Once Again the World Stands with Cuba!

International Committee  for Peace, Justice and Dignity Once Again the  World   Stands with Cuba! The International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity congratulates the government and the Cuban people for their emphatic victory yesterday at the General Assembly of the United Nations in which 191 countries voted overwhelmingly for the 26 time, in favor of the Resolution "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba". Only two countries voted against it: the United States and its satellite Israel. We reject the disrespectful and interventionist statement of Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, that was cloaked in dishonesty and does not reflect the sentiments of the people of the U.S., the majority of whom support an end to the blockade. Her words were not only offensive to Cuba but  all member countries of the General Assembly. In her talk she insulted and mocked the great majority of the nations of the planet dismissing their overwhelming support for Cuba and calling the vote meaningless "political theater." Her intervention not only revealed a new height of imperial arrogance and ignorance, but the absolute disdain for the entire international community. Large countries such as Russia, China, India to the small Jamaica, not only voted against the blockade but  had memorable interventions, that brought together the global political spectrum from the right, center and left, to express the need to end a failed policy that causes enormous suffering to the Cuban people and affects people  of the United States as well. We denounce the arrogance and interference of the United States that pretends to have the right to decide about the life, the economy and the form of government of the small neighboring  Cuba that  forged its definitive independence on January 1, 1959. A historic act that the empire has never forgiven them for. The United States lacks the moral character to talk about democracy and human rights, as it has emerged as the main violator. Its  endless wars of occupation has left millions dead, has destroyed a significant part of the heritage of humanity, and has caused hundreds of thousands of refugees, orphans and maimed. It possesses  the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons and is the main threat to peace. Behind each coup d'état and targeted killing, behind the  torture and the prison camps, is the evil imprint of the United States. While they are  busy filling the world with pain,  small, besieged and blocked Cuba for more than half a century, even under the most difficult circumstances, has constituted an example of dignity and international solidarity. Cuba has never occupied or threatened another country,  on the contrary it has helped them in their struggles for freedom including helping to put an end to the shameful regime of apartheid in Angola. Its medical and educational missions do not use lethal weapons, Cuba is synonymous with the love for humanity. The cynicism and the interventionist appetite from the imperial representative mirrors an absence of dignity and honesty who, like her President, inspires a shadow of shame for the millions of people of the United States leaving the world in a stupor to witness in the most grotesque form  what the great US writer Gore Vidal once said,  "The United States is mired in its biggest political, ethical and moral crisis ". Never has the isolation and loneliness of the U.S. been greater. Along with the government and the people of Cuba, and the millions of men and women of goodwill, represented in the 191 countries who said No More Blockade, we will continue denouncing, resisting and struggling for the end of a criminal and reactionary policy fueled by hate. The blockade continues, the international solidarity must multiply now! No to the Blockade! No to the occupation of Guantanamo! No to the regime change plans! Cuba will be victorious! Long Live a free, sovereign and Socialist  Cuba! November 2, 2017 SPEECH OF CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRUNO RODRIGUEZ PARRILLA International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity 510-219-0092 | info@TheInternationalCommittee.org | Website

Donate to Rebuild Dominica

ReBuild Dominica  Founded in 2015 in the wake of the devastation wrought by Tropical Storm Erika, ReBuild Dominica is now raising funds and organising relief for the category five Hurricane Maria: the worst natural disaster in Dominica's history. DONATE _______________________________________________________________________

Business Opportunities. Complete Caribbean maximum of USD$400,000

What? Technical assistance provided to clusters of firms. Why? To increase global competitiveness and positioning of products and services sold by private sector firms in the Caribbean. Who? A minimum of three organisations, led by one private sector firm submitting the application. Where? Antigua & Barbuda; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad & Tobago. How much? Compete Caribbean will grant selected cluster project(s) 80% of the total budget for the project proposed by the cluster, to a maximum of USD$400,000. The cluster must contribute a counterpart of 20% (minimum) of the total project cost, half of which can be provided in-kind. Professional consultants will also be available to support the project development process. Grant funds will cover consultancy services and minor goods related to improving the functioning of a cluster. Grants will be allocated on a competitive basis following an evaluation by an independent Investment Panel. How? Download the official Project Concept Note format HERE. The lead firm must fill the concept note format and sign the application form and upload via THIS WEBLINK. A cluster is 3 or more organisations collaborating to produce and sell a stream of new or better products/services at competitive costs on the regional or international market.     Organisations actively involved in a cluster initiative benefit from: Access to larger markets Business development/branding Cost sharing/saving workforce development Higher and more uniform quality standards Supply chain or process improvements better government support  Overview of COMPETE CARIBBEAN APPLY Deadline: Call for Projects - November 15, 2017   _______________________________________________________________________

