We need to support young people in their work if we really want an HIV-free next generation,” she said.
“I am very pleased to learn that Ghana has managed to reverse the spread of HIV over the last few years, gradually reducing the number of new infections. And I commend the efforts to increase the number of people with access to HIV specific health services.”
Next came the Ghana Summit Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference. Crown Prince Haakon gave a short speech to open the event.
“Ghana and Norway are entering a new era with much closer diplomatic and commercial relations – as both of our nations are now oil producing countries. It is therefore appropriate that we meet here – at the Ghana Summit Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference – on the first day of our visit,” he began.
“The cooperation between Ghana and Norway will not be limited to petroleum only – the dynamic development of Ghana opens up many opportunities in other fields as well.
“The strong international presence here today shows the great interest in exploring business opportunities in Ghana. It will be exiting to follow Ghana in the years to come.
“You are set to be among the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies in 2015. This is a result of many years of peace, stable democracy and good governance,” Haakon ended.
The first day in Ghana for the crown princely couple was concluded with a honorary dinner hosted by the Vice President.
On Wednesday, Haakon and Mette-Marit rode out to a village some two hours away from Accra to Ekumfi. There, they took a look a project UNICEF is working on. They met with nurses and volunteers at a local health clinic, and learned how villagers are combating malaria disease by sleeping outdoors with nets to protect themselves from mosquitoes.
In the afternoon, the royals went to see a dark chapter in not only Ghana history – but that of Africa. They saw Elmina Castle, a place where thousands of Africans were forcibly put on board ships bound for the Americas during the slave trade. Sadly, Norway once played a role in this, and Crown Prince Haakon talked about this during his speech the previous night:
“A dark spot here is the Norwegian contribution to the two Danish-Norwegian engagement in the slave trade from the 17th till the 19th century. It is estimated That 50 000 West African slaves were taken across the Atlantic on Danish-Norwegian ships.”
For Wednesday evening, Haakon and Mette-Marit will attend a dinner hosted by Norwegians living in Ghana.
On Friday, there will be a Youth Summit in nearby Mali regarding HIV. It is expected that the Crown Princess will attend the summit.
Monaco’s Princess Stephanie has been active in fighting AIDS in her principality for several years now. As president of Fight AIDS Monaco, it is her responsibility to take care of HIV-positive patients there and around the world.
On Sunday, she gave an interview in regards to a charity soccer tournament later this month to Monaco’s radio show Jungle Fight’s along with Pascal Olmeta.
Here are some of what the Princess said:
Jungle Fight: An event will bring together your two organizations: the Columbus Show Beach Soccer (10 and 11 December), what do you expect?
Princess Stephanie: This event is a very good thing. It will raise awareness of our respective causes. They will both have fun and make a donation. I expect that beyond generosity, there is an exchange. It also shows the solidarity associations. Each is open to fight each other.
Pascal Olmeta: People may attend as a family to a great show. This event proves that we’re all in the same direction. Only the mobilization and information can make a difference.
Jungle Fight: At the dawn of a new decade, what message would you like to wear through your associations?
Princess Stephanie: Try to listen to the news, not to remain ignorant because it leads to discrimination. My real battle I waged against is discrimination against AIDS patients.
Pascal Olmeta: Try to generate as many smiles on the lips of the sick children and their families. A sick child never stops smiling, he never complains. This permanent smile is his strength.
Jungle Fight: There have been advances in research, can it be any hope?
Princess Stephanie: You can not really talk about hope. Of course, there is advances, but nothing is resolved. AIDS contaminates every three seconds. We must focus on screening. It also does not change the fact that HIV-positive are ostracized from society. The associations are certain things that move, should governments get involved.
Jungle Fight: The smile is there the greatest victory in the 10 and 11 December?
Princess Stephanie: Everyone should have a good time but there must be a realization. AIDS is not inevitable. It is important for governments to support their fellow patients. Would that this level of prevention. Why not redo operations “condoms to a euro?
