Waste To Energy Can Help Caribbean, Panelist Tells “Going Green” Invest Caribbean Now Forum
April 23, 2012
L.R.: Ujjwal Bhattacharjee, Felicia Persaud, Loreto Duffy-Mayers and Tony Fiddy at the “Going Green” Invest Caribbean Now Forum on April 18, 2012 in Guyana. (CTO image)
CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, April 23, 2012: A panelist at the first green investment forum at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference believes waste to energy plants in the region could help solve the problems of high power cost.
Tony Fiddy, President of the Waste to Energy Division and Regional Vice President for Europe and Africa, Naanovo Energy Inc., says waste to energy plants could lower the power costs of many nations tremendously.
“In St. Kitts we will be building a plant and selling power for US.20 cents to the government there, resulting in a huge savings that will be passed along to the consumer,” said Fiddy, a panelist on the “Going Green” Invest Caribbean Now Forum, organized by Felicia Persaud’s Hard Beat Communications and the CTO, and held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Guyana International Conference Centre in Liliendaal, Guyana.
The forum also featured Loreto Duffy-Mayers, Project Manager for the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action (CHENACT) Programme and Ujjwal Bhattacharjee, a specialist in renewable energy and energy efficiency with a focus on technology, investment and policy and a consultant on the CHENACT project.
The CHENACT Study found that green investments in the Caribbean hotel sector offers a sufficient critical mass to spur entrepreneurial activity and both Duffy-Mayers and Bhattacharjee expressed the hope that a Clean Energy Policy will be incorporated into the National Energy Policy of countries and replicated throughout the region
The forum was a partnership between the CTO and Invest Caribbean Now, the brand founded by Felicia Persaud, the Guyana-born CEO of the New York-based digital media company Hard Beat Communications.
Persaud, who co-convened and moderated the forum, urged the 100 delegates to remember that “investing in clean energy is not just environmentally responsible, but good business.”
“No region offers more long-term growth prospects for renewable energy than the Caribbean,” said Persaud.
Last year, according to the UN Environment Program, investors pumped a record two hundred and 11 billion US dollars into renewables globally and this is projected to grow to 1.7 trillion by 2020. Of the 211 billion, $72 billion was invested in developing countries vs. $70 billion in developed economies. South and Central America secured $13.1 billion of that amount. The Caribbean was not accounted for in this study.
“And so it is a challenge to the Caribbean region to position itself to take advantage of this new sector sustainably and with transparency. Our leaders must begin to think outside the box and be unafraid to move beyond the traditional sectors – for instance out of a dying sugar industry, to ethanol,” Persaud added. “We must tap investment into this sector to create new jobs and limit our dependence on the up and down prices of oil and grow our economies like our south American neighbors and really make a mark on this generation.”
The Caribbean Tourism Organization has been staging its Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise known as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), since 1997. The 2012 conference was presented by the CTO and hosted by the Government of Guyana from April 15-18, 2012.
Partners for the April 18th Green Investment forum included One Caribbean Television, CaribPR Wire and News Americas Now.
Haiti’s Disaster Risk Management and Recovery Experience Showcased at Prestigious Global Meeting in Washington, D.C.
April 18, 2012
Haiti’s Cornerstone Decentralization Program, Katye Pam Poze, gains wide reception as innovative “bottom-up” approach to disaster reduction & management based on community integration and sustainable development.
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Thierry Mayard-Paul, Haiti’s Chief of Staff and Minister of the Interior, Territorial Collectivities and National Defense, led the Haitian delegation that shared Haiti’s disaster risk management and recovery experience with a cadre of top-level experts from approximately 38 nations, at the highly-regarded Consultative Group meeting of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). Haiti was the only Western Hemispheric country invited to attend the event as a Developing Country, for the period 2012- 2013.
Mayard-Paul described the Martelly Administration’s vision for emergency preparedness and response, stating: “the 2010 earthquake demonstrated that development will never be successful if we don’t build risk reduction at our core. That is why the Martelly administration is committed to making disaster risk reduction and management, a critical priority across the government.”
