|
In this section:
|
|
Agenda
Friday, October 26, 2018
Location: 4340 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington DC 20008
Room: 5th floor - Moot Court
Room: 5th floor - Moot Court
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Location: 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington DC 20008
Room: UDC Ballroom
Room: UDC Ballroom
Topics
- Understanding the Puerto Rican Debt
- Public Policy and Reconstruction Efforts
- Leveraging Federal Opportunities to Promote Economic Development in Puerto Rico
- Good Governance, Accountability and Transparency
- Empowering Women in Politics
- How to be the best advocate for Puerto Rico, Workshop by: BoricuActivatEd
DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions and ideologies expressed on panels, workshops or any other media are those of the producers and/or the persons appearing on the program and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the organizers of the Puerto Rican Diaspora Summit - Washington DC, its Sponsors or the University of the District of Columbia.
Understanding the Puerto Rican Debt
|
Before Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico's largest man-made disaster was its financial crisis. When in June 2015, then Governor said to the national media that "The debt is not payable" it sent ripples across the financial press. How did Puerto Rico's debt get out of control? Weren't there protections in the Puerto Rico Constitution of how much could be borrowed? Who created this debt?
This topic will be covered on the first day of the Puerto Rican Diaspora Summit - Washington DC, on Friday, September 14, 2018 after the Networking Session that begins at 5:00pm. At 6:30pm we will have the screening of the documentary Bancarrota by Jose M. Umpierre and Kendall Marsh. This 58-minute documentary will explain and illustrate the magnitude of the crisis, the aggravating economic factors and the implications of the unsurmountable debt acquired by Puerto Rico. |
|
Following the documentary, we will have an open discussion with the producers and industry leaders familiar with the topic. Come join us and learn how you can also be a part of the solution. Please note that the address for this event is different, from Saturday's event. You can find the address here.
Meet the panel:
Eduardo Conde -
Moderator and Organizer of PR Diaspora Summit - Washington DC
|
Rafael Cox-Alomar - Professor at University of District of Columbia Law School, former candidate for Resident Commissioner (2012)
|
Jorge Irizarry - Executive Director at Los Bonistas del Patio and former President of Banco Gubernamental de Fomento
|
Mariely Lopez-Santana - Professor of Comparative Politics at George Mason University
|
Jose M. Umpierre - Movie Critic, Collaborator at Latinopia.com, Co-Producer and Co-Director of Bancarrota documentary
|
Policy Update and Reconstruction Efforts
In the year since Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the federal government has appropriated tens of billions of dollars for Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts. Despite the large influx of funds flowing to the Island, this figure falls short of the projected needs of Puerto Rico, presently estimated between $125 and $146 billion. On this panel, we will discuss how the existing congressional measures address Puerto Rico’s reality, what additional needs and issues remain, and what should be done to ensure that Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts best serve the interests of its residents.
Meet the panel:
Meet the panel:
Jaime Farrant - Moderator and Director of Community and Economic Development, Asociacion Puertorriqueños en Marcha
|
Carmen Feliciano - Executive Director of Washington DC office of the Senate of Puerto Rico
|
Rosanna Torres - Director of the Center for a New Economy, Washington DC Office
|
Max Trujillo - Senior Government Affairs Strategist & Policy Consultant and President of MJT Policy LLC
|
Leveraging Federal Opportunities to Promote Economic Development in Puerto Rico
This panel will explore the types of programs and funding opportunities (e.g. Opportunity Zones plus EDA, SBA, USDA, etc. grant opportunities) that exist under the federal government that Puerto Rico can use to support and scale local projects aimed at boosting the island’s economic development post-hurricane Maria and beyond.
Meet the panel:
Meet the panel:
Mariela Martinez - Moderator and Founding Board Member of Cenadores Puerto Rico
|
Alfredo Casta - Member of Board of Trustees of Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
|
Liz Lopez - Managing Director of Nexus Consulting
|
Jose Luis Rodriguez - CEO of CRG Communications
|
Javier Saade - Venture Partner, Fenway Summer Ventures
|
Good Governance, Accountability and Transparency
The government of Puerto Rico has long been hampered by lack of policies, regulations and laws to prevent fraud, waste and abuse and to increase effectiveness and productivity.
This panel will explore what mechanisms are in place or needed to increase accountability and transparency and enhance good governance practice.
This panel will explore what mechanisms are in place or needed to increase accountability and transparency and enhance good governance practice.
Gretchen Sierra-Zorita - Moderator and Co-Founder of National Puerto Rican Agenda
|
Cecille Blondet - Executive Director of Espacios Abiertos
|
Mario Marazzi - Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics
|
Yesmin Valdivieso - Comptroller of Puerto Rico
|
Empowering Women In Politics
Women are significantly underrepresented in Puerto Rico public elected positions. Surprisingly, in Puerto Rico only 8 out of 78 mayors and 14 out of 81 state legislators are women.
