Category: Rotary

Kenya Star features Computers for Schools Burundi

A renewed focus on universal access to and equity in ICT for Burundian youth requires a two-pronged approach: investment in ICT equipment and implementation of ICT curricula with targeted efforts to develop 21st-century skillsets. The partnership between Computers for Schools Burundi, Rotary and the Five Schools of Excellence is an African trailblazer harnessing the power of multiple stakeholders for the common good of Burundian youth.

IMG_0930NICEEWComputers for Schools Burundi (CfSB), a project where I  volunteer as their Sustainability Analyst using the SOFAIR model is gaining international recognition. CfSB has partnered with Rotary Clubs, nationally and internationally. Rotary is made up of three parts: clubs, Rotary International, and The Rotary Foundation. Collectively, Rotary works to make lasting change in communities and around the world. CfSB, the Rotary Club Bujumbura-Doyen, the Rotary Club Ottawa, and the Rotary Club West Ottawa are working together to analyze a possible grant application through Rotary International. The Rotary Club of New York is providing additional funding. The active board of CfSB is composed of members of local, regional, international companies, nongovernmental organizations, and the government.

I wrote the following article which was featured in Kenya Star:

An African Trailblazer: Computers for Schools Burundi, Rotary and Burundi’s Five Schools of Excellence

 

 

The UN SDG Corporate Guidebook Series Meta Project

UN SDGs Meta-Project Call for Contributors: 100+ Case Studies for 17 Corporate Guidebooks

I am honored to be selected to become a CISR Scholar, contributing to the UN SDG Corporate Guidebook Series Meta Project.

SHERPA Sustainability Institute CEO, Rob Wilson explains their commitment to publish the remaining 16 SDG Guidebooks throughout 2020. “We’re coming up on ten years left for the 2030 Agenda, and we can’t expect government agencies and NGOs alone to carry the ball. The time has come for the private sector to step up. Some corporate leaders understand the benefits of focusing on specific SDGs – it makes sense for their business. More companies are taking action, but too many are sitting on the sidelines. The Corporate Guidebook Series aims to break through that inertia.”

Endorsed in 2015 by all 193 United Nations Member States, the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals focus global efforts and attention on 17 pressing issues. The 17 UN SDGs have been lauded as a galvanizing force for a more socially responsible global community. However, with 169 underlying Targets, the UN SDGs have been characterized by many thought-leaders as overwhelming.

Co-Authors for two separate textbooks published by CRC Press, Agustiady and Hoffmeier had been seeking an opportunity to collaborate on a book for some time. Agustiady gives a lighthearted take on the expanded scope of the project. “We had talked about co-authoring just one, single book. Amazingly, our aspirations grew exponentially into an entire UN SDG series!” The duo will co-author one textbook in the series, while taking responsibility for recruiting co-authors and editing the remaining 16 titles. Agustiady adds, “We’ve taken the approach to ‘begin with the end in mind’, with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.”

Hoffmeier describes the first Guidebook to be released Q4 of 2019. “Starting with SDG 17, Tina and I provide a primer for the rest of the series, as well as guidance on how to prioritize the goals and integrate the SDGs into corporate strategy. Companies need to understand what’s in it for them, when it comes to the SDGs – we’ll answer that question, then provide the roadmap to get started.”

About SHERPA Sustainability Institute
We are a non-profit institution, devoted to global collaboration, education and research, advancing continual improvement for social responsibility to build sustainable organizations and communities.
http://www.sherpasustainabilityinstitute.org

About CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group
With over 100 years publishing textbooks, references, encyclopedias, handbooks, monographs, and professional books, CRC Press aims to broaden thinking and advance understanding in the sciences, providing researchers, academics, professionals, and students with the tools they need to share ideas and realize their potential.

The Blue Helmets and the United Nations – A presentation for the Rotary Club of New York United Nations International Breakfast Meetings

As the Chair of the Rotary Club of New York United Nations International Breakfast Meetings, it was my pleasure to welcome today Nedialko Kostov who joined the peacekeeping operations of the United Nations in 1999. Mr. Kostov is currently serving as Special Assistant to the Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations at the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in the United Nations Secretariat in New York. In his current position, he supports and advises the Assistant-Secretary-General in the management of the Office of Operations of DPKO as well as the 16 peacekeeping operations overseen by the Department. At the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York, Mr. Kostov has also served as policy officer for the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations and desk officer for Chad and Northeastern Central African Republic. Nedialko Kostov was born in 1974 in Bulgaria and has studied in Bulgaria, France, Tunisia and the United Kingdom. He speaks English, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Bulgarian, and has limited knowledge of Arabic, German and Haitian Creole.

