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Category: Government

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  • Top Canadian Law Firms’ Courtroom Performance Revealed by Legal Analytics Software

    Top Canadian Law Firms’ Courtroom Performance Revealed by Legal Analytics Software

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Sep 19, 2017


    MIAMI, September 19, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    A Miami-based software firm is causing ripples in the Canadian legal sector with the release of its free Canada Courts Report 2017, which ranks the nation’s top lawyers and law firms based on their courtroom performance. Although data from the courts analyzed in the survey, which range from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) to the Territorial Court of Yukon, has been publicly available for many years, Premonition is the first company to create a comprehensive, searchable archive of these records. The Canada Courts Report ranks the most successful litigators in each court according to the percentage of their cases won over the past three years, providing the public with a taste of the deeper analysis available to Premonition clients.

    “What we’re talking about here is translating the performance of lawyers and firms into hard statistics,” says Premonition CEO and Co-Founder Guy Kurlandski. “For literally centuries, legal services have been a credence good—buyers make their best guess based on a firm’s marketing and reputation, and win or lose, never really know whether they made a good purchase or not. We aim to put an end to this unfair system.”

    “The rankings you see in the Canada Courts Report are fairly basic,” continues Premonition’s other Co-Founder and CIO Toby Unwin. “All they tell you is who has won the highest percentage of their cases in a given court. Once you dig a little further into the numbers though, you start to get a picture of why certain attorneys win more than others.”

    One of the value propositions Premonition mentions over and over again in their materials is the centrality of the relationship between a lawyer and a given judge. The impact of judicial preference on Canadian court decisions has long been anecdotally testified to, but quantitative research has been limited by the sheer scale of data involved. Now, with a few keystrokes, Premonition can identify outlier attorneys who massively over- or under-perform before certain judges. Internationally, the company has claimed this lawyer-judge dynamic accounts for a 30.7% skew in case outcomes.

    “If a modest investment in the legal ‘scouting’ we provide can turn a corporate client’s litigation portfolio from a 50/50 proposition to an 80/20, that represents a potential savings in the millions,” Unwin notes.

    Canada is Premonition’s most recent national expansion, joining operations in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Australia and more. Per its report, the firm is currently seeking a Canadian representative. Thanks to the controversial response its previous domestic rankings have provoked among attorneys who don’t find themselves listed, local partners like Premonition UK’s Ian Dodd often find themselves making industry headlines.

    “There were a fair number of upset barristers when we released our first Courts Report for the UK,” says Dodd, “but before long I was taking calls every day from firms with clients who demanded performance data before putting money on the table. Now it’s ‘the new black,’ and Premonition’s right in the thick of it.”

    Premonition’s Canada Courts Report 2017 is available now as a free download at https://www.premonition.ai/reports.

    – 30 –

    Contact:

    Nathan Huber
    Premonition L.L.C.
    Business Development Director
    nh@premonition.ai
    (615) 364-0924

    Source: Premonition L.L.C.

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  • Rep. Joaquin Castro to Speak at GlobalAustin Diplomacy Summit

    Rep. Joaquin Castro to Speak at GlobalAustin Diplomacy Summit

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Sep 19, 2017


    AUSTIN, Texas, September 19, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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    GlobalAustin, a student and visitor diplomacy program with ties to the U.S. Department of State, will be presenting their Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summit featuring U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro on Sept. 19. The event is being billed as an opportunity to bring together local, national, and international leaders in order to “foster connections and growth in the international exchange community” and address the critical role of citizen diplomacy in the modern world.

    Representative Castro will open the event by addressing “the vital need to improve international dialogue starting at the local level, the role of individual citizens in creating a positive U.S. image in the world, and the impact of U.S. foreign policy on local communities,” according to event chair Aditi Joshi.

    The vital need to improve international dialogue starting at the local level, the role of individual citizens in creating a positive U.S. image in the world, and the impact of U.S. foreign policy on local communities.

    Aditi Joshi, Event Chair

    During his presentation, Castro will answer two important questions:

    • How do public diplomacy programs and international programs contribute to the well-being of Texans?
    • What foreign policy issues are most important to Texas?

    Castro represents Texas’ 20th congressional district as he has done since 2013. His district covers just over half of San Antonio along with some of its suburbs. Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Castro represented the 125th district in the Texas House of Representatives.

    Also participating in the summit is the Honorable Ron Kirk, former Dallas mayor, Texas Secretary of State, and U.S. trade representative. He will address the summit at 9:30 a.m. with his presentation, ‘Why Leading Globally Matters for Texas: The impact of U.S. foreign policy and global events on Texas businesses and communities’.

    Lastly, U.S. Department of State representatives will participate in the event, including Foreign Service Officer, Stacy White, Director of the Office of International Visitors and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and Foreign Service Officer Ian Brown who will emcee the summit. Mr. Brown has extensive experience as a diplomat in both Latin America and Africa.

    “We are delighted that we have a diverse group of speakers and panelists who will contribute their thoughts and opinions on a memorable day at the Texas state capital,” said Joshi. “Seats are limited for the morning sessions, so registration is required for that time.”

    Joshi says that the afternoon panel discussions and the evening reception in the Scholz Garten are both offered free of charge. Anyone interested in learning more about the mission and vision of GlobalAustin is invited to attend them.

    The Diplomacy Begins Here summit is a single day event planned for Tuesday, Sept. 19 at the Texas State Capitol building. Registration is limited; those wishing to attend should visit the event website and follow the registration link.

    About GlobalAustin

    GlobalAustin began as a program designed to welcome international students to the University of Texas. Over the years, it grew into an important leadership organization that eventually became affiliated with the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Since 1960, GlobalAustin has worked with thousands of international visitors to make connections in Austin; connections the organization says enhance the local economy, architecture, environment, city government, technology, and culture.

    CONTACT:

    GlobalAustin​
    1103 West 24th Street, # 212​
    ​Austin, TX 78705​
    ​Phone: 512.215.0140​
    ​Email: info@globalaustin.org

    Source: GlobalAustin

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  • QATAR: A Dangerous Alliance

    QATAR: A Dangerous Alliance

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    Crisis in the Gulf Cooperation Council and threats to American, European, and Middle Eastern Security are subjects of new documentary

    Press Release
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    updated: Sep 18, 2017


    WASHINGTON, DC, September 18, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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    ​​​​​Experts from academia and leading international think tanks provide insight and analysis on the current crisis in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), where member states continue to boycott the peninsular country of Qatar, in Qatar: A Dangerous Alliance — a new documentary by the award-winning production company PIC Media.

    “There is a list of radical groups that the Qataris support,” explains Jonathan Schanzer, vice president of research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former counter-terrorism analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. “This includes Hamas. It includes the Taliban. It includes Nusra Front, the al Qaeda group from Syria. It includes the Muslim Brotherhood. It includes jihadists in Libya, and, more broadly, extremists from across the Arab world.”

    Our objective is to provide an authoritative and compelling overview of the dangerous situation in which Qatar finds itself, while also providing an objective analysis of the dangerous consequences that situation is creating for the rest of the world.

    William Nixon, Writer and Director

    At the same time, Qatar: A Dangerous Alliance examines the complexity of that country’s relationship with western nations. “Qatar is both an ally and an adversary of the United States,” says Lee Smith, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. “This is the role that Qatar has been playing for the last 20 years. They continue to support a lot of bad actors, while also hosting our largest air base in the Middle East.”

    Other experts include Ambassador Husain Haqqani, a foremost thought-leader on terrorism and the Muslim Brotherhood, who served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2011, and Alex Vatanka, senior fellow from the Middle East Institute and a leading authority on Iran and its engagement with Qatar.