Coming into Office, President Martelly’s new Government boosted preparedness and response capacity by strengthening the Civil Protection Directorate, as well as sub-national efforts. This work continues and will remain important as Haiti heads into the hurricane season. The Haitian delegation provided specific examples, for instance, of how the government has integrated risk reduction as a centerpiece of its recovery efforts within the 16/6 project. This is a US$78-million project seeking to rehabilitate 16 neighborhoods to relocate residents of six large camps in the metropolitan area, impacting 30,000 people.
Mayard-Paul gave many examples of fruitful collaborative efforts between donors, NGOs, and federal and local governments. “However, they are independent programs that are not fully integrated under one single, comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction & Management strategy.” As a result, the government –through the Ministry of the Interior– is developing a policy framework for longer term disaster risk reduction and management that will be integrated into the new national development plan.
“Development progress and risk reduction will only be successful if they are tied to local development,” added Mayard-Paul. “That is why we recently launched Katye Pam Poze, the cornerstone program for the government’s National Decentralization Agenda.” Disaster risk reduction and management are intrinsically embedded within KPP. This way, capacity is built at the community level across the country, under an innovative “bottom up” or grassroots approach, but in complete alignment with the national strategy.
Mayard-Paul encouraged potential partners present at the meeting to help Haiti make a significant impact in disaster risk reduction and management. “We know we can’t do this alone. We need long-term development partners to support the government’s identified priorities,” said Mayard-Paul. “That’s why organizations like GFDRR and the World Bank (WB) are critical, and why this meeting is so important to Haiti.”
The Minister cited eight key areas of potential support from international partners:
- Building institutional capacity at all levels– for example, supporting Katye Pam Poze’s emergency risk reduction and response modules.
- Contributing to build infrastructure and processes — from basic physical work space to the creation of a single national emergency warning system.
- Supporting knowledge and innovation – by financing university research to identify new ways to tackle risk whilst channeling efforts of the young.
- Funding research and assessments –information gathering and sharing is one of Haiti’s major challenges.
- IT/online infrastructure, software and training so that databases and critical information can be shared.
- Helping build comprehensive disaster risk reduction programs in priority cities and departments since reducing risk across the whole country at the same speed is impossible.
- Build national capacity to assess, monitor and reduce risks. In particular, build on the progress made on seismic risk reduction while also strengthening cyclone/hydro capacity.
- Supporting communications and public awareness campaigns.
“The Government of Haiti is charting a new course on disaster reduction and management, one based on resilience, best practices and community integration ensuring sustainable development,” concluded Mayard-Paul.
The Haitian delegation also included Elizabeth Landers, Adjunct Chief of Staff, Ministry of the Interior; Jean-Elie Germain, Project Manager for disaster risk reduction, OXFAM GB Haiti; Yolene Surena, Coordinator, IDA Project “Disaster Risk Management and Reconstruction”; and the staff members of the GFDRR: Gaetano Vivo, Disaster Risk Management Focal Point for Haiti and Jean-Baptiste Migraine, Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank.
GFDRR, (www.gfdrr.org/gfdrr/12CG) is Co-Chaired by the World Bank and the Government of the Netherlands. The CG meeting serves as a focal point for the United Nations’ international efforts to mitigate and minimize disasters such as the January 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti.
HBO: Latin America: Game of Thrones Concludes Press Tour in Miami
April 18, 2012
MIAMI, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The actors from Game of Thrones finished a promotional tour with an event in Miami, FL with press from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Jamaica and the Bahamas. This came after visits to Mexico, DF and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this photo, Kit Harington, Richard Madden and Alfie Allen who are part of the leading cast of the hit series, which was recently confirmed for a third season.
