You are invited…. It’s not too late to register~

“Partners Against Poverty” Fundraiser

to benefit the

Public-Private Alliance Foundation and its work in Haiti

Thursday    November 4    6 – 8 pm

Since the January 12 earthquake PPAF is helping Haitians revitalize their country by partnering with business, the Diaspora, non-profits, the Government, the United Nations and individuals on key projects that improve peoples’ lives and help achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. The fundraiser will help advance this. The Foundation also works in the Dominican Republic and Madagascar.

The setting for the event is the outstanding exhibit of Haitian paintings on display at Affirmation Arts, on 37^th Street in Manhattan.

 The Foundation welcomes  actor/director Tony Plana (of “Ugly Betty” fame) and pundit Ian Williams to its November 4 Benefit.   Ian will turn mixologist for samples of Haiti’s internationally famous Barbancourt Rum.   Michael Yarema, Executive Vice President and National Sales Manager at Crillon Importers will comment on the importance of Barbancourt Rum to the Haitian economy.

A current main focus for the Foundation is collaboration with several partners to promote improved stoves and fuel in Haiti.  Locally-grown and distilled sugar ethanol will fuel cookstoves manufactured, marketed and distributed in the country.  The project aims to improve lives and health, especially for women and children, and reduce the heavy reliance on wood and charcoal that has stripped the country of forest and topsoil.  Livelihoods for farmers and small scale entrepreneurs will likewise be improved.

Come enjoy the artwork, learn more about the Foundation’s work, and help Haiti build back better.

WHEN:   Thursday, November 4, from 6 to 8 pm

WHERE: Affirmation Arts, 523 West 37^th St., Manhattan (1/2 block from the Javitts Center; nearest subway is Penn Station)

REFRESHMENTS: Wine, soft drinks hors d’oevres and a tasting of Barbancourt Rum!

TICKETS:  Students and under 30’s — $30; supporters — $50; sponsors — $250 and up.  Go to: www.ppafoundation.org and click on the “Donate” buttons for PayPal or JustGive.  (This will save waiting in a line!) Donations also accepted at the door but please RSVP.

 RSVP:  Tel: 914-924-1413 or e-mail ppafoundation@gmail.com 

The Public-Private Alliance Foundation welcomes two great supporters to its November 4 Benefit.   To attend the Benefit, meet and network, view great Haitian art, and to contribute to the Foundation, see the Blog article of October 22, below. 

  Tony Plana

Tony Plana (in Ugly Betty)

Noted actor Tony Plana recently starred as Ignacio Suarez, the widowed father to America Ferrera’s Ugly Betty, in ABC’s hit series. He starred previously in Showtime’s original series, Resurrection Boulevard, and was nominated for two Alma Awards for best actor.  He has also guest starred on Royal Pains.

Plana has starred in more than 70 feature films, including JFK, Nixon, Salvador, An Officer and a Gentleman, Lone Star, Three Amigos, Born in East L.A., El Norte, 187, Primal Fear, Romero, One Good Cop, Havana, The Rookie, Silver Strand and Picking Up the Pieces with Woody Allen. He recently appeared Half Past Dead with Steven Segal, Morris Chestnut, and JaRul; The Lost City, with Andy Garcia, Bill Murray, and Dustin Hoffman; and Disney’s highly acclaimed GOAL, The Dream Begins!;in  El Muerto starring Wilbur Valderama, Justified, Towards Darkness, and AmericanEast with Tony Shaloub. 

 On television he recently starred in the Showtime Original Miniseries, Fidel, as the notorious Cuban dictator, Batista, as well as Showtime’s Noriega: God’s Favorite. He has portrayed leading roles in Veronica Claire for Lifetime, Bakersfield P.D. for FOX and Steven Bocco’s Total Security and City of Angels for ABC.  He has also appeared in several Emmy award winning programs such as Sweet Fifteen, Drug Wars: The Camarena Story, The Burning Season: The Life and Death of Chico Mendes and a special episode of L.A. Law.  Mr. Plana has portrayed recurring roles on NBC’s The West Wing as the U.S. Secretary of State, FOX’S 24, CSI, Monk, Almost Perfect, and The Closer for TNT. 