    According to William Nixon, who wrote and directed the film, “Our objective is to provide an authoritative and compelling overview of the dangerous situation in which Qatar finds itself, while also providing an objective analysis of the dangerous consequences that situation is creating for the rest of the world. To achieve this, we produced the documentary in six easy-to-watch-and-share chapters — each one examining concerns shared by Qatar’s neighbors in the Gulf, as well as the U.S. and Europe.”

    Chapters include:

    1. A Troubled History, examining Qatar’s history and relationships within the GCC 
    2. Brothers in More than Name, focusing on Qatar’s relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood 
    3. Dangerous Designs, analyzing Qatar’s growing alliance with Turkey and other elements promoting Islamism
    4. First Among Equals, placing the normalizing relationship between Qatar and Iran in context of Iran’s designs in the region
    5. The Voice of Al Jazeera, exploring the line between news and propaganda and how Qatar’s government-funded network influences a radical Islamist agenda
    6. Follow the Money, investigating how Qatar uses untold wealth to maintain alliances with the western nations, while at the same time funding radical and terrorist activities undermining those same nations 

    PIC Media, a division of Policy Impact Communications, is a production firm using cutting-edge technologies to educate and inform in the public interest.

    Media Contact: 
    Jeff Schrade
    Phone: 202.737.5339 
    Email: jschrade@policyimpact.com

    Source: PIC Media

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  • iTexico’s Anurag Kumar to Join ‘Diplomacy Begins Here’ Regional Summit Panel Discussion

    iTexico’s Anurag Kumar to Join ‘Diplomacy Begins Here’ Regional Summit Panel Discussion

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Sep 14, 2017


    AUSTIN, Texas, September 14, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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     iTexico CEO Anurag Kumar is slated to participate in the September ‘Diplomacy Begins Here’ summit at the Texas State Capitol on Sept.19. Mr. Kumar will be part of a panel discussion entitled ‘Immigration in the Age of Innovation – How does immigration contribute to Texas economic prosperity: immigrants and entrepreneurship.’

    Kumar will be joined by fellow panelists Ann Badmus (Partner, Scheef & Stone, Dallas) and Ms. Patricia Stout (Board member, Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos). The Consul General of Ireland Adrian Farrell will moderate the discussion, which will take place from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m.

    The summit is being hosted by the well-known international visitor program known as GlobalAustin, in partnership with the San Antonio Council for International Visitors, the Dallas World Affairs Council, the El Paso Council for International Visitors, Global North Texas, and Global South Texas. Event organizers are using the summit to focus on the concept of citizen diplomacy and professional and cultural exchange programs such as the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

    Attendees of the single-day summit will hear two expert speakers in the morning sessions discussing current U.S. foreign-policy priorities and how these policies affect the local Austin area, the state of Texas, and the nation. The presentations will be followed by afternoon sessions consisting mainly of six panel discussions.

    The overall goal of the summit is to promote dialogue relating to international trade, international journalism, the role of sports in creating international goodwill, the effects of global events on international business, the contributions of immigrants to innovation, economic development, and cultural diversity. The day’s events will also include special sessions for students who want to learn more about diplomacy in the real world.

    Mr. Kumar will bring his expertise in technology, innovation, and business to the panel discussion he will participate in. Kumar is an experienced entrepreneurial business executive with extensive startup leadership experience that has enabled him to establish and grow four high-tech companies to date. He is a former charter member and president of TIE’s Austin Chapter, a member of the Central Texas Angel Network.

    About iTexico

    iTexico is a global software technology company specializing in nearshore software development and mobile applications. The company was originally established in 2010 in Austin, and exponentially grew to include additional offices in California, Chicago, Washington DC and a wholly-owned software development and delivery center in Guadalajara and Aguascalientes, Mexico.The company currently employs more than 150 professionally trained software developers serving clients in countries around the world.

    About GlobalAustin

    GlobalAustin is an international visitor leadership program that is part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The program was first established in 1960 to welcome student visitors to the University of Texas. In the more than 55 years since its founding, GlobalAustin has become a leading voice in promoting citizen diplomacy and better international relations.

    CONTACT:

    iTexico

    4807 Spicewood Springs Rd, Building 2, Suite 425

    Austin, TX, 78759

    Phone: (855) 501-0100 or (512) 551-2773

    Email: info@itexico.com

    Source: iTexico

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  • September Summit to Draw Attention to Citizen Diplomacy

    September Summit to Draw Attention to Citizen Diplomacy

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Sep 14, 2017


    AUSTIN, Texas, September 14, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
     The well-known GlobalAustin international visitor program is joining forces with a number of other organizations to sponsor the first ‘Diplomacy Begins Here’ summit on Sept.19 at the Texas State Capital building. The single day event will include presentations by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk.

    Event organizers are promoting the summit as a way to “find out how current global challenges are affecting Texas and how local citizens can become effective citizen diplomats, representing Texas in the United States,” according to the event’s official invitation. Opening ceremonies will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the legislative conference center. The summit will conclude at 5 p.m, followed by an evening reception in the Scholz Garten. Live entertainment will be on hand for the reception.

    A Focus on Citizen Diplomacy

    GlobalAustin and its partners have planned for the first of what they hope to be an annual summit to heavily emphasize citizen diplomacy and professional and cultural exchange programs such as the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Between the two main speakers and each of the six panel discussions on the day’s agenda, attendees will participate in discussions in which citizen diplomacy is applied to business, sports, youth voices, the information age, international trade, and foreign policy. IVLP Alumnus Dimitris Kalavros-Gousiou, Founder and Curator of TEDxAthens, will provide keynote remarks about the impact of his exchange experience.

    In addition, there will be diplomacy simulation activities for students in attendance. The activities will give students an opportunity to learn how diplomacy works in the real world through hands-on applications.

    “This exciting, all-day summit will feature expert speakers on U.S. foreign-policy priorities as well as panel discussions exploring the concept of citizen diplomacy as it applies in areas such as international journalism and cultural diversity,” said PR spokesperson and GlobalAustin board member Aditi Joshi. “We are also offering sessions designed especially for students interested in diplomacy as a career.”

    Morning sessions are scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Registration is required for the morning sessions, and Joshi says that space is limited. Interested parties should visit the event website to register as soon as possible. Both the afternoon sessions and the evening reception are open and free of charge.

    GlobalAustin is hosting the summit in partnership with the San Antonio Council for International Visitors, the Dallas World Affairs Council, the El Paso Council for International Visitors, Global North Texas, and World Affairs Council of South Texas. The summit itself is part of the Global Ties U.S. initiative that seeks to present a series of similar summits throughout the United States and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The goal of all 2017 regional summits is to explore and celebrate the critical role of citizen diplomacy in creating a better world – both at home and abroad.

    About GlobalAustin

    GlobalAustin was originally founded in 1960 as a program to welcome international students studying at the University of Texas. After many years of connecting students with Austin’s local community, the program gradually became a leading voice in diplomacy and student leadership, eventually being welcomed into the International Visitor Leadership Program of the US State Department. GlobalAustin lists its official mission as “connecting Austin to the world, one handshake at a time.”

    CONTACT:

    GlobalAustin

    1103 W. 24th Street, # 212

    Austin, TX 78705

    Phone: 512.215.0140

    Email: info@globalaustin.org

    Source: GlobalAustin

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  • IrelandWeek Set to Bring Ireland’s Creativity and Innovation to the World

    IrelandWeek Set to Bring Ireland’s Creativity and Innovation to the World

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    LOS ANGELES, September 7, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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    IrelandWeek (www.IrelandWeek.com) is proud to announce the inaugural week-long conference and culture festivities from Oct. 16-21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.  In association with Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland, Creative Ireland, IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, IrelandWeek’s focus is to bring Ireland to the world, and the world back to Ireland. Sponsors of the week include Aer Lingus, The Ireland Funds, The California Irish Legislative Caucus. Supporters of the project include Music From Ireland, Bord Bia, the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, The City of Los Angeles and many more. The official media partner of Ireland Week is Irish Times Abroad.

