The Scientific Centre of Monaco (French : Centre Scientifique de Monaco, CSM) is a Monegasque public establishment providing the Principality of Monaco with means to conduct scientific research. [1] CSM is specialized in the study of corals and coral reefs, as well as fight against cancer in partnership with the Flavien Foundation. [2] CSM is grouped into three departments aimed at studying the functioning of organisms in order to acquire better understanding, foresee the effects of environmental stress (Physiology of Conservation) or discover therapeutic treatments (Translational Biology). [3] CSM is headed by Patrick Rampal. [4] [5]
The CSM was founded in 1960 by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in order to provide the Principality with the means to conduct scientific research. [6] Additionally, the CSM was aimed to support activities of governmental organizations and international agencies aimed at protection and conservation of marine life. [7]
Since its foundation till 1990, the CSM monitored the radioactivity of the atmosphere and traced major ocean currents. [8] In the late 1980s the CSM's first department was founded – Department of Marine Biology, specializing in the study of corals. [6] In 1990, after a major restructuring the CSM environmental monitoring activities were transferred to a State service. [8]
Since 2009, the CSM is also developing biomedical research activities. [1] In 2010, the second department of the CSM was founded – Department of Polar Biology, created as a part of an international associated laboratory. [5] Starting from this year, the CSM, under the leadership of the Prince Albert II, has become a multidisciplinary research institute integrating environmental economics, a Department of Polar Biology and the Department of Medical Biology - officially opened at the behest of Prince Albert II in 2013. [5]
In 2014, the CSM started to collaborate with startup Coraliotech conducting joint research in the field of genetic diseases and DNA sequencing of corals with the Departments of Marine Biology and Medical Biology. [9] In January 2021, the CSM acquired a stake in Coraliotech, becoming the first Monegasque public institution to hold a stake in a private company. [10]
In March 2017, the CSM signed a partnership agreement with the Oceanographic Institute. [11] The CSM is also affiliated with Biodiversity and Environments Sensitive to Climate Change (BioSensib), Monaco. [12]
In 2020, the CSM celebrated its 60th anniversary, however due to the health crisis the occasion was not celebrated publicly. [13]
The missions of the CSM are defined as following:
The Department of Marine Biology was created in early 1990s and specializes in the study of corals and coral reefs and includes two teams, the Physiology and Biochemistry Team and the Ecophysiology and Ecology Team. [3]
The Department of Polar Biology was created in 2010 as part of an Associated International Laboratory (LIA BioSensib 647 - CSM - CNRS - Univ. De Strasbourg). The department provides scientific basis for the use of penguins as an indicator of changes in the polar ecosystems. [3]
The Department of Medical Biology was officially opened in 2013. [6] The department brings together several teams. The general objective of this department is to increase general knowledge about serious or incurable pathologies, in particular certain pediatric cancers or Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. The principality is home to 38,682 residents, of whom 9,486 are Monégasque nationals; it is recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language is French; Monégasque, English and Italian are spoken and understood by many residents.
The politics of Monaco take place within the framework of a semi-constitutional monarchy, with the Prince of Monaco as head of state, with some powers devolved to several advisory and legislative bodies.
The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign and independent state, linked closely to France by the Treaty of July 1918, which was formally noted in Article 436 of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919. The foreign policy of Monaco is one illustration of this accord: France has agreed to defend the independence and sovereignty of Monaco, while the Monegasque Government has agreed to exercise its sovereign rights in conformity with French interests, whilst at the same time maintaining complete independence. Since then, the relations between the sovereign states of France and Monaco have been further defined in the Treaty of 1945 and the Agreement of 1963.
Louis II was Prince of Monaco from 26 June 1922 to 9 May 1949.
Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois, styled Hereditary Princess of Monaco between 1922 and 1944, was the daughter of Louis II, Prince of Monaco, and mother of Prince Rainier III. From 1922 until 1944, she was the Hereditary Princess of Monaco, heiress presumptive to the throne.
Albert II is Prince of Monaco, reigning since 2005.
"Hymne Monégasque", also known as "A Marcia de Muneghu", is the national anthem of Monaco. It was originally adopted in 1848 with French lyrics by Théophile Bellando de Castro and music by Bellando and Castil-Blaze. The current official lyrics, which are in Monégasque, were written in 1931 by Louis Notari, while the current musical arrangement was composed in 1914 by Léon Jehin.
