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World Economic Forum has selected 36 cities across 22 countries and six continents to pioneer a new global policy roadmap for smart cities developed by the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance, hosted at the Forum.
The selected 36 Pioneer Cities include 4 from India — Bengaluru, Faridabad, Hyderabad, and Indore.
Photo: Toronto, Canada. Image credit: Nicolas Vigier.
Photo: Melbourne, Australia. Image credit: Eugene Kaspersky.
Geneva, Switzerland, 17 November 2020 - The World Economic Forum announced today that 36 cities across 22 countries and six continents have agreed to pioneer a new roadmap for safely adopting new technology as part of the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance.
Cities face urgent challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and other major disruptions, which may culminate in a budget crisis that could reach $1 trillion in the United States alone. They need data and innovation to become more resilient, responsive, and efficient. Yet, there is no global framework for how cities should use these technologies, or the data they collect, in a way that protects the public interest.
It would change with the launch of a new global policy roadmap by the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance, designed to give cities the procedures, laws, and regulations they need to use new technology responsibly. The World Economic Forum hosts the secretariat of the alliance.
“This roadmap is not about theoretical ideas and pipe dreams. It is built on practical, real-world policies from leading cities around the globe,” said Jeff Merritt, Head of the Internet of Things and Urban Transformation, World Economic Forum. “City governments are on the frontline of a global crisis and need to be able to act quickly and decisively to curtail this pandemic and set course for their economic recovery. Technology is an essential tool in this fight, but governments cannot risk falling into the usual traps related to privacy, security, and vendor lock-in. That’s where the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance can help.”
To kickstart the roadmap adoption, the alliance has recruited a group of 36 “pioneer cities” that will collaborate with global experts to enhance their city policies in areas ranging from privacy protection and cybersecurity to better services for disabled people and better broadband coverage.
The pioneer cities are launching their activities today at a global event broadcast by Smart City Expo World Congress, the world’s premier smart cities event.
List of pioneer cities (in alphabetical order):
“This initiative originated in Japan last year from our Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a fact I’m very proud of,” said Koichi Akaishi, Vice Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan. “I hope to see more cities participating in the Alliance following the model set by these first pioneer cities.”
Leaders of organizations participating in the program:
Miguel Eiras Antunes, Global Smart Cities Leader, Deloitte Global, said, “The transformation from a traditional city to a ‘smart city’ does not just happen overnight. Success depends on the quality of the decisions. Deloitte is committed to working closely together with the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance on Technology Governance to co-design policy frameworks that will empower governments to accelerate smart cities initiatives for sustainable developments.”
London’s Chief Digital Officer, Theo Blackwell, said, “We need to work together to realize the potential of data to solve city challenges by putting it in the hands of those who can make a difference. But we also need to do it in a way that is safe, ethical, and responsible. London is proud to join this global initiative as a pioneer city to promote the adoption of ethical, smart city policies.”
“Technology and knowledge are two strategic assets to build inclusive, data-driven, and sustainable smart cities capable of tackling new and emerging challenges,” said Roberta Cocco, Deputy Mayor for Digital Transformation and Services to Citizens, Milan. “That is why Milan is joining the G20 Global Smart City Alliance, as this initiative will allow us to share best practices with innovative cities around the world. Today more than ever, in fact, we need to collaborate to identify the most effective tools to face global threats like COVID-19. It is only by joining our forces that we can beat this common enemy that is threatening the health, the economy, and the future of our citizens.”
Dr. Julia Glidden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector, Microsoft Corporation, said, “Accessibility and privacy policies are critical to making cities more inclusive and transparent. Microsoft congratulates the Forum and G20 for creating model policies that aid cities in serving all citizens.”
“We will adopt a transparent and participatory philosophy of local governance in the city of Istanbul,” said Ekrem Ä°mamoÄŸlu, Mayor of Istanbul. “We aim to empathize with all segments of society, and value the participation of everyone, ensuring that the majority of the people are represented - not the few.”
Gilvan Maximo, Secretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Brazil, said, “The G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance will provide us with a global partnership to accelerate the adoption of technologies responsibly and for the benefit of the citizen, debating complex issues and seeking joint solutions. Therefore, Brasilia is eager to participate in this joint work.”
“This opportunity to collaborate as a G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance pioneer city on a new roadmap for safely adopting new technology is very welcome indeed,” said Alderman Frank McCoubrey, Lord Mayor of Belfast. “We’ll be exploiting new technologies and data to tackle city challenges in areas such as health and mobility to improve our citizens’ quality of life - and we must ensure this is done ethically and in a way that prioritizes transparency, privacy, equity, and inclusion. Being part of the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance on Technology Governance means that each of the partner cities will benefit from expert, tailored insights and policy tools. This collaborative approach will allow us all to make progress in how we govern technology more swiftly and effectively, for the benefit of all our citizens.”
“Transforming our cities into smart cities is a great tool to improve people’s life quality,” said Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, Mayor of Buenos Aires. “That is why we are committed to continuing incorporating technology, developing innovative public policies, and working together with the G20 cities to build a modern and efficient state that makes life easier for everyone who lives, works, studies, or visits us in Buenos Aires.”
The World Economic Forum’s inaugural Pioneers of Change Summit takes place online on 16-20 November. The summit brings together more than 750 leaders from government, business, and civil society from more than 90 countries. The meeting takes place when there is a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and reset the world. Key topics discussed include digital business, sustainable production, infrastructure, health, new work models, financial innovation, and frontier technologies.
Source: World Economic Forum
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:14 AM | View the original post
Photo: Opening Plenary with Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, speaking during the Opening Plenary at the Annual Meeting 2018 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 23, 2018. Image provided by & copyright © World Economic Forum / Manuel Lopez. [File Photo]
NEW YORK, BEIJING, LONDON, JOHANNESBURG. November 17, 2020 - The China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), and Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) are co-hosts for the 2020 Bloomberg New Economy Forum, November 16-19. More than 500 current and former heads of state, influential business executives, government officials, academics, and experts from around the world join them in a collaborative effort to help redesign critical parts of the global economy after the ravages of Covid-19, emphasizing sustainable and inclusive growth.
Prime Minister Modi of India virtually addressed the 3rd Annual Bloomberg New Economy Forum on November 17, 2020. Here is the text of his address:
” Mr. Michael Bloomberg, Thought Leaders, Captains of Industry, Distinguished participants of the Bloomberg New Economic Forum.
I begin by expressing my appreciation for the great work being done by Michael and his team at Bloomberg Philanthropies. The support provided by this team in designing India’s Smart Cities Mission has been excellent.
