Category Archives: Society

Дадзеныя раскрываюць змрочную рэальнасць канфлікту: справаздача Mediazona раскрывае значныя страты расійскіх вайскоўцаў, падкрэсліваючы рэзкі кантраст з афіцыйнымі лічбамі

Тбілісі, Грузія, 17-Aug-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — Гэтым летам чатыры антываенныя расійскія эмігранты сабраліся разам дзякуючы ўдзелу ў першай у гісторыі артыстычнай рэзідэнцыі «Мастацтва міру» пры падтрымцы Campaigns for Humanity («Кампаніі за чалавечнасць»), дабрачыннай арганізацыі лічбавага маркетынгавага агенцтва Renaissance3, арыентаванай на правы чалавека. Ініцыятыва палягчае сувязь паміж мастакамі, якія пацярпелі ад канфліктаў, і забяспечвае ім платформу, каб выказаць сваё супрацьдзеянне вайне і ўзаемадзейнічаць са сваімі прымаючымі супольнасцямі. Наватары «Мастацтва міру» змешваюць тэхналогіі, самавыяўленне, каб ажывіць антываенныя паведамленні  Створаны дзякуючы супрацоўніцтву мастакоў, якія жадаюць застацца ананімнымі з-за занепакоенасці бяспекай блізкіх людзей унутры Расіі, перадавы праект, вядомы як «Дарожныя знакі», выкарыстоўвае дапоўненую рэальнасць для катапультацыі вулічнага мастацтва ў будучыню: карыстальнікі ў Расіі і суседніх краінах, якія загружаюць мабільную праграму «AR Hunter», могуць накіраваць сваю камеру смартфона на дарожны знак і ўбачыць, як яна трансфармуецца ў аніміраваны твор мастацтва, які прапагандуе мір. Праект «Дарожныя знакі», паведамленне якіх гаворыць непасрэдна з патэнцыяльнымі ўдзельнікамі ўзброенага канфлікту, будуць інтэграваны ў прыкладанне «Паляўнічы за ДР» [http://arhunter.org/], створанае Анастасіяй Владычкінай, лідэрам вядомай мастацкай групы Yav [https://taplink.cc/yav_zone], да канца жніўня. Працягваючы знаёміцца з ужываннем найноўшых тэхналогій у мастацтве, лаўрэат прэміі і рэзідэнт «Мастацтва свету» Аліса Ёфэ [http://alisayoffe.com/] правяла майстар-клас па пратэстным мастацтве ў свеце віртуальнай рэальнасці «Xanax Tbilisi». Падчас сесіі Ёфэ віртуальная «правяла» удзельнікаў па вуліцах Тбілісі, каб паглядзець пратэстнае мастацтва, накладзенае на элементы гарадскога пейзажу. Падкрэсліваючы сумесны характар праекта, Ёфэ запрасіла усіх, хто жадае ўнесці свой уклад у антываенныя графіці, атрымаць доступ да свету «Xanax Tbilisi» праз платформу «VRChat [https://hello.vrchat.com/]». На фоне вайны ўзнікае востры пранікнёны рух  Шчырая песня, якая нарадзілася з калектыўных разважанняў 10 расійскіх эмігрантаў, калі паўстала пытанне: «Што б вы сказалі таму, хто змагаецца ў вайне супраць Украіны?» і пад назвай «Расійскаму салдату», дасягае кульмінацыі ў пераследным сцвярджэнні: «Я хачу [каб вы] жылі… і іншыя будуць жыць таксама». Дадзеныя, якія паведамляюцца [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats] у «Медыязоне», падкрэсліваюць сур ‘ёзную рызыку, якая ўзнікае ў тых, хто адпраўляецца Расіяй на бой: хоць дадзеныя пра ваенныя ахвяры засакрэчаныя, і тых, хто адважваецца паведамляць пра колькасць загінулых салдат, пераследуюць за распаўсюджванне «фэйкавых навін» пра войска, вядома, што па стане на канец мая 2023 года загінулі не менш за 47 000 расійскіх мужчын ва ўзросце да 50 гадоў. «Медыязона» і «Медуза» падлічылі [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats], што 78,000 расійскіх салдат, магчыма, былі параненыя або зніклі без вестак у бою, у выніку чаго агульныя страты склалі 125 000 чалавек. Гэтая лічба знаходзіцца ў рэзкім кантрасце з агульнадаступнай інфармацыяй з Расіі. Як паведамляе «Медыязона» [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats], апошні раз, калі Міністэрства абароны раскрывала дадзеныя пра пацярпелых, быў у верасні 2022 года. Тады Сяргей Шойгу абвясціў, што ў агульнай складанасці 5937 салдат былі забітыя ў бою. Наватарскія наратывы для міру  Семра Фогель, першапачатковы рэзідэнт «Мастацтва міру» і архітэктар майстэрні «Вершы гучнейшыя за бомбы», сабрала ў ліпені пяць антываенных паэтаў у Тбілісі [https://reforumspaces.io/] для сумеснага вопыту стварэння мастацтва з упорам на песню. Вось яе ўласныя словы: «Я думаю, што мастацтва — гэта спосаб прыцягнуць увагу да гэтай праблемы. Калі больш людзей збіраюцца выкарыстоўваць сваё мастацтва для гэтай мэты і папрасіць сваіх сяброў пра гэта, у нас будзе больш шанцаў на мір. Гэта будзе лепш… для тых, хто ўжо пацярпеў ад вайны, і для тых, хто абараняецца ад далейшага і далейшага зла, якое прыносіць гэтая вайна». Фогель плануе абапірацца на сваю першапачатковую канцэпцыю, каб маштабаваць яе, каб больш людзей адчувалі сябе гатовымі да вытворчасці пратэстнага мастацтва, як у супрацоўніцтве, так і індывідуальна. Разважаючы пра пяць паэтаў, якія ўдзельнічалі ў яе флагманскай майстэрні, Фогель сказала: «Я вельмі ганаруся сваёй працай. Я ганаруся сваёй працай, таму што мне ўдалося натхніць іх. Гэта самая крутая рэч».
Удзельнічайце  Для ўдзелу ў руху «Мастацтва міру» асобным асобам і суполкам прапануецца:
    • Падзяліцца сваімі антываеннымі творамі Ñž сацыяльных сетках з дапамогай хэштэгаў #ArtofPeace, #ИскусствоМира, #IWantYouToLive і #ХочуЧтобыЖил.
    • Унясіце свой уклад у віртуальную галерэю [https://campaignsforhumanity.com/art-of-peace], якую праводзіць Campaigns for Humanity («Кампаніі за чалавечнасць»).
    • Арганізуйце яе уласныя сумесныя творчыя сустрэчы. Рэзідэнты-мастакі распрацавалі кіраўніцтва для выкарыстання членамі грамадскасці, якое змяшчаецца ніжэй.
Кіраўніцтва па правядзенні сустрэчы «Мастацтва міру» 1st Збярыце групу людзей і любыя матэрыялы для мастацтва, якія вам падабаюцца або да якіх вы маеце доступ. Старыя часопісы, клей і папера — усё, што вам трэба, каб стварыць калаж! 2nd Разам паглядзіце на твор мастацтва, напрыклад, адзін з тых, якія ўваходзяць у віртуальную галерэю [https://campaignsforhumanity.com/art-of-peace/]. Затым абмяркуйце, як гэта прымушае вас адчуваць сябе, што вам падабаецца ў гэтым; магчыма, тое, што вам не зразумела ці не спадабалася ў гэтым. 3rd Правядзіце некаторы час у групе, ствараючы ўласнае мастацтва або паэзію, натхнёную дыскусіяй і мастацкім творам. Для дапамогі вы можаце выкарыстоўваць назву «Я хачу, каб ты жыў» або «мастацтва міру». 4th Падзяліцца сваёй працай у сацыяльных сетках з дапамогай хэштэгаў #ArtofPeace, #ИскусствоМира, #IWantYoutoLive і #ХочуЧтобыЖил. Каб быць у курсе апошніх навін «Мастацтва міру», сачыце за Campaigns for Humanity («Кампаніі за чалавечнасць») ў Twitter, Facebookі Instagram. SOURCE: EuropaWire

