ANNOUNCEMENTS
Official Agreement Signed between Global Housing Foundation and the Government and Municipality of Panama
Homes To Be Built For Working Poor, Financed With Micro Mortgage Program Initiated By Global Housing Foundation And UN Habitat
New York (October, 2009) – The Global Housing Foundation and both the Government and Municipality of Panama recently made history at the United Nations as they signed an agreement to build homes for the working poor. These homes will be financed with the Micro Mortgage program initiated by the Global Housing Foundation and UN Habitat. Signers for this historic program included Ivan Carlucci, GHF Director, Panama; Carlos A. Duboy Sierra, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Panama; Arsenio Fernandez G., Secretary General, Panama; Laurence Schreiber, Managing Director , Merrill Lynch: Bank of America, New York and Axumite Gebre-Egziabher, Director, NY Office, UN Human Settlements Programme.
The Municipality and Government of Panama intend to offer incentives and provide high level support to developers that will construct homes. The homes will be offered for sale to municipal workers within Panama. The first phase of the program is set to construct and deliver 2,000 homes to qualified families. In addition, the Panama government agreed to a new $5,000 down payment gift to be provided for each GHF home buyer. “The collaboration between Panama, GHF and UN - Habitat enables us to offer affordable homes to families in Panama who are qualified,” explains Arsenio Fernandez G., Panama Secretary General. “The Municipality of Panama is proud to partner with the Global Housing Foundation and UN - Habitat to make the dream of home ownership a reality,” added Carlos A. Duboy Sierra, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Panama.
Micro mortgage finance is a credit to help working poor families purchase and finance a home. Home purchasers are families in urban areas with a priority given to female-headed households that are economically disadvantages and face difficulty accessing long term mortgages.
This agreement will establish the Municipality of Panama as one of the most innovative leaders, providing quality, affordable homes to its employees. “We are committed to developing communities which provide citizens with quality homes which are economically affordable,” explains Sharon Young, President, Global Housing Foundation. “This wonderful collaboration is the first step in making the dream of home ownership a reality for so many people around the world.”
Pictured are (l to r) Carlos A. Duboy Sierra, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Panama;
Dr. Auxmite Gebre-Egziabherand, Director NY Office, United Nations Human Settlements Programme and Ivan Carlucci, GHF Director, Panama as they sign the agreement.
FIABCI Leads Multi-National Discussion On Global Initiatives on Sustainability and Green Agenda at International Real Estate Conference in Dubai
Tore Braate, President of the International Real Estate Federation, FIABCI, Multinational Chapter of Scandinavian Countries was recently selected among global world leaders to moderate a Round Table discussion on “Sustainability and the Green Agenda” as part of the City Leaders Forum at Cityscape Dubai.
The City Leaders Forum was a new initiative launched at Cityscape Dubai 2009 that brought together leaders from major cities in both developed and emerging markets in a dynamic forum that promoted networking, lively discussion and information exchange. Participation in the closed-door event was by invitation only and was attended by top tier decision-makers from some of the world’s leading cities and regional authorities including Saudi Arabia, UAE, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, France and Norway. The Forum provided an interactive platform connecting major global destinations in an open dialogue to share best practice models and strategies for sustainable urban development as well as social, economic and environmental growth. “It was an honor to be selected to lead such a prestigious group of innovators,” explained Braate. “I was inspired by the work which was accomplished and look forward to seeing the results of our efforts implemented into successful global strategies,” he continued.
During the discussion delegates shared their perspectives on existing green efforts within their individual countries and developed a sustainable green strategy that would take advantage and employ resources available to various countries. Delegates examined the role of both the public and private sector in driving the sustainability agenda. Braate shared FIABCI’s pioneering efforts as a leading force in promoting the Green agenda since the 1980’s. Participants were introduced to innovative strategies and initiatives including the FIABCI Environmental Foundation and annual FIABCI Eco Film Festival.
An extremely broad agenda was covered during the program which included How to Prioritize Sustainability within the Current Economic Climate; The Role of Leadership in Driving the Green Agenda; and Determining Sustainable Development Strategies. Braate’s expertise in the area of master planning and urban design was utilized to touch uponrelated issues such as Sustainable Urban Planning and Development, Meeting Social Needs within the Urban Design Framework, and Transportation and Infrastructure. The roundtable was concluded by highlighting the role of Governments in spearheading efforts and the need for political leaders to focus on the issue of sustainability.
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International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) To Host Business Meetings in Brussels Belgium, December 3-5
The Belgium Chapter of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) will host FIABCI’s exciting International Business Meetings from December 3-5, 2009 at the Metropole Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. It will be a historic occasion as FIABCI celebrates its 60th Anniversary. The theme for the meetings will be “Technology: Driving the Future of FIABCI” and will focus on FIABCI’s new social media technologies and platform which enable FIABCI members to network and transact business on a global basis. Hundreds of FIABCI dignitaries will travel to meet in Brussels and participate in this special program. “We are excited to unveil our new technology during FIABCI’s 60th Anniversary,” explained FIABCI World President, Lisa Kurrass. “This state-of-the-art platform will drive FIABCI into the future and redefine how we effectively transact business throughout the world.”
FIABCI’s new technology is available as a benefit to the FIABCI membership, enabling international business to be transacted seamlessly. As part of the technology, FIABCI will introduce a member to member networking platform which includes the ability to market available properties and projects in 11 languages to members throughout the world. In addition, the technology will enable FIABCI University to develop online education and training opportunities delivered by FIABCI’s world esteemed Faculty.
The Belgium Chapter, in cooperation with FIABCI’s Leadership, has prepared a world-class professional program including conferences, marketing sessions and fantastic study tours of the Belgium countryside. FIABCI professionals will meet with the Belgian Minister of State Herman De Croo and with the US Ambassador and his wife during a Gala Dinner Celebration. In addition, there will be a spectacular social program in the FIABCI tradition including special sessions for young members.
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