Μήνυμα από Ι. Βαρδακαστάνη, υποψήφιο Ευρωβουλευτή Κινήματος Αλλαγής

Είμαι ο Ιωάννης Βαρδακαστάνης (βιογραφικό σημείωμα), υποψήφιος Ευρωβουλευτής με το Κίνημα Αλλαγής, πρόεδρος της Εθνικής Συνομοσπονδίας Ατόμων με Αναπηρία, και την ίδια ώρα έχω την τιμή να προεδρεύω και στην ευρωπαϊκή συνομοσπονδία των αναπήρων, το European Disability Forum. Έχουμε ήδη συναντηθεί στους αγώνες για τη δημοκρατία, για τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα, σε κάποιες από τις μεγάλες διαμαρτυρίες στις οποίες προέβη το αναπηρικό κίνημα της χώρας μας τα τελευταία χρόνια μέσα στην κρίση. Σίγουρα έχουμε συναντηθεί στους μικρούς και μεγάλους αγώνες ενάντια στη λαίλαπα της ακροδεξιάς, ενάντια στην παλιά Δεξιά που εκφράζει η ΝΔ και στη νέα Δεξιά που εκφράζει ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ. Με γνωρίζεις ως μέλος του ΠΑΣΟΚ από το 1974, του ΠΑΣΟΚ των κινημάτων, της αλληλεγγύης, των δικαιωμάτων, του εκσυγχρονισμού, του αντιρατσισμού, ενάντια στον μισαναπηρισμό, ενάντια στην ξενοφοβία, χωρίς ποτέ να κατέχω κρατική θέση. Προσωπικά αποδέχθηκα την πρόσκληση της Προέδρου του ΠΑΣΟΚ και του Κινήματος Αλλαγής Φώφης Γεννηματά με τιμή, για να είμαι για πρώτη φορά υποψήφιος στις Ευρωεκλογές, μετά από μία μακρά πορεία, πέραν των 30 χρόνων στα κοινά. Η συμμετοχή μου σε αυτό τον νέο αγώνα είναι ταυτόχρονα πρόσκληση για την ενδυνάμωση της Δημοκρατικής Παράταξης αλλά και πρόκληση να εκπροσωπήσω τους αδύναμους πολίτες αυτής της χώρας αλλά και της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης στο νέο Ευρωκοινοβούλιο και να αγωνιστώ για την κοινωνική Ευρώπη που επιδιώκουμε, για την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση των δικαιωμάτων, του κράτους δικαίου, της ισότητας, της βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης και της κοινωνικής συνοχής. Έχω εντρυφήσει στις διαδικασίες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, στη νομοθεσία της καθώς και στον ορθό και αποτελεσματικό τρόπο παρέμβασης. Περισσότερο από όλα, όμως, με ενδιαφέρει να κατανοήσουμε όλοι οι πολίτες ότι δεν πρέπει να αφήσουμε την Ε.Ε. στα χέρια άλλων. Στα χέρια των ευρωσκεπτικιστών, στα χέρια όσων ευαγγελίζονται πολιτικές λιτότητας, στα χέρια όσων δεν έχουν ψηλά στην ατζέντα το όραμα της Ευρώπης ΓΙΑ ΟΛΟΥΣ. Ευθέως πρέπει να θέσουμε θέμα τροποποίησης της Συνθήκης του Μάαστριχτ, που μας έφερε ως εδώ. Η Ευρώπη βρίσκεται σε ιστορικό σταυροδρόμι. Στις 26 Μαΐου ψηφίζουμε για αλλαγή στην Ευρώπη, αλλαγή στην Ελλάδα. Όπως λέει η Πρόεδρός μας: "ψηφίζουμε για να κάνουμε την 26η Μάη Πρώτη Ανάσταση". Σου ζητάω να με εμπιστευτείς και με την επιλογή σου να στρέψουμε το τιμόνι της  Ευρώπης προς την κατεύθυνση του κοινωνικού κράτους, της  πραγματικής εφαρμογής των δικαιωμάτων σε όλα τα επίπεδα, για να αντιμετωπιστούν οι ανισότητες με έναν ισόρροπο τρόπο μεταξύ οικονομίας - κοινωνίας και περιβαλλοντικής πολιτικής, ώστε να επιστρέψει η Ευρώπη στους πολίτες της. Σε ευχαριστώ θερμά για τον χρόνο που μου διέθεσες. Ιωάννης Βαρδακαστάνης

ioannis.vardakastanis@gmail.com www.ioannisvardakastanis.gr +30 6937 157193

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Revised National Budget 2019: Robust growth in the Norwegian economy Pressemelding | 14.05.2019 The Norwegian economy is performing well. Employment growth is high and unemployment has declined across the country. Non-oil business investment is at a 10-year high. The positive developments are expected to continue. In the Revised national budget the Government continues an economic policy that  facilitates structural adjustment, innovation and growth in the Norwegian economy. News alert about: The economy

Reform of aid management Pressemelding | 10.05.2019 The Government has now chosen the model that will be used for reforming Norway’s aid management structure. Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) will be given responsibility for much of Norway’s aid management, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have specific responsibility for policy development, determining the main focus areas for Norway’s aid, and representing Norway in important international arenas. News alert about: Foreign affairs

IMF:Transcript of IMF Press Briefing

Transcript of IMF Press Briefing

May 9, 2019

MR. RICE: Good morning everyone. And welcome to this Press Briefing on behalf of the International Monetary Fund. I'm Gerry Rice of the Communications Department here at the Fund.

