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The Crown Princess of Norway was in Lillehammer Monday where she made several appearances: she met with Lillehammer’s Ice Hockey Club, celebrated the 200th anniversary of the town’s library, visited its Red Cross, and finally attended the Vocational Championships. It was certainly a busy day for Mette-Marit, but she barely looked exhausted when it was all over.
 Geir Olsen / Scanpix At the Ice Hockey Club, the Crown Princess took a shot of some activities with the students. She tried to throw a javelin, kicked a soccer/football, and basically goofed around with the kids.
In the afternoon, at around 2pm local time, Mette-Marit stopped by the library where she was given a tour of the library, with particular emphasis on the children and youth department.
Later, she met with seniors at the local Red Cross, who meet once a week to engage in shaping and crafting together. Mette-Marit also met with the children’s division of the Red Cross.
Finally, the Crown Princess spent her evening at the Vocational Championships. The Championships are professional competitions in nearly 30 different subjects. Participants will compete in welding and automotive paint spraying, flowers and decorative sewing, furniture carpentry, culinary arts and health, and many more.
Mette-Marit gave a speech during its opening: “Society is in need of the skills you have developed. The greatest resource Norway as a nation, is the people and their expertise. Academic strength professionals is essential to ensure the welfare of our society forward. Therefore Vocational NM a hugely important competition.”
After the opening she was introduced to both the participants and judges from a variety of vocational courses.
Norway will compete in the Vocational Championships in December in Portugal. The country will have 16 participants in 13 subjects.
Source: Kongehuset.no
Norway’s Crown Princely couple were in Kristiansand Monday to present the winners of this year’s Crown Princely Humanitarian Fund. The award is given to support projects to promote diversity in Norway, and to eradicate poverty and promote education abroad.
 Kjell Inge Søreide / Scanpix This year, the winners were the Missionary Alliance project in Ecuador and Foundation Shonglap project in Bangladesh. Salma Sultana received the award on behalf of Shonglap, while Wendy Josa accepted on behalf of the Jóvenes emprendedores.
Both Haakon and Mette-Marit gave speeches at the ceremony held at University College. It was the Crown Princess who told her story of earning money on her own.
“I remember so very well the first time I earned my own money. I was 14 years old and lived with my aunt in the summer of Langenes in Søgne, when I and my cousin rode to the parish center to pick strawberries. Then I realized for the first time in my life the true meaning of money, and not least how long it takes to pick a whole basket of strawberries,” said Crown Princess Mette-Marit as laughter spread through the assembly.
But then she turned serious: “I think some of the most important thing in the world today is to strengthen young people’s options. That young people will take education, be aware of their rights, the opportunity to use their resources, become independent and earn their own money.”
Crown Prince Haakon joined in during the joint speech. “We have a historic opportunity to eradicate the extreme poverty in the world. Entrepreneurship and innovation have an important role to play in the relationship,” he said.
“I think some of the most important thing in the world today is to strengthen young people’s options. That young people will take education, be aware of their rights, the opportunity to use their resources, become independent and earn their own money,” Mette-Marit added.
After the speeches, videos were shown of the winners at work. Following that part, Wendy Josa and Salma Sultana received their awards. The two women got diplomas and checks for NOK 300,000 to help fund their projects.
Jóvenes emprendedores means young entrepreneurs and is a new project that combines loans and training for young people aged between 17 and 23 years in Zonase margin ales in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The aim is that young people will gain their own livelihood in order to reduce the financial burden for their parents and most importantly for the young people learn early to work. It reduces social problems and give young people greater confidence.
With micro-credit and support from Jóvenes emprendedores, Wendy Josa established her own business where she sells cosmetics and skin care products from a catalog. The income she has from the sale fund, among other things, go to her medical studies.
As for Salma Sultana, her Foundation Shonglap program in Bangladesh is a one-year education for unmarried girls between 11 and 19 years who have missed school because of poverty. So far, 40,000 women completed the program.