Friends,
We are at a crucial point in our history. More than half of the world’s citizens already live in urban areas. Over the next two decades, India and some African nations will witness the most significant urbanization wave. But the COVID -19 pandemic has posed enormous challenges before the world. It has shown us that cities, which were our growth engines, are also our vulnerable zones. Many cities worldwide declared themselves on the brink of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. The very things which represented living in a town are facing a question mark. Things like community gatherings, sports activities, education, and recreation are not the same as before. The biggest question before the entire world is how to restart? The restart will not be possible without a reset. A reset of mindset. A reset of processes. And a reset of practices.
Friends,
I think the historic reconstruction efforts after the two world wars can give us several lessons. Post world wars, the entire world worked on new world order. New protocols were developed, and the world changed itself. COVID-19 has also given us a similar opportunity to develop new protocols in every field. The world should grab this opportunity if we want to create resilient systems for the future. We should think about the post-COVID requirements of the world. A good starting point would be the rejuvenation of our urban centers.
Friends,
Here, I want to share a positive side of Indian cities. Indian cities have presented an extra-ordinary example during these challenging times. There were worldwide incidents of resistance against the lockdown measures. However, Indian cities meticulously followed these preventive measures. For us, the most prominent building block of our towns was not concrete, but the community. The pandemic has re-emphasized that our most significant resource, as societies and businesses, is our people. The post-Covid world has to be built by nurturing this key and fundamental resource. Cities are vibrant engines of growth. They hold power to drive this much-needed change.
People often migrate to cities because cities give them work. But, isn’t it time that we also make cities work for the people? Covid-19 has given us a chance to accelerate our process of making cities more liveable for people. It includes better housing facilities, a better work environment, shorter and efficient travel. During the lockdown, many towns saw cleaner lakes & rivers as well as cleaner air. So many of us saw the chirping of birds we never noticed before. Can we not build sustainable cities where these features are the norm and not the exception? Our endeavor in India has been to build urban centers, which have a town’s amenities but the village’s spirit.
Friends,
During the pandemic, technology has also helped us maintain continuity in our work. Thanks to a simple tool like video-conferencing, I can wrap up many more meetings. It has also helped me bridge the distance and talk to all of you. But this also poses an interesting question for a post-Covid world. Will we continue with the learnings of the Covid-times like Video-Conferencing? Or will we travel across continents to participate in a conference? Reducing stress on urban systems will depend on our choices.
These choices will also help us maintain a better work-life balance. In today’s age, empowering people to work from anywhere, live anywhere, and plug into global supply chains from anywhere is an absolute necessity. That is why we have announced simplified guidelines for the technology and knowledge-enabled services sector. It will facilitate ‘Work from Home’ and ‘Work from Anywhere.’
Friends,
Our cities cannot prosper without the availability of Affordable Housing. Realizing this, we launched the Housing for All program in 2015. I am happy to note that we are well on our way. We will deliver more than one crore or 10 million houses to aspiring families in urban areas before the targeted deadline of 2022. Looking at the conditions created by the pandemic, we also introduced an affordable rental housing initiative. We started the Real Estate Regulation Act. It has transformed the dynamics of the real estate sector. Again this has made it more customer-oriented and transparent.
Friends,
Sustainable mobility is key to creating resilient cities. The work on Metro Rail is going on in 27 cities. We are on track to deliver close to 1000 km of the Metro Rail system by 2022. Our Make in India push has led to the development of the tremendous indigenous capacity to produce transportation systems. It is going to help us push our sustainable transport goals in a big way.
Friends,
Technology is an essential enabler in the journey of a smart, prosperous, and resilient city. Technology helps manage a city efficiently and build connected communities. We are looking at a future where a significant chunk of education, healthcare, shopping, food experiences may happen online. Our cities need to be ready for the convergence of the physical and digital worlds. Our programs - Digital India and Start-Up India Missions are helping create capacities towards this. We have selected 100 Smart Cities through a two-stage process. It was a nationwide competition upholding the philosophy of cooperative and competitive federalism.
These cities have prepared projects worth almost two lakh crore rupees or 30 billion dollars. And projects worth nearly one lakh forty thousand crore rupees or 20 billion dollars have been completed or nearing completion. Integrated Command and Control centers have been set-up in many cities to unleash the full potential of technology. These centers are currently also serving as war-rooms to manage the Covid situation in various cities.
Lastly, I would like to remind one thing to all of you. If you are looking to invest in urbanization, India has exciting opportunities for you. If you are looking to invest in mobility, India has exciting opportunities for you. If you are looking to invest in innovation, India has exciting opportunities for you. If you are looking to invest in sustainable solutions, India has exciting opportunities for you. These opportunities come along-with A vibrant democracy. A business-friendly climate. A huge market. And a government that shall leave no stone unturned to make India a preferred global investment destination.
Friends,
India is well on its way towards urban transformation. I do not doubt that with the help of all stakeholders, the civil society, academic institutions, industry, and most importantly, the citizens and communities, we will achieve the dream of resilient and prosperous global cities.
Thank you.”
……………………………….
Sources: Bloomberg New Economy Forum. Prime Minister’s Office, New Delhi.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:02 AM | View the original post
Diwali Greetings 2020 from GlobalGiants.Com.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:41 AM | View the original post
Photo: Wellington, New Zealand. Wellington has joined City Possible.
Purchase, NY | November 10, 2020 — Mastercard today announced expanding its City Possible™ network and capabilities, whose unique solutions now reach over 500 communities in over 50 countries worldwide. The partnership framework focuses on building more inclusive and sustainable cities by increasing access to city services, expanding urban mobility solutions, and informing an inclusive recovery through data-driven insights.
Since debuting with just 16 founding members in November 2018, City Possible has expanded to 220 city members and candidate cities. City Possible welcomed Los Angeles, New York City, London, and Hamilton, CAN to the growing community, with an additional 320 towns leveraging best in class transit solutions. The network also welcomed Digital Main Street, a Canadian organization that partners with over 500 cities across Canada to help main street small businesses in those communities achieve digital transformation.
• City Insights: A marketplace for cities and partners
The network will feature a reimagined digital marketplace that provides access to different tools and partner solutions in a unique new store-like experience. A new feature is specific sentiment analysis data provided by ZenCity, a City Possible partner and graduate of Mastercard’s Start Path program. Access to data-driven insights has proven critical for informing response to the pandemic, with Mastercard’s data tools currently supporting over 50 state and local governments through Mastercard’s Recovery Insights initiative, Mastercard said.
