Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde: Current Events Part 10

[selminha]

The hairdo also is very pretty! It has some photo?

 

[purple_platinum]

lots of pics from LFI (they're small but without watermarks)

PRINCESS MATHILDE OF BELGIUM VISITS THE COLLEGE OF EUROPA IN BRUGGE, BELGIUM
February 2nd, 2006

 

[purple_platinum]

part 2 from LFI

 

[purple_platinum]

last part from LFI

 

[Mathilde1286]

Need we say how lovely she is???

 

[Royal Fan]

We dont need to its so obvious Just Like Maxima and Mary (I Mean no offense by not mentioning Letizia) shes Pretty in her own way as well

 

[Danielle]

Thanks for the wonderful photos. I love the photos where Mathilde is being all motherly and comforting the crying child. It doesn't matter what she does, or where she is, she's always smiling and being kind and always seems to genuinely care about what she's doing. I'll always find Mathilde an inspiration.

 

[Tinika]

I think one aspect of Mathilde's obvious empathy and kindness is that she's known suffering and tragedy in her own life. That always adds an extra dimension to the way one relates to people.

 

[Mathilde1286]

And also because of the fact that she is such a devout Catholic...her inner beauty and character is influenced strongly by her religious attitude toward life in my opinion. She truly is a wonderful human being!

 

[Emmily]

What a cool necklace Mathilde has on!

I know I'm going to be in the majority here, but I'm not liking this necklace. She is my absolute favorite, but I don't like this look. I think it's definitely something that couldn't be worn again anytime soon. It's too dramatic. Just me, hope I don't offend anyone here.

 

[Hannelore]

"The duchess was present at the European College for a speech on microcredit, followed by a round table talk with the students on this subject, where they also presented their projects in this field to her. Afterwards there was time for an informal talk."

More from isopix (thank you Jelka )

 

[Hannelore]

She's our national treasure

 

[Hannelore]

On the 24th Filip & Mathilde will visit Lanaken.

 

[Emily]

She's our national treasure

Yes, she sure is!

 

[Regina]

I really like this Princess! She' so genuine, pretty and kind! If I could be friend of any Crown Princess, I would definitly choose Princess Mathilde!

 

[Hannelore]

more from PPE

 

[Hannelore]

1. what she got from one of the bystanders. A little homemade artwork

 

[Hannelore]

This looks like an Armani suit. Does anyone know more about it?

 

[Hannelore]

Mathilde's speech at the College of Europe

The first part was in French, the second in English. I've made an attempt of translation...

Mister Rector,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear students,

"The College of Europe, an education without borders, with nearly 400 studiants coming from 47 different countries, offers an environment of unique schooling: competitif, multicultural and in multiple languages".

When I read this description in your brochure, to be honest, I was very impressed.

I immediately understood that I would be meeting curious, motivated and concerned young people today, for who life is a challenge in a Europe that's constantly on the move, the young people that one day will make the decisions in Europe, and even beyond the European borders.

Mister rector, I especially want to thank you for your kind invitation, because it allows me to adress the students present here, in this prestigious college in Bruges, but also to those who are listening in the campus in Natolin, Poland. I greet you all!

Dear students,

In a few moments I will talk to you about a subject that's especially dear to me. Now I'm sure this is a subject that many of you know not so well, or not at all. None the less it's a theme that the past years has got more and more interest from decision makers, in the public and the private sector. A theme that, amongst other, incites a growing sensibility in the banking world.

It's microcredit, or in a larger context, microfinance.

Don't be alarmed, I won't give you a theoretic course on microfinance! My only ambition is to raise your curiosity and ambition. This way I hope to make you feel a solidarity with the micro-entrepreneurs, by showing you a financial instrument that, according to my experience in the field, is efficient in the battle against poverty. I have seen encouraging results in China, Mali and India.

But let's face it, poverty isn't only present in developping countries. Also close to us - the prosperous North - poverty is present, often in a hidden way.

What is the microcredit I mentioned about ?
The micro-entrepreneurs are little independants with often a precarious financial condition, which excludes the traditional financing system for them. A microfinance institution gives them a small sum of money, with which they should develop a small economic activity such as for example a shoeshop, a fruitstall, a traditional jewellery shop, a hairdresser's salon...Thus the system allows them to live their dream with a modest sum as a starting capital. This small scale credit - sometimes it isn't more than ten euro or dollars - slowly transforms poverty into progress; it allows micro-entrepreneurs to escape from the daily surviving routine and to pass on to making plans for the future.

Of course microfinancing does not equal a remedy to abolish poverty once and for all. The participation of the population in the developping countries in the economic and financial life is limited by many obstacles and fierce predjudices. In the first place I think about the widespread idea that the poor aren't rentable or reliable. There's also the necessary closeness of services, the absence of an appropriated legal and financial framework, or new technologies that aren't accesible...

In my role of emissary for the United Nations for the international year of the microcredit, I cose from the beginning to stress the social impact this system of financing has.

And indeed I have often concluded that poverty has a female face, but the paradox is that women have many talents and are avid for innovation, they are often the motor of the family. So it are largery women that benefit from the services of the microfinance institutions. Their goal is not only to get the financial means they need, but also - and above all - to improve their status, their living conditions and those of their children by giving them a good education and a better acces to health care.