The Empowering Women in Politics panel will explore what initiatives are in place and needed to elect more women in Puerto Rico that prioritize and support public policy that directly benefits women and their families.
The Empowering Women in Politics panel will explore what initiatives are in place and needed to elect more women in Puerto Rico that prioritize and support public policy that directly benefits women and their families.
Inarú Meléndez - Moderator and Member of Cenadores Puerto Rico
|
Natalie Caraballo - Co-founder, Proyecto 85
|
Reniya Dinkins - Member of Running Start
|
Jennice Fuentes - Co-founder and CEO of BoricuActivate
|
Engagement Sessions Workshops
ReImagina Puerto Rico
Learn more about ReImagina Puerto Rico and participate in defining strategies to strengthen the diaspora network’s impact in Puerto Rico’s reconstruction process. ReImagina Puerto Rico convened voices from the public and private sectors and civil society to compile a comprehensive set of recommendations to make Puerto Rico stronger and more resilient in the areas of Housing, Energy, Physical Infrastructure, Natural infrastructure, Economic Development, and Health, Education & Social Services. We are also looking to build upon the diaspora’s networks and initiatives to increase the efficiency in addressing unmet needs, ongoing challenges, and future disaster risks on the island. All 97 of the recommendations, of which seventeen were identified as high priority, were published in the ReImagina Puerto Rico Report, along with the six sector reports. You can review in detail here, www.reimaginapuertorico.org.
Learn more about ReImagina Puerto Rico and participate in defining strategies to strengthen the diaspora network’s impact in Puerto Rico’s reconstruction process. ReImagina Puerto Rico convened voices from the public and private sectors and civil society to compile a comprehensive set of recommendations to make Puerto Rico stronger and more resilient in the areas of Housing, Energy, Physical Infrastructure, Natural infrastructure, Economic Development, and Health, Education & Social Services. We are also looking to build upon the diaspora’s networks and initiatives to increase the efficiency in addressing unmet needs, ongoing challenges, and future disaster risks on the island. All 97 of the recommendations, of which seventeen were identified as high priority, were published in the ReImagina Puerto Rico Report, along with the six sector reports. You can review in detail here, www.reimaginapuertorico.org.
National Puerto Rican Agenda Capital Region
The [National Puerto Rican Agenda] (NPRA) was established in 2016 after its inaugural convention in Camden, New Jersey, as a nonpartisan alliance of stateside organizations, elected and community leaders and volunteers. The alliance was born out of a collective desire to address Puerto Rico’s economic crisis and promote Puerto Rican political and civic participation in the United States. Its mission is to unite, educate and create solutions for the Puerto Rican people in the United States and Puerto Rico.
The NPRA has been working to establish a chapter in the Washington Metropolitan Area, which it expects to formalize through a local convention to be held by the end of 2018. As part of this process, the NPRA will hold this breakout session to meet with Puerto Rican leaders, supporters, individuals and organizations to learn about their ongoing projects and efforts. Furthermore, during the session, we will begin crafting together an agenda that seeks to unite, organize, mobilize and empower Puerto Ricans in the region in order to advance the interests of the Puerto Rican people.
Our goal is for this session for it to be an initial opportunity to craft together an agenda that unites, organizes, mobilizes and empowers Puerto Ricans in the region in order to advance our local interests and the well-being of our people in Puerto Rico.
The [National Puerto Rican Agenda] (NPRA) was established in 2016 after its inaugural convention in Camden, New Jersey, as a nonpartisan alliance of stateside organizations, elected and community leaders and volunteers. The alliance was born out of a collective desire to address Puerto Rico’s economic crisis and promote Puerto Rican political and civic participation in the United States. Its mission is to unite, educate and create solutions for the Puerto Rican people in the United States and Puerto Rico.
The NPRA has been working to establish a chapter in the Washington Metropolitan Area, which it expects to formalize through a local convention to be held by the end of 2018. As part of this process, the NPRA will hold this breakout session to meet with Puerto Rican leaders, supporters, individuals and organizations to learn about their ongoing projects and efforts. Furthermore, during the session, we will begin crafting together an agenda that seeks to unite, organize, mobilize and empower Puerto Ricans in the region in order to advance the interests of the Puerto Rican people.
Our goal is for this session for it to be an initial opportunity to craft together an agenda that unites, organizes, mobilizes and empowers Puerto Ricans in the region in order to advance our local interests and the well-being of our people in Puerto Rico.
