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Johnson, GOP leaders take victory lap and say they're ready for Day 1 under Trump

House Republican leaders took a victory lap as they returned to Washington, saying they are ready on Day 1 to work on President-elect Donald Trump's agenda.




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Five Commonwealth Campus leaders to retire from Penn State

Five Penn State Commonwealth Campus leaders will be retiring from the University in the coming weeks and months, Penn State Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor Margo DelliCarpini has announced.




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News24 Business | Elon Musk is making a habit of joining Trump’s calls with leaders

Elon Musk surfaced once more in a round of phone calls US President-elect Donald Trump is making with world leaders, driving home the billionaire's outsized influence in the next administration.




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Attention School Leaders: Students Are Demanding Anti-Racist Curriculum and Instruction

Students in cities around the country are organizing petition drives that are generating thousands of signatures to demand that their schools offer anti-racist curricula and instruction.




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Transgender Teachers Speak Out on What They Need From School Leaders

In a recent video message, transgender teachers urge school leaders to make schools more welcoming by examining their own biases and implementing inclusive policies.




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Penn State welcomes new cohort of Emerging Academic Leaders for fall 2024

Penn State has announced the selection of 23 faculty members for the Penn State Emerging Academic Leaders program for fall 2024. This initiative highlights individuals who have demonstrated exceptional potential for academic leadership and innovation within their fields.




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'Freedom to grow in ministry and leadership'

Brazil’s mission training programme provides practical experience and cross-cultural knowledge for participants heading overseas.




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Equity-Focused Leadership Is Risky. Do It Anyway

As superintendents, we must make the system work for all students—however socially, politically, and professionally dangerous it may be, writes Demond A. Means.




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Servant leadership at TeenStreet

Leader of OM Germany serves in the kitchen during TeenStreet, OM’s annual week-long international youth congress that started on Saturday.




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Secretary of State Jeff Bullock Announces Leadership Changes

Dover, Del.—Secretary of State Jeff Bullock announced on Friday that Jordan Schulties, Director of the Division of Small Business, and Tim Slavin, Director of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, will depart from their roles to embark on new journeys at the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) and Fort Dupont Redevelopment & […]




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Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change

Dover, Del.—Secretary of State Jeff Bullock on Monday announced that Jessica Welch will lead the Delaware Tourism Office as its next director. Welch most recently served as communications director of the Delaware Division of Small Business. “Jessica brings an immense wealth of knowledge and experience to take on this crucial role in Delaware’s economy,” said […]



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  • Jeffrey W. Bullock
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Nominations Open for 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award

The Delaware Secretary of State’s Office will be accepting nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award beginning on Monday, September 12, 2022. The award recognizes a gifted, civic-minded young Delawarean who has demonstrated leadership abilities, has a passion for social justice, and is improving the quality of life in their community. “John Lewis was […]




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Secretary of State Announces Leadership Changes

Secretary of State Jeff Bullock on Friday announced that Regina Mitchell will lead the Delaware Division of Small Business as its next Director. Mitchell most recently served as the Acting Director of the Division of Small Business. “Regina has the work ethic, experience, and leadership skills to lead the Division through the challenges and opportunities […]




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Secretary of State Announces 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Recipient

Secretary of State Jeff Bullock announced that Karelin Torres was selected to receive the prestigious 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. The award, in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis, recognizes a gifted, civic-minded young Delawarean who has demonstrated leadership abilities, has a passion for social justice, and is improving the quality of life in their community.




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Nominations Open for 2023 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award

The Delaware Secretary of State has begun accepting nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. The award recognizes a gifted, civic-minded young Delawarean who has demonstrated leadership abilities, has a passion for social justice, and is improving the quality of life in their community. “John Lewis was a heroic American who changed the course […]




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Secretary of State Presents 2023 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award

Tariah Hyland selected as the 2023 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award recipient Secretary of State Jeff Bullock on Monday announced that Tariah Hyland, a resident of Wilmington, has been selected for the prestigious 2023 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. The award, in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis, recognizes a gifted, civic-minded young Delawarean […]




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AG Jennings Announces Leadership Changes At The DOJ

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that A.J. Roop will serve as the DOJ’s next Chief of Staff. A seven-year veteran of the DOJ, Roop has served as State Prosecutor throughout AG Jennings’ term, leading the DOJ’s largest Division, maintaining the Department’s high conviction rate in gun cases, and guiding the Criminal Division through a […]