I would like to tell you an anectdote from my visit to India a few months ago. This story made me think deeply about the importance of microcredit.

During my mission to India last year, I had the opportunity to talk to various female micro-entrepreneurs from the South of the country. These women had travelled 2 full days and crossed 800 km in train to tell me about their personal microcredit experiences. I was inspired by their audacious thoughts, the perseverance and the wisdom of these women who, never having studied, were perfectly capable of running their own business and to earn money. Their profit went to the education of their children.

The fact they told me their story and most of all that they were listened to and taken seriously was for them a sign of respect for the things they had achieved. But our meeting also meant the recognition of the work they had done for their own community. A community where still a lot of hesitation exists when it comes to allowing microcredits to women.

It's important to promote financial instruments that not only allows the micro-entrepreneurs to develop economically, but also in a human way. Our attention for the social consequences of microcredit should join the attempts the sustain the financial benefits of microcredits. This is a constation made by many experts at the end of the international year of the microcredit.

Dear students,

The Year of Microcredit 2005 was one of the United Nations’ most successful years.

It raised awareness of microcredit, and identified not just the obstacles to a commercial viable microfinance system. It also highlighted best practices. It paved the way for the creation of a comprehensive research database - crucial for a better understanding of the demands and needs of microfinance clients.

The Year put microcredit and microfinance in general on the agenda of policymakers
nationally - with the setting up of more than a hundred national committees worldwide and internationally - with the involvement of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and the recognition of the importance of microcredit by the G8 and other policymaking bodies.

The Year mobilised the private sector and contributed to the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals, one of which is the alleviation of poverty.

Not just microcredit, but other financial services were focused upon – savings, insurance, lending, remittances… Microfinance can and should become a viable, sustainable business; it should no longer be considered as charity in another form. The poor want support for their own economic activities to generate increased earnings.

It is well known that micro-entrepreneurs are among the most energetic groups in developing countries. And we must listen to them. Nobody knows more about the impediments to finding finance than the people who experience them.

We must give them the opportunity to participate fully in economic life - and offer them the right framework in which to do it.

This is not always easy. Basic information is still lacking – such as an actual definition of poverty – and even a definition of the very terms microcredit and microfinance.

In order to find an answer to the question “who is excluded from finance?” and to build more meaningful and inclusive financial sectors for the future, the United Nations brought together a vast number of governments, bankers, academics, regulators and policymakers.

In addition, universities, non-governmental organisations – and most importantly – microfinance clients worldwide – were included. Millions of people throughout the world became involved.

And it is my belief you too are committed.

Dear students,

I have referred mainly to microfinance in the developing world – but before concluding – I do want to draw your attention to the fact that this financial instrument is also used in the developed world – in my country as in the rest of Europe. Yes it is on a smaller scale – and within a different socio-economic context, where a well-developed social security system and a strong banking sector exist.

But here also, microcredit is used to the benefit of the “unbankable” – those who want to start up a business and improve their situation through their own efforts. At the same time, the microfinance institutions themselves want to see a more professional approach from the would-be self-employed.

Unfortunately, the public is not widely aware of the possibilities that exist.

In closing, may I say how grateful I am to be here speaking to you today. It is my strong hope that all of you will give further thought to the issues, and share ideas on how to make financial services more accessible to the poor.

As I have said before, social and economic considerations should go hand in hand.

Only sustainable efforts lead to sustainable results. Let us combine our efforts to reach the ultimate goal – the eradication of poverty.

I look forward to talking with you on this, knowing that we can learn from one another.

My very best wishes for your future endeavours.

 

[Regina]

Thank you Hannelore

That was a very resolute Speech I'm sure she really raised the curiosity in those students!

 

[Maxie]

On the 24th Filip & Mathilde will visit Lanaken.

That's very close to the place where my parents live (in the very south of the Netherlands ). Could be interesting, though I don't think I'll have the time to go and see if I could catch a glimpse of Filip & Mathilde...... sigh. I would love to see them in real life!

 

[Mette2]

Thank you very much for taking the time to translate the French part of the speech Hannelore. It's very much appreciated. Great speech btw.
Also thank you to everyone who've posted the recent pictures of Mathilde. She looks absolutely amazing.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

More photos of Mathilde at the ballet gala. (P.P.E.)

She was accompanied by Jeanne Brabants, a Flemish dance innovator who's in her eighties now. She said Mathilde has a very good way of holding her body, like someone who has had ballet lessons.

There was also a modern piece on the song "Mathilde" of Jacques Brel.

After the performance, Mathilde greeted the choreographer. She said she'd enjoyed it very much, it was original and surprising. The choreographer was of course very glad, he told her he was proud and touched. She also talked to the dancers. One of them explained how long he and some others had been dancing already. In his cas it was 10 years, which really surprised Mathilde, she said "But you're still so young!"

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

a few more

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

2 pictures of Mathilde leaving after the Mali exhibition (P.P.E.)

 

[selminha]

The pictures are so beautiful! Thank you Cathérine.

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Mathilde at the European College (picturedesk)

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Mathilde at the European College (picturedesk)

two more from Rex Features

 

[Emily]

Thank you so much, Catherine! She is delightful!

 

[Larzen]

Dunno what this event is, but maybe good to include some pictures of the husband as well in this thread

Facetoface