ELEVATE MONTE-CARLO
2022 Space Conference Recap
ELEVATE 2022 recap
ELEVATE Monte-Carlo 2022 was dedicated to Peace and Unity. The space conference in the heart of the Principality of Monaco welcomed former NASA astronaut, Ron Garan addressing the evolution of his perspective on humanity.
The Future Generation
The morning conference was dedicated to children and students of the Principality, with the main message that we can achieve more together in peace and unity. The conference was a full house with children ranging from 3 to 17 years old.
From the thrilling first launch, to what it was like for Ron to step out into space on his very first spacewalk, Ron’s story made the students feel like they are traveling with him on these magical journeys. While they were sitting in awe, the former astronaut described what it felt like when leaving Earth for the very first time or seeing the beauty of our planet from space, which we could never imagine before space travel and exploration existed.
After joining on a 71 million-mile journey from the heart of the Principality, local students enjoyed an exciting and insightful presentation about space and had the chance to ask the former NASA astronaut their most intriguing questions.
"We really need more educational events like that in Monaco. Well adapted for small children as well as for bigger ones. The astronaut was engaged with the students, and took the time to answer questions. I could see a lot of the kids with shining eyes."
- Pascale Lurie, International School of Monaco
The ELEVATE Space Conference
In the afternoon, Ron Garan held a public conference, inspiring the participants with amazing stories of spaceflights and spacewalks from his journey beyond the edge of space, as well as the evolution of his perspective on humanity.
Ron’s philosophy is to zoom out to a greater perspective where we can see one planet as one borderless spaceship, called planet Earth. This can foster collaborative environments where teammates can achieve their true potential.
With this perspective, he encouraged participants, businesses and professionals to view and live their lives as if they would be crew mates with others on a spaceship, respecting differences and enhancing collaboration through diversity. He also reminded participants that every small step in our daily lives counts to create a more liveable and conscious planet.
Zsolt Szemerszky
Space and innovation are highly important nowadays, as the Monegasque government also entered into the Space Race with the creation of a Bureau of Space Affairs.
Opening the ELEVATE Monte-Carlo Space Conference, founder and Monaco resident, Zsolt Szemerszky addressed the historical developments of Monaco from its aviation heritage in the early 1900s to the space industry links of the present days.
Zsolt also highlighted that space travel and research are not just about technology and development, they also represent a humanitarian contribution to life on Earth.
Living on a space station, astronauts and cosmonauts of multiple nations are working hand in hand for a common goal. From the viewpoint of space, there are no borders, and ELEVATE conference aims to further cultivate and build upon this perspective.
Colonel Ron Garan
Having enjoyed an illustrious career that has cemented Colonel Ron Garan’s place as one of the world’s most influential individuals, the iconic father of three is a decorated former NASA astronaut, fighter pilot and test pilot, humanitarian, and social entrepreneur.
Colonel Ron Garan visited the Principality upon the initiation of Monaco resident Zsolt Szemerszky, to meet and greet the future generation and to talk about the “orbital perspective”, meaning that from space there are no borders, just one common origin of human beings.
Ron has spent 178 days in space and has traveled more than 71 million miles during 2,842 orbits of our planet. He flew on both the US space shuttle and the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, where he accomplished four spacewalks. Ron also spent eighteen days at the bottom of the ocean during a research mission held in the world’s only undersea research lab, Aquarius.
“Looking back at our planet from space fills us with the realization that each and every one of us is riding through the Universe together on this spaceship we call Earth and that we are all in this together.” - Ron Garan, former NASA astronaut
As part of a select group of individuals who have been fortunate enough to see the world from space, Ron champions his “orbital perspective” message to improve life on earth.
Ron’s book called “Orbital Perspective” is about his realisation that although we live in our countries and individual cities, each of us is deeply interconnected with everybody else.
Ron is celebrated not just for his research in space but also for his humanitarian contribution to life on Earth.
“My goal was to bring an authentic voice to the Principality of Monaco which can deliver a renewed sense of awe and wonder, someone who has experienced living in the space station. Many people and future space tourists want to represent this industry but learning from someone like Ron, who has spent 178 days in space, and has accomplished four spacewalks is a special opportunity.” - Zsolt Szemerszky, organiser.
Dario Salas Sommer
The ELEVATE conference featured also a special letter written by the Chilean philosopher, Dario Salas Sommer. The former astronaut’s message was in harmony with the thoughts of the philosopher, known especially for his exploration of moral aspects of human life and personal development.
Thanks to Alexsey Antropov, a Monaco resident and student of the late philosopher, a private letter written by the Chilean philosopher – founder of the Latin American Foundation Simon Bolivar – was given to the organisers to be publicly read during the conference.
In this letter, written a year before his death, Dario Salas Sommer wrote:
“Human beings and nations urgently need to reach an understanding by communicating with each other in a genuine and harmonious manner. If not, their actions turn against them and as a species and as humanity we are inexorably bound to disappear.”
ELEVATE VIP Gala Dinner
The conference, driven by awe and wonder with actionable takeaways, was followed by a spectacular two-Michelin star VIP dinner prepared by renowned SBM chef, Marcel Ravin.
The gala dinner was attended by Monaco dignitaries, socialites, and UHNW individuals, with a combined net worth of 27 billion euros, sharing the same message and philosophy on peace and unity.
Among the distinguished guests, one could find Cécile and Antoine de Massy, Bernard d'Alessandri, Alexey Antropov, Safia El Malqui, David Yakobashvili, Marina Melia, Vitaly Malkin, Victoria Silvstedt, Victoria Bonya, Régis Bergonzi amongst other influential guests.
“We live in a world where the possibilities are only limited by our imagination and our will to act. We do not have to accept the status quo on our planet. It is possible to eliminate the suffering and conflict in our world: Nothing is Impossible #TheKeyIsWe.” - Ron Garan, former NASA astronaut
This ELEVATE Monte-Carlo event was proudly supported by the Antropov Foundation, the Omère Longevity Institute, and the Lanteri Partners Group; and organised by Zsolt Szemerszky and Olga Barrale.