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AG Jennings Announces Leadership Changes At The DOJ

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that Elmer Setting will serve as the DOJ’s next Chief of Staff. Setting served as Deputy State Court Administrator and Acting State Court Administrator, where he managed security and operations for all six Delaware Courts. He is a former Chief of New Castle County Police (2012-2017), whose leadership and innovation […]



  • Department of Justice
  • Department of Justice Press Releases
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AG Jennings, law enforcement leaders announce record low violent crime rates

Flanked by law enforcement leaders, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that law enforcement’s focus on violent criminals and gun offenders has driven Delaware’s violent crime rates to their lowest point since the State began tracking the statistic — a 40% decline since 2008. “I’ve never seen another jurisdiction accomplish the things that Delaware is […]



  • Department of Justice Press Releases

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2021 Brings Leadership Changes to the Delaware Department of Labor

THE NEW YEAR BRINGS LEADERSHIP CHANGES TO THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR   WILMINGTON, DE (February 23, 2021) – The Delaware Department of Labor has announced leadership changes for the organization. Karryl Hubbard will now serve as the new Delaware Secretary of Labor, Rachel Turney will serve as the incoming Deputy Cabinet Secretary, and Richard […]



  • Department of Labor
  • News

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Secretary Magarik Announces Leadership Changes at Department of Health and Social Services

NEW CASTLE (Jan. 25, 2022) – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik today announced three leadership changes for the agency involving one division and one of the Department’s Deputy Secretary positions. The changes: Daniel Walker, who has served in leadership roles with the Wilmington City Council and a Wilmington-based nonprofit education […]



  • Delaware Health and Social Services
  • News
  • Coronavirus
  • Division for the Visually Impaired

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13 Young People, 4 Emerging Leaders, 2 Groups to Be Honored with Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Award

NEW CASTLE (April 25, 2022) – Governor John Carney will present the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards to 13 young people, four emerging leaders and two groups during a May 17 ceremony to recognize their service to Delaware. “I am honored to celebrate the young people across our state who continue to serve our communities […]



  • Delaware Health and Social Services
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Secretary Magarik Announces Leadership Changes at Department of Health and Social Services

NEW CASTLE (June 22, 2022) – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik today announced five leadership changes for the agency involving the Office of the Secretary and the Division of Public Health. The changes: Dava Newnam, who has served as Associate Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Chief Operating Officer for DHSS, has […]



  • Delaware Health and Social Services
  • Division for the Visually Impaired
  • Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
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  • News
  • DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik
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11 Young People, 5 Emerging Leaders, 4 Groups to receive Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Award at June 21 Ceremony

NEW CASTLE (May 30, 2023) – Governor John Carney will present the 2023 Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards to 11 individuals, four groups, and five emerging leaders during a June 21 ceremony to recognize their remarkable service to Delaware. These prestigious awards acknowledge the significant impact that young volunteers make in their communities, inspiring others […]



  • Delaware Health and Social Services
  • Governor John Carney
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  • Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
  • Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards

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Bureau of Prisons Announces Leadership Promotions

Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) today announced several recent leadership promotions within the Bureau of Prisons. “The Bureau of Prisons is fortunate to have an exceptional team of highly trained and highly experienced staff who are well positioned to serve in senior roles with increasing authority and responsibility,” Bureau of Prisons Chief Shane Troxler […]



  • Department of Correction

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Governor Carney Announces Leadership Change at Delaware Department of Correction

WILMINGTON, DE –  Governor John Carney on Thursday announced that Commissioner Monroe Hudson will step down later this month from his current role as the head of the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) after more than thirty five years of service in law enforcement and corrections. Terra Taylor, Deputy Commissioner of the DOC, will serve as Acting […]




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Department of Correction Announces Senior Leadership Promotion

Dover, DE – Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) Acting Commissioner Terra Taylor today announced that James T. Vaughn Correctional Center Warden Robert May has been promoted to Chief of the Bureau of Prisons.  May, a 31-year veteran of the DOC and the Department’s most experienced Warden, began his career as a Correctional Officer at Howard […]



  • Department of Correction
  • News

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Lt. Governor Hall-Long Joins State Leaders, NFL Legends to Launch New Child ID Program in Delaware

