ICOSA Magazine

<pictured above: Panelists Closing Out the Days Discussion>

Drawing not only the largest crowd but the largest number of roundtable panelists, the Americas Roundtable capstone event closed the public dialogue series out successfully. The discussion, titled appropriately, Energy and Climate Change: Designing Answers for Today’s Challenges focused on this decades hottest issues on alternative energy, consumption, land use and resource mobility. The topic showed it is impossible to speak about transportation without addressing fuel and energy.

Secretary Ray LaHood of the U.S. Department of Transportation gave praise to Denver for implementing new sustainable transportation options in and around the city but was met by swift objection from the President of the Institute for Transportation Development Policy of Colombia, Enrique Peñalosa who said, “Infrastructure for light rail and subways in developing countries are too expensive. What is good for one country may not be for another.” So while Colombia seeks to distribute road space for buses and increase mass transit use; so does the U.S. as politicians continue to lay out a plan for high speed passenger rail that hopes to reach 80% of American cities.

Clean fuel and alternative energy presented the biggest hurdles for the leaders who debated on how to harness energy and solve the problem of transmitting that energy. “Our real problem is speed and scale but we need specific policy to develop transmission and improve agility,” said Sally Ranney, CEO, StillWater Preservation.

Demands for mobility are being sought and worked on by engineers, but in the meantime it is important that the countries within the hemisphere anticipate new environmental requirements and make better informed long-term decisions that will affect their citizens. Unfortunately, many investments have to be made, and while climate change and global warming are issues many Americans say they are concerned with, reports continue to show Americans inability to slow the use of consumption.

Debates wage over improving technology to decrease price per kilowatt hour but constituents are unaware of the financial implications to create such technology to harnesses that energy. So although constituents are part and parcel to getting renewable energy off the ground they are also a huge hindrance of the process once the practitioners and the policy makers engage the topic and its price tag.

It is important to consider not only the environmental advantages but the long-term economic advantages as well. Currently, Canada matched California’s low emission standards for buses, which led to the development of new tailpipes and increased business for manufacturers in the area. “By diversifying our efficiency and renewable energy options we can provide citizens with unique energy security and increased economic benefits through supported public policy,” agreed Colorado Governor Bill Ritter.

And while it is clear people need to change the way they consume energy it is up to each population to seek the resources indigenous to their countries and apply obvious geographic solutions. “Profound material changes are the fundamentals of transportation solutions,” said a representative of Encana, “there needs to be a balance across all energy sources that are abundant and affordable to all.”

<pictured above: A View of the 1,800 Guests in attendance for the First Ladies Luncheon in the Centennial Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Denver>

Project C.U.R.E.’s 5^th Annual First Ladies Luncheon honoring the First Lady of Panama, Marta Lineras De Martinelli, corresponded perfectly with the inaugural Biennial of the Americas in Denver. Roughly 1,800 guests attended the lunch to support Project C.U.R.E. and their delivery of donated medical relief supplies to the indigenous people of Panama.    

This upcoming relief effort will provide $400,000 in medical supplies, which is enough to fill a 40 foot ocean container, to the seven disparate indigenous populations that reside within the borders of Panama. These groups represent ten percent of the population and of that number 95.4% of them live in poverty.

Most of these indigenous people live in difficult mountainous terrain and other hard to visit areas, putting them at greater risk for common diseases, chronic diarrhea, respiratory and stomach problems as well as HIV/AIDS. Most people die because they lack the necessary conditions for healthy living, however, because of the areas in which they live and their transient lifestyles, it makes it even more difficult to receive support and regular health checks.

Through their partnership with Fund Ayuda, Project C.U.R.E. will be able to provide resources, hard assets and more importantly pediatrics supplies to impoverished hospitals and clinics that are frequently visited by these groups. Because of generous donors and empowered luncheon attendees, the communities that house the receiving hospitals and clinics across Panama, will experience increased confidence in the number and types of treatments that can and will be offered, while also experiencing a decrease in cost. “The timely dispatch will bring significant health improvements,” said Martinelli.

Before Jackson’s final call to action he thanked MillerCoors and CH2MHILL for their generous donations that contributed to the success of the luncheon. As he closed out he referenced his three girls and how they love princesses and magic and emphasized that, “When you write a check something magical happens in Panama.”

