By Mike Fuller
Havana, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) In Havana this week a film about progress on the Millennium Development Goals was shown on the 63rd birthday of the United Nations, the night before its vote on the resolution against the US blockade of Cuba.
The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, and according to its charter strives to "maintain international peace, cooperation and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."
The MDGs range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, and were set in 2000 by all the world’s countries and leading development institutions.
They include Ending Poverty and Hunger, Universal Education, Gender Equality, Child Health, Maternal Health, Combat HIV/AIDS, Environmental Sustainability and Global Partnership.
The United Nations System Resident Coordinator in Cuba, Susan McDade said on stage last night at the opening of 8, a film by eight world directors broken into eight segments dedicated to each of the MDGs, that the "different stories strive to show the human side of the suffering."
Right after premiering at the Rome Film Festival the movie aims to raise awareness of world poverty through the cameras of Gael Garcia Bernal, Gus Van Sant, Mira Nair, Jan Kounen, Abderrahmane Sissako, Gaspar Noe, Jane Campion and Wim Wenders.
McDade congratulated Cuba for having officially fulfilled several MDGs and the film opened with scenes of increasingly acute North-South disparity, using inversed gender roles in a divorce scene, a parched dam and bleeding mother to get across some of the messages.
The African schoolgirl Tiya told her teacher in the film that she was skeptical about fulfilment of the top goal to eradicate poverty, because to do that "we need to share the wealth, and people don't like that."
Some progress is being made in sharing with NGO microfinance projects, and the film featured the Mohammed Yunnis global partnership project from Bangladesh to provide direct loans from the haves to the have nots.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in the 2008 Millennium Development Goals report that the global economic slowdown, food security crisis and global warming will directly affect efforts to reduce
poverty.
McDade told Prensa Latina the crisis would affect official assistance flows, but said that it is not a justification for unfulfilment of the MDGs by 2015.
Ban Ki-moon said it is urgent to "put all countries, together, firmly on track towards a more prosperous, sustainable and equitable world," and McDade agrees "that is a shared responsibility, and governments alone can't handle it."
Clearly a contradiction to MDG 8, Global Partnerships for Development, the United States has maintained an economic blockade against Cuba since 1962, against which the United Nations has overwhelmingly voted for 16 consecutive years.
One year ago today, the General Assembly voted 184-4 in favor of ending the 45-year-old United States trade embargo against Cuba, which has caused billions in losses and humanitarian suffering for the island, and is expected to do the same today.
"We're looking forward to it," said McDade to Prensa Latina.
NOTE: For the 17th time, the UN General Assembly voted 185 in favor of ending the blockade, 3 against (US, Israel and Palau) and two abstentions (Micronesia, Marshall Islands).
Showing posts with label dog show havana cuba fuller canine cynological cynology Diogenes Greek philosopher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog show havana cuba fuller canine cynological cynology Diogenes Greek philosopher. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Havana Dogs Have Their Day
Images and text by Mike Fuller
Apr 14, Havana (Prensa Latina) The Cuban Canine Federation held its spring show in western Havana this weekend, drawing dog breeders, judges and lovers from half a dozen countries and about 30 different breeds.
The organizations true name is the Cuban Cynological Federation, and the word cynology technically means canine related sciences, or dog breeding, which began to gain ground seriously in the late 1800s.
The origin of the word is probably linked to the root cynic, which describes followers of the 300 BC Greek philosopher Diogenes, who Wikipedia says was a beggar that made a virtue of extreme poverty. "He debunked social values, ate in the marketplace and urinated on people who insulted him," it claims.
The pooches at the stadium in general had much better manners and showed great prowess in obedience exercises like heeling without a leash, handler accompanied sprints and more.
Enrique Comendeiro, a 12 year old owner said his husky Kina sleeps under his bed and is very sensitive. He said once she witnessed a chow chow attack a stray, and her hair bristled as she tried to help from inside the house, but couldnt and was depressed for three days after.
Abel Canizares, a 30 year-old dalmation trainer and accountant said his dog is very intelligent and brings her empty plate when hungry. He commented on the mostly voluntary nature of thoroughbred trainers in Cuba, and claimed their main drive is love of dogs, not money.
THE JUDGES SPEAK
Melba Castro was a judge from the Dominican Republic and self-proclaimed addict to canine culture. She echoed the reference to spirituality versus economy, and said "Look at how hard things are in Cuba and there are still so many of us here."
Costa Rican Luis Vargas said this was a "meeting of people crazy about dogs."
Javier Ramirez from Mexico, a dog show judge for 15 years, said he owns 20 dogs, but is trying to get down to six.
Top Cuba arbiter Nelson Borroto said he loves dog breeding, which he described as "a scientific factor that unites us all. Cynology is very demanding, especially the genetic work."