    Launched by Irish Prime Minister (An Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar, along with the Deputy Prime Minister (An Tánaiste) Frances Fitzgerald and performer Panti Bliss, IrelandWeek will be a unique blend of conference styled breakout opportunities to learn about the international trade benefits of Ireland as well as live entertainment events that share the global talent of the Irish people. The week will see varied and compelling events with a full and comprehensive program rolling out around Los Angeles, encompassing the myriad of cultural layers that make up Ireland, past, present, and future. 

    “The Irish Government is very happy to lend support to Ireland Week and the Connect 353 conference in Los Angeles this October. There is significant potential for growing trade & economic links between Ireland and Los Angeles. This initiative will help our agencies to promote Ireland as an attractive location for trade and investment. The strong focus throughout the program on culture and tourism is particularly welcome given that Ireland and LA are now benefitting from increased direct connectivity.”

    Leo Varadkar, Prime Minister (Taoiseach)

    CONNECT353, the conference component of IrelandWeek, will take place Oct. 18 and 19 at LA Live Regal Theater and will have a series of panel discussions and keynote speeches ranging from film, TV, animation, technology, gaming, music, culture, arts, tourism, Brexit and the Silicon Docks Story. The rest of the week will host a series of events featuring arts and culture from Ireland such as famed drag queen & host Panti Bliss, Golden Globe-nominated Brian Byrne will present Goldenhair Live featuring special guests and Irish celebrity chef Donal Skehan.

    Ireland has a thriving, highly globalized economy with a pro-business attitude enables companies to set up swiftly, with minimum red tape, in a connected environment. Ireland shipped US$128.1 billion worth of goods around the globe in 2016. From a continental perspective, 56.8% of Irish exports by value are delivered to other European countries while 27.9% are sold to North American importers. Ireland ships another 11.5% to Asian customers while 1.1% goes to customers in Africa. Leading industries are pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, medical equipment, electrical machinery and cosmetics.  Over this extraordinary level of product export, is the export of services and intellectual, creative talent.

    With enhanced connectivity between Los Angeles and Dublin, IrelandWeek aims to capitalize by creating a two-way international superhighway.  Ireland displays its talents abroad while encouraging inward investment, tourism, jobs and cultural awareness.

    Aer Lingus offers non-stop flights from Dublin to Los Angeles and has provided discount code IRLLAX17 for people traveling to Los Angeles from Ireland to IrelandWeek.

    To get tickets and updates on events please go to www.IrelandWeek.com 

    # # #

    ABOUT THE O’NEILL GROUP

    The O’Neill Group Inc. (ONG) is a full service Conference, Event and Meeting management company specializing in producing high quality world class events for corporations and nonprofits both in the US and internationally with a particular emphasis on Ireland operating since 1999.  For more information please visit www.the-oneillgroup.com  

    ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

    The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade focuses on serving the Irish public, both at home and abroad. We provide a range of services to Irish citizens and work hard to ensure the promotion and protection of Ireland’s interests in the world, contributing to international priorities such as peace, security and the eradication of poverty and hunger. For more information please visit www.dfa.ie

    ABOUT THE IRISH FILM BOARD

    The role of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The agency supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects. For more information please visit www.irishfilmboard.ie    

    ABOUT CULTURE IRELAND

    Culture Ireland promotes Irish arts worldwide. We create and support opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. We develop platforms to present outstanding Irish work to international audiences, through showcases at key global arts events, including the Edinburgh Festivals and the Venice Biennales.  For more information please visit www.cultureireland.ie   

    ABOUT CREATIVE IRELAND

    Creative Ireland is a culture-based programme designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. The core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement. For more information please visit https://creative.ireland.ie   

    ABOUT IDA IRELAND

    Ireland’s inward investment promotion agency, the IDA, is a non-commercial, semi-state body promoting Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland through a wide range of services. We partner with potential and existing investors to help them establish or expand their operations in Ireland.  For more information please visit www.idaireland.com  

    ABOUT TOURISM IRELAND

    Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a holiday and business tourism destination.  We deliver world class marketing programmes in 23 markets across the world and reach a global audience up to 600 million each year. Targeted marketing activity includes advertising online, on TV and outdoor sites, in cinemas and in newspapers and magazines, eMarketing, overseas publicity, co-operative marketing with carriers and other partners and promotions to the travel trade and consumers.  For more information please visit www.tourismireland.com  

    ABOUT ENTERPRISE IRELAND

    Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. We work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment. You can find detailed information on Enterprise Ireland’s activities, strategy and performance in our Reports and Publications.  For more information please visit www.enterprise-ireland.com    

    ABOUT MUSIC FROM IRELAND

    Music From Ireland is the Irish music export office run by First Music Contact in partnership with Culture Ireland which funds and presents the Irish showcases at large international music conferences.  For more information please visit www.musicfromireland.org  

    Join the conversation – tweet the team and they will tweet you back! @IrelandWeek #IrelandWeek

    PRESS: Popular Press Media Group (PPMG)

                                                    IrelandWeek@ppmg.info

                                                    310-860-7774 Office

    SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:        https://www.facebook.com/IrelandWeek

                                                    https://www.twitter.com/IrelandWeek 

                                                    https://www.twitter.com/Connect353

    For sponsorship opportunities:  deirdre@irelandweek.com              

    For additional information on IrelandWeek:    buzz@irelandweek.com

    Source: IrelandWeek

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  • Gopackup Inc. is Innovating the Way People Travel

    Gopackup Inc. is Innovating the Way People Travel

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    Press Release
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    updated: Sep 4, 2017


    SANTA CLARA, Calif, September 4, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Even with constant communication and knowledge shared through social media, it is difficult for people to see past the surface level of a place when they travel. Gopackup Inc. has discovered a way to solve this issue, by directly connecting travelers to locals. This innovative way of travel is a way to see the real side of a city/town; the way the local people live, the food they eat, the sites they show their friends when they visit from other places.

    Now at Gopackup.com, people can book a tour called SHADES TOURS: guided by homeless people. An estimated 10,000 inhabitants of Vienna are considered to live in a feasibility situation, of which 2,000 live on the street. This tour currently on Gopackup’s website brings a new way for people to travel while at the same time, helping the homeless.

    From now on we see homelessness from another point of view and the best thing about this project is that it helps homeless people to get out of this situation.

    Sabine

    This tour allows people to discover another side of Vienna that most tourists have never heard of. The Shades Tour allows people to discover the multiple shades of homelessness: the challenges, social services and stories of those who are living and surviving on the street. This tour gives travelers a different perspective of Vienna; to hear the homeless people’s stories and what they see when they see Vienna will change how others see that same city. By attending this tour and just paying 15 euro, people can also help the homeless people to reintegrate into society.  

    This authentic, professional and insightful tour will submerge travelers into a significant hidden and unseen world. During this 2-hour tour, a homeless guide will provide the attending people and/or travelers with a mix of facts and personal stories that illustrated the complexity of homelessness. Go on this unforgettable tour that will show people another side of living in a city.

    Such tour provides travelers with an unusual, insightful, informative and emotional experience. Making people discover a different side of Vienna and providing insights into an unseen world, far away from the typical tourist path, helps travelers understand the complexity of homelessness and inform people about how the local social system works. Furthermore, this tour will make a difference for travelers and their guides.

    By attending such a tour, travelers get to know more and insight about this city; at the same time, they are also helping these tours guides and give the guides out of homelessness and self-esteem.  

    Tourism for understanding and helping people to know the beauty of differences are the tours that align with the mission of Gopackup. Silicon Valley companies always believe in changing the world with new innovations, and Gopackup is a proud to be a representative of these companies.  

    Source: Gopackup Inc.