PROJECT C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief & Equipment) was founded in 1987 to help meet the need for medical supplies, equipment and services around the world. PROJECT C.U.R.E. builds sustainable healthcare infrastructure by providing the medical supplies and equipment that medical personnel need to deliver healthcare to their communities. Since its inception, PROJECT C.U.R.E. has delivered medical relief to needy people in more than 120 countries. For more information or to donate please visit www.projectcure.org.

<pictured above: A Local Architect Works on artist Tei Kobayashi's Site-Specific Installation>

The Biennial of the Americas, which has descended on Denver over the past two weeks, has been a whirlwind of events that are political but ultimately cultural and of course artistic. It has also put some of Denver’s local community galleries, artist consortiums and collectives as well as museums into the spotlight. Not only has the Biennial brought some talented artists from across the hemisphere but more importantly it has brought attention to places in Denver people may not have been aware of.

Unlike cities such as New York and Chicago, Denver does not have such a sprawling concrete jungle, its smaller downtown tends to make its residents and visitors feel more inclusive like you would in a small town. Most people that dwell within the city seem to know every nook and cranny, which provides for unusual places to see and visit.

As a resident of Denver I consider myself pretty savvy as it concerns the city. I know where to find back alley bars, quaint boutique restaurants and cafes, and as a creative I feel connected to the arts and culture that the city provides; that is, until today.

Thanks to the Biennial, ICOSA writer Emily Haggstrom and I were introduced to an artist’s colony just across from lower downtown, in a cozy park where residents feel like they’ve stepped outside the confines of the city. Tucked away between two residential buildings and an unloading dock for one of the local restaurants is PlatteForum, an artists and writers collective aimed at teaming contemporary artists with youth from underserved urban neighborhoods.

As we arrived we met and engaged Japanese artist Tei Kobayashi. Kobayashi is working on a site-specific installation that will be built directly onto the outside walls of the collective. Using found objects from across the state, Koyayashi is replicating dwellings that are erected everyday around the world in parks and across cities. “This piece will represent those dwellings,” said Kobayashi.

The installation is symbolic to issues of homelessness that we see throughout Denver and across the globe. She was inspired by the idea that people will make a home for themselves with whatever they can find, wherever they can build it. With objects given from the community, the structure will be a collective effort by her and other artists and architects from the Denver area. Once the installation is completed the Forum will invite homeless youth to come and read their poetry and Kobayashi herself will be performing through interpretive dance.

Because the Forum aims to pair youth with resident artists, we were shown one of their newest projects, Words Are Power, a teddy bear representation of youth violence and neglect, in collaboration with the Kempe Foundation. The teddy bear, with a rag-tag appearance, has a loose blue button eye, a casted arm and leg and what looks to be a bruise on its side. There are two sets of words behind it, the ones in black read negative and hateful phrases parents of abused children might say. They are clearly displayed in the background, while the white phrases read words of love that are set in the forefront.

The collective was teaming with artists working on projects that will be finished by August 5^th for the community to view. If you are interested in seeing these works and others from resident artists of the PlatteForum please visit www.platteforum.org or visit 1610 Little Raven Street, Suite 135, Denver, CO.

<pictured above: Former Heads of State Nicolas Ardito Barletta, Fernando de la Rua, Gustavo Noboa, Vinicio Cerezo, Rodrigo Borja and Alejandro Toledo Discuss Social Issues Plaguing the Americas>

Denver visitors and residents were treated to the company of some of the most recent former heads of state as they delighted the audience with discussions ranging from policy to social issues that are affecting their respective countries. This special event coordinated by the Biennial of the Americas organization in conjunction with delegation leader and former President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo was truly a sight to behold.

While some guests sat just mere feet away, the Summit moderator asked questions of the former leaders that could be answered without the fear of political retribution. Topics ranged from Arizona’s new immigration reform, poverty reduction, cash transfers to bringing new technologies to emerging and developing countries within the Western Hemisphere.

Perhaps the most daunting challenge facing the future of Latin America and the single most important issue on the plates of the former (and possible future) leaders is poverty reduction.   Simply put, how countries like Panama, Ecuador and Bolivia address the living standard needs of their population will determine if they move along a path similar to Venezuela or, on the other hand, a more progressive and hopeful future, like that of Peru’s. 

