EIN Presswire: International Trade Press Releases

FDRA to Co-host Footwear Investment Forum in Nicaragua

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:10:00 +0000

Nicaragua will be showcasing why it has become an attractive and increasingly competitive footwear production platform during its upcoming investment forum titled Nicaragua, The Right Step!

WASHINGTON, DC, May 24, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Nicaragua will be showcasing why it has become an attractive and increasingly competitive footwear production platform during its upcoming investment forum titled "Nicaragua, The Right Step!". The event, which is hosted by PRONicaragua, the official investment promotion agency of Nicaragua, in coordination with the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA), will be held on June 13th and 14th in Managua's prestigious Barcelo Hotel.

Footwear manufacturers, international footwear brands, industry associations, retailers and industry consultants are expected to attend the event, representing countries such as the U.S., Dominican Republic, Brazil, Venezuela, Central America and Japan.

Renowned international speakers include Matt Priest, President of FDRA; Mike Jeppesen, President of Global Operations Group; David Spooner, Principal Negotiator for DR-CAFTA in his role as Textile & Apparel Negotiator and Transition Coordinator in the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR); Mike Todaro, Managing Director of American Apparel Producers' Network (AAPN); Clay Jenkins, Senior Vice-President of Global Sourcing, Compliance & New Business Development of Brown Shoe Company; and Leandro Winter, Director of Tecshoes Latinoamerica S.A.

The program will feature an overview of the international footwear market, industry trends, commercial footwear rules and market access, as well as Nicaragua's main advantages for investments in this industry, which include a favorable business climate, competitive cost structure, preferential access to international markets, pro-business legal framework and its high levels of personal safety.

The program also includes site visits to international footwear manufacturing companies operating successfully in Nicaragua, during which participants will be able to witness their world-class facilities and learn about their experience investing in the country.

The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), in its recently published 2012 Annual Footwear Sourcing Forecast, showcased Nicaragua as a "rising star" with great potential to increase its footwear exports to the U.S. In this forecast the U.S. is advised to restructure its sourcing strategies and options due to China's increasing prices, shortages in labor and increased compliance costs, and to "keep an eye on Cambodia, Bangladesh and Nicaragua".

For more information on this up coming footwear investment forum, visit www.pronicaragua.org/footwearforum/

PRONicaragua is the Nicaraguan Investment Promotion Agency, established in 2002. It is a non-profit, public-private institution whose mission is to generate economic growth and job creation in Nicaragua by attracting high-quality foreign direct investment. The agency provides complimentary support services to qualified investors seeking investment opportunities in our country. For further information, please contact us at (505) 2270-6400 or http://pronicaragua.org.

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Djibouti: IMF Executive Board Completes Sixth and Final Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Approves US$9.5 million Disbursement

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:10:00 +0000

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the sixth and last review of Djibouti’s performance under the economic program supported by the Extended Credit Facility¹ arrangement (ECF). Completion of the review enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 6.246 million (about US$9.5 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 22.26 million (US$33.9 million).

In completing the review the Executive Board approved the authorities' request for waivers of nonobservance of the end-December 2011 performance criteria on the fiscal balance and on the net banking system credit to the government. Furthermore, the Board also approved a waiver of nonobservance of the continuous performance criterion on the accumulation of new domestic arrears (related to delays in social security payments). These waivers were granted on the grounds of temporary or minor deviations from the program objectives and the corrective measures undertaken by the authorities.

The ECF arrangement for Djibouti was approved on September 17, 2008 (see Press Release No. 8/211) for an amount equivalent to SDR 12.72 million (about US$19.4 million, or 80 percent of the country’s quota in the Fund). On January 7, 2011, the ECF arrangement was extended by 9 months, through June 16, 2012 (see Press Release No. 11/3). The Executive Board subsequently approved an augmentation of financing under the ECF arrangement by SDR 9.54 million (about US$14.5 million or 60 percent of quota) on February 6, 2012. See Press Release No.12/38.

After the Executive Board's discussion on May 23, Ms. Nemat Shafik, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, said:

“Since 2011, Djibouti has been hit hard by external challenges including the surge in commodity prices and the drought in the Horn of Africa, which have affected particularly the poorest households. As a consequence, higher imports, especially of food and fuel, have increased the current account deficit and external financing needs, and have put pressure on fiscal space through lower tax revenues and higher fuel subsidies. Nevertheless, the economy grew at a good pace in 2011, thanks to the recovery of transshipment activities and the transit trade to Ethiopia. Economic activity is expected to remain strong in 2012, buoyed by port activity, trade with Ethiopia, construction and foreign direct investment. However, growth remains concentrated in the port and the free trade zone, and unemployment and poverty remain key challenges.

“The program supported by the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility, which began in 2008, is nearing its conclusion. Despite a mixed implementation record, the program has helped Djibouti maintain macroeconomic stability in a period that saw a transformation of the economy, when massive foreign direct investment expanded port activity, transit trade to Ethiopia soared, the banking system boomed, and the country played an increasingly important geopolitical role. The program has also helped Djibouti make progress toward economic reform, job creation, and poverty reduction. The competitiveness of the economy has strengthened through cost-reducing structural reform and an improved business climate, but much remains to be done in this area to support private sector development.”

¹ The Extended Credit Facility (ECF) has replaced the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) as the Fund’s main tool for medium-term financial support to low-income countries by providing a higher level of access to financing, more concessional terms, enhanced flexibility in program design features, and more focused streamlined conditionality. Financing under the ECF currently carries a zero interest rate, with a grace period of 5½ years, and a final maturity of 10 years (http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/facts/ecf.htm). The Fund reviews the level of interest rates for all concessional facilities every two years.

Global Impact of Ivory Poaching in Africa Addressed at Congressional Hearing

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:02:51 +0000

Global Impact of Ivory Poaching in Africa Addressed at Congressional Hearing

PR Newswire

Further protections needed as 1.5 tons of elephant tusks seized in Sri Lanka

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sri Lankan authorities said they seized around 350 illegal elephant tusks weighing nearly 1.5 tons in Colombo port on Tuesday – marking the single biggest ivory haul in the island nation. As authorities around the globe work to bring these culprits to justice, today in the U.S. the Senate Foreign Relations Committee led by Senator John Kerry held a hearing to examine the global security implications of elephant poaching in Africa.

"We applaud Senator Kerry for recognizing the global impact of the illegal ivory trade in Africa," said Kelvin Alie, Program Director, Wildlife Crime and Consumer Awareness, IFAW. "Since 2004, the scale of wildlife trafficking and its subsequent impact on wildlife in African range states has increased significantly. It is vital that this illegal trade is eliminated before it causes irreparable damage to these species and the ecosystems in which they live."

