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Dublin to Host 8th Forum of Cities against Poverty
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ublin has been unveiled as the host city of the World Alliance of Cities against Poverty’s 8th forum that will take place on the 21st and 22nd of February. The World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty (WACAP) was first launched in 1996 as a global network of municipal governments. Its ambition is to address the challenges of urbanisation, to facilitate north-south and triangular cooperation, and to share knowledge of best practices. Each Forum attracts senior political leadership from cities as well as policy and technical specialists
with designated authority. Naoise Ó Muirí, Lord Mayor of Dublin, said his city is proud to host WACAP8 and is looking forward to receiving the delegates in February. “The International Forum and Expo will bring together key people to build solutions for the Millennium Development Goals and to address the global challenge of urban poverty,” he said. “Through a diverse range of speakers and sessions, the Forum will specifically examine ways in which technology can make our cities ‘smart, safe and sustainable”. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark
said more people now live in cities than in rural areas. The Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development estimates that by 2050, 70 per cent of the world population will live in cities. “Cities should offer social, economic and political opportunities for citizens to reach their full potential. WACAP is meant as a contribution, with our partners, to facilitate this process”. UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet said that no city could be considered safe, smart or sustainable unless half of its population – women and girls – could enjoy public spaces without the fear of violence. “Working with municipal leaders, WACAP8 can help ensure that women, youth and children are safe to fully enjoy the many opportunities that cities offer”.
DHL Flyers conquer the Four Peaks Challenge and raise over €7,000 for charity
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HL Express once again supported ‘Global Volunteer Day’ as the Irish management team successfully undertook the gruelling Focus Ireland Four Peaks Challenge. All six members of the team climbed a staggering 11,937 feet as they battled the high winds and sheets of rain and travelled over 800 miles around Ireland over three days, raising over €7,000 for Focus Ireland, who provide housing and homeless services to young people, adults, children and families who are homeless or are vulnerable to homelessness. Mike Farrell, DHL Express Operations Director and team captain, said: “We were chatting about what we could do as a team to support Global Volunteer Day and really stretch ourselves in the process. When I suggested the Four Peaks Challenge to the rest of the team they came on board without hesitation and so the ‘DHL Flyers’ came into being. And from beginning to end it has been a hugely rewarding experience.” For the DHL Flyers, the challenge began ten-weeks prior to the main event, as Trevor Murphy, Head of Human Resources at DHL Express Ireland and one of the DHL Flyers devised a rigorous training schedule to ensure all
Left to right: Bernard McCarthy, Managing Director, DHL Express Ireland and DHL Flyer; Trevor Murphy, Head of Human Resources; Seán Moran, Same Day Director; Gerard Biggins, IT Director; Mike Farrell, Operations Director; Martin O’Toole, DHL Same Day and designated driver for the DHL Flyers; Alain Gelibert, Finance Director and Des Wall, DHL Express and designated driver for the DHL Flyers.
members were physically prepared for the challenge ahead but also to reduce the risk of injury. On the first day of the actual challenge, the team faced the 3,414 ft climb of Carrauntoohil in Co Kerry. Following the long drive to Co Mayo, day two saw the team embark on the 2,688 ft climb of Mweelrea. Day three proved to be the most challenging, as not only did the DHL Flyers conquer Slieve Donard in Co. Down which is 2,796 ft but they also faced the final climb of Lugnaquilla in Co. Wicklow, which stands at an impressive 3,039 ft. Bernard McCarthy, Managing Director, DHL Express Ireland and a
member of the DHL Flyers said: “As the Irish Management Team we wanted to take on a challenge that supported our corporate “Global Volunteer Day” but that would also test us both physically and mentally. And of course to raise money for a great cause, so the Focus Ireland Four Peaks Challenge certainly ticked all the boxes”. McCarthy added “It’s fair to say that the DHL Flyers are no spring chickens but the support we received from staff, colleagues and customers was outstanding and helped us complete this most gruelling of challenges whilst raising over €7,000 for Focus Ireland in the process.”
6 Q3 2012 | InBusiness
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31/10/2012 09:20:04