“COVID-19 has accelerated the demand for an enhanced digital experience that would provide network members access to multiple data sources, insights services, and tools,” commented Miguel Gamiño, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Cities at Mastercard. “As we continue to grow our network, we will continue to scale our capabilities, leveraging the insights from city leaders to build solutions that enable them to serve their communities inclusively.”
• City Key: Expanding Access to City Services
Initially launched in 2019, Mastercard City Key™ is now live in over 25 communities. This solution allows each municipality to combine identification, access to city services, and payment functionalities into one tool. As a result, residents can have one digital solution to pay bills, access city services, and pay for public transit.
Recent deployments include:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with City Possible and city leaders in the network to expand the functionalities of City Key,” said Wole Coaxum, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mobility Capital Finance. “It’s an innovative way of turning financial services into infrastructure for cities. City Key makes financial services a part of the “plumbing” that drives efficiency, drives safety, drives security, and drives inclusion.”
Mastercard plans to further evolve the initiative beyond the City Possible network by providing “converged card” solutions to state departments of motor vehicles in the United States in partnership with IDEMIA. IDEMIA’s Converged Card solution combines a state-issued driver’s license or I.D. with a payment card and drives financial inclusion for unbanked and underbanked communities.
• Transit Partner Program & Integrated Mobility: Keeping Cities Moving for Everyone
Leveraging the Transit Partner Program, Mastercard has expanded best in class transit solutions to over 330 cities worldwide by working with transit operators, service providers, and technology partners across the globe to expedite and scale solutions faster than ever before.
As cities evolve public transit systems due to ongoing health concerns, Mastercard develops digital solutions for them. The answers are focused on meeting the increased demand for contactless payments, mobile ticketing, and integrated transit apps, allowing cities to gain insight into ridership and utilization. In Sydney, Mastercard recently announced the expansion of its partnership with Transport for New South Wales to pilot a digitized Opal Card, enabling a seamless payment experience across transportation modes, Mastercard elaborated.
Source: Mastercard
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Mastercard Transit and Mobility Solutions
Mastercard City Insights
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:37 AM | View the original post
Photo: Asya Branch, Miss USA 2020 winner, wearing the “Power of Positivity” Crown presented by Mouawad, the official crown sponsor, at the Miss USA Competition, on November 7, 2020, at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Photographer: Jessielyn Palumbo. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization.
Photo: Ki’ilani Arruda, the winner of Miss Teen USA 2020, wearing the “Power of Hope” Crown, presented by Mouawad, the official crown sponsor, at the Miss Teen USA Competition, on November 7, 2020, at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Photographer: Benjamin Askinas. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization.
Source: The Miss Universe Organization
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:10 AM | View the original post
Summit on how to close the financing gap between net zero ambitions and reality to be hosted by the City of London Corporation, Green Finance Institute, and the World Economic Forum.
All sessions would be live-streamed on the Forum’s website from 9-11 November.
HRH, the Prince of Wales, and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon join leaders from business, civil society, and key international organizations, including the ECB, IMF, and UN, to discuss critical topics like ESG metrics, funding green investments, and accelerating investment in green innovation.
Photo: A Participant at the Inaugural Meeting of the Global Fourth Industrial Revolution Councils, 2019. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum / Stephen Porter. [File Photo]
Geneva, Switzerland, November 6, 2020 - The City of London Corporation, in collaboration with the Green Finance Institute and supported by the World Economic Forum, is hosting a virtual summit 9-11 November that will focus on green finance in the recovery from COVID-19.
The Green Horizon Summit will bring together leaders from government, business, and civil society to close the financing gap between net zero ambitions and reality. Each session will help drive forward the role of green finance in the recovery from COVID-19.
The Summit will cover five major themes:
All sessions will be live-streamed and captioned.
Featured speakers include:
Michael R. Bloomberg
Founder, Bloomberg LP & Bloomberg Philanthropies
Christiana Figueres
Founder, Global Optimism
Larry Fink
Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock, Inc
Kristalina Georgieva
Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Antonio Guterres
The Secretary-General of the United Nations
Christine Lagarde
President of the European Central Bank
The Forum will host day three (November 11) of the Summit. This ‘practitioners’ day’ will focus on putting the frameworks into place and funnel finance into a net-zero economy. It will feature a range of practitioners covering a new generation of asset managers, banking, big data, professional services to hear how we can make the transition a reality.
Key topics covered on this day include building common Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) metrics, shaping the future of work and skills, and accelerating and finance innovation that will facilitate the race to zero.
Source: World Economic Forum
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:51 PM | View the original post
Photo: International Leadership Association’s virtual global conference, Leading at the Edge.
SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 31, 2020 — Leadership experts from around the world will gather live and online 5 - 9 November for the International Leadership Association’s (ILA’s) virtual global conference, Leading at the Edge. Global leaders and featured speakers will meaningfully address the changing role of leadership globally in an era of COVID-19, declining democratic norms, social justice movements, economic uncertainty, corporate responsibility, climate emergency, and more.
A partial list of featured plenary and spotlight speakers includes:
• Global Leaders
• Thought Leaders
• Business Leaders
With a stellar list of keynotes and featured speakers, 400+ expert session and workshop presenters, and a diverse array of networking opportunities, Leading at the Edge promises to inform, inspire, and invigorate, ILA said.
As ILA President & CEO Cynthia Cherrey sums up, “Our live, online virtual event is designed to deliver everything that makes an in-person ILA conference special: plenaries from global leaders working at the intersection of theory and practice; workshops, panels, and presentations with speakers from around the world; special networking activities organized by our member communities and social engagement committee designed to help attendees converse and create collaborative networks; and a Meeting Hub that allows you to set up impromptu virtual meetings on our conference platform easily.”
“We invite you to join us for this live online virtual conference as we explore leadership, the ways that we lead, and what we expect from leaders,” remarks Conference Chair Kathryn Goldman Schuyler. “Leading at the Edge will nourish those who lead, consult, teach, study, and conduct research with exciting ideas, innovative projects, and good friends — both old and new.”
The International Leadership Association (ILA) is a worldwide professional association committed to advancing leadership knowledge and practice for a better world.
Source: The International Leadership Association.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
— The Chief Editor is a Member of the International Leadership Association.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:13 PM | View the original post
Breitling today presented its new “Spotlight Squad” as it launched Chronomat 36 and 32 watches for “women of purpose, action, and style.”
