Dr. Sam Cherribi

European, Arabic Media United in Intense Interest in U.S. Election

Sam Cherribi, former member of the Dutch Parliament and head of the Emory Development Institute, says that one thing European and Arabic media outlets have in common is their intense interest in the Nov. 4 presidential election....

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Guest Editor 'Global Vision' International Magazine on Philanthropy

Global Vision is the International Magazine for Business Executives.

Global Vision invites you the discover a new mega trend
in the history of philanthropy and global development.
The location is the ‘City that Never Sleeps’, New York.
The architect of this mega trend is the man who is
described by friend and foe as charismatic, persuasive and the ‘President of the World’ – Bill Clinton, former President of the United States.
Now in its second year, the Clinton Global Initiative mobilized a unprecedented $7.2 billion for development in low income countries. Clinton rallied support from across the entire political spectrum, from the global South to the global North.Virgin Atlantic’s Richard Branson, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and media mogul
Rupert Murdoch were among the many prominent
entrepreneurs who came together at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York in September 2006. Liberia’s resident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Iceland’s President Olnafur Ragnar Grimsson were among the many political leaders from around the world in attendance.
Microfinance expert Muhammad Yunus from
Bangladesh, pop star Ahmad Salman from Asia and
Diana Krall, from the US,were among the many
talented individuals there determined to have an impact on the world.
The Clinton Global Initiative, an impressive three-day gathering of kings, presidents and subaltern NGO’s and CEO’s, is creating a new world order in philanthropy.
President Clinton is creating the facts on the ground and driving this paradigm shift. Philanthropists as well as the newly wealthy without significant history of philanthropy are interested in giving money now, so
that they are able see and feel the impact of their gifts during their lifetimes.Through the Clinton Global Initiative, philanthropy will set the agenda for development in low income countries, in partnership with the states or the governments. Governments have no choice but to join these engines of innovation and change: the principled entrepreneurs who see the whole picture, not only profit but the social and cultural
conditions that make profit sustainable.
Samina Ahmad, the manager and wife of pop star
Salman Ahmad who mobilized 1.5 billion viewers with his video clip and music against AIDS, said:“The Clinton Global Initiative was an exhilarating experience for us and we carried back a lot of positive energy and
are motivated to act on the commitment we made,
mainly to promote global health and women’s
empowerment in developing countries.We also wish to build cultural bridges through music,movies and the media in conflict ridden areas of the world.”These words reflect the heartwarming responses one could
hear from the hundreds of influentials gathered in the immense ballroom.
Jordan’s Queen Rania and King Abdallah spoke
eloquently and President Clinton described them as an essential bridge between the Arab Islamic world and the West in this time of uncertainty and frictions.The highlight of this year’s philanthropic feast was when Richard Branson, the billionaire and CEO of Virgin Atlantic Airlines and the multi-platform Virgin brand, pledged no less than $3 billion. He wants to use ethanol for cars and develop bio-based fuels for airplanes.
Global Vision interviewed a number of outstanding
guests including Paul Wolfowitz, president of the World Bank, novelist and writer Mario Vargas Llosa, and the president of CARE, Dr. Helene Gayle.

Sam Cherribi, Guest Editor
Global Vision, vol. 6 nr. 3, october/november 2006.

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• Global Vision

Tags van Technorati: Global Vision,Mario Vargas Llosa,Paul Wolfowitz,Madeleine Albright,Care,Helene Gayle

1st Italy Atlanta Film Festival

From Nicola Vidali & Jake Jacobson... an annoucement.

Sam.

"Dear Italy Atlanta Films Friends,

We would like to offer our deepest thanks for your participation at the 1st Italy Atlanta Film Festival kick-off event  on February 18th for Fellini's "Ginger & Fred" at the beautiful Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. We are delighted and inspired by the event's success.

We hope we can count on you to enjoy the remainder of our exciting film series throughout 2007. Our next event is designed around the superb comedy-drama  "Big Night", with Stanley Tucci and Tony ("Monk") Shaloub that will be presented at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center on Thursday March 15th.  Our doors open  at 7.00pm for a wonderful Italian buffet followed by a brief introduction and then our film and a discussion and Q&A session with our special guest speakers.   See http://www.italyatlantafilms.com/programs.html

After the more celebrative opening night on February 18th,  we are going to probe deeper into each film's  themes for the remainder of our series, engaging our presenters and the audience in academic and cross-cultural conversations and processes.

Also, we would like to remind you to invite your friends and associates for our exciting April screening as the Italy Atlanta Film Festival will present the American premiere of an important new work on April 12th at the splendid Rich Auditorium at the Woodruff Art Center (400 seats).  The film is called "Gli Occhi dell'altro", or "Through The Eyes Of Another", directed by  thrilling new talent Gianpaolo Tescari, and produced by Marco Mandelli (who we are bringing in from Rome to introduce the film!). Variety Magazine raved about the film at its European premiere calling the work "powerful, unusually mature, unflinching and superbly scripted" .You can read the entire review at http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117927494.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0. The film will be presented in 35mm and will deal with the theme of "Social and Cultural Integrations".  The lively post-discussions of each film will be the trademark of our continuing screenings throughout the festival.

Again, we cherish your time and consideration for our efforts as we continue to build the strong ties between the Italian and Atlantan communities through this ground-breaking cultural film series. We welcome your comments and ideas.

Love, Peace & Good Movies,
Nicola Vidali & Jake Jacobson
Co- Producers
Italy Atlanta Film Festival"

On French Youth's Riots

France is experiencing the equivalent of a social earthquake during the ongoing unprecedented violent ethnic riots, which have continued for  more  than 12 consecutive days. There are more cars burned in Paris than in Bagdad in the same time period. European and international media spoke of Paris burning, a civil war in France, and a new May '68 revolution that has gone  out of control.

What are the origins of the social rage, and the massive destruction of  institutions and properties in the rioters' own neighbourhoods? Does radical Islam play a role?

Van der Linden elected as COE's president

Dear Van der Linden, dear friend,

I send you my congratulations and warmest wishes on your election as the new president of COE. I was so pleased and excited to hear the news, and I know you will enjoy great success in this  leadership role. Best wishes to you as you begin your tenure as President, and good luck as you work to implement your new initiatives. The assembly could not ask for a better leader

Halle Distinguished Fellow: Frits Bolkestein

Link: Halle Distinguished Fellow: Frits Bolkestein.

Frits Bolkestein has been a member of the European Commission since 1999. He oversees all aspects of the European internal marketplace, as well as tax and customs issues. The European Unions’s (EU) expansion last May to include 10 new member states brings the number of European consumers to nearly 450 million. Bolkestein’s portfolio in this powerful economic zone makes him one of the most important figures in EU politics today.