So far, 2012 has proven a bloody year for elephants. A report released this week from wildlife officials in the Republic of Congo estimates that nearly 5,000 elephants have been killed by poachers around the Nouabale Ndoki National Park over the past five years. In addition, a tragic killing spree earlier this year in Cameroon's Bouba Ndjida National Park left more than 200 elephants dead by the time the country's military was sent into action.

"The U.S. has long been a leader in elephant conservation through programs like those managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and USAID," said Jeff Flocken, IFAW DC Office Director. "With more and more links being found to organized crime, regional conflict and even terrorist groups, the U.S. can now lead in fighting wildlife crime by looking at it the same way we do the arms and drug trades – as a threat to national security and global stability."

To learn more about IFAW's efforts to protect elephants, visit www.ifaw.org.

About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare

IMF-ILO-Zambia Conference Calls for Commitment to Growth Strategy for Employment, Decent Work and Development

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:10:00 +0000

A high-level international conference in Zambia—co-sponsored by the Government of Zambia, the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—discussed the reforms needed to lay the basis for sustained, broad-based, and employment-intensive growth. The event was attended by representatives from labor, business, youth, academia, and civil society. The two-day meeting was opened by Dr. Guy Scott, Vice President of Zambia.

The discussions focused on policies to support employment growth and reduce unemployment and underemployment. The topics of the conference included the workings of the labor market in Zambia; the skill mismatch between the output of the education system and the current needs of employers; the role of macroeconomic policy in supporting employment growth; and the special challenges of reducing poverty in rural areas and addressing youth unemployment.

“The Government of Zambia is responding to the very real impact of unemployment and underemployment on working people,” said Dr. Scott. “This gathering will help to define the steps that must be taken to bring millions back into the workforce. Tackling the jobs crisis is not only critical for a meaningful Zambian economic recovery, but also for social cohesion and peace,” he added.

“Zambia has achieved significant economic success over the past decade, as measured by GDP growth and other macroeconomic indicators”, said Seán Nolan, Deputy Director of the IMF African Department. “But the record of converting output growth into poverty reduction and expansion of formal employment has been mixed. Reforms are needed to lay the basis for pro-poor agricultural sector development, to address skill-mismatch issues, and to facilitate employment growth in the formal sector.”

“Unemployment has grown across the world since the onset of the global financial crisis”, said Martin Clemensson, Country Director of the ILO in Zambia, which estimates a rise of some 30 million in unemployment worldwide since 2007. “There is now a need to incorporate employment creation into the formulation of macroeconomic policies to improve employment outcomes. That is why the ILO and the IMF are supporting this national dialogue,” he added.

“Growth and jobs are inseparable, and Zambia must invest in social protection, diversify its economy, and reduce its dependency on copper,” said Jaap Wienen, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Trade Union Confederation, which helped to organize the conference.

“We need to steer employment creation in the right direction. For that we need coherence and balance across policies, as well as coordination and dialogue among institutions and stakeholders. This conference has marked an important step in that direction,” said Fackson Shamenda, Zambia’s Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Labour.

Papers at the conference were presented by ILO and IMF staff; the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU); Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia (FFTUZ); Zambian Federation of Employers (ZFE); and the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ). The presentations addressed aspects of labor market issues in Zambia and possible policy options for economic development strategies that would help generate employment and reduce poverty.

The IMF and the ILO agreed to continue supporting the Government of Zambia as it seeks to flesh out the measures needed to create the conditions for sustainable and broad-based growth. There was broad agreement among participants on the central role that inclusive and effective social dialogue can play in building the social consensus needed to tackle the challenges of unemployment and diversification of the economy.

The Zambia conference was part of a joint ILO-IMF initiative to support a broad dialogue on policies, strategies and programs for employment creation in three pilot countries: Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic, and Zambia. The conferences are intended and to promote policy consultation among social partners—government, employers and labor unions—in each country.

Follow-up work on the themes of the Lusaka conference will take place in the coming months.

The Lusaka Conference website is http://www.imf.org/external/np/seminars/eng/2012/zambia/index.htm

U.S. One-Two Punch: East Coast Spurns Europe and Gulf Coast Targets Latin America

Thu, 24 May 2012 03:02:22 +0000

U.S. One-Two Punch: East Coast Spurns Europe and Gulf Coast Targets Latin America

ESAI Energy's Analysis of the Atlantic Basin Gasoline, Diesel, and Jet Fuel Markets

PR Newswire

BOSTON, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- ESAI Energy forecasts a growing gasoline glut in the Atlantic Basin, which will pressure gasoline prices for the next several years. This bearish view is a marked shift from the uncertainty about gasoline supply to the East Coast just a few months ago. The uncertainty has been quelled by Delta Airlines' purchase of the Trainer refinery and a possible deal with the Carlyle Group that will delay or avert the closure of Sunoco's Philadelphia refinery.

The East Coast gasoline drama is only one episode in the U.S. transformation of Atlantic Basin gasoline, diesel and jet fuel markets. As ESAI Energy explains in its new study, U.S. One-Two Punch: East Coast Spurns Europe and Gulf Coast Targets Latin America, Gulf Coast refiners are also changing the U.S. role in the Atlantic Basin. The refinery deals in the East Coast are just accelerating this transformation.

For those suppliers outside the U.S. looking to place surplus product in the U.S. East Coast or Latin America, Gulf Coast refiners are the main competitive threat. The North America oil "boom" and the state of the art oil refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast are all playing a role in the continued emergence of the U.S. as a net exporter of petroleum products. As a result of the rising Gulf Coast surplus and falling East Coast deficit, the two markets' total net exports of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel will double from 320,000 b/d in 2011 to more than 700,000 b/d by 2015

U.S. Gulf Coast refiners are sending more product to the East Coast market than they did before the recession. All the while, their exports to Latin America are growing. "European gasoline exporters seeking to place surplus barrels either in traditional markets like the U.S. or emerging Latin American export markets such as Brazil face growing competition from U.S. Gulf Coast refiners," says ESAI Energy Principal Andrew Reed. The growing availability of products from the U.S. Gulf Coast also calls into question the urgency of refining investment in Latin America.

For further information about or to purchase U.S. One-Two Punch: East Coast Spurns Europe and Gulf Coast Targets Latin America - ESAI's Analysis of the Atlantic Basin Gasoline, Diesel and Jet Fuel Markets 2012-2025 contact Tom Lovett at781-245-2036 or tlovett@esai.com.

