Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development » Pictures

The Gift of Hearing in Madagascar

Ginger — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:18:41 +0000

We are happy to announce that over 3,200 hearing aids have been distributed without cost to needy persons in Madagascar. It is touching to see the faces of children who can suddenly hear! The Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation, the Madagascar Ministry of Public Health, three Madagascar Rotary Clubs (Doyen, Mahamasina and Ainga) and their associates, and several corporate sponsors combined efforts on the ground. The Ministry of Budget and Finance and the city governments of Antananarivo and Tamave facilitated the work.

Speaking into the mike is Bill Austin, CEO of Starkey Laboratories and Founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation, along with the Rotary Club of New York and the Madagascar Mission to the United Nations, got the ball rolling with the Starkey Foundation in 2010. The Madagascar Mission to the UN continued to stimulate and encourage the project and its achievement. Foundation board members Ambassador Zina Andrianarivelo and Scott Wright, along with Senior Fellow John German, and staff of the Madagascar Mission worked hard to make this come about.

Kids with Hearing Aids with Rotary and Starkey Volunteers

The project started in Madagascar in November 2010 with a visit by Starkey Foundation staff and organizational work by the Rotary Clubs to screen potential recipients. The Rotary Clubs continued screening in spring 2011 in advance of a ten-day visit by the Starkey team in October.

Results of Disaster Response & Recovery Summit, 1-2 March 2011

Ginger — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:16 +0000

Over a hundred members of the international aid and development community gathered in Orlando, Florida for the inaugural Disaster Response & Recovery Summit, which took place at the Caribe Royale Hotel & Convention Center on 1-2 March 2011. The summit was organized to bring key decision makers in the aid & development community together with government policy-makers and partnering contractors looking to assist in the aftermath of disasters around the globe.

About one-third of the speakers dealt with Haiti. David Stillman’s presentation consisted of a photo essay as well as a speech on “Lives, Livelihoods and Environment in Haiti.” To request a copy of the speech, email: ppafoundation@gmail.com

Dr. David Stillman, Lord Kevin Lumb

The summit covered key issues during the morning presentations and enabled delegates to meet with UN, business and NGO officials in the afternoons. Twenty roundtables were set up for this purpose, with over 300 meetings taking place over the two days.

Proceedings were opened by Lord Kevin Lumb, Chairman of Global Development Summits.

Joining to Rebuild Southern Haiti

Ginger — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:40:47 +0000

On June 12-13 PPAF and SImACT held their Jacmel Workshop “Reconstruction and Business Opportunities in Southern Haiti” at the Cap Lamandou Hotel. This took place at a time of great crisis but also great opportunity. “Refondation” will take many years and billions of dollars. Yet the cry is to “build back better,” and investment, commerce and business have central importance in this.

Some Jacmel participants

Seventy potential investors and contractors, the mayor and the president of the local chamber of commerce of Jacmel and other notables participated. Conference materials with details on participating companies and organizations will soon be available on the PPAF website. Photos can be viewed here.

The Minister of Tourism (and reconstruction) Patrick Delatour gave the keynote address and an extensive powerpoint presentation. He encouraged revitalization of the historic areas of Jacmel and other sites and their potential for becoming an economic engine for rebuilding and tourism. He stressed the themes of revitalization of infrastructure, decentralization from Port-au-Prince, job creation, income generation and rebuilding Haitian pride.

(l to r) Roland Zenny, Pres. Jacmel Chamber of Commerce; Edwin Zenny, Mayor of Jacmel; Patrick Delatour, Minister of Tourism

Photo: Frizner Nau

Our workshop built on a just-completed conference of 600 participants that was organized by the American Chambers of Commerce of the Dominican Republic and of Haiti and the US Commercial Service. About 50 AmCham conference participants left at 6 a.m, Saturday and traveled by bus for a weekend in Jacmel. joined by others already residing in Haiti. There we had practical discussions and site visits that focused on several priorities for Southern Haiti – seaport and airport infrastructure; the “soft house” and other transitional housing; agriculture and fishing; cooking without charcoal; Jacmel’s historic district, the arts and promotion of tourism; and the planned multipurpose community at Belle Rive.

Participants were struck by the magnitude of damage but also the possibilities for revitalization. The resilience of the population, the hospitality and competence of the hotel, the vision and compassion of business people, the vitality of a nearby art foundation for homeless children, all contributed to a sense that serious efforts were merited and will bear fruit. The Globe and Mail (Toronto), Al Jazeera TV and the Haitian magazine Rebelle Haiti as well as local Jacmelian press covered the event.