“Our inspiration for this new collection is the Breitling woman herself. A woman of purpose, action, and style who’s at the top of her game,” said Breitling CEO Georges Kern at the launch.
“Some people have mastered the art of not only shining in the spotlight but also shining their light on others and inspiring change in the world. Three of them are on our Spotlight Squad: Charlize Theron, Misty Copeland, and Yao Chen. These extraordinary entertainers are at the top of their game and have shattered the stereoÂtypes clinging to their gender and respective fields,” Breitling explained.
• Charlize Theron — Originally from South Africa, Oscar-winner Charlize Theron has proven her versatility in numerous roles and genres. In 2004, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress after playing a serial killer in Monster. In 2019, she starred in and co-produced the drama Bombshell, receiving nomination for another Academy Award.
• Misty Copeland — In 2007, dancer Misty Copeland was only the second African-American woman to be promoted to soloist with American Ballet Theatre (ABT); in 2015, she was the first African-American woman to become a principal dancer. That year, Time magazine named her one of the world’s 100 most influential people.
• Yao Chen — Chinese TV and film actress Yao Chen has won many awards, including the Audience Choice category of China’s Golden Eagle Award (2010) and Best Actress at the Busan International Film Festival (2016, Asian Content). In 2019, she won the Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Far East Film Festival.
In addition to excelling on screen and stage, these three are not afraid to take control of their storyÂlines while trying to improve others’ lives. Indeed, they form a tenacious squad of women who stand up for their beliefs and the issues closest to their hearts, the company said.
“Who better than Charlize Theron, Misty Copeland, and Yao Chen to turn the spotlight on major global causes as they redefine what it means to be a strong woman? Three leading stars are known for being fierce and pushing boundaries. What binds them together is the Spotlight Squad and Breitling’s dedication to change, diversity, and reshaping the world we live in,” Breitling CEO Georges Kern added. “And now - dedicated to women - the new Chronomat 36 and 32 collection embodies flair, confidence, and an active lifestyle.”
The Chronomat 36 and 32 series - takes women wherever they want to go.
Sporty yet elegant, this modern-retro-inspired watch quickly takes its wearer from business meeting to the beach - and everywhere in between. It symbolizes competence and effortless style.
The stunning watches in the Chronomat for Women range feature Breitling’s iconic Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly clasp, which is as robust as it is elegant.
In terms of finish, these timepieces are nearly as diverse as the women on the Spotlight Squad. Along with the choice of sizes (36 mm Automatic and 32 mm SuperQuartz™), they are also available in various metal cases.
The Chronomat Automatic 36 is powered by the Breitling Caliber 10 with a reserve of about 42 hours. There are ten versions to choose from, with striking lacquered dials in white, pale green, midnight blue, or copper.
The Chronomat 32 runs on the Breitling Caliber 77 and has a battery life of three to four years. It comes in seven versions, with white or midnight blue dials.
The original 1984 Chronomat helped signal a rebirth of the Swiss watch industry, and it has inspired many more timepieces over the past four decades - including women’s models.
Today, the Chronomat 36 and 32 collections’ modern-retro watches shine the spotlight on confident and versatile women.
Source: Breitling
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:06 AM | View the original post
Photo: UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the Global Education Meeting. UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. Image provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Christelle ALIX.
Photo: Global Education Meeting. UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. Image provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Christelle ALIX.
Paris, October 23, 2020 — Heads of State & Government, Ministers from over 70 countries, and international partners met online in an extraordinary Global Education Meeting convened by UNESCO, the governments of Ghana, Norway, and the United Kingdom on October 22. They adopted a Declaration expressing a strong commitment to protecting education financing and outlining measures to be chosen over the next year to safeguard education from the devastating impact of the disruption caused by COVID19.
“At a time when countries are making difficult choices and trade-offs to turn societies around, education must be our top priority, our pillar for recovery. And yet only a minuscule share - on average less than 1% - has been set aside for education and training in national stimulus packages. Financing education is not a cost: it is our most crucial long-term investment. If we do not allocate this funding now, we will face a bleaker future,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
The meeting brought together the UN’s Secretary-General, the Presidents of Angola, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Namibia, Portugal, and Rwanda. The Prime Ministers of Italy, Morocco, Norway, and Spain, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, and SDG Advocate Queen Mathilde of Belgium attended the meeting.
Over 65 ministers of education from the five continents took the floor in the meeting to share measures to counter the pandemic’s impact on learning, along with multilateral and regional organizations, the Global Partnership for Education, and the Education Above All Foundation, among others.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underlined that education is the solution, and financing and political will are critical.
Affirming that “education is at the heart of the EU’s investment in development,” the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, announced, “the decision to increase EU financing of assistance to education in partner countries under my responsibility from 7% to 10%.”
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy declared that quality education would be one of the pillars of the Italian G20 presidency in 2021, focusing on people, the planet, and prosperity.
The UK’s Special Envoy for Education, Baroness Sugg, highlighted the United Kingdom’s G7 presidency’s focus. “The UK is standing up for every girl’s right to 12 years of quality education. It is putting this issue at the heart of our G7 Presidency and co-hosting a major Global Education Summit next year to raise funds to get children into school and build back better from coronavirus,” she said.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway, co-host of the meeting, stated that “two elements are important for rapid recovery: financing and political commitment. In many cases, the right to education will remain an empty promise unless education spending increases. We need to mobilize more international financing for global education.”
The endorsed Declaration defines priority actions that are essential for educational recovery in the coming 15 months:
These priority actions require that education budgets be at least protected, if not increased.
In the Declaration, governments and partners state their commitment to:
The endorsed Declaration also condemns recent attacks on teachers, students, and schools and reaffirms education and teachers’ role.
President Uhuru Kenyatta said that Kenya “included a large education component in our economic stimulus package.”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that “the modernization of our education system is a priority for this Government,” and “that education and professional development would become a cross-cutting policy involving all government ministries.
Colombia’s President Ivan Duque Marquez asserted that the pandemic brought understanding that education is the most important public policy tool to transform societies.
UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie, who has supported UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition, stated that “all countries face huge pressures. But to try to balance the books at the expense of education would be utterly self-defeating, as well as morally indefensible.”
In their interventions, numerous participants recognized UNESCO’s role in improving global education coordination to accelerate progress towards SDG4.
As part of the Global Education Meeting, a group of global organizations called for urgent investment in education to prevent a generational catastrophe.
Source: UNESCO, Paris
|GlobalGiants.Com|
“The first duty of government is to see that people have food, fuel, and clothes. The second, that they have means of moral and intellectual education.”