And as usual our briefing this morning will be embargoed until 10:30 a.m., that's Washington Time.

Let me make a few announcements, and then I'll come to your questions in the room, and take a few online as well.

So, our Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, will be visiting the Central Asia Region and Caucasus from May 16th until the 22nd, so that's beginning next week.

On May 16, Madam Lagarde will be in Kazakhstan where she will participate in the Astana Economic Forum. And also participate in a Regional Roundtable on Inclusive Growth and Regional Integration in that area.

Following that, Madam Lagarde will travel to Uzbekistan for a series of public and bilateral engagements, both in Tashkent and Samarkand. And she'll deliver a Keynote Speech; meet with the President and authorities. So, that's Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan.

And then finally, Madam Lagarde will visit Georgia, and will be in Tbilisi delivering a Keynote Speech on May 21st, and again, a series of other engagements on which we will give you the detail, and of course access to all of those public events.

Our Deputy Managing Director, Tao Zhang, will be visiting African May 12th to 17th, he'll be in The Gambia, and then in Cape Verde where he will meet with the authorities and have a number of public engagements. Again, we can get you the details of that.

So, that's on announcements. There's one piece of additional news that I want to bring to your attention, because there have been questions asked about this issue in previous press briefings.

EGCA and EGLA Secretariat:Ezine No. 30 - May 2019

Ezine No. 30 - May 2019apital 2022 and European Green Leaf Awards 2021 competitions are now open! If you think your city can be an EU Ambassador, showcasing best practice in sustainable urban development to motivate and inspire other cities, then you should apply!

The European Green Capital Award (EGCA) is awarded annually to a European city with over 100,000 inhabitants that has shown itself to be a leader in environmental, social and economic sustainability. The winner of the 2022 Award will receive €350,000¹ to kick-start its year as a European Green Capital.

The European Green Leaf Award (EGLA) is open to towns and cities with between 20,000 and up to 100,000 inhabitants, to recognise and promote their efforts towards better environmental management and outcomes. The winner of the 2021 Award will receive €75,000¹ to support its activities throughout its European Green Leaf year.

If your city is interested in applying, you will first need to register your interest hereand then you will have access to the full set of application forms. Registration is completely obligation free and does not require you to submit an application at a later date; allowing your city to explore the application process and determine whether you would like to make a formal entry.

The deadline to submit your applications for both the 2022 European Green Capital and 2021 European Green Leaf competitions is 14 October 2019 at 23:59 CEST (GMT +2).

A message from EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella, “There are many ways and paths to becoming a modern green city and I encourage all cities to apply for the European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards as a first step to a more sustainable future.”

[1] Subject to the approval of the EU 2020 Budget and approval by the College of the 2020 Financing Decision for the EU Life Programme

Join us at this year’s EGCA 2022 Applicant Workshop!

For eligible cities interested in applying for the European Green Capital (EGCA) 2022 competition, the European Commission is hosting a one-day Applicant Workshop in Brussels on 27 May! Deadline to register is fast approaching – on the 22nd of May – so hurry up and register today! You won’t want to miss this great opportunity!

This one-day workshop will give any interested city a comprehensive overview of what’s involved in putting together a successful application for the European Green Capital 2022 competition. The competition is now open and we will be accepting applications until 14 October at 23:59 CEST (GMT +2). Register and download the applications and bring your questions to the Applicant Workshop!

You will hear insights from:

HONG KONG MEANS BUSINESS:update

15 MAY 2019

MARKET SPOTLIGHT Home products have the smarts Southeast Asian countries make their presence felt as both suppliers and markets at household-focused fairs. Houseware product and service providers are eager to ensure their products are future-proof as the smart home rapidly switches from concept to reality, as shown by the offerings at the 34th HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the concurrent 10th HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair.  More US Trade US tariffs on goods from Mainland China rise to 25% The Office of the United States Trade Representative has issued an official notice increasing the additional tariff currently in place on US$200 billion worth of goods imported from Mainland China (List 3 goods) from 10% to 25%, with effect from 10 May. FIRST PERSON Bullish outlook for Hong Kong logistics properties Repurposed industrial buildings are in focus as low yields point to positive investor sentiment. INSIDE CHINA Hangzhou Brain draws crowds A conference on the project to transform Zhejiang’s capital into a ‘digital city’ draws intense interest during the ITC Expo. HEADS-UP Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer The world-class fashion hub of Hong Kong hosts an all-in-one sourcing platform for the industry. VENTURE HONG KONG Start-up skates higher HKTDC programme puts entrepreneur on fast track to US$2.6m in seed capital. LIFE & STYLE TV and web content eclipse film releases At this year's FILMART, a slew of globally bound, multi-language streaming and episodic TV shows outdid the cinematic content. UPCOMING EVENTS 20-22 May Hong Kong Pavilion at the 24rd China Beauty Expo, Shanghai 24 May HKTDC Research Seminar on “Prospering in a Time of Trade Tension: How to... 4-6 June BIO International Convention 2019, Philadelphia FIND AN EVENT   MULTIMEDIA SEE THIS Smart City, Smart Living HEAR THIS Big Wins for Brave Marketers MORE MULTIMEDIA   RESEARCH Taking Hong Kong’s Start-Up Best Practices to Emerging Markets Jewellery Traders Turn Cautious in 2019: The HKTDC Hong Kong International... Accessing the ASEAN Consumer Market: Toys and Games (Recent Developments... MORE RESEARCH