His eyes glowed as he described his canophile adventures, one of which included a Brazil show he was judging when an angry participant took a bite out of the rear of his suit.
CANINE CULTURE IN CUBA
The organizing committee had 13 members, with nine ring commissioners, eight international judges and dozens of groups, sections, races and ages, sponsored by at least 10 Cuban entities from civil society and government.
There are at least 15 different dog associations in Cuba, including those for poodles, boxers, collies, great danes and the famous Bichon Habanero, a lap dog created in Cuba.
The dalmation contingent proudly explained their breed is the only that can cross over any of the 13 categories, can run a full marathon, is agile and a known firefighter helper.
Luis Laza Tamayo of the Federation directive board and journalist by profession, has a hairless Mexican xoloitzcuintle named Dobaolo that has won its category more times than one has fingers. He said this breed is a favorite in Cuba, and there are more than 200 in the club and over five thousand in Cuba.
As a matter of fact, they can be seen among others in the pedigreeless packs that roam the streets, who also visited this fair to get a look at the well-groomed members of their species.
The event appeared to be well-organized with tents, several concession stands from local restaurants, a first aid post and clearly cordoned competition areas.
The show program opened with a story by Paulo Coelho about an owner who died with his dog and at the pearly gates the animal companion was denied entry.
The keeper at the second set of gates allowed them in, explaining that the first was actually hell, where anyone who abandons his best friend is bound to go.
Apr 14, Havana (Prensa Latina) The Cuban Canine Federation held its spring show in western Havana this weekend, drawing dog breeders, judges and lovers from half a dozen countries and about 30 different breeds.The organizations true name is the Cuban Cynological Federation, and the word cynology technically means canine related sciences, or dog breeding, which began to gain ground seriously in the late 1800s.
The origin of the word is probably linked to the root cynic, which describes followers of the 300 BC Greek philosopher Diogenes, who Wikipedia says was a beggar that made a virtue of extreme poverty. "He debunked social values, ate in the marketplace and urinated on people who insulted him," it claims.
The pooches at the stadium in general had much better manners and showed great prowess in obedience exercises like heeling without a leash, handler accompanied sprints and more.
Enrique Comendeiro, a 12 year old owner said his husky Kina sleeps under his bed and is very sensitive. He said once she witnessed a chow chow attack a stray, and her hair bristled as she tried to help from inside the house, but couldnt and was depressed for three days after.
Abel Canizares, a 30 year-old dalmation trainer and accountant said his dog is very intelligent and brings her empty plate when hungry. He commented on the mostly voluntary nature of thoroughbred trainers in Cuba, and claimed their main drive is love of dogs, not money.THE JUDGES SPEAK
Melba Castro was a judge from the Dominican Republic and self-proclaimed addict to canine culture. She echoed the reference to spirituality versus economy, and said "Look at how hard things are in Cuba and there are still so many of us here."
Costa Rican Luis Vargas said this was a "meeting of people crazy about dogs."
Javier Ramirez from Mexico, a dog show judge for 15 years, said he owns 20 dogs, but is trying to get down to six.
Top Cuba arbiter Nelson Borroto said he loves dog breeding, which he described as "a scientific factor that unites us all. Cynology is very demanding, especially the genetic work."
His eyes glowed as he described his canophile adventures, one of which included a Brazil show he was judging when an angry participant took a bite out of the rear of his suit.
CANINE CULTURE IN CUBA
The organizing committee had 13 members, with nine ring commissioners, eight international judges and dozens of groups, sections, races and ages, sponsored by at least 10 Cuban entities from civil society and government.There are at least 15 different dog associations in Cuba, including those for poodles, boxers, collies, great danes and the famous Bichon Habanero, a lap dog created in Cuba.
The dalmation contingent proudly explained their breed is the only that can cross over any of the 13 categories, can run a full marathon, is agile and a known firefighter helper.
Luis Laza Tamayo of the Federation directive board and journalist by profession, has a hairless Mexican xoloitzcuintle named Dobaolo that has won its category more times than one has fingers. He said this breed is a favorite in Cuba, and there are more than 200 in the club and over five thousand in Cuba.
As a matter of fact, they can be seen among others in the pedigreeless packs that roam the streets, who also visited this fair to get a look at the well-groomed members of their species.
The event appeared to be well-organized with tents, several concession stands from local restaurants, a first aid post and clearly cordoned competition areas.
The show program opened with a story by Paulo Coelho about an owner who died with his dog and at the pearly gates the animal companion was denied entry.
The keeper at the second set of gates allowed them in, explaining that the first was actually hell, where anyone who abandons his best friend is bound to go.
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