GFDD and FUNGLODE Host a UN Film Screening of Harmony, Focused on Climate Change, with Director Stuart Sender

On June 26, 2014, the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations held a screening of the film Harmony at the United Nations.

GFDD’s New York Office Director, Ms. Yamile Eusebio made the opening remarks,
welcoming guests to the event. Ms. Eusebio also thanked its long standing partner, the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations, for making this event possible as well as the support from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).Commenting on the objectives of the screening she explained that it was being held to raise awareness to raise awareness and deepen the understanding of the impacts of climate change and to mobilize global action and support for a UN
agenda that would tackle this issue as a priority. She thanked award winning journalist and Oscar nominated filmmaker, Mr. Stuart Sender, for flying in from Los Angeles for the event and agreeing to contribute to the discussion.

Following Ms. Eusebio’s introductory words, the Director
and Producer of Harmony, Mr. Sender gave some brief remarks about the film itself. He highlighted the importance of our fight against climate change and commended H.R.H The Prince of Wales, for his extensive efforts over the past three decades in tackling this global problem and offering some practical solutions detailed in the film.

Highlighting the benefits of integrating the three pillars of sustainable development (social, economic
and environmental) into our everyday lives, and displaying practical and successful initiatives of H.R.H The Prince of Wales’ Foundations taking place all over the globe, Harmony was very well received by the audience.

The screening was followed by a Q&A session with the audience, moderated by Marc Jourdan, UN Representative for GFDD. Answering questions about what civil society and developing countries can do to effectively combat climate
change, Mr. Sender stressed the importance of educating communities about the implications of climate change to force a change of conscience in the way we approach our daily lives and to help renew our relationship with the planet. Highlighting the upcoming international climate negotiations in Paris in 2015, Mr. Sender stressed the importance for individuals to pressure their governments to bring concrete commitments to the table.

GFDD thanks all participants and
audience members for coming out to support the event, and invites them to continue checking the GFDD website for future screenings and events.

About the film: HARMONY
For three decades, the Prince of Wales has worked side-by-side with a dynamic array of environmental activists, business leaders, artists, architects and government leaders to address the global environmental crisis and find ways toward a more sustainable, spiritual and
harmonious relationship with the planet. From organic farms, including the Prince’s own Duchy Home Farm near Highgrove House in the Duchy of Cornwall, to the rainforests of British Columbia, to rare footage of Prince Charles interviewing Al Gore about climate change in 1988, the film provides a new and inspiring perspective on how the world can meet the challenges of climate change globally, locally and personally. The film looks at the root causes of the global problems we face
and offers 21st century solutions, capturing a new awareness that is arising in people around the world, across geographic boundaries, race religion and socio-economic status.

About Mr. Stuart Sender:
Stuart Sender is an Academy Award nominated filmmaker, broadcast journalist and screenwriter. His credits include producing and directing the Academy-Award nominated documentary Prisoner of Paradise, which also received a Directors Guild
nomination and won the prestigious Grierson Award for best documentary on film. Stuart executive produced The Garden, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. He began his career at CBS news then worked as Senior Producer of the weekly PBS series South Africa Now, which won a Polk Award for excellence in journalism and a New York Emmy for best newsmagazine. Stuart produced the first
exclusive interview with Nelson Mandela following his release from prison. He was Senior Producer of the documentary Mandela: Free At Last. Most recently, Stuart was a Producer of Years of Living Dangerously, the acclaimed Showtime documentary television series focusing on climate change and featuring Matt Damon and Michael C. Hall.

Related links:
http://www.theharmonymovie.com/trailer.php
http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/owg.html
http://unfccc.int/2860.php