— John Ruskin.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:32 PM | View the original post
Relentless and Resilient Kia Rebelles Finish Second Overall in X-Cross Class.
2020 Telluride SX crossed the finish line after eight grueling days in the unforgiving California and Nevada deserts.
Telluriders team prove their unstoppable spirit with several significant stage wins throughout the rally.
Photo: Telluriders Team celebrates victory on the Rebelle Rally podium.
October 21, 2020 — Team Telluriders triumphantly crossed the finish line in the 2020 Telluride in the fifth annual Rebelle Rally, coming in overall second place in the X-Cross class. The powerhouse duo made up of Alyssa Roenigk (driver) and Sabrina Howells (navigator) demonstrated their “Give it Everything” attitude, using their invaluable set of skills. They made smart and calculated decisions tailored to the Telluride’s capability, ultimately allowing it to shine and finish the challenging, off-road rally.
The Rebelle Rally is the first all-women’s off-highway navigation rally raid in the U.S. and the longest competition of its kind in the lower 48 states.
“This is a momentous achievement for Kia,” said Sean Yoon, president & CEO, Kia Motors North America & Kia Motors America. “Thanks to Alyssa and Sabrina’s grit in the arduous Rebelle Rally, they helped raise the Telluride’s credibility to new heights. Their huge accomplishment will go down in Kia history, and we couldn’t be more proud of our team.”
From Lake Tahoe to Mexico’s border, Team Telluriders graciously handled whatever challenges the course threw at them. After facing more formidable obstacles on rocky terrain at the start, Alyssa and Sabrina were keen on the Telluride’s strengths, using it to their advantage in the following days to result in several stage wins.
“Alyssa, Sabrina, and the Telluride did such a great job in this year’s rally,” said Rebelle Rally founder Emily Miller. We consider the vehicle as the third teammate, and all three handled the challenge with grace. They are an exceptional team.”
The team was able to clinch second place in the X-Cross class after excelling in the dunes, where the Telluride effortlessly floated over the sandy landscape to hit several checkpoints first before several competitors, taking the win for the most points scored on the final day of the competition.
“We are so proud of our overall performance and our comeback to take second in the X-Cross category at the 2020 Rebelle Rally,” said Alyssa and Sabrina. “On the final day, when we pulled up to checkpoints deep in the Imperial Sand Dunes and saw the look on the faces of the 4x4 teams when we beat them there - that is a memory that will stick in our minds for a long time. The Telluride was an incredibly capable third teammate, and we were grateful for the opportunity to take her on such an awesome adventure.”
Kia was a first-time competitor in the fifth annual Rebelle Rally, competing in the X-Cross Class with minimal modifications, including a skid plate to protect the fuel and oil pan area and all-terrain tires.
Alyssa Roenigk is a senior writer for ESPN and has committed countless adventure acts to pursue a story. She has reported cover pieces for ESPN The Magazine, TV features for X Games and SportsCenter, and provided daily coverage at the Olympics, Grand Slams, Super Bowls, and the Women’s World Cup. She was part of the first U.S. team to win the Aïcha des Gazelle Rally in Morocco.
Sabrina Howells is a Los Angeles-based actress (Everybody Hates Chris, Kaleidoscope, Freddy’s Nightmares) and musician (Henry Henrietta). She has competed in four consecutive Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in Morocco, including the Expert Class in 2015. She competed in the Rebelle Rally in 2016, taking 1st place in the crossover class, and again in 2017, placing second.
Source: Kia Motors
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:31 AM | View the original post
• Panel discussions with Rick Baker, Tobin Bell, Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz, John Carpenter, Annie Chang, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lora Hirschberg, Andrea Kalas, and Shannon McIntosh, Gerard McMurray, Theresa Rygiel, Luis Sequeira, Terri Taylor, and more.
Photo: Regina King and Brad Pitt pose backstage with the Oscar for “Actor in a Supporting Role” during the live ABC Telecast of The 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Image provided by & copyright © Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]
LOS ANGELES, CA - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present its 6th annual and first virtual Careers in Film Summit on Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, October 31. The two-day event will provide high school seniors and college students the opportunity to learn about careers in the motion picture industry from Academy members, Oscar-winning and nominated filmmakers, and other industry professionals.
In partnership with the Academy’s Science and Technology Council, the first day of panel discussions on October 24 highlight careers in science, technology, engineering, visual effects, and other post-production careers. The program schedule is as follows:
• 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Visual Effects from Around the World
Visual effects supervisors from Rome, Mumbai, Taiwan, Vancouver, New York, and Los Angeles
Greg Anderson, “Spider-Man 2”
Geeta Basantani, senior compositor, “Spider-Man: Far from Home.”
Gaia Bussolati, “Ford v Ferrari.”
Sherry Bharda, “War”
Ahdee Chiu, “The Wandering Earth”
Moderator: Theresa Rygiel, “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum”
• 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Color, Sound, and Editorial
Corinne Bogdanowicz, Senior Colorist, Light Iron
Jill Bogdanowicz, Co-Head of Features Color, Company 3
Lora Hirschberg, re-recording mixer, Skywalker Sound
Kate Morrison-Lyons, Manager, Production Workflow, UCAN Netflix
Joan Sobel, ACE film editor
Moderator: Shannon McIntosh, producer
• 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Science, Technology, and Engineering
Abigail Brady, software engineer (2017 Scientific and Technical Award recipient)
Andrea Kalas, SVP Asset Management, Paramount Pictures
Brian McLean, Director of Rapid Prototype, LAIKA (2015 Scientific and Technical Award recipient)
Rachel Rose, R&D supervisor, Industrial Light & Magic (2017 Scientific and Technical Award recipient)
Paige Warner, digital artist, Industrial Light & Magic (2016 Scientific and Technical Award recipient)
Moderator: Barbara Ford Grant, consultant, Movielabs
• 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Production Technology
Girish Balakrishnan, Director, Virtual Production, Netflix
Nomish Bhardwaj, FX technical director, “Puss in Boots 2,” DreamWorks Animation
Adrienne Klotz-Floyd, digital imaging technician (DIT)
Carol Alynn Payne, Imaging Specialist, Netflix
Horst Sarubin, Director, Production Technology, Universal Pictures
Moderator: Annie Chang, VP Creative Technologies, Universal Pictures
The October 31 Halloween edition features a horror genre theme highlighting animation, music, and careers in front of and behind the camera. The program schedule is as follows:
• 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
All Things Animation
Mike Belzer, animator, “The Nightmare before Christmas.”