About ESAI: Energy Security Analysis has assisted companies and governments around the world identify and capitalize on opportunities in the increasingly interconnected and complex global energy market for more than 25 years.

Media Contact: Tom Lovett ESAI Energy, 781-245-2036, tlovett@esai.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE ESAI Energy

IMF Co-Hosts Meeting on Management of Statistical Information Systems to Advance Collaboration Among Statistical Offices and International Agencies

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:11:58 +0000

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) co-hosted an international meeting on the Management of Statistical Information Systems (MSIS) to promote the adoption of standards and software collaboration among statistical organizations. MSIS is an annual conference organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Eurostat, which brings together a large number of countries to discuss issues of common interest and concerns.

Key topics of this year’s meeting included strategies for managing the growing needs of economic and socio-demographic data to support evidence-based decision making in the wake of the financial crisis. Many organizations are facing shrinking budgets and increased demands and user expectations; and are increasingly turning to standards for processes and systems in order to leverage the tools developed by national and international organizations that do very similar work.

In welcoming the participants, Ms. Adelheid Burgi-Schmelz, Director of the IMF Statistics Department, stressed the aims of the MSIS group: “to provide a forum for statistical information systems managers to share good practices, and to facilitate the implementation of relevant standards across participating countries”. Ms. Katherine K. Wallman, Chief Statistician at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, delivered a keynote address and spoke about the recently created High-Level Group for Strategic Developments in Business Architecture in Statistics (HLG-BAS) which brings together chief statisticians from national and international statistical organizations to shape the future of official statistics. Mr. Jonathan Palmer, the IMF’s Chief Information Officer, opened the second day session by noting that the environment has never been better for innovation and collaboration. “We have excellent communication technology and collaboration tools, which we need to harness for official statistics” he noted.

A common theme throughout the conference was the use of key international standards such as SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange), the generic statistical business process model (GSBPM), and the generic statistical information model (GSIM). These standards provide the cornerstones for streamlining and modernizing official statistics. In addition, Open Data, the idea that certain data should be freely available to the general public without restriction, was the topic of a panel discussion. The debates focused on how statistical organizations should respond to the various challenges posed by this major upheaval in the data industry.

The conclusions of the conference will inform the initiative’s future development. The papers presented at the conference are already on the MSIS conference web page. A new feature at this year’s meeting was the use of Twitter, where the general public could follow along by searching on #MSIS2012. A summary of the proceedings will be posted on the MSIS wiki in the coming weeks.

International Buyer Program Selects 2013 Shows

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:35:20 +0000

International Buyer Program Selects 2013 Shows

PR Newswire

Boosting attendance of foreign buyers attending U.S. trade shows will help grow U.S. exports

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Trade Administration's (ITA) U.S. Commercial Service recently announced the 30 trade events selected to be part of the 2013 International Buyer Program (IBP). Through ITA's U.S. Commercial Service offices in U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, the IBP recruits thousands of qualified foreign buyers, sales representatives, and business partners to U.S. trade shows each year, giving U.S. companies excellent opportunities to expand business globally.

"Our goal is to increase the number of international attendees to IBP events, and in doing so, increase the number of export sales from U.S. companies that result from them," said Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. "International diversification is a real key to weathering the global economy, and giving U.S. companies the tools they need to increase exports supports economic growth and jobs for Americans."

The 30 shows scheduled in 2013 cover all types of manufacturing and services sectors such as franchising, information technologies, energy, plastics, automotive, packaging, consumer goods, textiles, medical, and many more. On average, the IBP helps to facilitate nearly a billion dollars of new business between U.S. and international companies each year. During fiscal year 2011, the U.S. Commercial Service recruited 15,612 representatives from companies all over the globe to attend U.S. trade shows, a 22 percent increase over 2010.

Many U.S. companies don't export because they believe it's too burdensome or are unaware of available export resources, and 58 percent of all U.S. exporters only sell to one foreign market. The IBP provides the convenience to U.S. exhibitors of facilitating face-to-face meetings with prospective foreign buyers at a single venue, saving businesses time, resources and expense.

At the shows, trade specialists from the U.S. Commercial Service manage an International Trade Center, an area where foreign buyers can meet and negotiate with sellers, obtain assistance identifying potential business partners, and use the facility as a launching pad for successfully "walking the show floor." U.S. exhibitors also frequently take advantage of interpreter services and face-to-face export counseling from overseas U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialists accompanying visiting delegations from countries worldwide.

The next opportunity for U.S. trade events interested in applying to the IBP will be this fall for events scheduled in calendar year 2014. The 2013 IBP trade show schedule can be found on www.export.gov/ibp.

SOURCE International Trade Administration

Global Connections and Global Citizens-an Address to the Kennedy School

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:10:00 +0000

As prepared for delivery

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you on this day of celebration, and I would like to thank Dean Ellwood for his kind invitation.

This is a day of hope—after achieving success in one of the world’s most prestigious universities, you are now ready to bring your incredible talents and enthusiasm to bear on the world’s most pressing problems and exciting challenges, making it better.

This is also a day of joy—after a long and arduous climb, you have reached the top of a mountain and can now bask in the glorious view.

But rest assured, there will be more mountains ahead. It was Nelson Mandela who said that “after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb”.

Remember, the future is yours to shape and mould into whatever image you choose. But although you will soon set off down many different paths, I believe all these paths have something important in common. You will all, in your own way, be advancing the public interest. You will have different destinations, but the same overarching goal: making it better.

This is why you came to the Kennedy School in the first place. Dean Ellwood puts it beautifully when he says that everybody at the Kennedy School is united by a common desire to make the world a better place. There is no nobler goal than this. And in today’s interconnected world, these ideals are more important than ever.

So the question I ask you is this—do you have the courage to desire, even demand, a better world to leave to your children?

With this in mind, let me talk about three things today.

First, the kind of new world that awaits you.
Second, the overwhelming importance of being good global citizens in this world.
Third, if you will indulge me, I would like to share a little of my personal story.

The “new” world of interconnections: a world in progress

Across the long tide of human civilization, there have been many ebbs and flows, many advances and retreats, many great strides forward and many shattered opportunities. But there has never been a time quite like the present, because history does not repeat itself, and because we produce progress.

We stand at the entrance of a new world, a whole new way of living, of communicating, of crossing borders. It is the great paradox of our age: the world gets bigger, with so many more people and places sharing the fruits of knowledge and prosperity; and the world gets smaller, with so many more people and places crossing paths and sharing destinies.