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  • Kentucky Chamber Named 2017 State Chamber of the Year; Council of State Chambers Elects Officers and Directors

    Kentucky Chamber Named 2017 State Chamber of the Year; Council of State Chambers Elects Officers and Directors

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Sep 1, 2017


    ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 1, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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     The Council of State Chambers announced today that the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has been named the 2017 “State Chamber of the Year.” The purpose of the annual State Chamber of the Year award is to bring attention to innovative initiatives and best practices that advance state chambers’ mission and work and to provide deserved recognition to state chambers and their leaders who have distinguished themselves by providing exceptional services and results for their members.

    Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson accepted the award on behalf of the Kentucky Chamber. “This is great recognition for our organization, our 60-member board of directors made up of the top business leaders of Kentucky and our staff of 30 professionals at our headquarters in Frankfort. Our slogan is ‘Uniting Business, Advancing Kentucky.’ Our team is passionate and works hard every day to create progress for our Commonwealth.”

    The Kentucky Chamber was recognized during the 94th Annual Meeting of the Council of State Chambers. Also recognized for outstanding achievement were the:

    About the State Chamber of the Year Award

    The judges, who themselves are seasoned state chamber of commerce leaders, evaluated applicants in six different areas of achievement:

    • Public Policy — Shaping public policy through original research, surveys, communications, lobbying, member engagement, public engagement, and/or other means to achieve positive results for the business community.
    • Political Engagement — Advancing causes of critical importance to the business community directly or through affiliated entities (e.g., a PAC) with regard to issues, candidates, and other electoral activities.
    • Membership and Development — Measurable success in growing membership and other financial resources to support the mission of the organization.
    • Organizational Development — Development of the state chamber organization through the innovative use of technology, the enhancement of its facilities, the professional development of its staff, the work of associated entities such as its foundation, the creation of internal efficiency, etc.
    • Communications Program — Development of innovative and effective communications programming or communications products that have produced a significant impact on the organization, the chamber membership, and/ or the state the chamber serves.
    • Member Services — Development and provision of exceptional member services through offering educational programs, member discount programs, major events or member products that have addressed a particular need for chamber members, and/or produced significant revenue for the chamber.

    The Council of State Chambers also elected Officers and Directors at its annual meeting. Fred Morgan, President & CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma, was elected as Chair of the Board of Directors; Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber, was elected as Vice Chair; and Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce was elected Treasurer & Secretary. Kevin Brinegar, President & CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, will serve as Immediate Past Chair. Members elected to serve as Directors for 2017-18 are:

    • Rich Studley (Michigan Chamber)
    • Heather Briccett (Business Council of New York State)
    • Dan Mehan (Missouri Chamber)
    • Andy Peterson (Greater North Dakota Chamber)
    • Gene Barr (Georgia Chamber)
    • Sherry Menor-McNamara (Chamber of Commerce Hawaii)
    • Rob Engstrom, ex officio (U.S. Chamber)
    • Scott Waller, ex officio (Mississippi Chamber)

    About the Council of State Chambers

    Founded in 1924, the Council of State Chambers is the national organization for state chamber CEOs and their executive leadership. The purpose of the Council of State Chambers is to promote cooperation among state chambers of commerce, strengthen existing state chambers, and promote the state chamber of commerce movement throughout the country.

    Source: Council of State Chambers (COSC)

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  • IIMMLA Starts Expansion Into Chinese Market in 2019

    IIMMLA Starts Expansion Into Chinese Market in 2019

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Aug 22, 2017


    St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, August 22, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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     IMMLA will start expanding its presence in the Chinese market during 2019. This resolution was carried considering strong demand and incredible opportunities of Chinese supply chains being the source of IMMLA’s breakthrough growth.

    Previously, IMMLA planned to enter the Chinese market in 2021.

    The Chinese market is very challenging in view of available investment potential and foreign trade volumes. We’re launching the Chinese version of our website in order to focus on generating resources and developing representation on the Chinese market.

    Kirill Tulenev, IMMLA CEO

    At the current moment, IMMLA negotiates with various Chinese partners concerning their participation as advisers and sharing expertise referring to service development. Also, our team attracts the Chinese community for supporting projects and disseminating information about IMMLA in China.

    IMMLA’s strategy for the Chinese market will be announced in White Paper ver. 2.0 scheduled for publishing in the first half of September 2017. Research made by IMMLA analysts showed that opportunities of the Chinese market are wider than expected. It may considerably increase total investments raised during ICO.

    IMMLA starts its Chinese campaign by launching the Chinese version of its website on 20 August, 2017.

    “The Chinese market is very challenging in view of available investment potential and foreign trade volumes. We’re launching the Chinese version of our website in order to focus on generating resources and developing representation on Chinese market”, IMMLA CEO Kirill Tulenev said.

    IMMLA is a consortium of leading logistics services and IT companies including SBSolutions, Formag Forwarding and experts from Hellman Worldwide Logistics.

    IMMLA’s mission is to ensure safe and convenient interaction between the cargo owner and the transporter on all stages of the transportation process based on Ethereum blockchain and smart-contracts. The new technology will allow to drastically minimize the problem of trust, information barriers and legal issues.

    More details about the project can be found in White Paper and IMMLA social media pages –Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Medium as well as in a specialized thread on Bitcointalk.org forum and on our channel on Telegram.

    Source: IMMLA

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  • A Deliberately Different Future for the Utility Industry

    A Deliberately Different Future for the Utility Industry

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    Renowned Energy Futurist Jack Uldrich will address Wabash Valley Power in Indianapolis, IN.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Aug 7, 2017


    Indianapolis, IN, August 7, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Global Futurist Jack Uldrich says, “The future often has a funny way of turning out differently than most people expect.” 

    The difference between expectations about the future and reality have been the cause of significant disruption in numerous industries.

    The Utilities Industry is poised for an extraordinary change in the years ahead–what has served the industry well in the past won’t be sufficient for remaining competitive in the future.

    JACK ULDRICH, FUTURIST & FOUNDER OF THE SCHOOL OF UNLEARNING

    Regarding “expecting the unexpected” in the utility industry, back in 2009 Uldrich said, “It is conventional wisdom that the world’s energy needs will grow significantly in the years ahead and the only way to meet this growing need is to build more coal and nuclear power plants. This future may come to pass but what if Smart Grid technology, LED lights, real-time pricing, and home networks dramatically reduce energy usage?”

    Fast forward to 2017, the trends he mentioned in 2009 are dramatically reducing energy usage.

    Uldrich is now asking, “What if the abundance of electrical power—and not its scarcity—is the greatest problem facing the industry in the future?

    Is the Utility Industry is prepared for such a future? He says, “The time to begin thinking about these accelerating changes is not in a few years. The time is now.”

    Today, he will deliver a keynote on the future of the industry for the Wabash Valley Power Association in Indianapolis, IN. They bill themselves as “a deliberately different kind of electric company.”

    Uldrich will discuss with them how emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Wearable Devices, the Internet of Things, and new Blockchain Technology could impact utilities in some unexpected ways. 

    As a leading energy futurist, Uldrich has addressed dozens of service associations. He has delivered customized keynote presentations to the American Public Power Association, the Northwest Public Power Association, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Wisconsin Public Power, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern Company, Northwestern Energy, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Idaho Power, Northwestern Energy, and the Western Energy Institute.

    Parties interested in learning more about Jack Uldrich, his books, his daily blog or his speaking availability are encouraged to visit his website.

    Source: Jack Uldrich & The School of Unlearning

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  • Staffing Firm Receives Recognition From the U.S. Small Business Administration

    Staffing Firm Receives Recognition From the U.S. Small Business Administration

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    On the heels of winning the 2017 KellyOCG Preferred Supplier Award and the 2016 TAPFIN Premier Partner Award, Rangam Consultants, Inc. receives the 2017 Regional Subcontractor of the Year Award for Region II from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Aug 2, 2017


    SOMERSET, N.J., August 2, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Out of a nationwide pool of 10 competing subcontractors, it was Rangam Consultants, Inc. that won the 2017 Regional Subcontractor Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration — a federal agency protecting and advancing the interests of small businesses.