The joint initiative with the National Child Identification Program will provide Delaware families and law enforcement with new tools to locate missing children NEW CASTLE, DE– Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long joined NFL Hall of Famer Randy White, former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowler Jeremiah Trotter and state education and law enforcement leaders at the Garfield Park […]



  • Department of Education
  • Department of Safety and Homeland Security
  • Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long
  • Office of the Lieutenant Governor

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Hall-Long, Community Leaders Celebrate 2024 Lt. Governor’s Challenge Honorees

CLAYTON, Del. – The 2024 Lt. Governor’s Wellness Leadership Challenge award ceremony on Wednesday hosted the largest class of honorees, shining a light on creative ways to address food insecurity, chronic disease prevention, postpartum care, and more.      This year’s winning submissions came from individuals, organizations, and institutions across Delaware who committed to enacting better health […]



  • Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long
  • News
  • Office of the Lieutenant Governor

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AG Jennings announces leadership changes at DOJ

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Thursday that State Prosecutor Dan Logan will succeed Alex Mackler as the Department of Justice’s Chief Deputy Attorney General. Mackler, who has served as CDAG for more than five years, will serve as counsel on President Biden’s reelection campaign.   Mackler joined the DOJ as CDAG in May 2019 after […]



  • Department of Justice Press Releases

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Governor Carney Announces Changes to Leadership Team

WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor John Carney on Friday announced changes to his leadership team in the Office of the Governor.   Jonathan Starkey, who has served as chief of staff since 2022, will leave the Governor’s office later this month to serve as senior advisor to Dr. Tony Allen, the president at Delaware State University. Before […]




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Four technology tips for government leaders preparing for flood disasters

“What’s our plan if we get hit by a big flood?” While this question may be plenty familiar to emergency management professionals, city administrators, legislators, and other leaders in coastal regions that are known for their exposure to potentially disastrous weather events, these days it’s being asked in some unexpected [...]

The post Four technology tips for government leaders preparing for flood disasters appeared first on Government Data Connection.




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Innovative higher education analytics projects and influential tech leaders honored by EdScoop

Higher Education has been slow to adopt analytics in comparison to the commercial sector, but those institutions that have embraced a culture of analytics have seen significant and tangible results. Higher Education analytics can help in nearly every corner of academia including enrollment and retention, student success, academic research and [...]

The post Innovative higher education analytics projects and influential tech leaders honored by EdScoop appeared first on Government Data Connection.




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Lessons from the UMass Lowell Women’s Leadership Conference