Source: Kongehuset, FVN
In Casablanca Monday, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI stopped by the Oukacha reformatory, which is a school for juvenile delinquents. He did this for his foundation for Inmates Reinsertion. Back in May 2006, the King signed agreements to improve the lives of prison inmates once they have completed their sentences.
 Maghreb Arabe Presse During his visit, Mohammed saw the reformatory’s vocational training center and the workshops. He even to the took the time to award certificates to ten of the best laureates.
His Majesty also toured a school built by the Education Ministry as part of an agreement with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Inmates Reinsertion. He also gave a high school degree to an inmate.
King Mohammed asked several questions during the tour. He asked about the results of the socio-professional reinsertion system, and about the achievements of the post-prison support centers.
At the end of his visit, the King oversaw the signing of a partnership agreement between his Foundation, the General delegation of the penitentiary and reinsertion administration (DGAPR) and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM). The agreement aims to train inmates in certain professional fields so they could earn employment once they are out of a reformatory.
Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse
It was rainy Sunday in Århus, but that didn’t stop 335 children from showing up at Mindeparken to do a relay race set up by Crown Princess Mary for her fight against bullying. The race was meant display the importance of taking care of each other.
 Axel Schutt/Stiftstidende Afterward, medals were given out as part of Mary’s campaign against this significant problem on behalf of her Mary Foundation and the Save the Children Foundation.
“I would like to help to make it clear that bullying is unacceptable. The baton race is an important part of ‘Free of Bullying Project’, and this day is to support each other and show that you are good mates,” said Crown Princess Mary, who gave her time to present the medals to the astonished children and meet with their parents.
Even though it was pouring out, many were excited to meet their future Queen.
“It’s been super nice and people are in a good mood, even though weather is not with us. I do not actually think there are many who have been at home because of rain,” said Project Manager Helle Østergaard from The Mary Foundation.
The Mary Foundation launched its anti-bullying campaign back in 2007. Mary takes her fight across Denmark as well as her home country of Australia.
Source: Stiftstidende
Belgium’s Crown Princess Mathilde met with dozens of business professionals in Brussels Monday, on behalf of the fund that bears her name. The Princess urged them to be considerate of children growing up in poverty.
 BELGA “What a child experiences in those first three years of life determines the rest of his life,” said Mathilde in her opening speech. “Studies show that children from one year behind in development have an average of one month, to disadvantaged immigrant families is that two months. Toddlers from deprived backgrounds have on average 400 words, while their peers from better-educated families know there 1200. That’s a huge difference! ”
In Belgium, 350,000 are children under that age of 18 live below the poverty line. That is nearly 17 percent of all Belgian children.
The Crown Princess wants her fund later this year to launch projects to provide support for families with young children in poverty.
Source: De Standaard
Sheikha Fariha al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sahad of Kuwait is making a visit to Morocco this week. The trip was part of Kuwait-Morocco relations in regards to the disabled. In her country, Fariha is the chairperson of the Committee of the Ideal Mother, which deals with women’s issues.
 Maghreb Arabe Presse She arrived in Rabat on Sunday and was greeted by Princess Lalla Hasna, sister to King Mohammed VI, and Princess Lalla Soumaya. Upon arriving, the Sheikha and the Princesses inspected the honor guard before heading off to one of the royal palaces, where the Moroccan royal women threw a dinner party for their guest.
On Monday, Fariha paid a visit to the Mohammed VI National Center for the Disabled. She was given a tour of the facility and was briefed on how it helps those in need, such as social and medical benefits. The Sheikha also met with the children and gave them gifts.
In a press release, she praised the King and his wife, Princess Lalla Salma, on their work with those facing mental and physical challenges.
Sheikha Fariha also visited the tombs of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II on Monday.
Not too much is known about Fariha, but she is the daughter of the late Emir Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwait from 1921 to 1950. His son, Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Fariha’s brother, is the current Emir.
Sources: Le Matin, MAP
 Paul Weaver (Mediehuset Nettavisen) Norway’s Crown Princely couple were awarded the =Oslo Award Friday for their work on the disadvantaged in their country. This is the second time this award has been given out, and this year its jury felt that Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were worthy of it.