The methods employed, however, are controversial to say the least.  Gaining popularity in the region is the practice of cash transfers.  Basically, this practice is that of paying women, families, farmers, etcetera, to practice desirable behavior and help support small local communities.  There has been mixed successes but leaders like Alejandro Toledo, former president of Peru, feel that such transfers enable indigenous and poverty-stricken populations to break the cycle of economic repression.

ICOSA invites you to come and share in the dialogue between more distinguished foreign guests at the Roundtable on Energy and Climate Change: Designing Answers for Today’s Challenges on Wednesday, July 28^th, from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver.

<pictured below: The Feet of State - Try Walking a Mile in These Shoes>

<pictured above: Panelists Speaking on Bilateral and Multilateral Trade>

With exports between the 35 sovereign nation states of the Western Hemisphere doubling within the last five years it was not only important but vital to understand how each of these trading partners plays a part in the others policy and prosperity. At the Americas Roundtable on Trade: Leveraging Partnerships for Sustainable Economies, panelists were asked how value could be increased from attempting to leverage the trade agreements that are already in place.

Business leaders from across the Americas gathered to speak to the combined GDP of the Western Hemisphere which currently exceeds $19 trillion. With the amount of money, as it pertains to imports and exports, which travels by ocean and air between continents, government officials and business leaders have never been more focused on developing more trade agreements. “At the policy level, this shows that we need strong institutions and infrastructure to be catalysts to engage policy makers and businessmen,” said Saresh Kumar, Director General for the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Services.

Just prior to the events of the Biennial in Denver, President Barack Obama announced that he would like to double the amount of exports to create jobs and business development. And while other countries around the world mirror the economy of the United States, some South American countries are thriving. Now with the Biennial in Denver, foreign nationals from other countries can meet and understand each others different needs. It is a perfect time to re-evaluate our trade agreements as a country while businesses across the nation learn just how they can connect to the right technology, businesses and products within these countries.

And while the U.S. continues to nurture and maintain its relationship with Canada, it is important for our government leaders and our constituents to recognize where we stand compared to India and China as it pertains to trade in the Western Hemisphere.

Following the Roundtable, Kumar spoke candidly with ICOSA about Americas plan for global trade, the future of trade and how American businesses can and should be proactive about learning how free and fair trade can be a benefit to them. “The linchpins and foundations of our country have been inventions from people who have a free and fair playing field,” said Kumar.

He continued on by emphasizing that the U.S. Department of Foreign and Commercial Services can be the best asset for success when used proactively. “We connect people in this country to credible businesses across the world. Central to our work in making trade grow. We are already showing 17% increase in exports this year as we focus on diversification across the hemisphere and the world,” said Kumar.

With 95% of consumers living outside of the U.S. it is important for business and organizations alike to understand that by working with the U.S. Department of Foreign and Commercial Services, they can connect to markets where consumers can access a flow of goods, services and products that they need and want.

“We are here to make American businesses more competitive while increasing transparency with our trading partners,” closed Kumar.

<pictured below: Saresh Kumar, Director General for the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Services Speaking Candidly With ICOSA About Helping American Enterprise>

<pictured above: Panelists from the Americas Speaking on Poverty>

Confronting poverty is difficult, but it is critically important to our world.  Poverty reduction requires investment in basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, shelter, health care and education.   These areas, although connected, represent major individual challenges each with many unique issues.  Comprehensive solutions must be done through collaboration.  The Biennial Roundtable on Reducing Poverty is an attempt to exchange ideas and make a difference.

Addressing these needs costs money, but people generally cannot participate in the global economy and make money if their basic human rights are not met.  Education is vital to develop human capital that employers seek.  One panelist, Luanne Zurlo, is the president of Worldfund, whose mission is to raise the quality and relevance of education in Latin America, “the key to transforming lives and breaking the cycle of poverty.”

Capital investment is also a major factor to be considered.  Along with an educated workforce, working physical capital creates value and employs local people.  However, many of the poorest countries have obstacles deterring investment.  Instability and corruption avert foreign direct investment and must be addressed in order to bring populations out of poverty. 