    The Somerset, New Jersey-based staffing firm came out on top because of its superior technical and management capability, financial strength, customer interface, and the ability to deliver quality services and products on time and at a competitive cost to the U.S. government.

    To be nominated by Sanofi, a well-respected and successful global life sciences company committed to improving access to healthcare, is a testament to not only the value a small business can deliver, but also the hard work and integrity of each and every Rangam employee that enables our company to consistently deliver quality services on a timely basis. Each of our employees shares a sense of commitment and pride in their work that contributes to the success we enjoy today and has put us in a position to be recognized as SBA’s 2017 Regional Subcontractor of the Year.

    Hetal Parikh, President, Rangam Consultants, Inc.

    Rangam has been efficiently meeting the staffing needs of both private and public sector organizations for years. The company has built a reputation as one of the top vendors in the area of MSP-driven contingent workforce solutions that continue to shape the current and future talent sourcing trends in the country.

    “To be nominated by Sanofi, a well-respected and successful global life sciences company committed to improving access to healthcare, is a testament to not only the value a small business can deliver, but also the hard work and integrity of each and every Rangam employee that enables our company to consistently deliver quality services on a timely basis,” Rangam President Hetal Parikh said as she thanked Kathleen Castore, Head of Supplier Diversity & Sustainability North America Procurement for Sanofi, for nominating Rangam in the SBA program.

    Hetal also thanked Al Titone, SBA New Jersey District Director, and Michael Cecere, SBA Procurement Center Representative, for acknowledging Rangam’s capability as a woman-owned small business. “Each of our employees shares a sense of commitment and pride in their work that contributes to the success we enjoy today and has put us in a position to be recognized as SBA’s 2017 Regional Subcontractor of the Year,” she said.

    Notably, SBA acts as a bridge between woman-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and the federal government, with the objective of procuring 23 percent of prime federal contracts for small businesses.

    “This is a small business that has a rich history of specializing in providing its customers with staffing services,” Al Titone said. “Rangam Consultants, Inc. is a prime example why small businesses across the country are so vital to supplying the U.S. government with superior quality services and goods.”

    About Rangam Consultants, Inc.
    Established in 1995, Rangam Consultants, Inc. is a high-performing diverse supplier of enterprise-wide staffing services in IT, Clinical, Scientific, Healthcare, Engineering, Government, Finance and Administrative sectors. Rangam is a certified WMBE that has consistently grown year over year while establishing a history of providing exceptional service to clients. We pride ourselves for developing a culture of inclusion and collaboration through innovation in education and employment.

    Rangam improves the quality of life for our candidates while providing exceptional service to our clients. We do this by delivering an integrated recruitment solution that combines technology, training, and education to our candidates while providing our clients with a large, diverse network of qualified personnel options. We adhere to a philosophy of “empathy drives innovation” in everything we do. To learn more, visit https://www.rangam.com.

    Source: Rangam Consultants, Inc.

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  • Public Policy Regulatory Alliance Supports Proposed Bouncer Regulations

    Public Policy Regulatory Alliance Supports Proposed Bouncer Regulations

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Aug 1, 2017


    PHOENIX, Ariz., August 1, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​Earlier this year, Heather Jones was faced with the unthinkable task of saying goodbye to her beloved husband, 37-year-old Luke Jones, a Daisy Mountain firefighter and paramedic. Jones’ untimely death was determined to be the result of an assault that occurred at a Phoenix nightclub during which one of the club’s bouncers, 26-year-old Brandon Draper, is alleged to have struck the 12-year veteran of Daisy Mountain Fire Department repeatedly. Though Draper has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the incident, Heather believes more should be done to prevent such a tragedy from occurring in the future.

    Recently, she has proposed that state legislators pass a bill requiring stricter hiring and training policies for bouncers in Arizona, an initiative that has the full support of members of the Public Policy Regulatory Alliance (PPRA). The PPRA is the Arizona chapter of the Association of Club Executives, a trade association of America’s adult nightclubs.

    When hiring, I prefer security personnel with law enforcement or military backgrounds and would be hesitant to hire anyone with a background in mixed martial arts such as Brandon Draper had.

    Rebecca DeVaney, Owner, Sonny’s Gentlemen’s Club

    Currently, Scottsdale is the only city in Arizona to have developed a police department-lead security training program required of bouncers working in Scottsdale nightclubs. But according to Rebecca DeVaney, the executive director of the PPRA, mandatory training should be implemented state-wide. As an adult club owner herself, DeVaney requires a background check and ongoing training for all security personnel. Bouncers are required to obtain security guard certification cards from the Department of Public Safety and routinely participate in drills that teach them how to de-escalate a situation before it becomes a physical altercation. “When hiring, I prefer security personnel with law enforcement or military backgrounds and would be hesitant to hire anyone with a background in mixed martial arts such as Brandon Draper had,” states DeVaney. Additionally, staff attends annual sex-trafficking prevention courses conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.

    The Public Policy Regulatory Alliance is also an Arizona State Registered Lobbying Principal. Participating members of the PPRA offer their lobbying support of the Luke Jones Initiative.

    Source: Public Policy Regulatory Alliance

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  • 2ndPassports.com Introduces Its World Citizenship/Residency Program Index

    2ndPassports.com Introduces Its World Citizenship/Residency Program Index

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    It has never been easier for wealthy individuals from areas like Africa, Asia and the Middle East to gain life-changing second citizenship or residency to a Western country.


    Guatemala City, Guatemala, July 27, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
     Today, virtually every nation in the EU as well as countries like the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand offers a citizenship or residency by investment program, and now 2ndPassports.com’s World Citizenship/Residency Program Index gives prospective customers an “at-a-glance” instant assessment of the best of those programs.

    If you are familiar with phrases like “Citizenship by Investment”, “Golden Visa” or “Passport Power”, chances are you will be only too aware of the phenomenon of second citizenship – i.e., the practice of gaining a second citizenship and a new passport, mainly practiced by wealthy individuals from third world countries. Not only is such a practice perfectly legal, it is actively encouraged, and almost every democratic nation in the world now offers such a program, including the UK, USA, Germany, and Russia.

    Today, virtually every nation in the EU as well as countries like the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand offers a citizenship or residency by investment program

    Anthony Miles, Business Development

    Second Citizenship – Much More Than Just The Latest Fashion Accessory

    Second citizenship and residence specialists 2ndPassports.com have been in business since 2004, and have witnessed first-hand the industry’s decade-long rise from a business once considered somewhat shady, to a practice as an open, popular and indeed fashionable among the wealthy as purchasing a new mansion, supercar or yacht.

    Of course, while they might have the same €1.2 million price tag, there is a very big difference between a Bugatti Veyron and a Maltese passport when it comes to usefulness. If you hail from a nation like China, India, Iran, Afghanistan or Sierra Leone, you won’t be able to travel very far in that Bugatti without a briefcase full of visas.  However, if you are packing that Malta passport you will be able to cruise around the Schengen Area unhindered, drive the length and breadth of the Americas, much of Africa, the Far East and finish up in Australia, all without the need of a visa.

    The number one reason foreign investors from outside the EU spend serious money on a second citizenship or an investor visa program is to gain citizenship to a European country, become the owner of a correspondingly powerful passport, and enjoy the freedom and work-related benefits that such an investment brings.

    An EU passport has access to an average of 160 countries without the need of a visa. An EU citizen has the right to live and work without limitation in any other country in the European Union. Needless to say, for an intelligent, hard-working individual with big ambitions who has previously been held back by their nationality, to suddenly be able to produce a legal, bonafide passport of a country like Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal or even Germany or the UK with their name on it is a complete game-changer, to say the very least. 

