Better World Fund Events
CINEMATIC ART AT THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY
Created in 2016 by Franco-Swiss skipper Yvan Bourgnon, the SeaCleaners non-for-profit organization develops actions both at sea and on land. Member Observer of the UN Environment Agency, and supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, it has four objectives:
•Collecting floating plastic waste in high concentration areas before it sinks or breaks down into microplastics.
•Contributing to scientific knowledge through research and open data sharing.
•Alleviating the problem at its source through education and public awareness initiatives, and carrying out waste collection operations with teams of volunteers.
•Supporting the transition to a circular economy by developing and demonstrating innovative and ecofriendly technological solutions.
The SeaCleaners’ iconic project is the MANTA, a pioneering solution for the collection and recovery of floating plastic macro-waste. The MANTA is an innovative ship equipped with an onboard plant which will be launched in 2024.
Underscoring the importance of leaving no one behind, BetterWorld Fund organised an event to uplift people with determination at the Sweden pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai to mark the InternationalDay of Disabled Persons on Friday .The event featured talks by government and business leaders, artists and athletes, to demonstrate the achievements of people of determination and showcase the ways in which individuals and organisations can work together to achieve inclusion. The speakers shed light on specific actions, platforms andinitiatives for people with disabilities. The event was organised in collaboration with Dubai Cares, Islamic Affairs
The 5th edition of the Better World Fund took place in Cannes on Monday. The endowment created for women’ s rights, education, children and the preservation of the oceans takes advantage of majo rinternational festivals to ensure that cinematographic art is used in the service of great social and humanitarian causes. A conference on Ethical Gold was held in the morning at the Eden Hotel, with Ghana as the country of honor, in the presence of Minister Dr.Okyere Darko-Mensah. This event was supported by the UN, OECD, Chamber of Renewable Energies and Ecology of Monaco (CEREM) and the GreenCross. A Gala dinner and auction took place at 3.14 Beach with proceeds donated to the Lebanese René Moawad Foundation, which provides education, school materials, meals and medical follow-up to children in Lebanon.
Additionally, seven Union-Life International Awardswere to those whose works or actions had a socialand solidarity impact in 2020. The winners were BestCommitment/Eileen Akbaraly, Dr. Sohan Roy, AriesGroup and Dr. Aziz Mustapha. Movie That Matters/documentary “The Sound of Us” by Chris Gero andthe documentary “ENOUGH! Lebanon’s darkesthour” by Daizy Gedeon. The Lifetime AchievementAward went to director Barry Alexander Brown whiledirector Nabil Ayouch picked up Best Achievementin Cinematography.
Better World Forum participated for the first time at the 77th Venice International Film Festival with a full-day event, on Friday 4 September at the Ca 'Sagredo Hotel in Venice.
The project is in turn presented at the Italian Pavilion . Created to raise public awareness on the great climate changes of the planet earth, through the screening of films and documentaries from all over the world, the attribution of awards, the organization of ad hoc events. In the setting of Palazzo Ca 'Sagredo, Feras Fayyad , director of The Cave , who received the nomination at the 92nd edition of the Academy Awards in the Best Documentary category, and Dr. Amani Ballor will be awarded for the Best Commitment. Two important initiatives will also be inaugurated: The French Committee for the Safeguard of Venice under the auspices of the Association of International Private Committees for the Safeguard of Venice which promotes the restoration and conservation of the cultural and artistic heritage of Venice.
Now in its eighth edition, after the successes achieved in Cannes, Monaco, Cairo and New York, the BWF chooses Venice to promote and support projects focused on the themes of the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems of the Mediterranean. It also wants to launch an invitation to private citizens and national and international institutions to commit themselves more to the safeguard and the future of the sea.
Thanks to the event organized in New York city, the support from the Sponsors and the Patrons, Monaco Better World Forum funded these two projects :
- Instituto Raoni for the protection of the Amazon Rainforest
- Aquatica Foundation for the biggest expedition & ocean research project in the Caribbean).
The Smart Climate Day will be held in New York on 22nd of September 2019 in the prestigious location of the French Institute/Alliance Française -during the United Nations Climate Action Summit week.
The day includes: a Mastermind on “Smart Climate Adaptation in the Caribbean”, followed by a VIP lunch, and the screening of the film “Wonders of the Sea 3D” - directed by JeanMichel Cousteau et François Mantello, narrated and with special appearance by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Through these events, the Monaco Better World Forum will finance advocacy for the creation of the world’s first Smart Climate Zone – supported by Jamaican celebrities Sean Paul and Usain Bolt – as well as concrete activities implemented by the Ocean Futures Society and Green Cross (France & Territories) supported by Jean Michel Cousteau.
It will also promote the Caribbean deep-water submarine exploration program executed by the Aquatica Foundation and supported by Sir Richard Branson.
The Monaco Better World Forum is producing a two days event in Egypt. During this event, Egypt will be "the country of honour", around themes that address the protection of water, the oceans, and a special highlight on "The Women's Empowerment".
To announce the event in Egypt with the topic, the Environment, the Oceans and Women's empowerment, the Monaco Better World Forum has organized on 27th of June 2019 a press conference at the Marriott Mina House Hotel as well as an official dinner at the foot of the Pyramids.The Monaco Better World Forum was honored by the presence of three Ministers from Egypt, Her Excellency Dr Yasmine Salah El-Dine Fouad Abdel Aziz, Minister of Environment, Her Excellency Ghada Waly, the Minister of Social Solidarity, Her Excellency Nabila Makram, The Minister of Immigration & Egyptian Expatriates Affairs.
Green Cross is setting up an Ambassador of the Coastal Day, during the Cannes Film festival on May 18th 2019. Enabling the training of 40 ocean impact ambassadors.
Keeping our ocean, islands and seashore safe is only possible by making every citizen aware of their beauties and fragility, and thrive their interest towards tangible commitments based on local sensible solutions.
This is the rationale for having Ocean Impact Ambassadors, being able to learn from the Ocean, to share their enthousiam and keys for action, and to massively activate people so that to make sure effective change is happening.
The training session is a unique opportunity for change makers, network leaders and activators, to meet, learn and share their rationale and roadmap to act in a systemic way.
« We only take care what we love [...] yes, but how to take care of what we are not aware of ? » Jean-Michel & Jacques Cousteau.
On the 21st and 22nd of September, the 3rd edition of the Monaco Better World Forum took place under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The Colombes d’or (golden doves) made from the “most precious metal in the world”, Humanium Metal by IM, were awarded to various personalities as well as to the winners of the films and documentaries in competition.
An auction was also held for humanitarian projects supported by the MBWF including the NGO “Embracing the World” represented by Amma “The Hugging Saint”, as well as the NGO “Gift of Life Lebanon” represented by its founder and president Lina Shehayeb.