 Plana has been very active in live theatre.  On Broadway, his credits include Zoot Suit and The Boys of Winter, and a wide variety of productions in many other venues.   

 He is the recipient of many awards for outstanding work in film, television and theater.  

 Plana celebrated his solo directorial debut in December 2000 with The Princess and the Barrio Boy, which won the 2001 Imagen Award for Best Made for Television Movie.  He also has directed several episodes of Nickelodeon’s hit series, The Brothers Garcia, and the season finale of Greetings from Tucson for the Warner Brothers Network. 

 Plana is also the co-founder and executive artistic director of the East L.A. Classic Theatre, a group comprised primarily of Hispanic American theatre professionals.  The Theatre has served the Latino community through educational outreach programs to primary and secondary schools and through bi-lingual education. 

 Plana earned a Bachelor’s degree in literature and theatre arts at Loyola-Marymount University, Los Angeles, graduating magna cum laude.  He received professional training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.  He is married to actress, Ada Maris and is the proud father of Alejandro and Isabel.  For more, see:  www.tonyplana.com   

Ian Williams

Ian Williams

  You are invited….

“Partners Against Poverty” Fundraiser

 to benefit the

Public-Private Alliance Foundation

 and its work in Haiti

Thursday    November 4    6 – 8 pm

Since the January 12 earthquake PPAF is helping Haitians revitalize their country by partnering with business, the Diaspora, non-profits, the Government, the United Nations and individuals on key projects that improve peoples’ lives and help achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. The fundraiser will help advance this. The Foundation also works in the Dominican Republic and Madagascar. 

The setting for the event is the outstanding exhibit of Haitian paintings on display at Affirmation Arts, on 37^th Street in Manhattan.  Actor-director Tony Plana of “Ugly Betty” fame, and pundit and rum historian Ian Williams will join us. 

A current main focus for the Foundation is collaboration with several partners to promote improved stoves and fuel in Haiti.  Locally-grown and distilled sugar ethanol will fuel cookstoves manufactured, marketed and distributed in the country.  The project aims to improve lives and health, especially for women and children, and reduce the heavy reliance on wood and charcoal that has stripped the country of forest and topsoil.  Livelihoods for farmers and small scale entrepreneurs will likewise be improved. 

Come enjoy the artwork, learn more about the Foundation’s work, and help Haiti build back better. 

WHEN:   Thursday, November 4, from 6 to 8 pm 

WHERE: Affirmation Arts, 523 West 37^th St., Manhattan (1/2 block from the Javits Convention Center; nearest subway is Penn Station) 

REFRESHMENTS: Wine, soft drinks and hors d’oevres 

TICKETS:  Students and under 30’s — $30; supporters — $50; sponsors — $250 and up.  Go to: www.ppafoundation.org and click on the “Donate” buttons for PayPal or JustGive.  Donations also accepted at the door. 

RSVP:  Tel: 914-478-3450 or e-mail ppafoundation@gmail.com for reservation, parking details, etc.

PPAF‘s renewable energy seminars, held in the Dominican Republic in cooperation with the National Energy Commission (CNE) and others in 2009, emphasized the importance of Law 57-07 to make the D.R. a potential leader in the Caribbean in renewable energy, and to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.  Law 57-07 grants numerous incentives and tax exemptions to investors in renewable energy.

PPAF is very happy to learn that the Dominican Corporation of State Electrical Companies (CDEEE) recently signed its first contract, with Grupo Eolico Dominicano, to buy wind energy that will be carried by the Interconnected Electrical System (SENI). The system currently carries only energy from conventional sources.

The energy will come from Grupo Eolico Dominicano’s 34 mega watt wind park, which will join SENI in 2011. 