Data reveals grim reality of conflict: Report by Mediazona exposes substantial Russian military casualties, highlighting stark contrast with official figures

TBILISI, Georgia, 15-Aug-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — This summer, four anti-war Russian emigrants came together through their involvement in the first-ever “Art of Peace” artist residency, backed by Campaigns for Humanity, the human rights-focused philanthropic arm of digital marketing agency Renaissance3. The initiative facilitates connection among artists affected by conflict and provides them with a platform to express their opposition to war and engage with their host communities.

“Art of Peace” innovators blend technology, self-expression to bring anti-war messages to life

Created through a collaboration of artists wishing to remain anonymous due to concerns for the safety of loved ones inside Russia, the cutting-edge project known as “Road Signs” uses augmented reality to catapult street art into the future: Users in Russia and neighboring countries who download the mobile app “AR Hunter” can point their smartphone camera at a road sign and see it transform into an animated artwork promoting peace.

“Road Signs,” whose message speaks directly to those potentially involved in armed conflict, will be integrated into the “AR Hunter” [http://arhunter.org/] app created by Anastasia Vladychkina, leader of the well-known art group Yav [https://taplink.cc/yav_zone], by the end of August.

Continuing the embrace of the latest applications of technology in art, prizewinning artist and “Art of Peace” resident Alisa Yoffe [http://alisayoffe.com/] led a masterclass on protest art in the virtual-reality world of “Xanax Tbilisi.” During the session, Yoffe virtually “walked” participants through the streets of Tbilisi to view protest art superimposed on elements of the cityscape. Emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project, Yoffe has invited all who wish to contribute their own anti-war graffiti to access the world of “Xanax Tbilisi” through the platform “VRChat [https://hello.vrchat.com/].”

Against the backdrop of war, a poignant artistic movement emerges

A heartfelt song born from the collective contemplation of 10 Russian emigrants when posed with the question, “What would you say to someone fighting in the war against Ukraine?” and titled “To the Russian Soldier,” culminates in the haunting refrain, “I want [you] to live… others will live too.”

Data reported [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats] in Mediazona underscore the grave risk born by those sent by Russia to fight: While military casualty data are classified, with those daring to report on the number of fallen soldiers prosecuted for spreading “fake news” about the army, as of late May 2023, at least 47,000 Russian men under the age of 50 had died in the war. Mediazona and Meduza estimated [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats] that 78,000 Russian soldiers may have been wounded or missing in action, bringing overall losses to 125,000. This figure stands in stark contrast with publicly disclosed information from Russia; as reported in Mediazona [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats], the last time the Ministry of Defence disclosed any casualty figures was in September 2022, when Sergei Shoygu announced that a total of 5,937 soldiers were killed in action.

Pioneering narratives for peace

Semra Fogel, an inaugural “Art of Peace” resident and architect of the “Verses are Louder than Bombs” workshop, gathered five anti-war poets at Reforum Space Tbilisi [https://reforumspaces.io/] this July for a collaborative art-making experience centered around song. In her own words, “I think art is a way to draw attention to this problem. If more people are going to use their art for this purpose and ask their friends to, we stand a better chance at peace. It’ll be better… for those who have already suffered from the war and for those defending themselves against further and further evil that this war brings.”

Fogel plans to build on her initial concept, with the goal of scaling it so more people feel prepared to produce protest art, whether collaboratively or individually. Reflecting on the five poets who participated in her flagship workshop, Fogel said, “I’m very proud of their work. I’m proud of my work because I managed to inspire them. It’s the coolest thing.”