For today, the world is more closely-knit than ever before. An infinity of little interconnections dances across the fabric of global society, transforming millions of fragmented images into one dazzling mosaic.

As George Bernard Shaw put it, “We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth”.

People are meeting each other in the global marketplace of goods and ideas more than at any point in history.

Since 1980, the volume of world trade has quintupled. People are flowing more freely across borders. About 900 million tourists traveled between countries in 2010, up from a mere 25 million in 1950. The world has over 200 million migrant workers, up from 78 million in 1965.

Highly-skilled professionals—like yourselves—are even more mobile. Foreigners make up between a fifth and a quarter of the professional workforce in countries like Australia, Canada, and Switzerland.

Look at modern business. There is no greater symbol of American industrial pride than the roaring automobile industry in Detroit. And in 2010, for the first time in its history, General Motors sold more cars in China than at home.

Global companies like Nokia, Nestle and Philips earn only 1-2 percent of total sales from their home countries. Indian information technology companies regularly generate up to 95 percent of their sales in Europe and the United States. One world, open for business.

Nothing embodies our interconnected world more than the reach and fluidity of global communications. The communications revolution is opening a gateway to freedom, a passage to knowledge, an avenue to understanding.

When the first transatlantic cable was laid in 1858, it took more than two minutes to transmit a single character. As recently as twenty years ago, the long-distance phone call was still prohibitively expensive.

Today, communication is cheap, instantaneous, multifaceted, and global.

You are the generation that is constantly “plugged in”—to your family, your friends, your colleagues, and indeed to the issues of the day and the concerns of the world.

You are the internet generation. The internet brings the global family to the kitchen table. It is truly the screen of a billion dreams, the portal of a billion possibilities.

You are the generation of social media, which turns a simple two-way conversation into a multi-layered and textured process of mutual interaction.

Change is coming with great speed. Last year, the world clocked up 438 billion minutes of international long-distance telephone calls. That is a large number, but a newcomer called Skype clocked up 145 billion minutes.

And since I am in Harvard, I cannot fail to mention Facebook—a global phenomenon connecting 845 million people across the world, sharing their lives and their loves on a single global platform. By the way, I am on Facebook, and Twitter too!

Borders, barriers, walls have come down to allow this degree of interconnection. Yet, more walls are being erected around the globe—physical walls, political walls, mental walls. There is a serious disconnect between the interconnections and the severe fragmentation of global governance. It only takes a couple of comparisons: the original membership of the United Nations in 1945 was 50 member states. Today there are 193 member states. Similarly, the membership of the IMF, originally 40, has increased to 188. There is hardly any space left to hang the many flags of all members on the IMF wall!

Bringing people together around the internet is significantly easier than doing so in the board room or plenary session of any international institution.

Reconciling interconnections and governance with a view to “making it better” will be a real challenge in the coming years. It will be your challenge.

The importance of being good global citizens

This new world of opportunities is also a world of grave challenges and uncertainties. Your generation is facing the worst economic insecurity in decades, possibly ever since the Great Depression.

Just look at some of the signs. The inability of 75 million young people across the globe to find meaningful work. Rising inequality that strains the compact holding our society together. A fear that the global economic engine will no longer deliver as it has in the past.

I really wish our generation could forge instantly a better legacy for you. But now it will be your turn to apply your talent, your determination, and your idealism to help overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities created by this new world. You will need to connect the dots, to reconcile the high-intensity connections with a more cooperative governance.

This requires new ways of thinking, new ways of behaving. To quote John F. Kennedy, it requires “profiles in courage”. Your generation must become another “greatest generation”.

What do I mean by this? With the world becoming a single village, a global family, we now have a core responsibility to be good global citizens, to watch out for each other, to be sensitive to how our actions affect one another—no matter where we live. We need to shed the habits of the past that trapped us in our own mental backyard, or shackled us to the posts of provincialism.

In practice, this means many different things.

It means seeking better living standards for all, and an economic system where the fruits of growth are shared fairly amongst peoples and countries.

It means working to put extreme poverty behind us, so that our fellow global citizens in the world’s poorest countries can take their rightful seat at the table of prosperity.

It means urgent action to preserve the planet from self-induced destruction, before the stark realities of a rapidly warming climate condemn future generations—especially in poorer countries—to a life of hardship and desperation.

It means striving for greater equity, and greater equality of opportunity, between men and women, rich and poor, young and old.

Ultimately, it means working for peace—in our world, in our countries, in our lives.

None of this will be easy. But it will be impossible unless we all stand together, thinking and acting like true global citizens.

And here, I believe education is the first stepping stone to a better world. Through education, we pass on knowledge, learn from each other, better understand each other. It is a bridge between peoples and generations. It is the best investment in our children, no matter where we live, as it provides them with a passport to this new world.

Drew Faust, the president of Harvard, put this really well when she said that “universities nurture the hopes of the world: in solving challenges that cross borders; in unlocking and harnessing new knowledge; in building cultural and political understanding; and in modeling environments that promote dialogue and debate.”

The Kennedy School epitomizes this imperative: forty-three percent of graduates here today are non-U.S. nationals, hailing from 81 countries. You know, more than others, the importance of education in breaking down barriers of suspicion and misunderstanding.

You know the old dictum that the pen is mightier than the sword. I would go further and say the book is mightier than the bomb. You might have heard of the recent “book protest” in Tunisia—a truly remarkable story. A group of citizens occupied a public space, armed only with a book in their hands and an unquenchable fire in their minds. They are an inspiration to us all.

Although you are graduating today, I believe true education is a lifelong endeavor—a life without learning is a life without meaning.

Now you are about to step outside the academy into a world of multiple options. Each of you will be serving the common good of humanity. You will carry the values you learned at this university into the wider world of work.

For those of you entering the public sector, or joining a multinational institution or a non-profit entity, this is clear. You have chosen to serve your fellow human beings. I salute you.

Many of you will also enter the private sector, which is also a noble choice. The business and entrepreneurial sector plays a vital role in forging a better tomorrow for us all. They invest, innovate, create jobs and value.

But private enterprise also needs to be imbued with a keen sense of public duty. The ancients taught that we should strive after virtue in all of life’s arenas. The private sector is one arena.

For sure, the first goal of business is to make profits and reward its shareholders, but it must also be infused by a broader sense of civic duty and heed a broader spectrum of stakeholders—workers, suppliers, customers, the public at large, and the environment.