Speaking to the newspaper Dominican Today, Grupo Eolico Dominicano representative Wilfredo Gonzalez, who participated in PPAF’s 2009 seminars, called the deal “historic.” He said that the group will continue to make renewable energy investments in the Dominican Republic.

The power will be sold to the CDEE according to the price formula found in Law 57-07 on Incentives to the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Special Regimes.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2010/7/5/36209/Dominican-Republics-1st-wind-energy-park-to-operate-in-2011

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. 

In order to assist businesses to work in the redevelopment of Haiti, several organizations have held or will hold events to bring prospective investment, commercial and related interests together.  Here are a few:

June 10-11, 2010 – AMCHAM DR / AMCHAM Haiti Conference– Montrouis, Haiti

About 600 people attended the “Building A New Haiti” conference organized by the American Chambers of Commerce of the Dominican Republic and Haiti and the U.S. Commercial Service.   Speakers included the Haitian President Rene Preval and the Prime Minister, Max Bellerive.  Partial lists of attendees and presenters and PowerPoint presentations of selected speeches are available on the AmCham DR website:  http://amcham.org.do  David Stillman of PPAF and a team from SImACT attended, with Lesly Kernisant making a presentation in the Tourism segment.  PPAF has posted a few photos from the event.

June 12-13, 2010 – PPAF/SImACT Workshop, Jacmel, Haiti    

About 50 participants from the AmCham conference, plus about 20 from Jacmel and elsewhere participated in the PPAF / SImACT workshop “Reconstruction and Business Opportunities in Southern Haiti.”  Billed as an add-on to the AmCham conference, this workshop focused group discussions and site visits on several practical possibilities.  The Minister of Tourism Patrick Delatour gave a keynote address.   (See article, press and photos.)

June 21, 2010 – “Building a New Haiti” Debriefing and Planning meeting, Brooklyn, NY

About 20 people attended the meeting, held at the offices of the Brooklyn International Trade Development Center of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York.  Several shareholders and friends of SImACT participated, as well as the PPAF Executive Director.   Thoughts, comments and suggestions of those who attended the June 10-11 conference in Montrouis will be used to shape the July 10 forum and the September trade mission (below) and for communications with government officials.  

July 10, 2010 – Meeting to Plan a Trade Mission to Haiti, Brooklyn, NY

Participants in the July 10 meeting will help plan for a trade mission to Haiti.  The meeting is being organized by the New York State Association of Minority Contractors and the NS and J Advisory Group.  It will be held Medgar Evers College.  PPAF and SImACT have been invited as presenters.  Contact events@nsandj.com  to reserve a place.

September 8-10, 2010 –  Proposed Trade Mission to Haiti 

A trade mission, jointly led by NS&J Advisory Group and SImACT, is being planned for September, to Jacmel and other sites in Haiti.  Details will be available after the July 10 meeting.

As Haiti starts to recover from the earthquake, but while access to much of the promised funding is yet unavailable, it’s important to remember the beginnings of the tragedy.

The PPAF YouTube channel now provides links to several videos from the United Nations in Action series that recount the first two months after the earthquake in Haiti.   Also linked is an earlier video on the protection of mangroves in the north. 

MINUSTAH hit hard by Haiti’s earthquake

Haiti’s Earthquake disaster

Haiti: Emergency medical care after the quake

Haiti: Search and rescue

Haiti: Food aid continues

Haiti Earthquake: UNICEF helps children to reunite with their families

Les soins médicaux d’urgence à la suite du séisme en Haïti

L’aide alimentaire continue en Haïti

Durement touchée par le tremblement de terre en Haïti

L’opération de recherche et secours en Haïti

Haiti: mangrove protection

The Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act of 2010  (H.R. 5160) was passed by both houses of Congress and signed into effect by President Obama on May 24, 2010.  A broad spectrum of organizations, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Oxfam America, supported passage of this act,  which allows Haiti to increase its apparel exports to the US duty free and extends existing US trade preference programs with Haiti for 10 years.  This should create many new jobs in Haiti, which are desperately needed to aid recovery from the earthquake. 