The sovereign prince is the monarch and head of state of the Principality of Monaco. All reigning princes and princesses have taken the name of the House of Grimaldi. When Prince Rainier III died in 2005, he was Europe's longest reigning monarch. The Grimaldi family, which has ruled Monaco for eight centuries, is Europe's longest-ruling royal family.
The Public Security of Monaco is the national police force of the Principality of Monaco. It is subordinated from the Monegasque Department of Interior and consists of 515 men and women. With 515 police officers for 35,000 people in 198 hectares, Monaco has the largest per-capita and per-area police force and police presence in the world. Its police includes a specialist unit which operates patrol and surveillance boats.
Monaco and the United States exchanged consular officials soon after the end of the U.S. Civil War. The first consul from Monaco to the US was Louis Borg, who presented his credentials in May 1866.
The postal history of Monaco can be traced to the principality's first postmark in 1704. Stampless covers are known with both manuscript and handstamp postmarks for Monaco and Fort d'Hercule ; as the principality was once much larger, postmarks of the communes of Menton and Roquebrune prior to their 1848 secession might also be included. Monaco used Sardinian stamps from 1851 until 1860, when by the Treaty of Turin, Sardinia ceded to France the surrounding county of Nice and relinquished its protectorate over Monaco; French stamps with Monaco or Monte-Carlo postmarks were used thereafter. Two forms of cancellation are known for the French period. With the first, the postmark is on the cover away from the stamps; an obliterator with an identifying post office number 4222, or later 2387, inside a diamond of ink dots cancelled the actual stamps. The second applied the postmark directly on the stamps, as both a date stamp and cancel. All of these postal forerunners, particularly usages of Sardinian stamps with Monaco cancels, are far more valuable than the same stamps postally used in the issuing countries.
The Prince Albert II Foundation is a Monaco-based charity which has donated millions in various environmental projects. The foundation was initially created in 2006 by Prince Albert II of Monaco and it concentrates on environmental protection, sustainable development, climate change and the promotion of renewable energies as well as biodiversity. The foundation supports also projects which develop water resource management or desertification control technologies.
La Poste Monaco is the company responsible for postal service in Monaco. It is a branch of Groupe La Poste (France).
Franco-Monegasque relations are the special relationship between France and Monaco.
Monaco Telecom is the primary telecommunications provider in the Principality of Monaco. Established in 1997, the company was formed following the government of Monaco's decision to privatize the previously state-owned Office Monégasque des Téléphones. Monaco Telecom provides various services including internet access and mobile phone services. It is a key entity in facilitating communication within Monaco and connecting the principality to global telecommunications networks. Additionally, the company operates a retail store which functions as a point of service and customer interaction.
Conscription in Monaco existed during a brief time between 1848 and 1870 when the Monégasque Militia was active. Since then, Monégasque citizens have been exempt both from conscription and direct taxation.
Commission Supérieure des Comptes is a supreme public audit institution in the Principality of Monaco. Its main functions are audit of the accounts, budgetary and financial management of Monaco, the commune and public institutions. The Board of Auditors is required to submit annual reports to the Prince of Monaco. The reports provide the analysis of the accounts of the State of Monaco and are available on the official portal of the Board of Auditors. The Board of Auditors is a member of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). Current Chairman of the Board is Jean-Pierre Gastinel, the Honorary Chamber President at the Court of Auditors (Paris).
The Biennale Monégasque de Cancérologie is a congress which takes place every two years and organizes conferences and workshops in the field of oncology, cancer treatment, radiotherapy, pneumology, hematology, general medicine, etc. for health professionals, students and academics.
The Treaty of Stupinigi was signed on November 8 and 10 1817, in Stupinigi between Honoré V, Prince of Monaco, and Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia.
Holy See–Monaco relations are bilateral relations between the Principality of Monaco and the Holy See. The principal Monégasque official is Ambassador Claude Giordan, who officially started at his position in November 2015. The Holy See is represented by its Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Arcari, who assumed office on May 25, 2019. The Embassy of Monaco to the Holy See is located in Rome, on Largo Spinelli. The Apostolic Nunciature to Monaco is non-residing as the nuncio currently resides in Rome.