Click on Presentation:

190918 Blue Helmets

 

RCNY at the United Nations presents“The UN and Decolonization”

Ambiehl headshotAs Chair, it is my pleasure to invite you to The Rotary Club of New York, International Breakfast Meeting at the UN – Jun 19, 2019. Non-Member Guests and Visitors may register by contacting Andreas Runggatscher at Our featured speaker will be Josiane Ambiehl, Chief of the Decolonization Unit, Dept. of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN. Her topic will be: “The UN and Decolonization”, focusing on how decolonization has evolved from the 50s/60s until today. About Josiane Ambiehl Josiane Ambiehl currently serves as the Chief of the Decolonization Unit in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs of the United Nations. As such, she is providing guidance to the leadership of the Organization and Member States on decolonization matters and the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories under the purview of the Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24). UN Church Center – 10th floor 777 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017 Decolonization UnitedNations RotaryClubofNewYork Peacebuilding

Meet Nicola Watkinson, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner

The Rotary Club of New York International Breakfast Meeting

Nikola WatkinsonIn August 2016 Nicola Watkinson was appointed by Austrade to serve as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for North America, responsible for its network of offices covering New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Washington, as well as Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.
Nicola Watkinson YouTube Introduction
Nicola joined Austrade in 2003 following a career in the private sector in the UK and with the Victorian Government in Melbourne. Nicola’s career in Austrade spans Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for South Asia, Consul General Frankfurt, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, West Europe, Global Head of Investment and Senior Investment Commissioner for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

She has also worked in North Asian markets with a particular focus on Japan, China and Korea. Nicola has sat on the advisory board of groups such as CSIRO (Australia’s premier research organization), Industry Capability Network, Australia China Business Council and Australian Business in Europe.

New York
May 16, 2018 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
777 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
United States

Advance reservations required.

EventBrite Ticket reservation

Rotary Project: Hands Across Water

FarmSchoolAs a participant in this cross-cultural education program, RCNY received an update on the project from the Haifa Rotary Club. Dr. Amnon Shefi of Hi-Teach was a major coordinator for this important program. Hands Across Water educated more than one thousand students of Jews and Arabs to work together in search of advanced water solutions which was the theme of the successful year.

The Rotary Hands Across Water program was run by the Haifa Rotary Club in collaboration RCNY and many other clubs and districts, harnessing the power of our Rotary collective.  Together, Rotary’s Hands Across Water cross-cultural water project emerged as an inspired science education program which has been running large water projects.  Hands Across Water  culminated in a graduation event held  in honor of the International Water Day

In 2010, a successful collaboration was established between the Rotary Club of Coral Springs-Parkland, Florida and the Rotary Club of Lod, Israel to utilize principles of water conservation within schools as a platform for promoting social interaction between various ethnic and religious communities in Israel.

HandsacrosswaterBeginning with the diverse and underserved City of Lod, a rainwater harvesting system was constructed at two anchoring institutions – the Ha Mapilim School and the Agricultural Learning Center (Farm School) – serving as a joint, demonstrative tool for ten nearby schools (three Arab Israeli/Palestinian and seven Jewish) to utilize for student’s hands-on learning. A third anchor was added with Gany Aviv School for advanced activities. The innovation and excitement generated by these efforts has served as a catalyst for further cross-cultural exchange amongst the schools, resulting in complementary sustainability projects and an adoption of a culture of conservation.

Building the Model – Hi Teach

With continued leadership and support provided by the pilot schools, surrounding community, and Rotary partners, these initial efforts served as a foundation for an expansion of the program.

In 2015, Israel was awarded its largest Global Grant from Rotary International to utilize principles of water conservation as a platform for promoting cross-cultural exchange amongst 10 schools of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. The program officially took on the title: Rotary Hands Across Waters (RHAW).

Handsacrosswater2

Initiated by the Rotary Club of Haifa, Israel and the Rotary Club of Coral Springs-Parkland, FL, RHAW is a growing partnership of over 25 leading public, private, and NGO organizations, including Technion University, Ministries of Education and Economy, local water authorities, and NASA’s GLOBE Program. RHAW is transforming the next generation of water leaders to collectively address our most pressing environmental issues.

Hands Across Water Video