September 2017 - Global Foundation for Democracy and Development

Monthly Archives: September 2017

DREFF’s Nominee, “Death by a Thousand Cuts”, Finalist in the 2017 Green Film Network Award!
The Dominican Film “Death by a Thousand Cuts”, screened at the 2016 Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), has been selected as one of the finalist in this year’s Green Film Network (GFN) Award. This was DREFF’s nomination for the renown international environmental film prize, “Green Cinema Award”, organized by GFN, a prestigious network of the world’s best environmental film festivals. DREFF is a member of GFN.

GFDD to Partner with UNA USA Council of Organizations and Kitchen Connection to celebrate UN Day through “Spices for Peace”
GFDD will host an interactive cooking show in partnership with Kitchen Connection and the UNA USA Council of Organization in celebration of UN Day. Author and food expert, Nargisse Benkabbou will join us LIVE from her home in Morocco, teaching us how to make an Amlou recipe on Kitchen Connection.

GFDD/Funglode: Driving, Chipping, and Putting for Sustainable Development in the Dominican Republic
Convened by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development, GFDD/Funglode, more than one hundred golfers came together on a beautiful, sunny, and warm September day to take part in the organization’s 10th Golf Tournament. This year, players returned to the peace and elegance of the Devereaux Emmet designed Glen Head Country Club, one of the finest golf clubs in New York.

“Acid Rain Disappeared because Citizens Demanded Action, Businesses Delivered Technical Solutions to and Political Leaders Made the Vision Happen” States Eric Solheim, UN Environment Executive Director at International Conference on Sustainable Development
GFDD attended the fifth edition of the International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) at Columbia University in New York City on September 18-21, 2017. The theme of this year’s ICSD, hosted by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Earth Institute’s Global Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) program was The World in 2050: Looking Ahead for Sustainable Development.

GFDD Supports CUNY Dominican Studies Institute forum
Faced with a challenging external environment, Latin American and Caribbean growth as a whole has stagnated in recent years. While some countries have remained bastions of the regional economy, others have seen precipitous drops in GDP growth. To address these and other relevant issues, GFDD and CUNY’s Dominican Studies Institute will convene a panel of economic and political experts on October 16th for a roundtable discussion titled: “Latin America and the Caribbean: Economic
Outlook and Challenges towards the Future.” The event will take place in the DSI’s Dominican Archives and Dominican Library.

“María Montez”, the Story of the First Dominican Woman in Hollywood, captures the heart of Washingtonians
Before the screening, Maria Victoria Abreu, GFDD’s International Affairs and Socioeconomic Development Program Manager, gave the welcoming remarks and prefaced a video-message from Yvette Marichal, Director, Dominican Republic Film Commission (DGCINE). In her statement, Marichal spoke of the current strength of the Dominican film industry thanks to Law 108-10 (Law for the Promotion of Cinematographic Activities in the Dominican Republic).

Leonel Fernández Hosts Club of Madrid Meeting on Global Democracy
The future of democracy, how to promote youth participation in political processes and decision making, and the best ways to drive the effective exchange of ideas between new generations and the ones currently in power were just some of the principal topics of interest in today’s encounter between nine former presidents and prime ministers, all members of the Club of Madrid, and five young leaders selected by the Anna Lindh Foundation from within their Young Mediterranean Voices
program.

GFDD/Funglode and SAG-AFTRA Discuss Dominican Film Development
Dr. Leonel Fernández, President of GFDD/Funglode and former President of the Dominican Republic met with executives from the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) to analyze the potential for relations between the organizations and the Dominican film industry.

Doves for the International Day of Peace: ReCrearte and La Salle
After a two-month break since its last visit, GFDD’s ReCrearte program stopped by the Juan Bautista de la Salle School to collaborate and join in its advance celebration of the International Day of Peace. In keeping with the day’s theme, program coordinator Lucía Marte led a conversation with a group of students and their teacher about the importance of the Earth and its natural resources. Afterwards, they put their words to action and created a tree and doves, international symbols
of peace, from recycled paper.

“A Perspective on Age and Maturity”, an article by Dr. Leonel Fernández
A paradox comes to mind concerning old age. All aspire to reach it, but once they arrive, they complain distressedly. They claim that it has come quicker than expected, and it has taken them by surprise. They also maintain that there isn’t any type of consolation to sweeten the irritations of elderliness.