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Haiti’s Katye Pam Poze (KPP) Makes International Debut at GFDRR in Washington
April 15, 2012
Global delegates will be introduced to KPP, Haiti’s Innovative Approach to Disaster Reduction and Recovery
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, April 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – The Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul is traveling to the United States today as head of a delegation that will participate in the 12th Consultative Group (CG) meeting of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) next week. The meeting serves as a focal point for the World Bank’s efforts to mitigate and minimize disasters, such as the January 2010 earthquake that devastated our country.
Mr. Mayard-Paul will officially represent the Government of Haiti, addressing the CG regarding the disaster risk management challenges Haiti is facing. In doing so, he will outline the steps Haiti is taking now to strengthen the nation’s disaster response and recovery. The invitation to speak before other world leaders at this prestigious global meeting underscores the effectiveness of the disaster mitigation programs now underway in Haiti and indicates the efforts our government is doing can serve as a model for other developing countries to replicate.
The Minister, who has worked tirelessly in his effort to build a stronger civil defense network throughout the country, will update meeting delegates on where Haiti is heading through the vision and strategy of President Martelly’s administration. This includes the administration’s decentralization strategy and its plans for building infrastructure and institutional capacity nationwide. The strategic platform is based on establishing a network of community safety across Haiti as reflected in Katye Pam Poze which Mr. Mayard-Paul is implementing. This initiative forms the cornerstone of President Martelly’s National Decentralization Agenda and the minister is actively hosting dialogues across Haiti to determine the most pressing needs of local communities.
According to Minister Mayard-Paul, Katye Pam Poze has as its core, a plan to mobilize local governments for disaster risk prevention and emergency response. Building a more resilient Haiti is a top priority for the Minister and the Martelly administration. “The steps we are taking in Haiti are aligned with the vision of the United Nation’s Development Program which states that in a national emergency, the priority in the first few hours is to make sure that people get immediate help from within their own communities,” said Mr. Mayard-Paul. “Knowing who is injured, where people are, making sure that there is an organized plan to identify people’s location is critical during the first few hours of an emergency. Haiti will have well prepared communities. Everyone will know how to react and lives will be saved.”
The minister also reiterated the importance of the precedent-setting “seismic risk reduction plan for northern Haiti”, a flagship project for UNDP and its national partners. “This is one of the first times a developing country has taken advance measures to reduce the vulnerability of the population and its economy to future earthquakes,” said the minister. “We can take pride in establishing this model, and setting an example for the world.”
GFDRR, (www.gfdrr.org/gfdrr/12CG) is Co-Chaired by the World Bank and the Government of the Netherlands.
AFRICAN CARIBBEAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ACPAC) ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS OF 2012 PENNSYLVANIA STATE CANDIDATES
April 15, 2012
Philadelphia, PA – April 15, 2012 The African Caribbean Political Action Committee completed its endorsement process for the 2012 Pennsylvania State Primary elections. The Candidates were evaluated based on their responses to the committee’s questionnaire and a rigorous interview process.
The endorsements process focused on candidates with a significant number of African and Caribbean individuals and/or businesses within their districts. ACPAC encourages registered voters in the African and Caribbean community, and all voters in the City of Philadelphia to vote for, support, volunteer for and donate to the campaigns for the following individuals:
186th District
ACPAC decided to stay neutral – both candidates that participated (Jordan Harris & Damon Roberts) are very well qualified, and are in line with the committee’s values. ACPAC would be very happy to work with either candidate the voters decide to send to Harrisburg
188th District
Again, ACPAC decided to stay neutral. The incumbent (James R. Roebuck) has a solid history of advocating for the educational needs of constituents, and the challenger (Fatimah Muhammad) is an excellent candidate, who has a solid resume of work in and for the community. Both candidates have been supportive of the community, and ACPAC would be very happy to work with either one of these candidates.
192nd District
ACPAC is endorsing the candidacy of Will Mega. There is no doubt that Will Mega is aligned with the values of the committee’s community as demonstrated by the advocacy he has engaged in on the behalf of community members – even without the pulpit of elected office. ACPAC will be happy to work with him if elected, and will support his campaign efforts.
