Monaco Reimagined: Where Off-Road Thinking Meets Academic Excellence An intimate gathering above the Mediterranean

On March 11, 2026, high above the Mediterranean, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco revealed a different side of the Principality. Far from its usual codes, the venue — carved into the cliff and steeped in history — became the setting for a confidential, highly curated gathering where science, culture and lifestyle intertwined with rare fluidity. More than 150 guests — from leading academics and institutional figures to elite athletes and influential entrepreneurs — were invited to step into a space designed not for spectacle, but for reflection.

The Oceanographic Museum, a symbol of legacy and vision

There are places that elevate an experience, and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is one of them. Founded by Prince Albert I, this architectural landmark has long stood as a beacon of exploration and environmental awareness. On this occasion, it offered more than a backdrop — it set the tone, creating an atmosphere where heritage meets forward-thinking vision, and where Monaco reveals its intellectual depth beneath its polished exterior.

The Offroad Club Monaco , in conveying its values through this workshop, embraces the famous words of Jacques Cousteau: “People protect what they love, and they love what they understand,” to express its commitment to raising awareness about the protection of the seas, the importance of heritage, the unifying spirit of sustainable outdoor sports, and the cultural, social and sporting value of the Principality of Monaco. In the same spirit, through the workshop “The Wake of Monaco,” OCM seeks to highlight the importance of heritage, sustainable outdoor sport, the essential role of preparation before action, and the interaction between cultures — encouraging people to understand these values so that they may appreciate and protect them, while fostering peace.

S.E. Mme Manuela Ruosi, Ambassadeur d’Italie en Principauté de Monaco,Erminia Fezia Mordenti, cofondatrice de l’Offroad Club Monaco et Project Manager

Massimiliano Mordenti and the art of thinking “off-road”

At the origin of this initiative is Massimiliano Mordenti, Cofounder of the Offroad Club Monaco and his wife Erminia Fezia Mordenti, Cofounder and Project Manager of the O.C.M.— a discreet yet compelling figure redefining the contours of modern sport. His approach moves beyond performance to embrace perspective: through the concept of “off-road thinking,” he invites a shift away from linear paths toward a more transversal, intuitive and conscious way of engaging with the world. This workshop becomes the embodiment of that philosophy, a space where disciplines intersect and conversations evolve organically, without hierarchy.

1. Mordenti stated :

“This was a deeply emotional moment for me, seeing the first academic and scientific workshop of the O.C.M. Permanent Academic and Scientific Committee come to life so successfully. An outstanding panel of professors, institutional representatives, entrepreneurs and internationally renowned athletes from all around Europe and Monaco came together to share not only their professional experiences, but also the deeper value of sporting and social activities, which represent an important cultural and human heritage.

I hope this moment of exchange will leave a tangible mark reflecting the authentic values of the Principality of Monaco: its heritage, its social, cultural and sporting commitment, as well as its dedication to environmental sustainability. Through this workshop, the Offroad Club Monaco aims to share these values with the world and with future generations.

It was also a great pleasure to share the stage with personalities with whom I share a commitment to cultural, social and sporting initiatives that go beyond the purely professional dimension. A commitment inspired by a vision of the ‘sustainable human being’: a person who cultivates physical, cultural, mental and social well-being, and who through their activities encourages encounters between different cultures while respecting the environment that surrounds them.

This approach contributes not only to the protection of nature, but also to the construction of a harmonious coexistence between peoples, guided by the values of peace. Whether on land or at sea, these experiences promote both the physical and mental well-being of individuals and the protection of the ecosystems in which they take place.”

M. Massimiliano Mordenti, CEO et Co-Fondateur de l’Offroad Club Monaco

A curated dialogue between worlds

What unfolded throughout the day was less a conference than a carefully orchestrated exchange. Institutional voices met academic expertise representing nine international universities, while athletes and entrepreneurs introduced a more experiential dimension, each contributing to a broader narrative shaped by nuance and depth. Themes such as Mediterranean heritage, environmental responsibility and the evolving role of sport were approached as interconnected layers of a larger reflection, where luxury is redefined through time, attention and the privilege of meaningful conversation.

As Erminia Fezia Mordenti – Co-founder, Offroad Club Monaco & Project Manager , explained:

“The Wake of Monaco is not merely a scientific workshop; it is, above all, an expression of vision. It reflects the philosophy of a wake that begins in Monaco and grows beyond its own boundaries through encounters between peoples, united by shared values and respect for the environment. Inspired by the pioneers of history and their legacy, this journey always returns to Monaco, which for the Offroad Club Monaco represents a home — a place that carries and promotes these values of peace.

Through this workshop, O.C.M. aims to encourage the scientific exploration of themes that are particularly close to our hearts. Our ambition is to trace a path that begins with the history and identity of the Mediterranean and leads toward today’s challenges, including sport, sustainable technology and the broader human dimension.

For the Offroad Club Monaco, Monaco represents both a home and a starting point. It is here that we envision new cultural connections, renewed environmental, social and economic responsibilities, and an international community united by the desire to push beyond its limits while respecting natural balances and common sense.”

“The Offroad Club Monaco was created to chart new paths — not only in sport, but also in reflection and collective responsibility. The wake we aim to leave through The Wake of Monaco represents a concrete commitment to building a new alliance between culture, sporting performance and environmental protection.

We are convinced that the Mediterranean can become a true laboratory for sustainable innovation and international cooperation. As the Offroad Club Monaco, we are ready to turn this vision into action by engaging institutions, universities, communities and entrepreneurs in a project focused on the future, while never forgetting its roots.”

Where academia becomes experience

Supported by leading international institutions, the workshop carried a strong academic foundation while remaining fluid and accessible. It embraced a refined form of intellectual lifestyle, where ideas circulate freely, knowledge is shared rather than demonstrated, and curiosity becomes the true driving force. This balance between rigor and fluidity defines a new kind of gathering — one that resonates with a generation seeking both substance and experience.

Professor Andrea Carteny (CEMAS, Universite’ La Sapienza de Rome), Coordinator of the Permanent Academic and Scientific Committee of the Offroad Club Monaco said :

“The first Offroad Club Monaco workshop explored themes ranging from historical and cultural heritage to environmental sustainability, as well as the role of sporting achievements within the cultures of the Mediterranean basin. It was a great success and an important moment of dialogue and enrichment among participants from very different backgrounds — in terms of origin, interests, languages and professions.

The Wake of Monaco provided the guiding thread throughout the workshop and will continue to evolve through new initiatives and off-road activities.

I would like to thank the Permanent Academic and Scientific Committee of the Offroad Club

Monaco for its participation and support, as well as my fellow professors for their contributions highlighting the central role of the Mediterranean and, within it, the place of Monaco. It was a moment of exchange and reflection that reminded us of the fundamental values of tolerance, sustainability and peace.”

Monaco, beyond appearances

In this setting, Monaco reveals a more discreet and nuanced identity. Beyond its reputation for prestige, the Principality emerges as a platform for influence where ideas are exchanged quietly yet with lasting impact. A place where heritage is not only preserved, but continuously reinterpreted through contemporary perspectives. With this first workshop, the Offroad Club Monaco introduces a new language of luxury — one defined not by possession, but by access: access to ideas, to people, to meaningful moments. A space where science meets lifestyle, where sport becomes a medium for reflection, and where Monaco positions itself, once again, at the intersection of vision and influence.