The reason for the couple to win the award was due to their: “long-standing and sincere commitment to the poor, outcast and disadvantaged,” the =Oslo Award jury said. “Through word and deed dedicating the focus to those who need it. Both locally, nationally and internationally the couple show the ability to meet and communicate with people from all walks of life together. The Crown Prince’s work with Global Dignity and Crown Princess’ involvement in the Church City Mission are examples of this and shows a willingness to facilitate attention to the disadvantaged fellowmen.”
Upon accepting the award, Haakon said in a brief speech about the importance of treating others with respect. “Only then can we create a society where everyone can make use of their resources and where fewer falls outside,” he said.
Source: kongehuset.no
 Terra Noticias Queen Sofia of Spain spent Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she visited several organizations and projects for women and met with the country’s President. It was all to see how Spanish aid is helping Ethiopians, and Sofia promised them more funding to help them get out of extreme poverty.
During her day in Ethiopia, the Queen stopped by a health center, a charity that trains women, and a battered women’s shelter.
At the charity, called Good Samaritan, Queen Sofia was briefed on how it trains young women living on the streets to be hairdressers, cooks, and child care givers. The women gave the Queen a party where they made Spanish cuisine, as taught by charity workers from Spain.
 Terra Noticias Next, Sofia went to the women’s shelter where another party was given in her honor. But what the Queen would most likely remember is consoling a woman still psychologically scarred from being buried alive by her husband. She comforted the woman with gestures and by speaking softly.
She then later met with Ethiopian President Girma Woldegiorgis. During talks with him, Queen Sofia praised how the country has been developing from the aid from Spain. But at the same time, she told Woldegiorgis that if there were a direct flight from Madrid to Addis Ababa, relations between the two countries would be stronger.
The Queen also told reporters that Spain would help Ethiopia in its health sector.
Already Spain sets aside 40 million euros to help combat poverty in the East African nation. It also gives an additional 5 million euros via the United Nations to help improve its people’s health.
78 percent of Ethiopians live on less than $2 dollars a day. It is plagued with malnutrition, AIDS and tuberculosis.
Sources: Ethiopian News, Think Spain, EFE
 AFP/File/Stringer The Sultan of the Malaysian state of Pahang reduced the sentence of a Muslim woman who was caught drinking beer in a hotel last year. Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, age 33, was originally supposed to face six caning lashes but instead, will serve a three week community service at a children’s home.
“I am shocked with the decision,” Kartika, who learned about it from a letter to her family, told reporters on Friday.
“Why they substitute with community service when this punishment is not provided under the religious laws?”
“They already sentenced me so they should follow it, but I will respect the sultan’s decision.”
Kartika said she told Pahang’s Sultan, Ahmad Shah, that she wanted to be caned so other Muslims could learn from her mistake.
“I really regret drinking, it’s my mistake.”
In Malaysia, the Sultans have power in the religious courts of their states.
Sources: AFP, News Straits Times
The royals of Malaysia are getting involved in the controversy over a Muslim woman who was sentenced to six caning strokes last year for drinking beer. On Wednesday, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 33, met with the Crown Prince of the Pahang state, the same place where she drank the beverage at a hotel bar.
 AFP “Kartika had an audience with the Pahang Crown Prince for about 30 minutes this morning but we are not in a position to make any comment on what transpired,” Kartika’s spokesman Amlir Ayat told AFP.
“Any decision or announcement will be made by the palace.” Amlir said.
Ms. Shukarno’s sentence was suspended six months ago and it is believed that it will be carried out following her meeting with the Pahang royal. She previously asked for authorities to punish her as planned.
This issue has brought up whether multi-ethnic Malaysia is becoming too strict religiously. Recently, three women were caned for having sex out of wedlock.
As for Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, he told state media that he would discuss Kartika’s case with the Sultan soon.
“This case will be settled as soon as possible. It just needs scrutiny in terms of the implementation of the penalty,” he was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.
The Crown Prince said Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin can pardon Ms. Shukarno.
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