198th District
ACPAC unanimously endorses Malik Boyd in this race. The pragmatic and common sense approach to addressing issues plaguing the community he displayed are exactly what you would expect from a business owner; and will provide a breath of fresh air in Harrisburg. His Parental Involvement Tax Credit plan as his approach to educational reform separates him from the pack of candidates that have chosen to focus strictly on being for or against vouchers.
202nd District
ACPAC endorses Numa St Louis, a well-qualified candidate. As a Haitian-American, he is very aware of the issues facing the African & Caribbean community, and the immigrant community at large. ACPAC expects him to provide a voice for the hitherto voiceless members of his district, and will be very happy to work with him.
African Caribbean Mission Statement
African Caribbean PAC (ACPAC) is a Political Action Committee dedicated to social, political and economic inclusion for residents in the African Caribbean Diaspora. ACPAC also supports United States polices that strengthen bi-lateral relations and create economic opportunities for Caribbean and African Nations.
Countdown Begins To Green Investment Forum At STC 13 In Guyana
April 11, 2012
CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, April 11, 2012: The countdown has begun to the inaugural “Going Green” Invest Caribbean Now Forum, part of this year’s Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 13th annual Sustainable Tourism Conference in Guyana next week.
The forum, featuring Jennifer Baldwin, Research Fellow, Energy and Environment, Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), Inter-American Development Group; Tony Fiddy, President of the Waste to Energy Division and Regional Vice President for Europe and Africa, Naanovo Energy Inc.; Loreto Duffy-Mayers, Project Manager for the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action (CHENACT) Programme and Ujjwal Bhattacharjee, a specialist in renewable energy and energy efficiency with a focus on technology, investment and policy and a consultant on the CHENACT project, is set for next Wednesday, April 18, 2012, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Guyana International Conference Centre in Liliendaal, Guyana.
The forum is a partnership between the CTO and Invest Caribbean Now, the brand founded by Felicia Persaud, the Guyana-born CEO of the New York-based digital media company Hard Beat Communications.
Persaud said the forum will be similar to the company’s Invest Caribbean Now New York forum, which returns to New York City this June 6th, allowing presentations from speakers while giving ministers of government, tourism officials, entrepreneurs and other delegates the opportunity to pitch their investment ideas and prospects to the panelists.
“Investing in clean energy is not just environmentally responsible, but good business,” said Persaud. “And no region offers more long-term growth prospects for renewable energy than the Caribbean. Last year, according to the UN Environment Program, investors pumped a record two hundred and 11 billion US dollars into renewables globally – a 540 percent rise since 2004. This is projected to grow to 1.7 trillion by 2020. The Caribbean region needs to position itself to take advantage of this new sector.”
To attend STC 13, log on to http://www.caribbeanstc.com/register. The Caribbean Tourism Organization has been staging its Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise known as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), since 1997. This year’s conference will open on Monday, April 16th and will be keynoted by former Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo. STC also serves as a primary arena where new and creative ideas about enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Caribbean tourism product are generated.
Partners for the April 18th Green Investment forum include One Caribbean Television, CaribPR Wire and News Americas Now.
2012 WISE Awards Seek Groundbreaking Projects in Education
April 11, 2012
Application Process Now Open
DOHA, Qatar, April 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Representatives of original and pioneering initiatives in education are invited to apply for the 2012 WISE Awards which will be presented to six successful projects at the 2012 WISE Summit, November 13-15,in Doha, Qatar.
Now in their 4th year, the WISE Awards recognize and spotlight innovative educational projects from around the world, and from all educational sectors, which have had a transformative impact upon education and society. Applications are open from April 1 to May 31, 2012.
The winning projects will be showcased at the annual WISE Summit and will benefit from substantial media visibility, helping promote their achievements and developments. They will each also be given $20,000 (US). The theme of the WISE Awards 2012 is “Transforming Education”.