Get involved

To participate in the Art of Peace movement, individuals and communities are encouraged to:

  • Share their anti-war artwork on social media using the hashtags #ArtofPeace#ИскусствоМира#IWantYouToLive, & #ХочуЧтобыЖил.
  • Contribute to the virtual gallery [https://campaignsforhumanity.com/art-of-peace] hosted by Campaigns for Humanity.
  • Host their own collaborative art-making meetups. The resident artists crafted a guide for members of the public to use, included below.

Guide to Hosting an Art of Peace Art-Making Meetup

  1. Gather a group of people and any art supplies you like or have access to. Old magazines, glue, and paper are all you need to create a collage!
  2. Together, look at a piece of art, such as one of those included in the virtual gallery [https://campaignsforhumanity.com/art-of-peace/]. Then discuss how it makes you feel, what you like about it; maybe what you didn’t understand or didn’t like about it.
  3. Spend some time as a group making art or poetry of your own, inspired by the discussion and the artwork. You might use the title “I want you to live” or “art of peace” to help guide you.
  4. Share your work on social media using the hashtag #ArtofPeace#ИскусствоМира#IWantYoutoLive, & #ХочуЧтобыЖил.

To stay up to date on the latest Art of Peace news, follow Campaigns for Humanity on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

DISCOVER THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF ART: RUSSIAN ACTIVISTS IN EXILE SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE THROUGH IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCES

TBILISI, Georgia, 7-Jul-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — This summer, a group of Russian activists, currently living in exile, are banding together to cultivate artistic resistance to the war among the Russian diaspora. The activists, all of whom are working artists collectively specializing in a variety of mediums, initially connected through their participation in the inaugural “Art of Peace” artist residency sponsored by Campaigns for Humanity, the human rights-focused philanthropic arm of digital marketing agency Renaissance3. The initiative is designed to bring together artists affected by conflict and provide them with a platform to express their opposition to war and engage with their host communities.

“It [Art of Peace] provides an opportunity to collaborate with other talented artists, poets, and writers, united by a common goal: confronting war and violence through art.” – Anastasia Vladyckina, Art of Peace resident

Reflecting on the residency, one participant, who asked to be identified only by the letter “R” due to concern for the safety of her family still living in Russia, stated, “War cannot stop us from creating art. Here we meet, speak out, exchange, and create.”

Driven by their belief in the transformative power of expression, the “Art of Peace” residents are sharing their expertise with the broader diaspora community through immersive art experiences open to the public–including those who may not yet consider themselves artists. During these experiences, participants are guided to cultivate a sense of community amongst themselves as they create works centering around the themes of peace and pleas of “I want you to live,” an appeal directed at those in Russia they fear they could lose to this unjust war.

One of the experiences produced by the residents, titled “Verses Are Louder than Bombs,” is being organized by musician Semra Fogel and takes place at Reforum Space Tbilisi on 8, 15, and 16 July. Prospective participants must submit an application containing an original anti-war poem, which they will transform into a soundtrack over the course of three sessions led by Fogel, who received professional training in workshop facilitation as part of the “Art of Peace” residency.

“I want to inspire people opposed to the war to create art and feel the courage to share it with those who became victims of propaganda,” said Fogel. “I believe that art can be a powerful tool to promote peace and understanding between people of different backgrounds and political opinions.”

Those selected by Fogel to participate will have the opportunity to contribute the song they create during the sessions to an anti-war album that will ultimately be released to the public. Participants pay a fee of 30 GEL, with all proceeds sent to Helping To Leave, a volunteer-driven initiative that provides assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war. Participation is free for Ukrainian citizens.

Additional “Art of Peace” resident-led experiences, including a collaborative street art project conducted in augmented reality and a masterclass in protest art held in virtual reality, will be announced soon.