It is fair to say that some strayed from this path in recent years. I am thinking in particular of the financial sector before the crisis, which pursued its own narrow gain at the cost of the greater good of society. By choosing reckless risk-taking, it sparked the greatest economic collapse since the Great Depression.

There is a basic lesson here—in our interconnected world, a localized bad decision can have globalized catastrophic consequences. Think about Lehman Brothers.

This is why the ancient wisdom of public virtue takes on new meaning today. Our culture needs a greater emphasis on values like consensus-building, social responsibility, and long-term sustainability.

I firmly believe that having more women at the upper echelons of business and finance can go a long way toward changing this culture. Maybe if “Lehman Brothers” had brought more “Lehman Sisters” on board, the outcome would have been different.

My personal story

This is a good place for me to transition to my personal journey. It has been a joyful journey with many twists and turns along the way. I traveled from the private sector to national public service to international public service. From France to the United States to the world.

I feel incredibly privileged. I stand here today on the shoulders of those who came before me, and those who helped and inspired me along the way, small and big people, women and men, family and friends.

The most transformational year of my life was when I was 17 years old. I departed from my cozy world in France and landed into a new life, my American family, and my American school—Holton Arms in suburban Washington. The motto there was Inveniam viam aut faciam (“I shall find a way or make one”). It was a profound cultural shock for me, but it was incredibly exciting. I was exposed to new ideas, a new language, and new ways of thinking.

I came as an American Field Service scholar. This is an organization devoted to the noble pursuits of respect, tolerance, bringing people together in a spirit of mutual understanding. I am who I am today in large part because of those people who welcomed me, who accepted my differences as I accepted theirs. I am forever in their debt.

I found these same values on display when I joined the international law firm of Baker and McKenzie in 1981. I found a dedicated and diverse group of lawyers from all over the world working together toward common goals. I started as a baby lawyer, had my two baby boys along the way, and after years of hard work had the great honor of becoming chairman of the firm in 1999.

And then my life took another unexpected turn. In 2005, I received a call from Paris; the Prime Minister was asking me to join the French government. When you are called to public service, there is really only one answer you can give. So I gave up my cozy chairman’s life in Chicago, packed my bag and flew immediately to Paris. In my haste and excitement, I left my reading glasses behind. So for her first few days of office, the newest French minister tended to squint a lot!

After a couple of years as Minister of Trade and briefly in charge of Agriculture and Fisheries, I had the honor of becoming French Treasury Secretary just a few months before the financial crisis burst, and when France was chairing the European Union under President Sarkozy’s great leadership. I served as Finance Minister a little over four years, and in May last year campaigned to be elected Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. The first woman, but most assuredly not the last!

Once again, I saw these same values of dedicated internationalism on display at the IMF. The IMF has 188 members and is based on a simple idea—if countries pull together in the common interest and aid each other in times of need, then everyone will prosper together.

When I look back upon my life, I think I have learned two major lessons.

The first lesson: be prepared for change, don’t take anything for granted, be willing to take risks. I urge you to seek your destiny, find your destiny, fulfill your destiny. This has served me well, and I am passing it on to you.

The opportunities available to you in this dazzling new world are far greater than in my day. Take advantage of that. Stride confidently through the open door into the bright future that awaits you. Do not get trapped by the uncertainties of the present moment. Follow the poetry of Bob Dylan: “don’t think twice, it’s alright”!

The second lesson: always stand up for your values, your principles, your ideals. When I first interviewed at a law firm, I was told that I would never make partner. When I asked why, they told me it was because I was a woman. So I thanked them, walked out the door, and never looked back. Tough luck, they did not deserve me!

Whatever you choose to do in life, let it be infused with a spirit of civic virtue. Make sure that your personal destiny overlaps with the common destiny of humanity. Strive for the common good of all.

Conclusion

Let me conclude today by going back to John F. Kennedy. I believe he was ahead of his time.

He was among the first leaders to understand the transformational quality of global citizenship. This is why he created the Peace Corps to serve as ambassadors of understanding. This remains his abiding legacy.

He was the first U.S. president to understand the profound significance of the rising developing countries in the world order—he called it a “special moment” in history.

This “special moment” has now come to full maturity. This generation—your generation—is the first truly global generation. You have a global challenge and a global opportunity to make the world a better place.

And so go forward, embrace the world, change the world. Shape your own future and our common global future. Keep up, and when the world says “give up,” don’t forget that hope whispers: “try one more time….”

I have full confidence in you.

The Center for Public Policy Innovation Publishes Special Report on Restoring U.S. Competitiveness

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:25:15 +0000

The Center for Public Policy Innovation Publishes Special Report on Restoring U.S. Competitiveness

PR Newswire

Comprehensive Tax and Trade Policy Reform is Key to Bolstering U.S. Corporate Investment

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Center for Public Policy Innovation (CPPI), a not-for-profit educational think tank, published a special report on the impact of public policy on strategic business planning & global investment, which identifies several important policy changes that could help strengthen American global competitiveness in the coming years. The report follows CPPI's March 21st Public Policy Forum, co-sponsored by the Digital Dialogue Forum (DDF), which brought together Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) from three of America's leading technology companies – Dell, Qualcomm and NCR – to discuss how public policy impacts strategic business planning, operations, and international trade at United States-based multinational companies.

"The current policy and regulatory environment has made the job of the CFO very challenging from a strategic planning and global investment standpoint," remarked Chris Long, CPPI's president and CEO. "Today's CFO must be integrally involved in every major decision impacting their company – from financial reporting to new corporate investments – to help give them a competitive advantage in today's rapidly changing global marketplace. This report sheds new light on how public policy can make a significant impact on business decisions that enable American companies to better compete both at home and abroad."

Key findings from CPPI's special report include:

Comprehensive Tax Reform is Needed to Help American Companies Compete Globally. Since Japan lowered its corporate income tax rate in April of this year, the United States now holds the highest corporate tax rate in the world among developed nations, with a federal/state integrated rate of 39.2 percent. CPPI's panelists suggested the U.S. corporate tax rate should be reduced closer to 25.4 percent, which is the average rate for developed countries, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Panelists also agreed that moving to a territorial tax system will strengthen American companies' ability to compete in the global marketplace. "CFOs, CEOs and job creators must work together to achieve a more competitive, pro-growth tax code," remarked U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, at CPPI's March forum.

Incentives Attract Corporate Investment. Competitive tax rates and other incentives offered by foreign governments attract American corporate investment while in many cases U.S. policies and regulations deter investment at home. Also, research & development tax credits in countries like China and India provide extended periods of certainty for companies, allowing CFOs to better plan for the future. According to NCR's CFO Bob Fishman, some local governments in the United States – such as the State of Georgia – have begun to aggressively court corporate investment through targeted tax credits, infrastructure improvements, and ready access to skilled labor.

