Americas Competitiveness Forum to Return to Atlanta
Atlanta has been selected to once again host the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in 2008, an event organized in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
ACF provides a venue for decision makers to discuss how to strengthen competitiveness in the region and to enhance public-private partnerships.
The Forum is expected to bring more than 1,000 government officials and private sector leaders from the 34 democracies of the Western Hemisphere to Atlanta. In addition, representatives from civil society, media, academia, and non-governmental organizations from these regions will be in attendance.
During the three-day Forum, U.S. Cabinet members will meet with their counterparts, Ministers from Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. Last year Secretaries Carlos Gutierrez, Henry Paulson and Margaret Spellings hosted the dialogues.
CIFAL Atlanta, a not-for profit organization created by the United Nations and the City of Atlanta, will implement the Forum in close coordination with the International Trade Administration. Mayor Franklin currently serves as Chair of CIFAL Atlanta Board of Trustees.
“It is an honor for our community to be recognized as a knowledge center on a hemispheric basis. Our city’s reputation on competitiveness and logistics, the excellence of its academic institutions and its diplomatic relations with all nations in the Americas was taken into consideration when selected for the second year in a row to host this historical meeting,” said Mayor Franklin.
“We know that the most successful negotiations are conducted in the spirit of friendship and mutual interest. We welcome our neighbors from Latin America and the Caribbean standing on the principles of civil and human rights which are Atlanta's heritage, and are resonant in the hearts of people worldwide.”
Atlanta hosted the inaugural ACF in 2007. The 2008 ACF is tentatively scheduled for August 17-19, 2008.
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Happy Holidays from the City of Atlanta!
Atlanta City Hall and City Hall East will be closed on Tuesday, December 25 in observation of the Christmas holiday, and will resume regular business hours on Wednesday, December 26.
For Your Information:
- The Municipal Court of Atlanta will be closed on December 25 and will reopen on Wednesday December 26 at 7 am for regular business hours.
- Household garbage collection will not occur on December 25. Collection will resume the day after the holiday and one day later (than normal collection day) for the remainder of the week. (For example: the day after Christmas for Tuesday collection, Thursday for Wednesday collection until all homes are serviced for that week by Saturday).
All public safety departments, including Atlanta police and fire, will remain open to serve residents and visitors.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Expects Almost 2 Million Passengers during Holidays
Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) estimate that more 1.85 million passengers will pass through the world’s busiest airport during the Christmas holidays.
The projection forecasts travel from Friday December 21 through Wednesday December 26. This year’s projection is 56,859 more than the 2006 weekly total of 1.79 million passengers for the same period. On average, HJAIA serves approximately 246,000 passengers daily.
To avoid long delays at the airport, visit www.atlanta-airport.com for up-to-the-minute flight updates, tips for international and domestic travel, and parking options.
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Mayor’s Youth Program College Alumni Return Prepared for Success
Last Tuesday, the Mayor’s Youth Program (MYP) hosted its third Annual Holiday Reunion Party to welcome back returning college students who have benefitted from this one-of-a-kind education program.
“This is the most rewarding work I’ve done as Mayor of the city of Atlanta,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin. Since 2005, MYP has helped hundreds of Atlanta high school students make the transition from high school to college, training school or the workforce. Students have received scholarships for unmet college needs; certification training in healthcare, automotive and warehouse distribution; laptops; ACT and SAT preparation; and job readiness workshops.
Through its numerous public-private partnerships, MYP is able to assist hundreds of Atlanta youth with that extra hand they need to become a well-prepared workforce. Every summer, MYP has partnered with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce to provide paid internships in fields as diverse as law, medicine, non-profit, music, broadcast and public service.
This year’s reunion event began with a musical performance from MYP 2006 alumni Mason Morton. Mason is currently attending Rice University and received financial assistance as well as his harp through MYP. Click Here to learn more about Mason Morton.
Zoë Johnson (MYP ’06) thanked Mayor Franklin for everything MYP did to help her. Johnson is a Grady High School graduate, and attends Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). “MYP really helped me with returning to school for a second year, even while they were helping the class of 2007. They provided me with enough funding to gain an education at one of the top art schools in the nation. Without them, my dream of going to SCAD wouldn’t have become a reality.”
For More Information on the Mayor Youth Program, or to become a partner, please visit www.mayorsyouthprogram.org
(L-R Front) Deborah Lum, Executive Director of Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, Gloria Matthews, Operations Coordinator for Kroger, Mayor Shirley Franklin, Zoë Johnson , MYP alumni, (R-L Back) Muqita Saafir, MYP alumni, Eugene Pierce, Store Manager for Kroger, and Kyle Branch, Regional Manager for Kroger.
MYP Alumni Mason Morton performed at the Mayor’s Youth Program Holiday Party. Mason is currently a student at Rice University. |
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Georgia's drought was the topic of discussion at a recent forum hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Franklin joined business leaders, lawmakers and government officials to talk about long-term solutions to the region's water crisis. Click here to watch the discussion.
This is just one of the many videos about the City of Atlanta that you can view on the new Video On Demand (VOD) page. Video clips include most programming you see on City Channel 26, like news conferences, groundbreakings and other events, as well as special programs that profile City departments and services.
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Rave Reviews!
- Atlanta Project Greenspace, a quality-of-life program of the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD), recently released its analysis of a 2006 citywide parks and recreation survey. The survey was submitted to Atlanta residents and stakeholders, and included over 1,200 responses from a representative sampling of all NPUs and Council Districts. The results will be used to help City planners understand residents’ perceptions and what they see as the most important needs for creating a world-class park system. Survey questions included: Top Five Recreation Needs; Unmet Needs and Most Important Park Facilities. For more information on the survey results, or to participate in the planning of Atlanta’s parks and greenspaces, visit www.atlantaprojectgreenspace.com A final plan that includes updates from public meetings will be brought before the Atlanta City Council for consideration.
Atlanta Project Greenspace releases survey results on resident’s needs for a world class parks system. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- Underground Atlanta will continue its New Year’s Eve tradition on Monday December 31 with a full day of family fun, concluding with an evening of entertainment and the annual Peach Drop! Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert will perform. For event details, visit www.peachdrop.com.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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