This Wednesday, as part of World AIDS Day, Stephanie auctioned off a piece of artwork to raise money for her charity. She was joined by future sister-in-law, Charlene Wittstock.
This week, Belgium’s Princess Mathilde was on a mission to Liberia on behalf of UNAIDS, which she is a special representative of. From Sunday until Wednesday, Mathilde visited schools, associations, and hospitals all for raising AIDS awareness, mostly for women and children.
On Monday, the Princess met with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf during the launch of the “Agenda for Accelarting Country Action on Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV”. It was at that launch that Mathilde gave a speech in regards to fighting HIV/AIDS in this poor West African country.
“Kindly allow me to [emphasize] one issue and it is education.” Education, she maintained, is the key to solving any existing problem and preventing others that will be arising.
“HIV is linked to the wellbeing of children in that it gives access to the health system in any given country. The Agenda is very important for the fact that it is taking excellent action on women, girls and gender equality to highlight women issues in Liberia,” Mathilde said.
BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
“Madam President, your commitment to your country in the fight against sexual and gender-base violence and HIV is right known throughout the world,” Princess Mathilde told the Liberian leader.
She added, “During your visit to Belgium, Madam President, I was touched by your message of hope, wherein you declared that children’s rights are universal; the promotion thereof is indelibly linked to the fight against poverty.”
President Sirleaf noted, “We do accept the twin challenge by taking into consideration the Princess’ suggestion to do more for education and to also make sure that together with the partners we will have more people living with HIV and AIDS to speak out.”
According to the Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission Executive Director, Dr. Ivan Camanor, who was at the launch, a health and demographic survey states that HIV prevalence in Liberia is put at 1.5 % in the general population. But its at 1.3% among females, compared to 0.4% among males.
The next day, Princess Mathilde visited the Union of Muslim Association, which is actively involved in spreading HIV awareness, and the Liberian Government County Hospital of Bomi County. As a welcoming present, she was given a chicken as part of local custom. The Princess handled the chicken with care before giving it to one of her bodyguards.
On Wednesday, Mathilde stopped by the JFK Hospital in Monrovia where she met with mothers and children suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Last on her schedule was to meet with the press in which the Princess discussed her visit.
For the weekend, Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit took part in a few Vienna events aimed at combating AIDS. On Saturday, she attended both a UNAIDS meeting and the Life Ball, Europe’s largest AIDS fundraiser. Sunday, she was at the opening of the 18th conference concerning the disease.
REUTERS/Herwig Prammer
As special envoy for UNAIDS, it made sense for Mette-Marit to be at these functions. She is also promoting youth leadership in the fight against AIDS.
At a meeting Saturday afternoon led by UNAIDS leader Michel Sidibé, Mette-Marit was with 40 young and more established leaders. Among the topics brought up were two initiatives she was been campaigning for: a fund that provides financial support for youth led projects and a mentoring scheme between young and established leaders in AIDS work.
The Crown Princess has been a strong advocate and initiator to ensure that both initiatives have become a reality. An advisory body for young HIV-infected people is another project.
“It is important that young people lead the fight because 40 percent of those newly infected is between 15 and 24 years. It is important that young officers get the space they need to lead the fight against AIDS. They also need visibility and of course money to projects that are youth led. This is important because it is young people who live in the heart of this disease,” said Crown Princess Mette-Marit to NRK.
“The biggest challenges in AIDS work today is that there is so much competition for attention in relation to that many other important issues in the world,” she added. “It is also important now to get enough people to treatment. It is important tool to prevent new infections.”
AP Photo/Ronald Zak
When evening came, Mette-Marit had two events to go to. The first was a dinner regarding Sunday’s conference at the Austrian National Assembly, hosted by Parliament President Barbara Barges. Speakers included actress Whoopi Goldberg and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Then the Crown Princess glamed up for the Life Ball, where she was guest of honor. The fundraising event focused on the TREAT Asia (Therapeutics Research, Education, and AIDS Training in Asia) project.. The ball collected money from 25,000 donations around the world.
The next day, Mette-Marit was at the opening of the Youth Pavillion of the World AIDS conference. About 25,000 people – from scientists to youth leaders – are expected there.