“Art is also capable of restoring the spiritual strength of people suffering from war and destruction. It can help them perceive the world and themselves in it anew, seeking paths to inner reconciliation and emotional peace. In this sense, art serves as a means of healing and self-expression, which can help people cope with traumas and fears.” – Anastasia Vladyckina, Art of Peace Resident

As “Art of Peace” moves beyond the residency phase and expands its reach to the general public, the founding class of artists expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential. “While war–using weapons–deprives us of the opportunity for dialogue, art remains a means of interaction on the path to peace,” wrote resident Alisa Yoffe, who is known for her large-scale anti-war art installations. “I am an artist from Russia, and I find it extremely important to speak out against war.”

To participate in the Art of Peace movement, individuals and communities are encouraged to:

  • Share their anti-war artwork on social media using the hashtags #ArtofPeace, #ИскусствоМира, and #IWantYouToLive.
  • Contribute to the virtual gallery hosted by Campaigns for Humanity.
  • Host their own collaborative art-making meetups. The resident artists crafted a guide for members of the public to use, outlined below.

Guide to Hosting an Art of Peace Art-Making Meetup

  1. Gather a group of people and any art supplies you like or have access to. Old magazines, glue, and paper are all you need to create a collage!
  2. Together, look at a piece of art, such as one of those included in the virtual gallery. Then discuss how it makes you feel, what you like about it; maybe what you didn’t understand or didn’t like about it.
  3. Spend some time as a group making art or poetry of your own, inspired by the discussion and the artwork. You might use the title “I want you to live” or “art of peace” to help guide you.
  4. Share your work on social media using the hashtags #ArtofPeace, #ИскусствоМира, and #IWantYoutoLive

To stay up to date on the latest Art of Peace news, including announcements of forthcoming workshops, follow Campaigns for Humanity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Организаторы проекта «Карта мира» убеждены, что влияние антивоенной русской диаспоры на исход войны против Украины значительно

ВИЛЬНЮС, 7-Jun-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — По данным газеты The Moscow Times, до 1 миллиона человек покинули Россию после начала полномасштабного вторжения в Украину. Антивоенная российская диаспора состоит из представителей самых разных слоев обществ, но всех этих людей объединяют простые и понятные вещи — решительное осуждение вторжения в Украину и недвусмысленная поддержка суверенитета Украины, а также стремление к справедливости.

Лана Пылаева, координатор “Free Russia Netherlands”, рассказала независимому изданию Not My War: â€œÐ”ля меня самое важное — это то, что мы создали в Нидерландах как сообщество россиян, выступающих войне. Для достижения этого мы организовали целый комплекс мероприятий после начала полномасштабной войны.”

Сбор гуманитарной помощи для украинцев, боты для помощи тем, кто в России пытается избежать призыва, пикеты и марши, протестный стрит-артом, запуск международного проекта по возвращению украденных украинских детей (SaveChildrenFromPutinism.org) — все эти возможности выступить против от агрессии российского государства так же многообразны, как и люди, возглавляющие их, а темп активности действительно впечатляет.

Координации и катализации таких процессов помогают как раз такие централизованные платформы, как интерактивна «Карта мира», которую активисты используют для синхронизации своих действий и взаимной поддержки. Изначально запущенная после начала полномасштабного вторжения для связи русскоязычных антивоенных активистов по всему миру, “Map of Peace”, усиленная недавним присуждением премии Campaigns for Humanity, объявляет о новой цели — представить на своей карте каждую русскую антивоенную инициативу. Уже сейчас на карте отмечены 144 сообществ, и их число постоянно растет. Организаторы уверены, что удобство обновленной платформы усилит возможности многочисленных эмигрантских сообществ, выступающих за мир.

Война в Украине затягивается — она идет уже 16-й месяц. И все сильнее ощущается необходимости слаженных и эффективных действий в этом «марафоне». И этому все больше убедительных доказательств. Например, активистки движения «Феминистское антивоенное сопротивление» (ФАС), представленного на «Карте мира»”, регулярно используют подрывные техники борьбы с кремлевской пропаганды, направленные непосредственно на россиян. Среди них — создание «анти-уроков», которые родители могут использовать для противодействия эффектам военной пропаганды, навязываемой российским школьникам, и использование фотошопа для создания фотографий танков, покрытых кровью и с антивоенными лозунгами, которые затем выкладываются на Google Maps.