This post was contributed by Liliko Uchida, application engineer at Cadence. Being a “Woman in STEM” is a phrase that has long been used to describe the holistic experience shared by thousands of women globally, yet it still makes us feel isolated. Partially due to the statistics of gender population in the STEM workforce and the remainder due to our own internal obstacles, being a woman in STEM continues to be a challenge. While many of us know the should-do’s and should-be’s of taking on this unique role objectively, we struggle to implement them. After all, our perseverance as engineers, mathematicians, businesswomen, programmers, and scientists is largely affected by subjectivity. The UMass Lowell Women’s Leadership Conference 2024 aimed to tackle this problem by uniting hundreds of women with shared experiences under one roof. Not only did the conference provide us with the knowledge necessary to persevere, but it also gave us the tools that will allow us to thrive and act upon the facts we already know. It is my hope that through this blog post, I can share some of my main takeaways from this special day. Be Confident This is one of the most palpable pieces of advice we always hear. Yet so many of us struggle to build this confidence because we don’t know how. Featured speaker Nicole Kalil defined confidence as “complete trust in oneself”.”One way to build this self-trust is by getting to know yourself on a deeper level. By creating a true inner connection, we begin to see ourselves as a whole instead of hyper-focusing on our shortcomings frequently illusioned by imposter syndrome. In one of the sessions, we were asked to introduce ourselves to our neighbors, not by what we do for work, but by who we are as a person. Even if this opportunity does not arise every day, this practice can be done simply by listing characteristics of yourself that define who you are. Who do you care for? How do you show them? What are your life goals oriented towards? How do you observe others’ behavior around you, and what does that say about how you make them feel? Getting to know you beneath the surface and allowing yourself to be seen for who you are is critical in building internal confidence. With practice, this self-reassurance will grow independent of external factors. Take Risks “Sometimes, you have to put your foot in the elevator” - Barb Vlacich, Keynote Speaker When opportunities arise, the only thing you can do to have a chance is to try. Without putting your foot in the elevator, the doors will close, becoming a missed opportunity. Similarly, several of the conference’s speakers also emphasized that the answer to every unasked question will always be a no. Even if you are not ready to full-send a negotiation, ask for a raise, or respectfully disagree with a co-worker’s opinion, start by getting comfortable asking uncomfortable questions. Just one discomfort a day will help in building an immunity to the anxiety that comes with taking risks, typically driven by our self-doubt. Another interesting point that stood out from the conference was the statistics of self-assessed qualifications between men and women. During the negotiation panel, it was revealed that men typically feel they only need 60% of the qualifications under a job description to apply, whereas women often feel they need close to 100%. These numbers alone demonstrate how the pure mental habits of men continue to funnel them into STEM and not women. The next time you seek a new opportunity, assess yourself based on the 60% and use it as a checklist threshold. If more women are able to pursue STEM careers using these numbers, the more likely we will begin to populate these roles. Build Your Genuine Network “ The essence of communication lies in the mutual exchange of ideas and emotions. And when the listener isn’t invested, it undermines the entire purpose of the conversation. Why are you having it anyway?” This is a quote from episode 186 of Julie Brown’s podcast This Sh!t Works called “The 5 Steps to Being an Active Listener”. Julie Brown is a Networking Coach, author, and podcast host who guided an energetic and candid conversation about networking and building a personal brand for women. Networking is often misunderstood as putting your name and qualifications out on the table for as many people to pick up your cards. While making these things known is important, they are not what nurtures effective connections. The key to cultivating your genuine network is to activate a sincere interest in the people you meet. Become the proactive receiver of the confidence exercise discussed above. When you meet someone new, what can you take away from them as a person, not an employee? By making people feel heard, even through the little conversations, you can begin to develop more meaningful connections that resonate. And, with practice, the sometimes inherent need to overcompensate by defining yourself with your resume will slowly fade. It was a wonderful opportunity to attend the UML Women’s Leadership Conference with four other inspiring Cadence women. Not only was the conference a motivating learning experience, but it was also a wonderful opportunity for us to bond together as women and feel supported by each other. The most eye-opening part of the day was seeing just how many women alike were sitting under the same roof. The conclusion of the event led me to feel proud to be an engineer, proud to be at Cadence, and most importantly, proud to be a woman. Learn more about life at Cadence .




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Japan Cloud Leaders Build NVIDIA AI Infrastructure to Transform Industries for the Age of AI

NVIDIA today announced that Japan cloud leaders SoftBank Corp., GMO Internet Group, Highreso, KDDI, Rutilea and SAKURA internet are building AI infrastructure with NVIDIA accelerated computing, networking and software to accelerate transformation across the nation’s robotics, automotive, healthcare and telecom industries.




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Japan Tech Leaders Supercharge Sovereign AI With NVIDIA AI Enterprise and Omniverse

From call centers to factories to hospitals, AI is sweeping Japan. Undergirding it all: the exceptional resources of the island nation’s world-class universities and global technology leaders such as Fujitsu, The Institute of Science Tokyo, NEC and NTT. NVIDIA software — NVIDIA AI Enterprise for building and deploying AI agents and NVIDIA Omniverse for bringing Read Article




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NVIDIA and Global Consulting Leaders Speed AI Adoption Across Japan’s Industries

Consulting giants including Accenture, Deloitte, EY Strategy and Consulting Co., Ltd. (or EY Japan), FPT,  Kyndryl and Tata Consultancy Services Japan (TCS Japan) are working with NVIDIA to establish innovation centers in Japan to accelerate the nation’s goal of embracing enterprise AI and physical AI across its industrial landscape. The centers will use NVIDIA AI Read Article




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Pacific Leaders Address Key Regional Issues at the 12th Pacific Islands Conference Of Leaders

Pacific Leaders Address Key Regional Issues at the 12th Pacific Islands Conference Of Leaders Pacific Leaders Address Key Regional Issues at the 12th Pacific Islands Conference Of Leaders
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East-West Center and Japan Foundation Launch New ‘Indo-Pacific Leadership Lab’ Program

East-West Center and Japan Foundation Launch New ‘Indo-Pacific Leadership Lab’ Program East-West Center and Japan Foundation Launch New ‘Indo-Pacific Leadership Lab’ Program
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12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders to Convene in Honolulu in September