Mette-Marit is expected to remain in Vienna until Monday.
The Crown Princess was appointed special representative for UNAIDS in 2006. That same year she participated at the international AIDS conference in Toronto.
The annual gala dinner for Fight AIDS Monaco took place Friday evening at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club. Prince Albert II, his sister Princess Stephanie, and his fiancèe Charlene Wittstock turned out for the event which aims to raise money for the charity, run by Stephanie.
Earlier this week, the Princess spoke on Monegasque radio about Fight AIDS Monaco. She called listeners to “respect his own life” and talked about preventing the spread of HIV by practicing safe sex.
Stephanie also recently spoke to an Italian magazine about Fight AIDS Monaco’s recent project, La Maison de Vie, which is a retreat for those who are HIV-positive. She said her desire to help others came from her parents.
“Mom was generous and open to others, and this is how we have behaved. Dad did nothing but repeat to me: ‘The fact that you are born in this palace does not make you any better or more important’.”
This past Saturday in Carpentras, France, Monaco’s Princess Stephanie inaugurated La Maison de Vie, a home for those inflicted with HIV/AIDS. As President of Fight AIDS Monaco, the Princess has been keeping an eye on this house from its beginnings. Stephanie is very active in helping both Monegasques and those in the French Riviera who are suffering from the disease.
In a recent interview with the French Gala magazine, the Princess explained why those who are HIV-positive mean so much to her: “I saw the rejection that all these people are victims, I could not stand by and do nothing. This suffering, this injustice, these patients alone, abandoned by those they love, it’s horrible. When I was appointed ambassador for UNAIDS, I had the chance to go to New York and monitor the work of Housing Works, an organization that deals with housing for people living with HIV and give them the possibility of taking over their lives.”
CTK
Flanked by her daughter, Pauline Ducruet, and big brother Prince Albert II, and the mayor of Carpentras, Princess Stephanie arrived at La Maison in the morning, looking excited that a project close to her heart was being launched. She and Albert pulled off a sheet to reveal the plaque that commemorates the house’s opening.
La Maison can accommodate up to 28 people for up to 3 weeks. Friends and family are allowed to stay over.
The building has two parts: one reserved for the reception, administration and catering. While the other, consisting of eight single rooms, ten double rooms equipped with kitchenettes and a dormitory for children.
In addition, there is a non-medicalized double refectory, a double room, a multipurpose hall, an infirmary and a laundry. Also, the home is environmentally friendly.
La Maison was designed by two architects: Fabrice Notari from Monaco and Ysabelle Roustan of Carpentras.
Below is a French video of La Maison de Vie. It includes an interview with Stephanie and shots of the home’s interior.
Monaco’s Princess Stephanie spent the past three days in South Africa on behalf of UNAIDS and Fight AIDS Monaco. She arrived on Wednesday and got down to business on the following day.
N. Saussier/FAM/PodcastJournal.net
Stephanie first had a meeting with NGO officials before moving on to the Research Unit on Reproductive Health at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. The center follows the latest medical breakthroughs on the virus and gives free treatment to those who are HIV positive.
That afternoon, the Princess went to Alexandra township to visit an NGO “Friends for Life” which helps vulnerable and orphaned children as a result of the pandemic. The NGO cares for hundreds of local children a day.
On Friday, Princess Stephanie moved on to Soweto to check out another NGO, “PUSH” (Persevere Until Something Happens). This one also helps children orphaned by AIDS, as well as providing tests for HIV, STIs and TB. It also gives psychological help and ARV treatment.
Later on, the Princess met with Graca Michel, the wife of Nelson Mandela. It does not appear that she met with Mandela himself.
At the end of her visit, Stephanie met with Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS and reported to him about her visit.
Stephanie has been a UN Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS since 2006.
South Africa has one of the highest HIV populations in the world. Out of 49 million people, 5.2 million are infected. The new government under President Jacob Zuma is dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS by providing the largest distribution of ARV treatment and millions of condoms.
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