Kendal Cronkhite, assistant art director, “The Nightmare before Christmas.”
Sandra Equihua, character designer, “The Book of Life.”
Jennifer Kluska, director/story artist, “Hotel Transylvania” films
Jackie Koehler, lead animator, “The Book of Life.”
Michelle Murdocca, producer, “Hotel Transylvania” films
Moderator: Randy Haberkamp, SVP Preservation and Foundation Programming, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Music in Horror Films
John Carpenter, writer/director/composer, “Halloween.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, actor, “Halloween.”
Moderator: Mike Muse, host of SiriusXM’s “The Mike Muse Show.”
• 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m
Lights, Camera, Action…Boo!
Maxime Alexandre, cinematographer, “The Nun.”
Rick Baker, outstanding makeup effects creator, “The Wolfman.”
Luis Sequeira, costume designer, “It Chapter Two.”
Jennifer Spence, production designer, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.”
Checco Varese, cinematographer, “It Chapter Two.”
Moderator: Audrey Cleo Yap, multimedia journalist
• 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Working Above the Line
Tobin Bell, actor, “Saw.”
Gerard Bush, co-writer/producer/director, “Antebellum.”
Ian Cooper, producer, “Candyman.”
Gerard McMurray, director, “The First Purge.”
Christopher Renz, co-writer/producer/director, “Antebellum.”
Terri Taylor, casting director, “Get Out.”
Moderator: Mike Muse, host of SiriusXM’s “The Mike Muse Show.”
The event is free, but registration is required to obtain access.
Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:01 PM | View the original post
Photos: The ten photographs featured on the stamps show iconic winter scenes in the Northern United States.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2020 — The U.S. Postal Service today celebrated the winter season’s majesty and visual mystique by dedicating new Winter Scenes stamps.
The booklet of 20 captures the serenity of snowy seasonal landscapes. The ten photographs featured on the stamps show iconic scenes of winter in the Northern United States. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps with existing images taken by various photographers.
“The winter landscape shines with its special beauty,” said USPS Delivery Operations Vice President Joshua Colin. “The Postal Service shares scenes of that winter allure on these new stamps that hopefully will add brightness, color, and a bit of joy to your cards and letters.”
Five of the stamps feature winter wildlife images against their snowy habitats: a bright red cardinal, a colorful blue jay, two foraging deer, a majestic owl, and a chubby brown bunny. Two stamps feature barns, both a brilliant red that contrasts elegantly with the surrounding snow and evergreen trees.
The landscapes in two of the stamps focus on the beauty of freshly fallen snow; one shows a long lane bounded by tall trees with snow-covered branches, and the other features two towering evergreens covered in snow, highlighted against a cloudy sky and far-off hills. The final stamp depicts the joyous romp of two large brown horses pulling a sleigh through the snow.
The U.S. Postal Service has issued the Winter Scenes stamps as Forever stamps, which means that they are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price in the USA.
Source: U.S. Postal Service
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:16 AM | View the original post
Photo: Yilena Hernandez appears on the cover of the October issue of Vogue Beauty - Ukraine.
BATON ROUGE, La., Oct. 15, 2020 — The past year has been a tough one by any standards as COVID-19 swept across the world. Yet, international model Yelena Hernandez says she hopes she played a role in distracting women from that via the fashion and beauty brands she modeled as the cover girl for multiple marquee fashion magazines this summer and fall.
Hernandez appeared on the covers of the June issue of Harper’s Bazaar in Vietnam, the July issue of Harper’s Bazaar in Romania, and the July issue of Marie Claire in Ukraine. And, this month, she is front and center in Vogue Beauty Ukraine.
In October’s “The Skin I Live In” issue, Hernandez showcases beauty products from her makeup line, Yilena Luxury Beauty, and lipstick from Runway Rogue. And though wardrobe took a backseat to skin health this time around, she also rocked chic all-white minimalistic looks by AWAN, Fernando Alberto Atelier, St. Roche, and Neiman Marcus.
“I take my job very seriously, and my goal with any shoot is to make the customer feel something. Since the pandemic started, I have tried very hard to help women escape the stressors of everyday life by helping them focus on the fun of fashion and beauty,” explained Hernandez. “The Vogue cover also means a lot to me as I was able to give consumers a glimpse at my makeup brand.”
“I am thrilled to have been chosen for the Vogue Beauty cover, and hope readers enjoy the issue. If nothing else, COVID has taught us that we need to seize the moment and make the most of our time and talents. For my part, I will continue to use career opportunities to bring some needed levity during this crazy time,” she added.
Source: Yilena Hernandez
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:42 AM | View the original post
• Ten years since Ducati’s last Superbike Championship win on American soil, Italian Rider Lorenzo Zanetti secures an impressive first victory for the Warhorse HSBK Ducati New York Team on the Panigale V4 R SBK at the hallowed grounds of The Brickyard.
Photo: Lorenzo Zanetti (Warhorse Racing HSBK Ducati New York Team - Ducati #87) Racing a Ducati Panigale V4 R SBK at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Image credit: Ducati North America.
Photo: Danilo Petrucci took an extraordinary victory at the MotoGP French Grand Prix, held on October 11 at the historic Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans. The Ducati Team rider secured his second success in the premier class, bringing the Ducati Desmosedici GP bike for the first time on the podium’s higher step at the French race track. Image credit: Ducati.
SUNNYVALE, Calif., October 14, 2020 — This weekend marked a historic moment for Ducati as their Italian rider Lorenzo Zanetti took a phenomenal victory at the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He fended off the best superbike racers’ advances in the United States and made a memorable U.S. debut for the Ducati Corse-supplied Panigale V4 R SBK.
The victory was the first time since 2010 that a Ducati had won a Superbike Championship Race in the U.S.A.
Zanetti immediately made an impression in the first of the weekend’s three Superbike races. The Ducati Corse test rider ran off the track while leading, then miraculously found his way back onto the track and fought his way back for a debut podium spot in third place. In race two, Zanetti, determined to show the full potential of the Ducati Panigale V4 R SBK, picked his moment to take the lead in the closing laps and powered the Ducati across the famous yard of bricks to finish in the first place.
“In the end, it was an amazing weekend for me with three podiums and a victory. It is unbelievable,” Zanetti beamed after race three. “I’m thrilled. It was a great day. Thanks to Ducati for giving me the chance to race against the best riders in the United States. They are World Championship level riders. I like the American people, so I hope to be back racing again more next year.”
A native of Brescia, Italy, Zanetti is the official test rider for Ducati Corse and is riding in the MotoAmerica series for the Warhorse Racing HSBK Ducati New York team.