The Availability of a Highly Skilled Workforce Factors into Corporate Planning. Historically, the United States' education system attracted the best and brightest students in the world. Today, however, foreign-born students are finding it increasingly difficult to remain in the United States after graduation, due in large part to outdated immigration policies. The United States is also trailing other countries in graduating students with advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The U.S. ranks 27th among developed nations in the proportion of college students receiving undergraduate degrees in science and engineering and 49th in the quality of math and science education. "The global demand for highly skilled workers is growing and the United States is falling behind. I think we're at the edge, in some parts of our businesses, of maxing out when it comes to finding and accessing talent here in the U.S. and that's forcing us to go look in other parts of the world," noted Dell CFO Brian Gladden.

Global Expansion Boosts Corporate Growth in America. The success of American companies overseas benefits their U.S. operations by making them more profitable, growing their business, and building a more talented and diversified workforce. Another important aspect of global expansion is the formation of strategic global partnerships in emerging markets which will help diversify the risk for multinational U.S. companies. As such, free trade agreements provide a useful framework for how American and foreign businesses interact. As Qualcomm's CFO Bill Keitel noted, "Without that framework, a company such as Qualcomm, Dell or NCR, can be whipsawed by the local authorities. That framework provides an opportunity for the United States to help American businesses when operating on foreign soil."

CPPI's latest report on restoring U.S. competitiveness can be downloaded from the organization's web site at www.cppionline.org. CPPI and the Digital Dialogue Forum are holding an ongoing series of public policy forums and reporting on the outcomes from these discussions to foster collaboration and seek consensus on a range of issues that impact U.S. domestic and international growth and economic vitality.

About the Center for Public Policy Innovation
The Center for Public Policy Innovation (CPPI) is a 501(c)(3) not for profit educational think tank whose mission is to assist government officials in addressing the many challenging issues brought on by the rapid advancement of Information Technology. CPPI provides policymakers with thought leadership, informed policy analysis, and innovative strategies to help ensure American competitiveness in the global economy and comprehensive security on the home front. CPPI convenes educational symposiums, site visits, and other forums that bring together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and the civic sector to discuss policy issues in a collaborative environment.

SOURCE The Center for Public Policy Innovation

Five Signs That It's Time to Change Your Financial Software

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Guidelines Released From UNIT4 CODA Based on CFO Survey

UNIT4 CODA, Inc., a division of UNIT4 (EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: UNIT4), the world's leading provider of business software for fast-changing organizations, today released guidelines to help companies determine when it's time to change their financial software. According to a recent survey conducted at CFO Leadership Summit, financial executives said that the biggest challenges they face with their financial systems are a lack of real-time reporting and poor integration with other systems in their organization.

"The financial system is the backbone of every organization, providing the data that is critical for analyzing and reporting profitability, sales and expenses," said Steve Pugh, CEO of UNIT4 CODA. "Unfortunately, many organizations don't have one single integrated system that can provide real-time visibility into their finances, but rather have data in disparate systems. This makes it impossible for them to know what's really going on in their organizations."

Other challenges CFOs cited include their system's inability to adapt to change, complex financial tables, poor ease-of-use, minimal support, and features that are less than comprehensive.

Based on these insights and UNIT4 CODA's experience with thousands of customers, the company offers the following signs that it is the time to improve financial management and change your accounting system:

1. You are adapting processes to accommodate your system. Instead of implementing the best practices for your business, you are re-engineering them to fit your legacy system.

2. You are relying more on work-arounds and spreadsheets. When you start depending on manual systems to complete everyday tasks that should be handled by your accounting solution, it's time to change. You are at risk for human error and problems resulting from using outdated numbers for activities such as budgeting, forecasting and planning.

3. You have different versions of the truth. If General Ledger (GL), Accounts Receivable (AR), and Accounts Payable (AP) are all managed separately in disparate databases, you won't have one accurate view of the data, the ability to identify issues and opportunities as they arise, or the agility you need to respond to them quickly.

4. You no longer have your finger on the pulse of your business. Without a single real-time view into your finances, you can be out of touch with what's really happening within your organization. The more changes in your organization -- such as expansion, acquisitions, and new product lines -- the harder it is to know what's really going on. You need visibility across your organization and the ability to drill down to the detailed level view and to "slice and dice" data in multiple ways.

5. You can't support your global organization. If your financial system can't handle multiple languages, currencies, taxes, and regulations, and it can't simultaneously handle GAAP and IFRS accounting and reporting needs, it's time for change.

"Every business, regardless of its stage of maturity, faces the organizational, technological, and economic challenges of change and growth. If the internal systems and processes aren't designed to easily accommodate change, it can result in inefficiencies and missed business opportunities. The good news is that there are solutions that enable companies to achieve the visibility and agility they need to be competitive and support their business goals," said Pugh.

About UNIT4 CODA
UNIT4 CODA, Inc. is part of UNIT4, a $603 million global business software company aimed at helping dynamic organizations to embrace change simply, quickly and cost effectively. Coda Financials is best-of-class financial management software designed to integrate with industry- and company-specific applications. Coda Financials provides real-time financial visibility and control across people, processes and systems. By acting as the financial information backbone for companies with fast-changing and mixed application environments, it offers a "no compromise" approach to financial modeling, process controls and application choice. For more information on UNIT4 CODA, visit http://www.unit4coda.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn or visit http://blog.unit4coda.com.

Media contact:
Margaret Bonilla
Birnbach Communications
603-548-0693
Email Contact

USDA Announces Improvements to Market Access Program

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:12:18 +0000

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2012As part of a continuing effort to build a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that meets the evolving needs of a 21^st-century agricultural economy, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) today announced changes to the regulations governing the Market Access Program (MAP) that will clarify and streamline program requirements in areas ranging from application procedures to project evaluations. The changes to MAP complement many other improvements made across USDA as part of the Blueprint for Stronger Servicethe Department's signature effort to modernize and accelerate service delivery while improving the customer experience through use of innovative technologies and business solutions.

MAP helps U.S. producers, exporters, private companies and non-profit trade organizations finance activities to market and promote U.S. agricultural commodities and products internationally. When MAP funds are used for generic marketing and promotion activities, participants must contribute a minimum 10-percent match for MAP funds. For branded promotions, a dollar-for-dollar match is required.