Representatives of a dozen organizations discussed prospects for manufacture of ethanol stoves in Haiti and provision of fuel on a commercial basis, leading to planning and tentative agreements among Project Gaia, SImACT, Dometic, Inc., PPAF, the Haitian-American Association of Engineers and Scientists and others. Representatives of the International Rescue Committee and Save the Children also participated in these discussions. Since the Jacmel Workshop, Project Gaia has announced that 1,440 donated stoves are about to be shipped and that the Brazilian government will make available donated fuel to start pilot efforts.

Similarly, guarantors and potential providers of funds for the Belle Rive site were impressed by SImACT’s planning and initial investments, the excellence of the site, and the potential in three markets — Haitian diaspora, decentralization from Port-au-Prince and development managers.

The motto of SImACT is “To provide means to achieve, opportunities to live and reasons to dream.” Strong steps were taken toward these goals at the Jacmel Workshop.

An article on the workshop, “Jacmel Woos Foreign Investors to Rebuild Shattered Resorts.” appears in the Globe and Mail (Toronto), written by Jessica Leeder, who writes “Project Jacmel,” an ongoing series.

The Meetings after the Meeting

Ginger — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:35:20 +0000

Our group from PPAF, SIMACT, Project Gaia and the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and New York attended a reception held by Mercy Corps to honor Patrick Delatour. At this we spoke with a number of Haitian and American business people and government officials, including Minister Delatour.

Haitian Minister of Tourism (and reconstruction) Patrick Delatour, with the President of Mercy Corps, a Vice President of Carnival Cruise Lines, a former Peace Corps Haiti director and Senator Landrieu of Louisiana

At dinner after the reception, Harry Stokes of Project Gaia was able to demonstrate an ethanol cookstove to Minister Delatour.

Minister Delatour (c) with friends including Lesly Kernisant (top left) and cookstove

This initiative brought to the attention of one of Haiti’s highest officials the practical possibilities of the ethanol cookstoves being promoted through Project Gaia, SIMACT, and PPAF. The ethanol-burning cookstoves can help overcome hardships from the earthquake and help change people’s lives as Haiti seeks to “build back better.”

Inexpensive, efficient, safe, time-saving, and healthy, the stoves and their fuel make possible reduced reliance on charcoal, new small and medium enterprise opportunities, revival of sugar-based agribusiness, and environmental and carbon credit advantages.

Haiti Summit Outcomes

Ginger — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:36:51 +0000

Cookstoves for displaced Haitians, ethanol to run these, biodiesel for electrical generators and fuel, and construction of transitional housing were among Public-Private Alliance Foundation interests discussed during the HAITI – Resources for Reconstruction & Humanitarian Assistance Summit, held on March 9 and 10 in Miami.

Displaced Haitians Set Up Encampment at Port-au-Prince Golf Course

UN Photo

Dr. David Stillman, PPAF Executive Director, spoke at the panel on Economic Recovery and Reconstruction and hosted afternoon roundtable sessions. Conference participants signed up to meet with speakers, to discuss business or support related to reconstruction priorities.

PPAF’s interest in renewable energy grows out of its work since 2008. Several project possibilities that respond to the Haiti crisis are being developed, notably:

Partnering with Project Gaia to make cookstoves that run on ethanol broadly available.
Partnering with businesses in Haiti to produce sufficient ethanol for cookstoves.
Creating a production model that will result in sustainable commercialization of cookstoves and ethanol, on the local Haitian market.

PPAF seeks financial and technical support for these projects, from interested governments, business and financial houses, individual donors, major foundations and UN agencies.

Regine Barjon, Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, holding stove, with Brady Anne Luceno and Harry Stokes of Project Gaia, talking with Maureen Taft-Morales (l), Congressional Research Service

This effort potentially meets several needs: (a) cooking and the fuel to do it, (b) rebuilding small business capabilities, and (c) helping protect Haiti’s fragile environment, where many have relied on wood and charcoal for cooking.

Brady Lucerno, David Stillman & Harry Stokes, showing the cookstove and the ethanol canister

The Summit was organized by Global Investment Summits and the IPOA (International Peace Operations Association). The event stressed the pivotal role the private sector will play in long-term reconstruction in Haiti. Its aim was to enable participants to begin addressing the efforts required to reconstruct Haitian infrastructure and rehabilitate the country’s economy and society. The summit aimed to contribute to work in the fields of logistics, transport and communications, infrastructure, housing, security and stability, and medical and nutritional aid.

At the Summit, Stillman discussed with the organizers and with the leadership of SImACT, a Haiti Diaspora investment group, the possibility of convening a workshop on investment and commerce in Southern Haiti, to be held in Jacmel.