Fund Raiser. CDEMA.. Caribbean American Heritage Awards. November 17, 2017

A portion of proceeds from this year's ceremony will go the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)  to farmers and rural producers affected by the hurricanes in the Caribbean.  Buy Tickets _______________________________________________________________________

Fund Raiser. Hurricane Relief Fund of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering of the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF).

Saturday, November 11, 2017 - 7PM The Embassy of Barbados, in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing, Inc. and the Barbados Association of Washington D.C. will culminate the year-long celebration of Barbados’ 50th Anniversary of Independence with the Spirit of Barbados Gala. Organization of American States (OAS) 200 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20006  Attire: Black-tie Tickets Proceeds from the event will go towards the Hurricane Relief Fund of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering of the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF). http://www.CDEMA.org http://CaribbeanScience.org For additional information, click HERE _______________________________________________________________________

Monday, Nov 13. 3:30-5:00pm. Discussion: 2018 Farm Bill: Ensuring U.S. Leadership in Agricultural Research and Development

The CSIS Global Food Security Project presents:

 

The 2018 Farm Bill:
Ensuring U.S. Leadership in
Agricultural Research and Development

 

Featuring opening remarks by:

Dan Glickman

Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture & Executive Director,
the Aspen Institute Congressional Program

 

Followed by a panel discussion featuring:

Sonny Ramaswamy

Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA),
U.S. Department of Agriculture

 

Sue Schram

Senior Partner, SP Consulting

Moderated by:

Kimberly Flowers

Director, Global Food Security Project and
The Humanitarian Agenda, CSIS

Monday, November 13, 2017

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
1616 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036

 

The 2014 Farm Bill – a critical piece of legislation that authorizes a multitude of U.S. food and agricultural programs –  is up for renewal in 2018. Funding for agricultural research constitutes only a small fraction of the total Farm Bill budget. However, Farm Bill authorizations are the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s primary source of revenue for conducting agricultural science, extension, and education programming through both its own agencies and Land Grant institutions.

Despite high rates of return on investment, U.S. public spending on agricultural research and development (R&D) has remained flat while funding for other federal science agencies has soared.  Stagnant agricultural R&D investments in the United States increasingly fall behind the investments of our global partners and competitors. Chinese public spending on agricultural research has surpassed that of the U.S. since 2008.

Join us for a discussion on research funding and priorities in the next Farm Bill, and the implications of U.S. agricultural R&D for both the domestic agriculture sector and for global food security. How should we understand the nexus between U.S. agricultural innovation, global food production, and economic stability? How can we better facilitate the transfer of agricultural research and technologies to developing countries? How could the next Farm Bill allow and spur the U.S. scientific community to develop research and technologies with international applications? How does the Farm Bill relate to the U.S. Global Food Security Strategy?



This event will be live-webcast from the event page. Please note that you do not need to RSVP to watch the live-webcast.

November 2017. Delgado Certified Line Worker Training Program Info Sessions

Delgado Certified Line Worker Training Program Info Sessions

Entergy New Orleans donates $50,000 to kick off Certified Line Worker Training Program at Delgado Community College