"USDA's market development programs have a long history of helping farmers, ranchers, and businesses of all sizes build and maintain commercial markets for U.S. food and agricultural products around the world," said FAS Administrator Suzanne Heinen. "For every dollar that government and industry invest in market development programs and activities, agricultural exports increase by $35. These changes will help us improve access to MAP and, as a result, enhance the ability of U.S. businesses to sell high-quality American-made agricultural goods to consumers around the world."

Changes made to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of MAP include:

Streamlining application and planning requirements under FAS' Unified Export Strategy;
Specifying the types of activities eligible for reimbursement under the program;
Documenting operational procedures for MAP projects promoting branded products;
Requiring program participants to establish fraud prevention programs;
Revising processes for evaluation, contracting, compliance review and appeals.

In developing the revised regulations, FAS reviewed nearly 1,300 public comments submitted in response to a proposed rule issued September 8, 2009. The resulting improvements will help FAS streamline and improve delivery of MAP.

USDA's Blueprint for Stronger Service is helping to make optimal use of USDA's employees, better results for USDA customers, and greater efficiencies for American taxpayers. In addition to the MAP changes, USDA is implementing a series of other changes that will save taxpayers' money while eliminating redundancies and inefficiencies. Initial improvements include the following:

Consolidate more than 700 cell phone plans into about 10;
Standardize training and purchases of cyber security products; and
Ensure more efficient and effective service to our employees by moving toward more centralized civil rights, human resource, procurement, and property management functions, creating millions of dollars in efficiencies without sacrificing the quality of our work.

For more information about the Blueprint for Stronger Service, please visit www.usda.gov/strongerservice.

The final MAP rule can be found at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/programs/regulations/MAP_Regs_5-17-2012.pdf

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has aggressively worked to expand export opportunities and reduce barriers to trade, helping to push agricultural exports to record levels in 2011 and beyond. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best periods in history thanks to the productivity and resourcefulness of our producers. Today, net farm income is at near record levels while debt has been cut in half since the 1980s. Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the United States and provides American consumers with 83 percent of the food we consume, while maintaining affordability and choice. Strong agricultural exports contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs, boost economic growth and support President Obama's National Export Initiative goal of doubling all U.S. exports by the end of 2014.

List Monetization Plays Key Role in 21st Century Publishing Industry

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Publishers Leverage Marketfish Platform to Make Available High-Quality Lists to Marketers and Advertisers Focused on Executing Targeted Campaigns and Creating Actionable Data

Falling ad revenue has certainly thrown the publishing industry a curveball. The Newspaper Association of America recently reported that advertising revenue fell from $60 billion in the late 1990s to $20 billion in 20111. Competition from the Web and evaporating subscription rates have no doubt contributed to this steep decline in newspaper ad revenue, and this trend is mirrored in the publishing industry as a whole.

But the industry is rallying. In addition to prioritizing digital advertising, publishers are finding that list monetization can yield revenue in the low six-figure range. List monetization also fills a need for advertisers and marketers using the lists to reach new targets. While list monetization is a boon for these three players, it has its own challenges. For one, publishers must consider the extra expense of hiring a firm to manage their list data. Marketers and advertisers, for their part, must remain vigilant about practicing good "data hygiene" and respecting customer privacy, using only information from subscribers who have "opted in" to receive third-party offers and ads. Failing to do so will mean almost certain alienation by potential long-term customers.

All three players are turning to Marketfish's fully automated lead-generation list marketing platform to sidestep these challenges. Publishers, in particular, reap great benefits from their partnership with Marketfish: eliminating the costly middleman, fully maximizing their own data, and directly interacting with a much larger audience of marketers and advertisers. In fact, since January, Marketfish's database of permission-based B2B and B2C records has grown by approximately 41,630,000, thanks in part to alliances with publishers such as UBM TechWeb.

"List monetization has been a key element in buoying the publishing industry in the face of an economic downturn, decreasing ad revenue and falling subscription rates," said Mark Ulian, publisher, BusinessWatch Network. "With a resource like Marketfish, publishers can capitalize on their most valued possession -- their subscriber data -- and rest assured it will be used responsibly."

Not to be overlooked, other companies have also formed new alliances with Marketfish since January, contributing their own unique, permission-based lists to Marketfish's database. They include SGA Executive Tracker, ListGIANT.com, American List Counsel, Anchor Computer, MeetHi and Bridge Marketing. Along with the aforementioned lists from publishers, these not only augment Marketfish's database, they also dramatically expand Marketfish's coverage of the B2B and B2C landscape to ensure Marketfish customers reach their ideal target market.

"As more companies come to recognize the value of the fully automated Marketfish platform, we will not only grow our services, but also make headway on our mission to revolutionize list marketing," said Dave Scott, founder and CEO, Marketfish. "Publishers and well-known brands will be key in driving this endeavor forward."

About Marketfish
Marketfish is the only fully automated lead-generation platform that offers free access to an online marketplace of permission-based, third-party marketing lists, the ability to build and execute a marketing campaign in under 30 minutes, and a cutting-edge suite of analytics tools that deliver detailed customer insight in real time. Founded in 2008, Marketfish services more than 600 agency and enterprise clients. The company is funded by Rustic Canyon Partners, Javelin Venture Partners and Accelerator Ventures. For more information or a free test drive of the platform, please visit http://www.marketfish.com. To gain a better understanding of the challenges list marketers face, please view our video: www.marketfish.com/video/promo.html

1 The Atlantic, "The Collapse of Print Advertising in 1 Graph," Derek Thompson, 28 February 2012 (http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/02/the-collapse-of-print-advertising-in-1-graph/253736/?utm_term=Salesforce%203%2F29).

Media Contact
Jennifer Rivera Ridless
BOCA Communications
Email Contact
+1-415-738-7718 x5

Parcel2Go Wishes Nightline a Happy 20th Birthday

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:11:28 +0000

The team at Bolton-based parcel delivery specialist Parcel2Go has sent its best wishes to Irish-owned courier firm Nightline, as the company celebrates its 20th year in business.

BOLTON, ENGLAND, May 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The team at Bolton-based parcel delivery specialist Parcel2Go has sent its best wishes to Irish-owned courier firm Nightline, as the company celebrates its 20th year in business.

The Dublin-based firm is Ireland's largest independent courier company, handling millions of packages every single year. A range of its services are available through Parcel2Go and can be easily booked through the internet. Deliveries can be arranged between addresses in the Republic of Ireland and from there to locations in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and countries around the world.