12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders to Convene in Honolulu in September 12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders to Convene in Honolulu in September
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East-West Center Hosts Inaugural Micronesian Conference of Leaders

East-West Center Hosts Inaugural Micronesian Conference of Leaders East-West Center Hosts Inaugural Micronesian Conference of Leaders
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Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Opens

Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Opens Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Opens
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Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Meets Virtually

Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Meets Virtually Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Meets Virtually
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Micronesian leaders unified on having an equal voice to other Pacific countries

Micronesian leaders unified on having an equal voice to other Pacific countries Micronesian leaders unified on having an equal voice to other Pacific countries
hasegaws Mon, 10/26/2020 - 14:25

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The East-West Wire is a news, commentary, and analysis service provided by the East-West Center in Honolulu. Any part or all of the Wire content may be used by media with attribution to the East-West Center or the person quoted. To receive East-West Center Wire media releases via email, subscribe here.

For links to all East-West Center media programs, fellowships and services, see www.eastwestcenter.org/journalists.

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East-West Wire

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East-West Wire

The East-West Wire is a news, commentary, and analysis service provided by the East-West Center in Honolulu. Any part or all of the Wire content may be used by media with attribution to the East-West Center or the person quoted. To receive East-West Center Wire media releases via email, subscribe here.

For links to all East-West Center media programs, fellowships and services, see www.eastwestcenter.org/journalists.

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Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Issues Summit Communiqué

Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Issues Summit Communiqué Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders Issues Summit Communiqué
ferrard Thu, 06/10/2021 - 21:59

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The East-West Wire is a news, commentary, and analysis service provided by the East-West Center in Honolulu. Any part or all of the Wire content may be used by media with attribution to the East-West Center or the person quoted. To receive East-West Center Wire media releases via email, subscribe here.

For links to all East-West Center media programs, fellowships and services, see www.eastwestcenter.org/journalists.

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East-West Wire

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East-West Wire

The East-West Wire is a news, commentary, and analysis service provided by the East-West Center in Honolulu. Any part or all of the Wire content may be used by media with attribution to the East-West Center or the person quoted. To receive East-West Center Wire media releases via email, subscribe here.

For links to all East-West Center media programs, fellowships and services, see www.eastwestcenter.org/journalists.

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Pacific Climate Leaders Caution Media Against ‘Drowning Islands’ Narrative

Pacific Climate Leaders Caution Media Against ‘Drowning Islands’ Narrative Pacific Climate Leaders Caution Media Against ‘Drowning Islands’ Narrative
brophyc Wed, 07/06/2022 - 16:38

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East-West Wire

The East-West Wire is a news, commentary, and analysis service provided by the East-West Center in Honolulu. Any part or all of the Wire content may be used by media with attribution to the East-West Center or the person quoted. To receive East-West Center Wire media releases via email, subscribe here.

For links to all East-West Center media programs, fellowships and services, see www.eastwestcenter.org/journalists.

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East-West Wire

The East-West Wire is a news, commentary, and analysis service provided by the East-West Center in Honolulu. Any part or all of the Wire content may be used by media with attribution to the East-West Center or the person quoted. To receive East-West Center Wire media releases via email, subscribe here.

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New Zealand's leaders formally apologize to survivors of abuse in state and church care