Dominican Bioenergy Sectoral Meetings — Wrap-up – English & Español

Ginger — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:47:33 +0000

PPAF has posted materials on its website (see Events Section) relating to the Bioenergy Sectoral Meetings held at the National Energy Commission of the Dominican Republic from 2 to 4 December 2009. This includes the Spanish language report approved by the CNE as well as links to the invitation, photos and videos filmed in the D.R. with Dominican TV Revista 110 and by PPAF.

PPAF ha publicado material en su sitio web (Sección Eventos), relativa a las reuniones sectoriales de Bioenergía, celebrada en la Comisión Nacional de Energía de la República Dominicana 2 a 4 diciembre de 2009. Esto incluye el informe en español, aprobado por el CNE, así como enlaces a la invitación, fotos y vídeos.

The meetings brought out the views of representatives from the public sector, the financial community and companies with pilot field experience, and academics and the private sector — over 55 people in total.

En las reuniones participaron los representantes del sector público, la comunidad financiera y las empresas con la experiencia sobre el terreno, y los académicos y el sector privado – más de 55 personas en total.

In addition to the National Energy Commission (CNE) as host and leader, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation and ResearchPAYS, Inc. benefited from collaboration and sponsorship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RJS Group, S.A., and the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP). The December discussions expanded upon the recommendations reached at the introductory session held in Santo Domingo in early October, where Grupo Vicini, the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO) and the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD) were sponsors as well.

Además de la Comisión Nacional de Energía (CNE), como anfitrión y líder de la Public-Private Alliance Foundation y ResearchPAYS, Inc. beneficiado de la colaboración y el patrocinio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, el Grupo de RJS, SA, y la United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP). Los debates de diciembre ampliaron las recomendaciones formuladas en la sesión preliminar celebrada en Santo Domingo a principios de octubre, donde el Grupo Vicini, la Organización Intergubernamental de Energías Renovables (IREO) y el Centro de Exportación e Inversión de la República Dominicana (CEI-RD) fueron los patrocinadores también.

Updates on Fish Farming – Dominican Republic

Ginger — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:09:50 +0000

In January 2010 David Stillman, PPAF Executive Director, met with Maximo Nicolas, President of the Dominican Aquaculture Association (ADOA) and others to discuss achievements and plans for fish farming in the Dominican Republic. Dr. James Tidwell, Chair of the Aquaculture Program at Kentucky State University, and past president of the World Aquaculture Society, participated in these meetings. Rounding out the team were Bill Miller and Dan Mizroch, former Peace Corps Volunteers in the D.R., who have long maintained connections there. Miller is President of the Kentucky State Division of the United Nations Association of the USA and host and producer of Global Connections TV. Mizroch is an information technology consultant in New York.

ADOA and its partners are planning a workshop in March called “Estrategias para el Desarrollo de la Acuicultura Dominicana 2010-2015“, which will focus on achievements of the earlier strategic planning process and needs going forward. The previous strategic plan is available under the publications section at http://www.idiaf.org.do .

Nicolas, Stillman and Tidwell participated in a meeting of the organizational committee for the March workshop. There they met with representatives of the Dominican Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Research (IDIAF), where the workshop will be held, and with the Technical Mission of Taiwan and others. The group met Ginny Heinsen de Freitas and other senior staff of the Center for Agriculture and Forestry Development, Inc. – Centro Para el Desarrollo Agropecuario y Forestal, Inc. (CEDAF).

Maximo Nicolas, Romeo Massey

Alberto Rodriguez, Tim McFarren, Stillman, Tidwell, Nicolas

Miller and Mizroch joined the group for a meeting with Romeo Massey, Director of the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, and his staff, to discuss the potential for Peace Corps volunteers in aquaculture. The whole group, joined by ADOA member Richard LeClerc and Alicia Mizroch, visited three fish farms in Monte Plata province.

Nicolas, LeClerc, Tidwell, Miller, Stillman, Mizroch

LeClerc, Nicolas, A. Mizroch at a fish hatchery

PPAF has worked with ADOA, the Dominican Aquaculture Association, since 2007. In December of that year ADOA, along with UASD – the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, PPAF and many other partners, held a Conference to review the national aquaculture plan and develop next steps. ADOA has worked since then on various kinds of follow-up including training courses organized with the American Soybean Association, small grants from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and. preparations for a loan program for farmers through the Government of Taiwan and the Agriculture Bank of the Dominican Republic. A significant training workshop was held in June 2009 with the Dominican Council for Fish and Agriculture (CODOPESCA) and the National Aquaculture Commission (CONAPROPE). (For more on this, see the August 2009 posting in this blog.)

Photo credits: 1, 2 and 3 by Dan Mizroch. 4 (fish hatchery) by David Stillman

$1,000 for a School’s Solar Power – Madagascar

Ginger — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:10:20 +0000

Raoul, one of the members of the famed Mahaleo singing group from Madagascar, is in real life Dr. Raosolosolofo Razafindranoa, a physician in Toamasina. The Mahaleos are known for their passion for their country, and for helping the Malagasy people. [Voir francais dessous les photos.]