    But it’s not just EU countries that are offering such enticing programs. 2ndPassports.com’s World Citizenship/Residency Program Index reveals that nations like the USA and Canada have very popular programs, as do Caribbean island paradises like St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda, countries also famous also for their status as tax havens.

    The Five Crucial Factors

    The World Citizenship/Residency Program Index ranks the programs of almost 30 countries including the UK, France, the US, Germany as well as Brazil, Ireland, Nicaragua, and Turkey. The ranking is based on five crucial factors – a program’s VALUE, it’s ease of PROCESSING, its SIMPLICITY, The POWER of its passport, and the QUALITY OF LIFE such a program provides an investor.

    Needless to say, the index shows in detail which countries are offering the best overall programs, and also throws up some surprising revelations, with unheralded nations often outperforming major powerhouse economies in some categories.

    However, the real beauty of 2ndPassports.com’s World Citizenship/Residency Program Index is that it offers curious would-be foreign investors an “at-a-glance” instant assessment of which citizenship and residency programs currently score highest, offer the best value, and provide the most powerful passport for their particular budget, and therefore this index could prove to be the catalyst that results in an investor taking that first vital first step of the process of gaining that life-changing, door-opening and freedom-giving second passport.

    Source: 2ndPassports.com

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  • Hello Neighbor Receives $130K in Funding From USA for UNHCR and the Heinz Endowments to Assist Refugees in Post-Resettlement

    Hello Neighbor Receives $130K in Funding From USA for UNHCR and the Heinz Endowments to Assist Refugees in Post-Resettlement

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jul 19, 2017


    PITTSBURGH, PA, July 19, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​Hello Neighbor, a mentorship program for post-resettlement refugees in the U.S., is proud to announce it has secured funding from USA for UNHCR and The Heinz Endowments. The combined $130,000 in funding will be used to run Hello Neighbor’s pilot mentorship program that officially launched in June 2017.

    “After spending 15 years working in nonprofits and international development, I’m thankful for the opportunity to help the refugee community in my hometown with this new organization,” said Hello Neighbor founder Sloane Davidson. “The financial support of both USA for UNHCR and The Heinz Endowments, just months into the launch of Hello Neighbor, is an exciting moment as we work to better the refugee experience in Pittsburgh.”

    Hello Neighbor supports refugees in their new lives by building community through mentoring with American families to highlight cultural similarities. The four-month pilot program currently hosts 25 refugee families from six countries (Myanmar, Bhutan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria) with 25 American mentor families of varying backgrounds in the Pittsburgh area.

    “Hello Neighbor offers Americans the opportunity to connect with refugees as friends and neighbors to share meals, assist with driving lessons, and joyfully celebrate life moments like birthday and graduations. USA for UNHCR is proud to support Hello Neighbor in our shared mission to give refugees the hope they deserve, restore their dignity, and help them rebuild their lives,” said Anne-Marie Grey, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR.

    USA for UNHCR partners domestically with organizations like Hello Neighbor to help address needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the United States. The educational resources and programming, mentor training, and community engagement facilitated by Hello Neighbor complement USA for UNHCR’s mandate to help and protect refugees and people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution.

    The Heinz Endowments, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the United States, uses the Pittsburgh region as a laboratory for the development of solutions to challenges national in scope. The funding awarded to Hello Neighbor is part of The Heinz Endowments’ commitment to youth and education in the region.

    “Hello Neighbor is exactly the type of program we are pleased to support in the Pittsburgh region,” said Carmen Anderson, Director of Equity and Social Justice of The Heinz Endowments. “With over 86 refugee and American children under the age of 18 involved in the pilot program, we know that Hello Neighbor is creating community through mentorship in a unique and creative way that can have long-term implications on these families.”

    Funding from USA for UNHCR and The Heinz Endowments will also support a signature Refugee Advocacy Certificate which provides training for mentors on the global refugee crisis. Mentees can receive additional financial support through Hello Neighbor’s Refugee Assistance Fund to access educational and economic empowerment opportunities. Hello Neighbor also maintains a National Database of Refugee and Immigration Assistance Agencies, which was highlighted by The New York Times.

    About Hello Neighbor​
    Founded in 2017, Hello Neighbor is a mentorship program that matches American and refugee families to support refugees in becoming self-sufficient and successful in their new lives. The four-month program encourages mentor and mentee families to spend time together individually, but also a cohort with a series of events and activities throughout Pittsburgh. Mentors have access to a Refugee Advocacy Certificate as part of their completion in the program and mentees can receive funds for educational and skill training programs through the Refugee Assistance Fund. To learn more about Hello Neighbor, visit the website at www.helloneighbor.io and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    About Sloane Davidson
    Sloane Davidson is the Founder and CEO of Hello Neighbor, a mentoring program based in Pittsburgh that supports refugees by matching them with dedicated neighbors to guide and support them. An active philanthropist and advocate, Sloane has raised more than $3 million for nonprofits. She currently sits on the Council for the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and Resolve Network, a microfinance NGO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She was named a top influencer at the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative, “Top Women to Follow” on Twitter by Forbes and named to the Dell #Inspire 100 – a list of leading influencers who use technology to empower and inspire others.  Follow Sloane on Twitter.

    About USA for UNHCR
    USA for UNHCR helps and protects refugees and people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution. It supports UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency – and its partners in providing lifesaving essentials including shelter, water, food, safety and protection worldwide. Through education, advocacy and fundraising in the United States, USA for UNHCR helps refugees survive, recover and build a better future. Established by concerned American citizens, USA for UNHCR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C.  Learn more at UNrefugees.org.

    About The Heinz Endowments​
    ​The Heinz Endowments is based in Pittsburgh, where we use our region as a laboratory for the development of solutions to challenges that are national in scope. The Heinz Endowments is devoted to the mission of helping our region prosper as a vibrant center of creativity, learning, and social, economic and environmental sustainability. Core to our work is the vision of a just community where all are included and where everyone who calls southwestern Pennsylvania home has a real and meaningful opportunity to thrive. Learn more at Heinz.org.

    Media Contact:
    Tara Parsell
    ​Geben Communication
    Tara@GebenCommunication.com

    Source: Hello Neighbor

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  • Foundation Urges Greater Support of Drug Education by OSCE

    Foundation Urges Greater Support of Drug Education by OSCE

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    At an OSCE conference July 10-11, Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe stressed the importance of drug education in addressing the drug crisis affecting Member States.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jul 17, 2017


    Vienna, Austria, July 17, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
     At a conference in Vienna organized by Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) July 10–11, Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe stressed that drug education is an essential element in any effective drug prevention strategy. Attended by executives and staff of ministries of interior and police of the 57 OSCE Members States, the conference was called Combating the Threats of Illicit Drugs and the Diversion of Chemical Precursors,“The Nexus Between Illicit Drugs, Organized Crime, and Terrorism.” 

    Representing Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe (FDFE), Dr. Christian Mirre spoke to the importance of providing young people with factual information about drugs and alcohol. He described the Foundation’s network of more than 100 groups carrying out drug prevention activities across Europe, and the results they have achieved through delivering education that empowers adolescents, teens and young adults to make informed and self-determined decisions with regard to these substances. 

    Fifty-four Member State delegations, Partners for Co-operation, and 28 International Organizations, Academic and Business Circles and Non-Governmental Organizations participated in the three sessions along with members of the OSCE Secretariat and OSCE Institutions. Under discussion were the following themes:

    • Links Between Illicit Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Terrorism
    • Illicit Drugs as a Source of Financing Illicit Activities
    • Cross-Cutting Issues

    Dr. Mirre asked those attending to urge their respective governments to reconsider the budgets allocated to dealing with drugs and what he described as the disproportionately high funding of harm reduction, treatment and repression compared with funds allocated for prevention, specifically drug education.