The Warhorse HSBK Ducati New York Team will be back on track with Zanetti on the weekend of October 24 and 25 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the final round of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
Source: Ducati North America
|GlobalGiants.Com|
7 different winners in the 2020 #MotoGP season ðŸ†@Petrux9 takes victory at the #FrenchGP 🙌 pic.twitter.com/QiBcRuOcLV
— MotoGP™ðŸ (@MotoGP) October 11, 2020
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:54 PM | View the original post
Photos: Models walk the runway during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Istanbul, Turkey. Photos by Ekrem Serif Egeli/Getty Images for IHKIB. Copyright © 2020 Getty Images. Images provided by Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Istanbul.
Source: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Istanbul
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Istanbul, Turkey: Day 2.
NEDO by Nedret TaciroÄŸlu Runway.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:49 AM | View the original post
Photo: Oxford: High Street (Oxfordshire). Image credit: Michael Day.
Photo: A screenshot of the University of Oxford’s Vaccination Game. The computer game helps Players understand How Vaccines Work on a Global Scale. Image credit: Professor Hal Drakesmith.
Oxford, October 9, 2020 — A free game launched today allows players to role-play a virtual vaccine’s deployment to help to halt the global spread of a viral pandemic. The Vaccination Game, created by researchers at the University of Oxford’s MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, in collaboration with Goldsmiths, University of London, challenges players to figure out how they can deploy limited doses of the vaccine to best control a disease modeled on influenza.
Professor Hal Drakesmith and colleagues conceived the idea of developing a game. They are part of a research network focussing on immunizing babies and mothers to fight infections in low and middle-income countries. Following funding from, and in collaboration with, the IMPRINT research network, they were able to begin developing the game.
“We originally had the idea of the game and began developing it back in 2019, with influenza as our example disease,” said Professor Drakesmith. “Then COVID-19 struck, and the ideas behind the game are much more relevant.”
“Our game isn’t intended as a modeling or simulation tool, or meant to predict real-world scenarios,” Professor Drakesmith said. “Instead, we hope it’s educational, as it illustrates how vaccines can work on a global scale and shows that precisely how we deploy a vaccine across populations can be crucial to its effectiveness.”
Professor Drakesmith and his group collaborated with the Analysis, Visualisation, and Informatics group based in the University of Oxford’s MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine to develop the game. They also worked with Goldsmiths, University of London, to produce the final version based on mathematical models of how a virus spreads and what effect a vaccine might have.
The virtual vaccine in the game is available in limited doses per week, and the player has to decide who to vaccinate in each of the 99 cities worldwide that are part of the game. Finally, the player receives a report on how well they played the game and how many lives were saved by the vaccine.
Steve Taylor, Group Leader of the Analysis, Visualisation and Informatics group, said, “You can replay the game multiple times to improve strategy and save more lives - it is possible to do very well!”
Professor Drakesmith concludes, “We hope players find The Vaccination Game interesting, useful, and fun to play.”
Source: The University of Oxford
|GlobalGiants.Com|
— The Chief Editor holds an Oxford Alumni Card and is a Member of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of India.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:38 PM | View the original post
Photos: Lamborghini Stamp. Lamborghini Huracán EVO RWD Spyder. Images provided by Lamborghini.
Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy) — Automobili Lamborghini, together with Bitstamps, recently launched a digital stamp via an App designed to create and collect digital stamps. The first collaboration is dedicated to the Huracán EVO RWD Spyder, the model Lamborghini unveiled at the beginning of May 2020, following the company’s reopening after the COVID-19 shutdown.
The stamp is part of a themed series dedicated to the Sant’Agata Bolognese company’s history and over 20 of its most iconic cars: The Automobili Lamborghini Collection. The Huracán EVO RWD Spyder stamp is available by downloading the Bitstamps App. in a limited and numbered edition of 20,000 pieces.
Each stamp is a “single” digital object: its history and uniqueness are guaranteed by Blockchain technology. The stamp can be purchased, collected, or resold precisely like a paper stamp, Lamborghini said.
Within their collection album, Lamborghini fans will be able to admire their stamps, check the progress of their collection, and the stamps not yet acquired. They would be able to decide whether to give them as a gift by sending them with an e-card, or resell them on the Marketplace that will open in the next few months, Lamborghini elaborated.
Source: Lamborghini
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:53 AM | View the original post
• The new campaign, ‘For Moments Like No Other,’ highlights the versatile beauty of natural diamonds.
Photo: Ana de Armas for The Natural Diamond Council campaign.
MUMBAI, India, Sept. 28, 2020 — The world’s leading diamond producers, Diamond Producers Association, relaunched as the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) to promote the desirability of natural diamonds and support the integrity of the natural diamond industry. As an industry authority, the NDC aims to become the go-to digital publisher for innovative content covering all that’s new and exciting in the industry. With the brand’s repositioning, NDC has launched their first-ever celebrity-led TVC campaign, ‘For Moments Like No Other,’ with the gorgeous Hollywood actress Ana de Armas.
This new campaign marks several firsts for the Natural Diamond Council, in addition to welcoming its first Hollywood headliner. It is the first celebrity-fronted campaign for a diamond group, adding an essential contribution to an industry that supports the livelihoods of roughly 10 million people worldwide. It is also the first campaign dedicated to NDC’s ‘Only Natural Diamonds’ platform and the first marketing initiative to showcase such a diverse roster of Jewellery designers that work with natural diamonds in exceptionally modern ways.
Ana De Armas is a rising Hollywood star. She recently received a Golden Globe nomination for her Knives Out role and will soon appear in the latest James Bond film ‘No Time to Die.’ She shines in the multi-part campaign that celebrates the myriad connections that lead to natural diamonds being worn or exchanged. NDC says it approached Ms. de Armas for the project as she radiates with poise and modernity and epitomizes an ascendant, free-thinking generation. Her elegant, effervescent, and easygoing demeanor reflects the next chapter in the history of natural diamonds, a mindset in which the traditional tenets of diamond-wearing and exchanging are dismantled, leaving an open playing field in their place. Ana appears in laid-back outdoor settings with friends. A fresh, opened-up association emphasizes that diamonds are not solely the purview of romantic interests or formal occasions. They are for every type of connection.
“I love thinking of diamonds this way, as special emblems of even our small personal moments,” said Ms. Ana de Armas. “They represent joy, warmth, and beauty.”
