Princess Charlene Rally: a race for peace and sporting values

©Eric Mathon-Palais princier

The 9^th Princess Charlene Rally was held on Wednesday 2 April, in the presence of Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene. The Princess attended one of the discussions on the event programme and a drawing workshop. She also helped to choose the winning drawing, and took part in the prize ceremony as well a group photograph, holding a #WhiteCard in support of Peace and Sport’s global campaign.

Nearly 400 Year 10 (Troisième) students from three of the Principality’s schools – Collège Charles III, Institution François d’Assise - Nicolas Barré and Lycée Rainier III – gathered in Fontvieille for a morning focused on sport, solidarity and peace.

The Princess Charlene Rally is held under the aegis of the Department of Education, Youth and Sport, and forms part of International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is celebrated on 6 April each year.

An educational and sporting initiative       

The Rally is organised in partnership with key stakeholders in the Principality, including the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, Peace and Sport, the Monegasque Anti-Doping Committee and the Monaco Parent-Teacher Association. It features a combination of physical exertion, awareness-raising and creativity. The event seeks to pass on to young people the core values of sport, such as mutual aid, solidarity and neutrality. Each school formed mixed teams comprising four or five pupils of all levels. The aim was to complete the challenges together, never losing sight of team spirit, the key to success in this friendly competition.

A wide range of activities to exercise body and mind

The Rally features a skilful balance of sporting challenges, intellectual workshops and opportunities to raise awareness:

• Educational discussion: the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and Peace and Sport led a lively conversation, including contributions from Marlène Nidecker, Pierre Frolla and Kevin Crovetto (ambassadors and champions of Peace), and a film screening followed by a discussion.
• Drawing competition: this creative workshop invited students to present their vision of sport and peace through illustrations.
• Rowing machine relay: organised in collaboration with the Nautical Society of Monaco, this exercise is a mix of endurance and coordination.
• Rescue course: with guidance from the Academy of the Sea, the pupils learned rescue techniques.
• Educational quiz (multiple choice): a set of questions to help pupils improve their knowledge of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, Peace and Sport and the Monegasque Anti-Doping Committee.

Showcasing universal values

The Princess Charlene Rally has established itself as a major event, reflecting the very essence of Monegasque culture. It is a gathering which embodies the harmonious relationship between sport, which is vital to young people’s physical development, and intellectual growth, through education and prevention workshops. The enthusiasm was palpable, with everyone keen to get involved in service of a noble cause: promoting the balance between physical and mental wellbeing. Through this initiative, Monaco has confirmed its commitment to a flourishing generation of young people, who stand for the universal values of sport and peace.