    The Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe coordinates a drug education initiative known as the Truth About Drugs. The program uses 14 youth-friendly booklets and public service announcements on the most commonly abused drugs, and a documentary also covering these substances. A network of volunteers distributes the booklets and provides lectures and seminars in cooperation with thousands of schools in over 180 countries. The materials help youth understand the short, medium and long-term consequences and negative effects of drugs.

    The campaign has been embraced by hundreds of entities including city governments, schools, military and police organizations, sports clubs and community and religious leaders. Scientology Churches and Scientologists support the program, making its materials available free of charge to those wishing to use it to educate others on the truth about drugs.

    The OSCE is the world’s largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its comprehensive approach to security encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

    For more information on the Foundation, visit the Scientology Newswroom.

    Source: ScientologyNews.org

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  • Christians Come Out Against Qatar

    Christians Come Out Against Qatar

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jun 27, 2017


    Washington, D.C., June 27, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    In a show of solidarity for the rights of people around the world to practice their faith without fear, the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) will hold a rally and protest to “End the Violence Against Christians” on Wednesday, June 28, at 11:00 a.m., in front of the Embassy of Qatar, 25th and M Streets NW, in Washington D.C.

    NBCI executive director, Rev. Anthony Evans said, “Christian minority religious groups find themselves at great risk. Caught in the midst of sectarian conflicts brought on by war, occupation, repression, and severe social and political dislocation, Christian communities have paid a terrible price, most especially in Qatar, and Iraq.”

    “Whether forced to flee the violence of the civil wars that have ravaged these countries, or expelled by as part of genocidal ‘cleansing’ campaigns, these once-vibrant Christian communities have been so depleted, that some rightly fear their extinction in their homelands.”

    Rev. Anthony Evans

    “Whether forced to flee the violence of the civil wars that have ravaged these countries or expelled as part of genocidal ‘cleansing’ campaigns, these once-vibrant Christian communities have been so depleted, that some rightly fear their extinction in their homelands,” said Evans.

    The National Black Church Initiative is a coalition of 34,000 African American and Latino churches working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment.

    Contact: Rev. Anthony Evans
    202-744-0184​
    ​Proimage.amj@gmail.com

    Source: ProImage Communications

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  • GlobalAustin to Hold First-Ever Texas Global Diplomacy Summit in September

    GlobalAustin to Hold First-Ever Texas Global Diplomacy Summit in September

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jun 22, 2017


    Austin, Texas, June 22, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​​​September 19, 2017 is the date chosen for the first-ever Global Diplomacy Summit sponsored by Austin-based GlobalAustin and a number of well-known partners. The nonprofit hopes to use the annual summit to foster better international relations by creating a more positive image of the U.S., beginning at the local level.

    GlobalAustin is partnering with the San Antonio Council for International Visitors, the Dallas World Affairs Council, the El Paso Council for International Visitors, Global North Texas, and Global South Texas to host the one-day event at the Texas State Capital Building. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, from Texas’ 20th district, will both open the summit and speak during the event.

    Topics for the summit include:

    • Current and emerging U.S. foreign policy priorities and their impact on Texas;
    • International journalism in the era of ‘fake news’;
    • The growing role of sports in creating international goodwill;
    • Trade and international businesses strategy; and,
    • Contributions of immigrants to entrepreneurship and cultural diversity.

    In addition to the main speakers, the summit will also feature a designated Youth Track geared toward high school and college students interested in careers in foreign-policy. Event organizers are asking interested students along with both high school teachers and college and university faculty to sign up in advance to participate in the track. Youth Track activities will include a diplomacy simulation activity designed to give students an introduction to international diplomacy.

    Event organizers have designated Monday, September 18 as the date of a VIP reception to get things started. The reception will include business and education leaders, legislative sponsors, event supporters, and representatives from the U.S. Department of State. Following the main portion of the summit on September 19, the event will officially close with a Musical Diplomacy Celebration at one of Austin’s premier music venues.

    Early registration for the summit is suggested as space is limited. Interested parties may register by visiting the GlobalAustin website at https://www.globalaustin.org/summit-2017. For more information about the summit, contact GlobalAustin via the telephone number or e-mail address listed below.

    About GlobalAustin

    GlobalAustin is a nonprofit organization established in 1960 to welcome international students to the University of Texas. In the more than 50 years since, the organization has evolved into one that plays a key role in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. GlobalAustin’s primary mission is to “connect Austin to the world” by fostering productive, long-term relationships between international visitors and local leaders in business, education, and government.

    CONTACT:

    GlobalAustin​
    1103 W. 24th Street, # 212​
    ​Austin, TX 78705
    Tel: 512.215.0140
    ​Email: info@globalaustin.org

    Source: GlobalAustin

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  • Asia Pacific Advanced Farming Market to Be Worth $5.83 Billion by 2022

    Asia Pacific Advanced Farming Market to Be Worth $5.83 Billion by 2022

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    The ever-increasing food demand, need for water management system and government and UN support are factors that will propel the growth of Asia Pacific Advanced Farming Market.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jun 13, 2017


    Bangalore, India, June 13, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Asia Pacific Advanced Farming Market to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% to reach $5.83 billion by 2022

    Infoholic Research LLP, a global market research and consulting organization, has published a study titled “Asia Pacific Advanced Farming Market: Drivers, Opportunities, Trends, and Forecasts, 2016–2022”.

    “Advanced farming technologies are currently being used by private firms and agrobusinesses for commercial farming in Asia Pacific. Most of the farming population are still dependent on traditional farming methods. The market will steadily grow in the next 5 years as countries are investing in advanced farming. Japan wants to reduce its dependency on imports while the Philippines will invest to tackle issues arising from climate changes. China and countries in South East Asia hold a good potential for start-ups, while the market in ANZ will grow with improvements in support and services.”

    Jaydeep Bhattacharjee , Group Head at Infoholic Research

    Advanced farming is a term coined for IT enabled farm management system to manage and identify the variability in the field for optimum profitability and land sustainability. Advanced farming technologies namely high precision positioning system and variable rate technology help farmers to take intelligent decisions on enhancing crop yield and ensuring a better harvest. These technologies are also useful in tracking animal health.

    The enhanced demand for high quality and diversified food products in domestic and international markets, central government initiatives towards agriculture will continue to drive the market in this region. Advanced farming address the evolving needs of the farmers. Government support in agriculture is creating awareness among farmers about the latest farming technologies. Once they are convinced about the benefits they are interested in investing in the technology. The initial high outlay required makes farmers in the underdeveloped economies resistant in investing in this technology.

    Increasing concern about climate change, food scarcity and the need to adopt environment friendly farming practices will drive the market. Cloud based FMS is an emerging trend in the advanced farming market. Farm activities can be monitored even from remote locations. An alert message is received if any variability is observed in the health of the farm animals. Cloud based FMS is popular in Australia.

    China hold the major share in APAC market followed by ANZ. ANZ is exhibiting good prospects for advanced farming because several agribusinesses and private firms are interested in improving the export market and would not hesitate in making investments. They are also exploring the possibility of applying this technology in organic farming and in exploiting the large unused land in Australia.

    The market is segmented by technology, applications and services. The technology segment includes variable-rate technology (VRT), high precision positioning systems, automated steering systems, remote sensing, and integrated electronic communication.

    The application segment includes fleet management, livestock farming, forest farming, aqua farming, and horticulture. Services include integration services, maintenance services, and training & consulting services.