NEW ORLEANS - Entergy New Orleans, Inc. officials today (Oct. 23) presented a $50,000 check to Delgado Community College to support the start of the Certified Line Worker Training Program, which was developed through a partnership between the Louisiana Energy Workforce Consortium (LEWC) and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS). Recognizing the upcoming need for skilled, trained line workers in the near future, electric utility companies, utility contractors and community and technical colleges from across Louisiana have come together to form the LEWC. Graduates of the 26-week evening studies program at Delgado Community College will obtain National Center for Construction Education and Research certification, be qualified for employment as a line helper and receive job-placement assistance. LEWC members were instrumental in developing the program's curriculum and designing the training facilities. "This is a great example of the type of cooperation needed between industry and our educational system to develop the workforce of tomorrow," said Charles Rice, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. "We're pleased to support this program and look forward to helping its graduates start rewarding careers in a job that is, in many ways, the backbone of the electric utility industry. We're also glad to continue our support of Delgado's workforce development initiatives." "The workforce of the Greater New Orleans region continues to be upwardly mobile thanks to job training partnerships like this one between Delgado Community College and Entergy New Orleans," said Joan Davis, chancellor of Delgado Community College. "We thank our partners at Entergy for their support, and we look forward to the day when this program's graduates are helping keep us comfortable, safe and productive inside all of our homes and businesses." Delgado Community College and Fletcher Technical Community College will be the first Louisiana colleges to offer the Certified Line Worker Training Program beginning in January 2018. More information on the program is available at http://www.dcc.edu/academics/workforce/line_worker.aspx or by calling 504-671-6706. LEWC utility partner companies include: Entergy, Chain Electric, CLECO, DEMCO, Diversified Services, SLECA, Terrebonne Parish Utilities, Lafayette Utilities System, T&D Solutions, Willbros T&D Services, Linetec Services, Utility Lines Construction Services and Southern Electric Corporation. Delgado Community College is the largest, oldest and most diverse community college in Louisiana. More than 25,000 students are served by Delgado each semester. The college provides more than 100 degree, certificate and diploma programs as well as adult education and workforce development to residents of the Greater New Orleans region and a broad range of the Gulf South, other U.S. states and Latin America. Entergy New Orleans, Inc. is an electric and gas utility that serves Louisiana's Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to more than 198,000 customers and natural gas to more than 106,000 customers. Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. ###

Research Puerto Rico & USVI Previous Funding for Non-Disaster and Relief Funding. DHS\FEMA Grant Funding. Summary and Key Findings 2016.

How much preparedness funding has YOUR LOCAL community received?

GET INVOLVED!  Research your local EM office, development planning, water & waster management and other critical areas in your community to determine what funding has been received, and what improvements have resulted.  

Always keep in mind that disasters are LOCAL not national in nature.  Preparedness starts in your home, and your community.

CDS CEO BEMA International

NOTE:  

     I tend to follow the money that was previously allocated for relief and recovery to determine current status

     to determine if preparedness and planning was truly taking place.

    Except from report: 

  

     Page 32

Report Type of Number, Grant,                                                                                     Amount Amount Potential Date Disaster Awarded Audited Monetary Issued Number Title ($M) ($M) Benefit 13 OIG-16-43-D 2/2/2016 PA 4017 The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Effectively Managed FEMA Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded for Hurricane Irene in August 2011 $8.0 $7.3 $0 14 OIG-16-52-D 2/21/2016 PA 4152 FEMA Should Recover $312,117 of $1.6 Million Grant Funds Awarded to the Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico $1.6 $0.9 $312,117 15 OIG-16-60-D 4/6/2016 PA 4017 FEMA Should Recover $267,960 of $4.46 Million in Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to the Municipality of Jayuya, Puerto Rico, for Hurricane Irene Damages $4.5 $3.5 $267,960

  

Summary and Key Findings of Fiscal Year 2016 FEMA Disaster Grant and Program Audits The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not manage disaster relief grants and funds adequately and does not hold grant recipients accountable for properly managing disaster relief funds. We continue to identify persistent problems such as improper contract costs, and ineligible and unsupported expenditures as examples of this continued failure. In fiscal year 2016, we found $155.6 million, or 23 percent, in questioned costs out of the $686 million that we audited, which we recommended FEMA disallow as ineligible and unsupported costs. As part of our open recommendation follow-up responsibilities, we determined that as of April 8, 2017, FEMA allowed $85.7 million of the $155.6 million in costs that we questioned. Further, FEMA continues to not hold grant recipients accountable for failing to provide adequate monitoring or technical assistance to subgrantees. In FY 2016, 29 of our grant audit reports contained recommendations addressing the lack of adequate oversight on the part of grant recipients. Read Report OIG-18-06 Office of Public Affairs E: dhs-oig.officepublicaffairs@oig.dhs.gov                         OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL l DHS WWW.OIG.DHS.GOV  l TWITTER: @DHSOIG OIG News Press Releases    Congressional Testimony SAR & Other Publications Semiannual Report (SAR)    Annual Performance Plan (APP)    Strategic Plan