wellington, new zealand — New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made a “formal and unreserved” apology in Parliament on Tuesday for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care. “It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened,” Luxon said, as he spoke to lawmakers and a public gallery packed with survivors of the abuse. An estimated 200,000 people in state, foster and faith-based care suffered “unimaginable” abuse over a period of seven decades, a blistering report released in July said at the end of the largest inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand. They were disproportionately Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people. “For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility,” Luxon said. He said he was apologizing for previous governments too. In foster and church care — as well as in state-run institutions, including hospitals and residential schools — vulnerable people “should have been safe and treated with respect, dignity and compassion," he added. “But instead, you were subjected to horrific abuse and neglect and, in some cases, torture.” The findings of the six-year investigation believed to be the widest-ranging of comparable probes worldwide were a “national disgrace,” the inquiry's report said. New Zealand's investigation followed two decades of such inquiries around the globe as nations struggle to reckon with authorities’ transgressions against children removed from their families and placed in care. Of 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in New Zealand's state, foster, and church care between 1950 and 2019 — in a country that today has a population of 5 million — nearly a third endured physical, sexual, verbal or psychological abuse. Many more were exploited or neglected. “We will never know that true number,” Chris Hipkins, the leader of the opposition, told Parliament. “Many people entering into state and faith-based institutions were undocumented. Records were incomplete, they've gone missing, and in some cases, yes, they were deliberately destroyed.” In response to the findings, New Zealand’s government agreed for the first time that historical treatment of some children in a notorious state-run hospital amounted to torture — a claim successive administrations had rejected. “I am deeply sorry that New Zealand did not do better by you. I am sorry you were not believed when you came forward to report your abuse,” Luxon said. “I am sorry that many abusers were not made to face justice which meant that other people experienced abuse that could have been prevented.” His government was working on 28 of the inquiry's 138 recommendations, Luxon said, although he did not yet have concrete details on financial redress, which the inquiry had exhorted since 2021 and said could run to billions of dollars. Luxon was decried by some survivors and advocates earlier Tuesday for not divulging compensation plans alongside the apology. He told Parliament a single redress system would be established in 2025. He did not, however, suggest a figure for the amount the government expected to pay. “There will be a big bill, but it's nothing compared to the debt we owe those survivors and it must not be the reason for any further delay,” said Hipkins, the opposition leader. Survivors began to arrive at Parliament hours before the apology, having won spots in the public gallery — which only seats about 200 people — by ballot. Some were reluctant to accept the state's words, because they said the scale of the horror was not yet fully understood by lawmakers and public servants. Jeering was so loud during an apology from the country's solicitor-general that her speech was inaudible. Others called out or left the room in tears while senior public servants from relevant health and welfare agencies spoke before Luxon's remarks. Survivors invited to give speeches were required to do so before Luxon's apology — rather than in response to it, said Tu Chapman, one of those asked to speak. “Right now I feel alone and in utter despair at the way in which this government has undertaken the task of acknowledging all survivors,” she told a crowd at Parliament. The abuse "ripped families and communities apart, trapping many into a life of prison, incarceration, leaving many uneducated,” said Keith Wiffin — a survivor of abuse in a notorious state-run boys' home. “It has tarred our international reputation as an upholder of human rights, something this nation likes to dine out on.” The inquiry's recommendations included seeking apologies from state and church leaders, among them Pope Francis. It also endorsed creating offices to prosecute abusers and enact redress, renaming streets and monuments dedicated to abusers, reforming civil and criminal law, rewriting the child welfare system and searching for unmarked graves at psychiatric facilities. Its writers were scathing about how widely the abuse — and the identities of many abusers — were known about for years, with nothing done to stop it. “This has meant you have had to re-live your trauma over and over again,” said Luxon. “Agencies should have done better and must commit to doing so in the future.” He did not concede that public servants or ministers in his government who had denied state abuse was widespread when they served in previous administrations should lose their jobs. Luxon has also rejected suggestions by survivors that policies he has enacted which disproportionately target Māori — such as crackdowns on gangs and the establishment of military-style boot camps for young offenders — undermine his government's regret about the abuse. Māori are over-represented in prisons and gangs. In 2023, 68% of children in state care were Māori, although they are less than 20% of New Zealand's population. “It's not enough to say sorry,” said Fa’afete Taito, a survivor of violent abuse at another state-run home, and a former gang member. “It's what you do to heal the wounds of your actions and make sure it never happens again that really counts.”





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Web Summit kicks off in Lisbon as tech leaders weigh Trump’s return