According to a report by Post & Parcel, Ireland's deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore, who recently visited Nightline's headquarters in Dublin, said: "Nightline is an excellent example of an innovative Irish company that is enjoying success despite the current downturn.

"Twenty years in business is a significant milestone and it is clear that the company has been built on a solid foundation of innovation, commitment and hard work."

Parcel2Go's marketing director Richard Mercer added his congratulations.

He said: "We are proud to be able to offer our customers a wide range of parcel delivery options with world courier firms, including the reliable collection and delivery services from Nightline, which are used by a huge variety of individuals and businesses.

"We'd like to congratulate everyone at Nightline on their achievements and wish them well as the company continues to grow in Ireland, the UK and across the world."

Nightline is preparing to launch its latest initiative - parcel motels - next month. The move will see automated parcel collection facilities built across the country, offering even more flexible parcel delivery and collection services to customers.

About Parcel2Go:

Parcel2Go Ltd has been helping its customers to organise parcel deliveries for the past 21 years. Based in Bolton, the company operates a cost-effective online parcel delivery service with low postage rates. Parcel2Go offers access to world courier services from the likes of FedEx and CityLink - reliable couriers that offer collection and delivery services throughout Britain, Europe, and countries across the world.

For further information contact:

Les Yates

Marketing Executive

Telephone: 08713 308066

Email: l.yates@parcel2go.com

Website: http://www.parcel2go.com

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Benefits Fair From New England Employee Benefits Council Features Ex-Medicare Administrator Don Berwick; June 6, Norwood, Mass.

Wed, 23 May 2012 04:30:00 +0000

Engaging Employees, Motivating and Enabling Behavior From NEEBC

WALTHAM, MA -- (Marketwire) -- 05/23/12 -- Don Berwick, former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, keynotes the New England Employee Benefits Council's (NEEBC) 2012 Benefits Fair and Trade show on June 6. The all-day session in Norwood, Mass., focuses on engaging employees, motivating and enabling behavior.

Dr. Berwick is the United States' leading advocate for high-quality healthcare. He was the founding CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, a nonprofit dedicated to improving healthcare around the world. A pediatrician, he has also served on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School.

Breakout sessions will cover healthcare benefits and employee retirement engagement and planning. Speakers will include experts from Mercer, Towers Watson, Fidelity Investments, Tufts Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim, Children's Hospital and MetLife.

The program will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton Conference Center, Norwood, Mass.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

More information and registration are available at www.neebc.org/calendar-of-events or by calling 781-684-8700 or emailing margaret@neebc.org.

NEEBC, Waltham, Mass., is a nonprofit that advances knowledge and education in employee benefits. NEEBC's 1,350 members manage benefits for an estimated 2.5 million employees. Members include employers and providers of benefits consulting and services throughout New England. NEEBC's monthly educational programs feature presentations by guest speakers on topics of interest to the benefits community. Members have the opportunity to discuss ideas, become informed about new developments in the field and network with peers.

Web: www.neebc.org.

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Media contact:
Henry Stimpson
Stimpson Communications
508-647-0705
Henry@StimpsonCommunications.com

Casella Waste Systems, Foley Distributing and SCA's Power of Three(TM) Program Receives the 2012 Vermont Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Casella Waste Systems (NASDAQ: CWST), Foley Distributing and SCA, have advanced their leadership in providing consumers with resource sustainability services by teaming up and winning the Vermont Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. The awards were established in 1993 to recognize the actions taken by Vermonters to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and promote environmental sustainability.

The award was received in recognition of their collaborative new service called The Power of Three™ an innovative solution for businesses dedicated to participating in genuine "closed loop recycling." The Power of Three is a three-step process of picking up a customer's recycling, processing that recycling into new products, and then providing those products back to the customer in the form of new hand towels, tissue paper, and toiletry items.

The three companies complement and integrate each other's individual strengths and proximity to one another's facilities to offer a service that reduces a customer's carbon emissions, tightens their supply chains and promotes increased recycling rates.

"One of our goals as a company is to help our customers ensure that as few resources as possible are wasted," said John Casella, Chairman and CEO of Casella. "We are intent in our mission of taking their waste streams and transforming them into new products they can use. Our partnership with Foley Distributing and SCA allows us to deliver the promise of a genuine resource renewal loop."

Mark Foley, President of Foley Distributing, said, "We believe that the businesses that make, sell, and distribute products also need to shoulder the responsibility for ensuring that none of those product resources are wasted once a customer has stopped using them. This is what The Power of Three accomplishes."

Brad Bingham, District Manager for SCA's Away from Home Professional Hygiene business in North America said, "SCA is very proud to partner with two Vermont-based companies to allow our customers in the Northeast to close the resource loop. This type of partnership will be a local, even global model for how environmentally minded companies can team up to accomplish much more than they ever could on their own. The ultimate winners are the customers."

For further information about The Power of Three™, please contact Steve McDonnell, Casella Waste Systems' Director of Sales and Marketing at (802) 772-2226, or visit the Power of Three at http://www.casella.com/P3.

About Casella Waste Systems:
Casella Waste Systems provides solid waste management services consisting of collection, transfer, disposal, recycling and composting services in the northeastern United States. Casella operates five regional Zero-Sort recycling facilities, operates a unique closed loop paper recycling solution, offers anaerobic digestion and on-site options for organic waste, and produces renewable energy through landfill gas facilities.

About Foley Distributing Corp.:
Foley Distributing was founded in 1973 in Rutland, Vermont. Foley has played a major role in converting hundreds of businesses to sustainable, green programs that lessen their impact on the environment while improving the health and safety of their employees and building occupants. Their service area includes the entire State of Vermont, Western, Central and Southern New Hampshire, upstate New York (including the Capital District) and Northern Massachusetts. Foley Distributing is a member of Network Services, Distribution by Design™, located in Schaumburg, Illinois, a distribution network with over $10 billion in annual sales.

About SCA:
SCA's away from home professional hygiene business is one of the three largest producers of away-from-home tissue products in North America. They supply paper napkins, tissues, towels, specialty wipers, dispensers and soap used in commercial settings such as restaurants, office buildings, schools and healthcare facilities. Tork® products are made from 100-percent recycled content. SCA uses more than 750,000 tons of recycled paper a year; on average, more than 60 percent of those tons are post-consumer waste. The first American papermaker to earn EcoLogo™ certification, SCA also has earned Green Seal™ certification on many of its products. More information is available at www.torkusa.com.

Contact:
Steve McDonnell
Casella Waste Systems
Director of Sales and Marketing
(802) 772-2226
http://www.casella.com/P3