One of the 2012 WISE Awards will be for a project that has best delivered innovative financing of primary education. This reflects the support of Qatar Foundation Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser for the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 2 on achieving universal primary education and it is designed to stimulate innovative projects targeted at achieving MDG 2.
A panel will examine the applications and 24 finalists will be announced in July. A Jury of leading educational experts will then select the six most innovative projects. The Winners of the WISE Awards 2012 will be announced in September.
H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, PhD, Chairman of WISE and Chairman of the WISE Awards Jury, said: “Over the last three years we have received very impressive applications for the WISE Awards which are having an outstanding impact on people’s lives around the world. Great innovations need to be recognized and made accessible to all so that they can be expanded, adapted and replicated, and can inspire and benefit other communities.”
The closing date for applications is May 31. To submit a project for the WISE Awards or for further information about WISE and the WISE Awards, please visit www.wise-qatar.org.
Rita’s Italian Ice Signs Area Franchise Developments in California & ABC Islands
April 10, 2012
New Franchise Momentum Means Growth and New Senior Vice President of Franchise Sales Scott Schubiger Joins 550 Unit Rita’s to Continue Expansion
TREVOSE, Pa., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Rita’s Italian Ice®, the nation’s largest Italian Ice concept with over 550 stores in 22 states, has signed a new area franchise development agreement for part of Los Angeles County, California, and an area franchisee development agreement for Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao also known as the ABC Islands. The company also announced Scott Schubiger has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Franchise Sales. Schubiger, a 20 plus year sales veteran, will manage worldwide franchise development for the popular growing chain.
“With a renewed focus on growing the Rita’s brand, we are proud to welcome our California and ABC Islands area franchisees,” said Jonathan Fornaci, chief executive officer of Rita’s. “Another new addition, and member of the senior leadership team, Scott Schubiger will enable us to expand Rita’s brand to many more fans within the United States and abroad.”
Stuart and Cynthia Glist are the new area developers for Rita’s Italian Ice in Los Angeles County. Their territory includes San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and Antelope Valley. They plan to grow the popular brand by offering franchises in their territory to have twenty five locations open over the next five years. Their first Rita’s store in Burbank is planned for this fall. “We were actually in negotiations with Rita’s before we had even tasted the products,” said Stuart Glist. “During our due diligence process it became evident that Rita’s was perfect for California. The differentiated product, no direct competition, and a long history and track record of success, were just a few of the many things that appealed to us. We can’t wait to share our love of Rita’s with our fellow Californian’s!”
“The ABC’s, the sunny Caribbean islands with an average temperature year-round in the mid-80s Fahrenheit, is the perfect place to open Rita’s,” says Joe DeAngelis area developer, along with his wife, Irene, of Rita’s ABC Islands. “We are very proud to be the first to bring Rita’s to the Caribbean.” They plan to franchise and open four Rita’s stores within three years with the first targeted to open in Aruba this October.
Rita’s growth strategy is to add significant scale around the world. From inquiry to opening, Rita’s seasoned executives provide an unparalleled level of support. Qualified franchisees benefit from a twenty-eight year old brand which is a predictable, measurable and sustainable investment opportunity.
The company is actively seeking area development agreements and multiple-unit operators throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, the Carolina’s, and the Northeast, and single unit franchisees in the mid-Atlantic region. Rita’s is also actively pursuing major international markets across several continents.
Candidates interested in opening a Rita’s Italian Ice should possess a passion for the brand and serving guests and families in a fast-paced environment. It is strongly desired that Area Developer candidates have past franchise operation or area development experience. For more information on franchising, visit www.ritasice.com
About Rita’s Franchise Company
Rita’s Franchise Company, headquartered in Trevose, PA, is the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, currently operating in 22 states with over 550 stores. The chain offers a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian Ice, Old Fashioned Frozen Custard and layered Gelati as well as its signature Misto® and Blendini® creations. Rita’s was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal’s ‘Startup Journal.’ For more information about Rita’s, please call 1-800-677-RITA or visit www.ritasice.com