LISBON, PORTUGAL — Lisbon will this week play host to Europe’s biggest annual tech conference, Web Summit, where industry leaders and lawmakers will weigh the pros and cons of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Senior executives from firms such as Apple, Microsoft, and Meta will join high-ranking officials from Europe for debates about the future of artificial intelligence, social media regulation, and the impact a second Trump presidency may have on the continent. Trump has previously promised he could end the war between Ukraine and Russia within 24 hours of taking office. Days after Trump's re-election, two senior Ukrainian government officials, Alex Bornyakov and Mykhailo Fedorov, will take to the stage to discuss how the country has continued innovating in the face of conflict. John Adam, chief revenue officer at software development firm Aimsoftpro, is among those attending. About 70% of the company’s workforce is still based in Ukraine, with the rest having relocated around Europe after the war’s outbreak in 2022. “There’s mixed feelings because the Trump approach looks like it’s more geared towards the present lines of conflict, which is not an ideal scenario for Ukraine, and there’s a reluctance to accept that. At the same time, we would like this to have an endpoint,” he said. The X factor While not expected to attend, tech billionaire and vocal Trump supporter Elon Musk will be a recurring theme, from his role in Ukraine via satellite service Starlink to his success with space exploration firm SpaceX and controversial stewardship of social media platform X, formerly Twitter. One panel will debate how Europe might develop a homegrown rival to SpaceX; another whether Musk “destroyed Twitter." Joe Benarroch, who quit his role as X’s de facto spokesperson and head of business operations in June, will join a panel titled “What to do about social media.” While the EU has tried forcing online platforms to clamp down on harmful content, Trump’s election may lead to them reducing moderation efforts, according to Mark Weinstein, founder of privacy-focused social media platform MeWe, who will share the stage with Benarroch on Wednesday. “Historically, Trump has been highly critical of online moderation,” he said. “To avoid political retribution, major social networks are likely to continue the trend of becoming significantly more permissive with content they allow on their platforms.”




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Biggest name world leaders missing at UN climate talks, others fill the void

BAKU, Azerbaijan — World leaders are converging Tuesday at the United Nations annual climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan although the big names and powerful countries are noticeably absent, unlike past climate talks which had the star power of a soccer World Cup. But 2024's climate talks are more like the International Chess Federation world championship, lacking recognizable names but big on nerd power and strategy. The top leaders of the 13 largest carbon dioxide-polluting countries will not appear. Their nations are responsible for more than 70% of 2023's heat-trapping gases. The world's biggest polluters and strongest economies — China and the United States — aren't sending their No. 1s. India and Indonesia's heads of state are also not in attendance, meaning the four most populous nations with more than 42% of all the world's population aren't having leaders speak. “It’s symptomatic of the lack of political will to act. There’s no sense of urgency,” said climate scientist Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics. He said this explains “the absolute mess we’re finding ourselves in.” Transition to clean energy The world has witnessed the hottest day, months and year on record “and a master class in climate destruction,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the world leaders who did show up. But Guterres held out hope, saying, in a veiled reference to Donald Trump's re-election in the United States, that the “clean energy revolution is here. No group, no business, no government can stop it.” United Nations officials said in 2016, when Trump was first elected, there were 180 gigawatts of clean energy and 700,000 electric vehicles in the world. Now there are 600 gigawatts of clean energy and 14 million electric vehicles. Host Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev kicked off two scheduled days of world leaders' speeches by lambasting Armenia, western news media, climate activists and critics who highlighted his country's rich oil and gas history and trade, calling them hypocritical since the United States is the world's biggest oil producer. He said it was “not fair” to call Azerbaijan a “petrostate” because it produces less than 1% of the world's oil and gas. Oil and gas are “a gift of the God” just like the sun, wind and minerals, Aliyev said. “Countries should not be blamed for having them. And should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market because the market needs them.” As the host and president of the climate talks, called COP29, Aliyev said his country will push hard for a green transition away from fossil fuels, “but at the same time, we must be realistic.” Lack of star power Aliyev, United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are the headliners of around 50 leaders set to speak on Tuesday. There'll also be a strong showing from the leaders of some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Several small island nations presidents and over a dozen leaders from countries across Africa are set to speak over the two-day World Leaders’ Summit at COP29. As a sense of how the bar for celebrity has lowered, on Tuesday morning photographers and video cameras ran alongside one leader walking through the halls of the meeting. It was the emergency management minister for host country Azerbaijan. United Nations officials downplayed the lack of head of state star power, saying that every country is represented and active in the climate talks. One logistical issue is that next week, the leaders of the most powerful countries have to be half a world away in Brazil for the G20 meetings. The United States recent election, Germany's government collapse, natural disasters and personal illnesses also have kept some leaders away. The major focus of the negotiations is climate finance, which is rich nations trying to help poor countries pay for transitioning their economies away from fossil fuels, coping with climate change's upcoming harms and compensating for damages from weather extremes. Nations are negotiating over huge amounts of money, anywhere from $100 billion a year to $1.3 trillion a year. That money “is not charity, it's an investment,” Guterres said. “Developing countries must not leave Baku empty-handed,” Guterres said. “A deal is a must.”