Remarks by Claudia Abate UN NGO Committee on the Family

8/8/2019 Remarks by Claudia Abate UN NGO Committee on the Family

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Issues in Post-Conflict Development:Rebuilding the Family Structure

The FPCD ChallengeSlide-show and Remarks by Ms. Claudia Abate, Project Coordinator,

Monaco Red Cross, Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for

Post Conflict Development

28 October 2010

United Nations Church Center, 777 UN Plaza

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Distinguished Co-Chairs And Members of the UN NGO Committee on the Family,

Representatives of the UN Committee on Migration,Co-Panelist Dr. AlastairAger,

Ms. Eileen Labiner Gallagher, Thank you for your constant support and making

today possible,

Guests and Friends,

It is my honour to be with you today to share an overview of the Foundation for

Post Conflict Developments experience with post conflict development as it relatesto the family structure, primarily in Timor-Leste.

This work has been in conjunction with the Principality of Monaco toward solidifying

the family unit through Maternal Health, Reforestation and and through the

establishment ofYouth Centers.

I will present some images of these actions that illustrate the achievement of the

Millennium Development Goals and a commitment to sustainable peace through

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family-related projects that reflect the past, present and future of FPCDs

challenging work.

Strengthening the family unit through Maternal Health

I believe its obvious that in the family unit, mothers deserve special attention,

especially in developing countries where birth rates are often high. I am certain

that this audience concurs that if a mother about to give birth has adequate

medical attention, not only is the mother more likely to survive, but so is the

newborn child and this avoids multiple family tragedies. The family structure is

preserved, because we avoid creating orphans.

Because of Prince Albert IIs personal commitment, and the FPCDs mission,

together we have strengthenrd the family unit through attention to maternal healthand we have become the catalyst for changing the birthing culture of Timor-Leste

through the creation of their first maternity clinic The Prince Rainier III

Maternity Clinic.

In April 2008, Prince Albert II made an historic visit to Timor-Leste to inaugurate

the Clinic that bears His Fathers name. So far, over 1000 healthy babies have

been born and not a single mother has perished. The Maternity Clinic started as apilot project and has evolved - it is now the model and in is included in Timor-

Lestes National Development Plan. We are in the midst of the creation of a second

clinic named the Princess Grace Maternity Clinic in Oecussi Timor-Leste, whereby

the facility will become operational in early 2011.

Therefore it is clear that the FPCD experience with maternal health has

strengthened many family units in Timor-Leste and we hope to spread thisknowledge and model to other countries.

Another way we have made a contribution to bettering lives of families is through

reforestation.

Reforestation

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Some might ask, what does planting a tree have to do with strengthening a

family ?.... a lot!

Thanks to the Government of Monaco, we are in the middle of a 5 year project

appropriately entitled: The Reforestation and Family Income Project . This is

an integrated programme that assists families from a nutritional angle by creating

kitchen gardens, diversification of food crops, fish ponds, and coffee shade trees so

that families living in poverty 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 The Millennium Development Goals and most

importantly, it strengthens the family unit in a country that usually relies on

seasonal agricultural employment.

During the State Visit of Prince Albert II, he also inaugurated the FPCD Becora

Youth Center, which was made possible by a grant from the United Nations Staff 1

% for Development Fund. Since we didnt have time to bring the Prince to the

location of His Reforestation and Family Income project, we brought the project to

Him and He planted a symbolic tree with the Becora Centers Youth Leader.

In my inaugural remarks, I shared the story of a young woman named SophieDenis, who at that very moment in 2008 was climbing Mt. Everest with the FPCD

flag. We werent sure if she would make it, but I was wearing her bracelet on which

was her motto: EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. We handed over the Youth Center to its

leader, Amale, who survived the Santa Cruz Masacre in Timor-Leste. Now he had

Youth Center to run as he wished, a dream come true.

So far, I have discussed how the FPCD focuses on Mothers who nurture the familyunit and youth.

I have told you about how Reforestation and Nutrition nurtures the family and

youth.

And finally, I want to share with your FPCDs vision of Youth nurturing Youth which

in effect strengthens the family.

Youth

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In 2008, Sophie Dennis indeed made it to the top of Mt. Everest becoming one of

the youngest women in the world to do so. What an inspiration for young people!

In the post conflict or poverty setting, we have seen that if youth focus on

unemployment, lack of education or lack of opportunity, boredom could be a

destabilizing factor to the family unit and communities of families through

vandalism or violence.

This is why the FPCD created 2 Youth Centers with grants from the UN Staff 1 % for

Development Fund.

And through the evolution of Monaco- FPCD- Timor-Leste relations, a Memorandum

of Understanding was signed in August 2010 to create the Monaco Boys Choir

Youth Center. The young choir, inspired by their philanthropic Prince, chose tofollow the footsteps of their Sovereign and work on a youth helping youth

initiative. The Future center will be in Maubara Timor-Leste and those young people

can choose to play music or engage in sport. It will be their own place to gather

and do as they choose and the families of Maubara are pleased that their youth

have something positive to look forward to.

In the FPCD Strategic Plan, we set a goal to create 25 Youth Centers by 2014. Tojump start this target, I am pleased to publicly announce for the first time FPCDs

Alpine Challenge for Youth in conjunction with Elite Athlete Sophie Denis. FPCDs

Youth Programme will aim to create 6 youth centers in 6 different communities

along with Sophie's alpine challenge of climbing 6 peaks above 26,000ft in 6

months. This powerful project will be a life challenging experience for our collective

Youth, delivering a strong message of inspiration and hope.

And who wouldnt be inspired: Sophie just broke 5 world records in Peru, carrying

the FPCD Banner, becoming the first woman to summit new routes in Peru, naming

them as well! A testimony to this feat, she has been named Goodwill Ambassador

for Nepal Tourism 2011.

Sophie is FPCDs newest international advisory board member and as part of the

Alpine Youth Challenge, we will launch an awareness campaign with media

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outlets, establishing keynote speaker roles at local and international events, and

develop educational programs in US schools to spread the word.

I would like to acknowledge Ms. Sophie Denis who is present with us today.

In conclusion, FPCD is very proud that its past, present and future include Healthy

Mothers, nourished communities, and motivated young people.

We must rely on youth to be the cornerstone of families everywhere. They must be

inspired and have role models, like the Monaco Boys Choir, A Massacre survivor or

an Elite Athlete like Sophie Denis.

This is the FPCD Challenge and my greatest wish for families everywhere.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Pictured above: 19 April 2008, on the occasion of the Inauguration of the Prince Rainier III Maternity Clinic inSame, Timor-Leste. (left:) Prime Minister Xanana Gusmo shows attendees first baby girl born in the Prince

Rainier III Maternity Clinic. Photo credit: Martine Perret UNMIT/DPI (center:) H.S.H Prince Albert II and Timoreseyouth participate in a tree planting ceremony during the FPCD/FXG Bercora Youth Center Inauguration inBecora District, Timor-Leste, in honour of Monacos reforestation efforts. Photo credit: Palace of Monaco (right:)H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and FPCD Executive Director Ms. Claudia Abate present portrait of H.S.H.Prince Rainier III and Prince Albert II to Chief Midwife Justa Pereira. Photo credit: Palace of Monaco.

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Remarks by Claudia Abate UN NGO Committee on the Family

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