Raoul has asked PPAF to help raise $1,000 for solar panels to provide electricity for the village school in Ambalarondra. This small school has been built with donations from within Madagascar and abroad, and with community labor. Now, a canteen building has been added, for preparation and serving of meals for the children. Providing a daily meal encourages families to send their children to school; it gives kids the nutrition they need and the opportunity to learn. In the country as a whole, 42% of children under 5 are underweight for their age. Education of children, and nutritious meals as part of their education, are their path to a better future.

To help, follow this link for donating on-line and in the remarks, designate Solar Power. Or, you may send a check to PPAF, 166 Edgars Lane, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706.

Schoolchildren at Ambalarondra

End of School Celebration in the Canteen

Raoul, un des membres du groupe Mahaleo, est actuellement Dr. Raosolosolofo RAZAFINDRANOA, un médecin à Toamasina. Le Mahaleos sont connus pour leur passion pour leur pays, et pour l’esprit d’aider le peuple malgache.

Raoul a demandé a PPAF de lui aider à recueillir 1000 $ pour des panneaux solaires pour fournir l’électricité pour l’école du village Ambalarondra. Cette petite école a été construite grâce aux dons locaux et à l’étranger, et avec le travail communautaire. Maintenant, un bâtiment de cantine a été construit, pour préparer et servir des repas pour les enfants. Fournir un repas quotidien encourage les familles à envoyer leurs enfants à l’école, elle donne aux jeunes de la nutrition dont ils ont besoin et la possibilité d’apprendre. Dans le pays, 42% des enfants de moins de 5 ans présentent une insuffisance pondérale pour leur âge. L’éducation des enfants, et des repas nutritifs dans le cadre de leur formation, sont leur chemin vers un avenir meilleur.

Pour aider, suivez ce lien pour faire des dons en ligne et dans les remarques, « panneaux solaires ». Ou, vous pouvez adresser un chèque à PPAF, 166 Edgars Lane, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706, Etats-Unis d’Amerique (USA).

Season’s Greetings from PPAF

Ginger — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:18:50 +0000

: Faces of Youth

As the year 2009 draws to a close, we in the Public-Private Alliance Foundation wish to thank all partners who have supported us, believed in our work and joined with us to help reduce poverty through partnerships.

Your involvement and your efforts help make a difference in peoples’ lives.

We wish you Season’s Greetings, health and happiness and look forward to working with you in the New Year at the United Nations and in the Dominican Republic, Madagascar and Haiti.

By bringing together business, the international community, governments, NGOs and the aims of sustainable development, we can be stronger and can make the world a better place.

Best wishes for 2010.

David Stillman, PhD

Executive Director

Plans Made for 4th Bioenergy Debate; Partners Attend Regional Forum on Biofuels

Ginger — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:33 +0000

The President of the National Energy Commission (CNE), Lic. Enrique Ramirez, personally approved the final report of the Third Bioenergy International Debate (October 7 – 9), which was organized and facilitated by the public sector NGO, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF) and the private sector market research company, ResearchPAYS, Inc. The report is available in Spanish and English.

CNE President Enrique Ramirez Addresses Forum

Dr. David Stillman and Tom Kadala, MBA, leaders of this recently-formed public-private partnership, traveled to Santo Domingo to discuss the report and to work with the CNE and others to prepare for the upcoming Fourth Bioenergy International Debate, scheduled for December 3-4, 2009. Along with Ambassador Federico Cuello and Rafael Fernandez, CEO of RJS Group, Stillman and Kadala took part in Sabado Agropecurio, a Dominican agricultural television journal, on November 21. The interviewer was Manuel González Tejera.

L. to R: Seated: R. Fernandez, Amb. F. Cuello, M. Gonzalez Tejera; Standing, D. Stillman, T. Kadala

The partners also attended the 14th Regional Forum on Biofuels and Other Renewable Energies (XIV Foro Regional “Biocombustibles y Otras Energías Renovables), which took place from 18 – 20 November. About 350 people from the region attended. The forum featured national and technological updates on renewable energy in the region. It was organized by the Central American Integration System and its Alliance on Energy and the Environment in Central America. The region includes Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama; the Dominican Republic is an associate member. See: http://www.sica.int/ . The governments of Austria, Finland and the European Commission supported the forum.

Forum participants also toured Fluitecnik Solar Republica Dominicana, which produces solar panels that are part of the national grid, and LineaClave Internacional, S.A., which produces and develops a retail market for natural gas.

Ing. Carlos Lubrano, D. Stillman and T. Kadala at LineaClave