“It is our responsibility to have legal stability for sustained growth; we need to increase the basis of fiscal revenue and yet meet the social demands. It is very important to prioritize,” says Alejandro Toledo, former President of Peru.  Born into poverty, Toledo has experienced success and is now leading the charge through his organization Global Center for Development and Democracy.

Beyond attracting investments from large international companies, there is another opportunity called micro finance. By providing poor entrepreneurs with small loans, people's talents, which were previously under-utilized, can be used to create value. The process of managing a micro business through loan payments has been successfully done through support from the local business communities.

"To conclude, it is not a matter of being poor, we are poor because of our poor laws and poor investment. We need to stimulate human capital and physical capital. That's why China has succeeded in raising so many from poverty. It's not about higher taxes on the rich, but we need more rich people and less poor people," said Dr. Luis Pazos, former Director General, National Bank of Public Works and Services for BANOBRAS, Mexico.

<pictured below: Dr. Arturo Valenzuela, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs>

<pictured above: Panelists for the Americas Roundtable on Health- Transnational Threats>

Addressing serious health issues calls for serious collaboration.  It requires great local point-of-service care as well as regional and worldwide coordination.  Communication and a common strategy are vital and such cooperative efforts took place at the Biennial of the Americas Roundtable on Health.

The roundtable discussed major issues, such as access to clean water and nutrition.  Many brought up that prevention of health issues is more effective than attempts for treatment, and stressed the role of education as an important piece of prevention.

Dr. Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos, Mexico’s Minister of Health, explained their immediate and open response to the recent H1N1 outbreak.  Public cooperation with the ministry’s campaign allowed Mexico City to prevent further infection and essentially shut down the outbreak.

Dr. Jon Andrus, Deputy Director of the Pan American Health Organization, has worked in many aspects of responding to transnational threats of communicable diseases.   One such team effort has been the worldwide eradication of Polio.  He said, “Before, we lived in an era where infectious diseases were the biggest threat, but now, even in developing countries, the greatest cause of death are non-communicable diseases.” 

He believes the health gains achieved through safe water, immunization, and sanitation will reverse if we don’t tackle childhood obesity.  “We see a lot of people who have what could be considered self-induced disease,” said Dr. Patricia Gabow, CEO of Denver Health and Hospital Authority.  “We need to give people the tools to take control of their own health,” Dr. Jeffrey Sturchio, President of Global Health Councils, stated.

Health is not an isolated issue.  It is inextricably linked to other concerns such as poverty and education.  Health requires cooperation between individuals, communities, health care professionals, governments and international organizations.  Afterwards, when asked about the value of events such as the Biennial Roundtables, Dr. Jon Andrus said, “You can always meet someone that has a connection that can help you with your mission’s work.”

<pictured above: Americas Roundtable on Women: Drivers of the New Economy Panelists>

Men and women alike filled the Ellie Caulkins Theater for the Biennial’s Americas Roundtable on Women: Drivers of the New Economy. The roundtable focused on women who “now own or operate one third of all private businesses globally and how these enterprises ten to grow faster than their counterparts.” The theme of the roundtable asks panelists to consider how “women-owned businesses can continue to expand” and “accelerate women’s economic development?”

To start the conversation President of the Americas Roundtables, Jim Polsfut, introduced a woman who, at the end of her high school career was told by her counselor that instead of going to college she should consider working as a secretary. In the mid-1970’s this was a legitimate recommendation and one she chose to follow; except in the type of secretary she became. Today, Hilda Solis is Secretary to the U.S. Department of Labor, and is motivated to bring power back to her department. Solis’ focus is on the middle and working class families of America, just like the one she grew up in.

There was a resounding theme that each woman focused on, and that was creating opportunities for women. Each mentioned how important it was to continue to push boundaries and to never think like a victim. “I never thought twice about working through high school and college. Working taught me to develop the tools and the skillset I needed to study and grow,” said Rosa Rios, Treasurer of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

With all of the business opportunities out in the world, none are defined as roles that are specifically for men or women. To emphasize this the conversation wasn’t about men versus women, it was focused on empowerment and tackling opportunities head on while continuing to develop change in not only the number of women owned businesses and opportunities for equal pay; but changing the perception of women in business both through the eyes of men as well as women. “We need to believe in our power as a majority and not act like a minority,” said Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Rigoberta Menchu Tum.