    “Advanced farming technologies are currently being used by private firms and agrobusinesses for commercial farming in Asia Pacific. Most of the farming population are still dependent on traditional farming methods. The market will steadily grow in the next 5 years as countries are investing in advanced farming. Japan wants to reduce its dependency on imports while the Philippines will invest to tackle issues arising from climate changes. China and countries in South East Asia hold a good potential for start-ups, while the market in ANZ will grow with improvements in support and services.” – Jaydeep Bhattacharjee – Group Head at Infoholic Research

    Request a sample of this report

    @ https://www.infoholicresearch.com/request-a-sample-report/?repid=3805

    Report Highlights

    ·         The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the Asia Pacific advanced farming market during the forecast period

    ·         It not just highlights users’ conundrum (challenges and barriers to adopting advanced farming) but also brings in their perspective on the Asia Pacific farming market

    ·         It covers drivers, restraints, and opportunities (DRO) affecting the market growth during the forecast period

    ·         The report analyses the market based on technologies, applications, services, deployment model, and countries

    ·         The report entails the evolution of advanced farming, features, advantages, and disadvantages

    ·         The market is analysed and segmented by the following countries- ANZ, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam

    ·         Vendor profiling of the top 16 players in terms of their market reach, business strategy, and business focus

    ·         Competitive benchmarking analysis to optimize short term and long-term strategy of the organizations. Stakeholders’ insights and key trends (current and future) of the market

    Purchase a copy of Asia Pacific Advanced Farming Market: Drivers, Opportunities, Trends, and Forecasts, 2016–2022

    @ https://www.infoholicresearch.com/report/asia-pacific-advanced-farming-technique-market-2016-2022/

    Press and Media Contacts

    Bhaskar Jyoti Nath

    Infoholic Research LLP

     +91 8867685927, +91 8971243001

    bhaskar@infoholicresearch.com

     

    Source: https://www.infoholicresearch.com/asia-pacific-advanced-farming-

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  • Dr. Tasha Eurich, Leon Logothetis & Dov Baron on Moments With Marianne Radio Show

    Dr. Tasha Eurich, Leon Logothetis & Dov Baron on Moments With Marianne Radio Show

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jun 12, 2017


    Denver, Colorado, June 12, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Tune in the month of June for an array of inspiring shows on Moments with Marianne radio show. Moments with Marianne is heard on WMEX 1510AM & Dreamvisions 7 Radio Network. To see the entire show listing, visit www.MomentsWithMarianne.com.

    Insight: Why We’re Not as Self-Aware as We Think with Dr. Tasha Eurich
    Saturday, June 17th at 10 a.m. & 10 p.m. EST

    Dr. Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author. She’s built a reputation as a fresh, modern voice in the business world by pairing her scientific grounding in human behavior with a pragmatic approach to solving problems. Over her 15-plus-year career, she’s helped thousands of professionals — from Fortune 500 executives to early stage entrepreneurs— improve their self-awareness and success.

    With a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Colorado State University and BAs in Theater and Psychology from Middlebury College, Tasha is the principal of The Eurich Group, a boutique executive development firm that helps companies — from start-ups to the Fortune 100 — succeed by improving the effectiveness of their leaders and teams.

    She has contributed to the Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and CNBC, and her work has been featured in Forbes, Fox Business, and Fast Company, as well as peer-reviewed journals. She has been named a “Top 100 Thought Leader” by Trust Across America, a “Leader to Watch” by the American Management Association, and one of Denver Business Journal’s “40 Under 40.”

    Tasha’s first book, Bankable Leadership, debuted on the New York Times bestseller list in 2013 and has since become a popular resource for managers and executives who don’t want to choose between making their employees happy and producing bottom-line results for their business. Her second book, INSIGHT, delves into the connection between our self-awareness — what she calls the meta-skill of the twenty-first century — and our performance and success, both in and out of the workplace. Fortune calls it a “sprawling exploration of the psychic frailty that leads to self-delusion and self-aggrandizement, and — importantly — a compassionate, helpful guide for avoiding that path (or reversing it).” Her TEDx talk has been viewed more than a million times. For more information, visit http://www.insight-book.com.

    The Kindness Diaries with Leon Logothetis
    Saturday, June 17th at 10 a.m. & 10 p.m. EST

    Leon Logothetis is a global adventurer, motivational speaker and philanthropist. It wasn’t always that way. He used to be a broker in the city of London where he felt uninspired and chronically depressed. He gave it all up for a life on the road. This radical life change was inspired by the inspirational movie “The Motorcycle Diaries”. Leon has visited more than 90 countries and traveled to every continent.

    His show “The Kindness Diaries” is streaming on Netflix! Leon’s books, “Amazing Adventures of a Nobody” and “The Kindness Diaries“ are in stores now. His new book “Live, Love, Explore: Discover the Way of the Traveler a Roadmap to the Life You Were Meant to Live,” published by Readers Digest. For more on Leon, visit http://www.leonlogothetis.com.

    Fiercely Loyal with Dov Baron on Friday, June 30th at 5 a.m. & 5 p.m. EST

    One of Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Leadership Speaker to hire, Dov Baron is an international leadership catalyst. He is the leading authority on Authentic Leadership, and Leadership Succession, or as he prefers to call it, “Full Monty Leadership.” The world’s only Corporate Cultural Momentum Strategist, Dov works with leaders and executive teams to build the bonds that create corporate cultures that become Fiercely Loyal.

    Dov is a bestselling author of several books. His latest book is “Fiercely Loyal: How High Performing Companies Develop and Retain Top Talent.” He also writes for and has been featured in many industry magazines including CNN, CBS Small Business Pulse, SHRM, Yahoo Finance, Boston Globe, Business in Vancouver, USA today, CEO, Entrepreneur and many more. For more on Dov, visit http://fullmontyleadership.com.

    Not in the Boston area? Click here to listen to the show live: http://rdo.to/DREAM7.

    To learn more about Marianne Pestana or the Moments with Marianne radio show, visit www.MomentsWithMarianne.com.

    Source: Marianne Pestana LLC

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  • Educating Children: Doing What Comes Naturally

    Educating Children: Doing What Comes Naturally

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    Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Provider Janet Wade of Knoxville, TN, featured by National CACFP Sponsors Association

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jun 1, 2017


    Austin, TX, June 1, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
     Many young children play school and pretend to be a teacher. Janet Wade knew from her early years, she not only wanted to play school, but be an actual teacher when she grew up. She has now been in education for almost 30 years, first as a paraprofessional in the local school district and then moving on to owning her own home child care. 

    At Janet’s child care, the children prepare for Kindergarten through themed teaching. She tries to incorporate many lessons around one centralized theme, including nutrition. For example, on St. Patrick’s Day, the children participate in a green taste test. Any kind of green fruit or vegetable that you can imagine is on the menu. Many times, the testers might say they don’t like something, but all have to participate in “1-2-3 – BITE!” with everyone taking at least a small bite on the count. 

    “This just comes naturally to me. I love it and I enjoy working hard, encouraging the children to be creative and to continually create new ideas and opportunities so that learning is fun.”

    Janet Wade, Child Care Provider

    Within the themed units, children are given the opportunity for physical activity. Some days, they pretend to be snowflakes falling gently to the ground or dancing through the air. Other days, the children are the wind, hissing like a snake or fluttering like a butterfly. 

    In addition to learning opportunities through themed units, the children experience the community around them. During the Christmas season, children make cards for older patrons at Janet’s church, and every year they visit St. Jude’s Hospital. They also work together as a child care community to plant a garden each spring and study good citizenship traits such as kindness, sharing and respectfulness daily. Any parent will know that not only is their child going to be well-cared for, but they also have rewarding learning experiences to take with them to the next stage in life.

    CACFP is an indicator of quality child care. When children are cared for by providers who are part of the CACFP program, they are receiving the best nutrition available. Learn more about other CACFP providers featured in our Member Showcase at our website, www.cacfp.org.

    Since 1986, the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) is the leading national organization for sponsors who administer the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We provide education and support to thousands of members in the CACFP community and in particular to sponsors of all sizes from across the country. We strive to improve communication between families, caregivers, sponsors, and their supervising government agencies.

    Source: National CACFP Sponsors Association

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