FAVACA, the Florida International Volunteer Corps, has announced that Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R), a customs and international trade law firm, will provide a free Webinar about the HELP Act and how to do more business in Haiti.    This will take place on Tuesday, June 8, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. (Webinar ID #1109).

The presentation  will include details of these expanded benefits, including:
· New apparel products covered
· Increased Tariff Preference Levels for Knit and Woven apparel made from 3rd country inputs.
· Extended duration of Preference Programs for Haiti
· Modified earned import allowance ratio for knit and woven apparel,
· New duty free treatment for made-up textile products wholly assembled or knit to shape in Haiti.
 
The one hour webinar will be presented by Tom Travis and Elise Shibles.

Register online at  www.strtrade.com
Select “Invoice Company” as the payment method when registering, to allow registration to go through.  There will be no invoice and Login information details will be sent within 24 hours of registration.

PPAF and SImACT, Inc. will hold the Reconstruction and Business Opportunities in Southern Haiti conference on June 12-13 at the Cap Lamandou Hotel in the coastal city of Jacmel.

Nearly 50 participants from over 30 organizations have registered, and represent businesses, professional associations, NGOs, media outlets and government officials from the U.S., Haiti, Canada, the Dominican Republic and several other countries.

The event will focus on areas of development and business including agriculture, infrastructure including seaport and airport, ethanol cookstoves, energy, housing and construction, distribution, tourism, transportation / logistics, the Historic District of Jacmel, social venture capital, healthcare, education, microfinance and art & artisans.

Participants will tour the area and will be able to meet local and national governmental authorities, become acquainted with needs and opportunities in Southern Haiti, and meet potential investors and business and NGO partners.

Jacmel, home to artisans and the arts, historic buildings that predate New Orleans, beautiful beaches and a developing tourist site, was strongly affected by the earthquake – for example, the hospital was demolished and many lost their homes or places of business. But large parts of the city remain untouched, and as the main city in Southeastern Haiti, Jacmel offers important prospects for reconstruction, for business and tourism and for development toward a bright future. The government of Haiti has proposed Jacmel for placement on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

PPAF et SImACT, Inc. tiendront un événement sur la reconstruction dans le sud de Haïti, à l’Hôtel Cap Lamandou à Jacmel les 12-13 Juin. L’événement mettra l’accent sur les domaines du développement retenues par les participants. Domaines possibles: agriculture, infrastructures, notamment portuaires et aéroportuaires, les fourneaux à l’éthanol, l’énergie, le logement et construction, distribution, tourisme, transport / logistique, l’arrondissement historique de Jacmel, de capital-risque social, la santé, l’éducation, la microfinance, l’art et les artisans et autres thèmes identifiés par les personnes inscrites. Les participants seront en mesure de répondre aux besoins locaux et ses autorités gouvernementales nationales, se familiariser avec les besoins et les possibilités dans le sud de Haïti, et de rencontrer des investisseurs potentiels et les entreprises et les ONG partenaires.

Coût du voyage à Jacmel est de 100 $, payable PPAF. Voir le formulaire d’inscription, qui devrait être soumis et payés par Juin 1.

Cet événement aura lieu immédiatement après la « Construire une nouvelle Haïti » conférence, qui sera tenue du 9 au 11 Juin nord de Port-au-Prince (au Club Indigo, la Côte des Arcadins, Montrouis). PPAF / SImACT assurera le transport du Club Indigo à Jacmel le samedi matin, 12 Juin et le retour à Port-au-Prince, le 13 Juin, à ceux qui s’inscrivent à ce sujet. L’espace est limité. SVP vous inscrire avant le 1er Juin en utilisant ce formulaire d’inscription.   D’obtenir le formulaire en francais, email:  ppafoundation@gmail.com

NOTE: Si vous souhaitez séjourner jours supplémentaires, écrivez à ppafoundation@gmail.com pour plus de détails.