Richa Singh, Managing Director, NDC, India, said: “It was a challenge to put together the brand and campaign launch when the world is going through such tough times, but it has been a rewarding experience. The campaign fits as consumers have greater respect for everything natural and want to buy fewer but better things. They are looking for things that last and have a meaning and emotion attached to it. We wish to create desirability for diamonds in consumers’ minds when it comes to celebrating life’s every moment, and our campaign featuring Ana De Armas portrays that beautifully. The TVC redefines special moments, celebrating a variety of personal connections with natural diamonds.”
The campaign, which was lensed in coastal Portugal, directed by Manu Cossu and photographed by Camilla Ã…krans, will have a global presence, running in India, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and China.
The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) advances diamonds’ desirability by publishing trends and sharing resources and information with consumers on the ultimate timeless and natural luxury goods. The NDC also supports the natural diamond industry’s integrity, providing transparency and insight into this sector’s ethics, sustainability, and progress.
Source: Natural Diamond Council
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Natural Diamond Council presents #ForMomentsLikeNoOther starring Ana de Armas.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:49 AM | View the original post
Photos: Reception ceremony for Mr. Renaud Capuçon as a Unesco Artist for Peace. UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. September 22, 2020. Images provided by & copyright © UNESCO / Fabrice GENTILE.
Paris, France, September 26 — UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay named Renaud Capuçon, internationally renowned French violinist, as a UNESCO Artist for Peace, in a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters on September 22.
Mr. Capuçon takes up the torch held by extraordinary musicians who have put their fame at UNESCO’s service, such as Yehudi Menuhin and Mstislav Rostropovitch, who served respectively from 1992 to 1999 and from 1998 to 2007, and with whom Renaud Capuçon performed.
In his capacity as a UNESCO Artist for Peace, he will contribute to raising awareness about the Organization and supporting priorities and activities around artistic and cultural education, the diversity of cultural expressions, and a culture of peace.
Born in Chambery, Savoie, France, Renaud Capuçon entered the conservatory at four. He is a virtuoso violinist, endowed with talent and energy unanimously praised, and as a humanist devoted to the transmission of music. He founded several music festivals, in particular, “Les Rencontres artistiques de Bel-Air” near his hometown and the Easter Festival of Aix en Provence, hosting the most excellent musicians in the world.
After the ceremony, standing at the edge of the UNESCO vegetable garden, Mr. Capuçon performed Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Melody from Orfeo on his famous Guarnerius, which belonged to the Vicomte de Panette, to the pleasure of guests and gardeners.
UNESCO Artists for Peace are internationally-renowned personalities who use their influence, character, and prestige to promote the Organization’s message and programs. UNESCO works in partnership with other Artists for Peace, such as Valery Gergiev, Kudsi Erguner, and N. Scott Momaday, to advance culture and creation in the name of peace.
Source: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
|GlobalGiants.Com|
The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Audrey Azoulay, has appointed the world-famous French violinist Renaud Capuçon, UNESCO Artist for Peace at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
Renaud Capuçon - Violin Concerto No. 3 - Mozart - Verbier Festival
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:29 AM | View the original post
• Digital, 2CD, 3LP Black Vinyl, and Limited-Edition Gold Vinyl Collection feature theme songs from all 25 Official James Bond Films with “No Time To Die” by Billie Eilish and Oscar-Winning Songs by Adele and Sam Smith.
Photo: UMe Celebrates the world’s most famous secret agent with the November 20, 2020 release of ‘The Best Of Bond…James Bond.’ Available via digital, 2CD, 3LP black vinyl, and limited-edition gold vinyl, the collection features theme songs from all 25 official James Bond films, including “No Time To Die” By Billie Eilish and Oscar-winning songs by Adele and Sam Smith.
SANTA MONICA, Calif., September 25, 2020 — On November 20, UMe will release an updated version of The Best Of Bond…James Bond, a digital, 2CD, and 3LP black vinyl compilation featuring celebrated theme songs from the longest-running film franchise. Also, a limited-edition gold vinyl will be available exclusively via uDiscover Music and Sound of Vinyl. The new collection will include “No Time To Die” by Billie Eilish from No Time To Die, the 25th film in the series. Also now included will be Adele’s “Skyfall” from Skyfall, the highest-grossing Bond film to date, and Sam Smith’s Spectre theme, “Writing’s On the Wall,” - Oscar winners for Best Song in 2013 and 2016, respectively.
The collection includes Billie Eilish, Adele, Sam Smith, and the signature instrumental “James Bond Theme” by The John Barry Orchestra. The group also comprises Dame Shirley Bassey (“Goldfinger,” “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Moonraker”). With “Goldfinger,” Bassey achieved her first Top 10 hit, reaching No. 8 on The Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Bassey made her Oscars debut at the 85th Academy Awards, where she performed a spectacular rendition of “Goldfinger” as part of the telecast’s James Bond 50th Anniversary tribute.
Along with Louis Armstrong (“We Have All The Time In The World”), Nancy Sinatra (“You Only Live Twice”), Lulu (“The Man With The Golden Gun”), The Best Of Bond…James Bond also includes Paul McCartney & Wings (“Live And Let Die”). Written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, performed by Paul McCartney & Wings and produced by former Beatles producer George Martin, the title theme song hit No. 2 on the chart. It got nominated for both a GRAMMY Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The single “Live And Let Die” became the first Bond theme song to win a GRAMMY award (Best Pop Vocal Performance, 1973), and the music continues to be a highlight in McCartney’s live performances.
The Best Of Bond…James Bond also features Carly Simon (“Nobody Does It Better”), Tina Turner (“GoldenEye”), Duran Duran (“A View To A Kill”), Sheryl Crow (“Tomorrow Never Dies”), Madonna (“Die Another Day”), Garbage (“The World Is Not Enough”). With the release of “Skyfall,” Rolling Stone compiled its Top 10 James Bond Theme Songs, all 10 of which, of course, appear on this set, including Tom Jones (“Thunderball”) and Matt Monro (“From Russia With Love”).
Various Artists THE BEST OF BOND…JAMES BOND [2CD/DIGITAL AND 3LP]
DISC 1
DISC 2
3LP
LP1
Side A
Side B
LP 2
Side A
Side B
LP 3
Side A
Side B
Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) is the centralized U.S. catalog and select markets entity for UMG (Universal Music Group). Working in tandem with all of the company’s record labels, UMe provides a frontline approach to catalog management, a concentration of resources, opportunities in new technologies, and an emphasis on strategic marketing initiatives to engage all types of consumers across multiple entry points and platforms.
Source: UMe
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:36 AM | View the original post
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