GFDD, FUNGLODE and UNA-RD Participate in 60th DPI/ NGO Conference

Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) and the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (UNA-DR) participated in the 60th Annual United Nations Department of Public Information and Non-Governmental Organizations Conference that took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, September 5-7, 2007.

 

Over 2,000 NGO Representatives from 80 countries attended the conference that featured diverse panel discussions and 33 workshops. The objective of the program was to assess scientific evidence of climate change, particularly as it relates to water security, land use, energy policy and the relationship between climate change and the UN Millennium Development Goals. The conference also sought to
facilitate the development of individual action plans aimed at mitigating the effects of global warming and its associated consequences.

 

GFDD/FUNGLODE Internships and Educational Projects Coordinator, Yamile Eusebio, GFDD Environmental Projects Coordinator, Emy Rodríguez; GFDD Research Assistant, Patricia Brito; and UNA-DR, Pilar Sandoval attended the conference reception that took place on September 5, where they had the
opportunity to engage in dialogue with highly regarded professionals such as: Renate Bloem, President, Conference of NGOs in Consultative Status with the United Nations (CONGO); Helene Hoedl, Secretary of Publications, UN Department of Public Information; Kiyotaka Akasaka, Under-Secretary of Communications and Public Information of the United Nations; Paul Horowitz, Deputy Executive Secretary, Ozone Secretariate, United Nations Environment Programme; John P. Holdren, Director, Woods Hole
Research Center; and Galen Fulford of Ecovillage Institute.

 

Kiyotaka Akasaka displayed his interested in participating in the International Conference of the Americas (CILA), organized annually by GFDD, FUNGLODE, UNA-DR and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). CILA 2007 will take place October 10-14, 2007 in Bavaro, Dominican Republic, during which Akasaka will lead the program: “Take a Stand Against
Poverty.”

 

On September 7, as part of the workshop, “From the City to the Countryside,” GFDD Environmental Projects Coordinator, Emy Rodríguez, gave a presentation on GFDD and FUNGLODE’s on-going work to combat climate change and increase rural community development and involvement. Rodríguez spoke of the institutions’ Coral Gardens Project, as well as their
initiatives with fishing communities in Sosua, Dominican Republic.

 

GFDD and FUNGLODE organize activities designed to increase understanding of climate change and the steps that can be taken to mitigate its effects. GFDD and FUNGLODE participate in events such as this one in order to stay abreast of the latest findings and current debates and develop new contacts with experts in the field.