As agents of change and a new face to the way people around the world see leadership, women now occupy everything from executive level positions in major corporations to leading political figures. But it’s not just about women. “Drivers of the new economy are people willing to do the work. Talent is found everywhere,” said Vilma Martinez, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina. It’s about being a standout and seeing hard work as an opportunity to get there. The hope is that women will see that opportunity, take it and never look back.

<pictured below: Secretary Hilda Solis from the U.S. Department of Labor>

<pictured above: 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Rigoberta Menchu Tum; Partners of America CEO, Steve Vetter; and President of the William and Harriet Fulbright Center, Harriet Fulbright>

The Americas Roundtable on Philanthropy: Private and Public Collaboration featured heavy hitters to discuss the “lack of basic human services related to clean water, education, transportation, housing and credit.” With the primary question asking panelists, “How can philanthropists, government leaders, and international agencies work in a more integrated fashion?”

The discussion opened with U.S. Secretary of Housing and Development, Shaun Donovan, talking about the progress that is being made to reduce crime and inequality by linking housing to healthcare and education. He told the attendees that because of the link, metro areas are starting to grow again. He said that because of the support from the private sector, the face of affordable housing has changed significantly for the better.

He also went on to say that the worldwide housing crisis has been triggered by the housing crisis here in the U.S. He urged that it is the responsibility of the U.S. to help, particularly through their mortgage markets to encourage a recovery and help rebuild this sector. He iterated that government solutions alone hinder more than they intend to help, and that local residents in these areas need to become engaged together and support the organizations within their communities collectively to start local initiatives in conjunction with government organizations to truly make a difference.

However, the resounding theme was educating people on understanding the priorities within their communities and how they can become engaged even at the most basic and grassroots levels. 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate from Guatemala, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, ultimately believed when she was awarded her prize that there was no hope for peace in Guatemala. “People did not believe much in youth; the indigenous in particularly,” she said. She thought long about what this prize meant to her and what her mission would be to best assist her people. In the end, she believed that education would be the key. She currently works with organizations like Peace Jam to promote positive change through education on issues such as access to water and human rights that effect populations across the world.

<pictured below: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Shaun Donovan>

<pictured above: Roundtable Participants on the Main Stage of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House located at the Denver Performing Arts Complex>

Conceived in 2008, The Biennial of the Americas “seeks to promote cohesion and collaboration among the 35 nations of the Western Hemisphere.” At that time the organizations staff wanted to incorporate a discourse series as a primary component to encourage public dialogue. What transformed was The Biennial of the Americas Roundtable series to be held at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. 

This series opened appropriately with The Americas Roundtable on Education: The Achievement Gap, which brought out great minds from through-out the Americas and focused on the “pervasive existence of an achievement gap – a disparity in education attainment placed on ethnicity, economics and gender.” Begging the question, “With so much effort placed on education reform, is the achievement gap getting better or worse?”

Opening the dialogue was Education Minister Cecilia Maria Velez, from Colombia who spoke of her countries on-going process to build and strengthen education through modernization and increased access to information technology. Since the inception of Colombia’s quest for higher education in 1991, Velez spoke to the challenges she faced and continues to face. However, she did emphasize the success that Colombia has attained and is encouraged to continue with, even during the transition between the new and existing governments.

The other 9 panelist followed Mrs. Velez up with statistics, stories and solutions to closing the achievement gap in education throughout the Western Hemisphere. The primary discussion point centered on reducing inequality within poorer regions of the 35 sovereign states; with the panelist discussing how these rural and urban divides could be facilitated through an inclusive effort to propel creativity and understanding by means of access to the information revolution and to a host of previously unattainable mediums.

Guests included Senator Michael Bennet; Ambassador Francisco Villagran de Leon; President of Miami Dade College Dr. Eduardo Padron; Program Manager for POETA Youth Asha Williams; Former Chilean Minister of Women's Affairs Laura Albornoz; Director for the Department of Human Development, Education and Culture for Suriname Marie Levens; Director of Community Affairs for Microsoft Andrea Taylor; Executive Director for Cristo Rey Network Father John Foley; and Superintendent for the U.S. Air Force Academy Lt. General Michael C. Gould.

<pictured below: Education Minister Cecilia Maria Velez, from Colombia>