Сможет ли подобная изобретательность россиян в эмиграции действительно повлиять на исход войны? Последние сообщения предполагают, что так. По данным «Медиазоны», число российских военнослужащих, ÑƒÐºÐ»Ð¾Ð½ÑÑŽÑ‰Ð¸Ñ…ся от службы, резко возросло, превысив показатели 2022 года всего за первые четыре месяца 2023 годаКак контрактные военнослужащие, так и призывники уклоняются от службы, отказываясь выполнять приказы о переброске на Украину или дезертируя с передовой.

Как заявили активисты российского антивоенного сообщества в годовщину начала полномасштабного вторжения в феврале: «Мы должны продолжать сопротивляться режиму вместе, поддерживать все формы протеста, менять взгляды сторонников войны, помогать тем, кто столкнулся с проблемами из-за войны, и проявлять солидарность всеми доступными и безопасными для нас способами. Не бойтесь говорить правду! Мы призываем россиян отказаться от участия и помогать другим не принимать участие в преступной войне и геноциде украинского народа».

Присоединитесь к нашей миссии за мир и справедливость для Украины. Посетите www.mapofpeace.org ÑÐµÐ³Ð¾Ð´Ð½Ñ, чтобы убедиться, что ваша инициатива представлена.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, met with EU ambassadors in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 3-Jun-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, met with ambassadors from the European Union countries in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in Riyadh at the Marriott hotel, within the framework of the new “Bridges” initiative, to introduce the latest services provided to Muslim pilgrims, including the Nusuk online platform.

This meeting comes to kick-start the “Bridges” initiative, implemented by the Ministry with the aim of strengthening relations and communication with countries around the world, as well as introducing the efforts exerted by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve European pilgrims, whether those already residing in the Kingdom or arriving to perform Hajj.

The meeting clarified the facilitations introduced to arrivals’ procedures which allows for performing Hajj rituals within a safe atmosphere, arising from the quality of services provided, which consequently supports enriching the spiritual journey of the pilgrims in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The meeting also included an introductory presentation of the Nusuk online platform, which provides a package of digital services to 67 countries from Europe, the Americas, and Australia, in seven international languages.

The platform also contributes to preserving the rights of the guests through direct monitoring of service providers under the Ministry’s electronic supervision of the platform.

Al Rabiah stressed to his diplomatic guests that the development of the infrastructure of the holy sites and the Two Holy Mosques is in full swing, highlighting that the ongoing operations are among the largest in the world, which ensures that pilgrims will receive the highest levels of service, whether at the holy site or through the automation of booking procedures on the Nusuk platform.

The meeting included an introductory tour comprising six films, 26 educational video clips, 13 awareness posts, in addition to 39 educational designs, all of which to raise the awareness regarding the appropriate behaviors that should be followed at the holy sites and the Two Holy Mosques, as well as preventive health behaviors, displayed in three languages, including English, French and Arabic.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

The anti-war Russian diaspora, united by opposition to the invasion of Ukraine, has emerged as a powerful force for justice and Ukrainian sovereignty

VILNIUS, 31-May-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — According to reporting in the Moscow Times, up to 1 million people have fled Russia in the wake of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hailing from a diversity of backgrounds but united by an impassioned opposition to the invasion and unequivocal support for Ukrainian sovereignty, the anti-war Russian diaspora has established itself as a massive force driven by tireless emigres committed to justice.

Lana Pylaeva, the coordinator of Free Russia Netherlands, told independent media outlet Not My War, “To me, the greatest achievement is that we have established ourselves in the Netherlands as a community of war–opposing Russians. To achieve this, we have organized a whole complex of activities since the full-scale war.”

From collecting humanitarian aid for Ukrainians and running bots to help those in Russia avoid conscription; to in-person pickets, marches, and blanketing the streets with protest art; to launching a multinational project demanding the return of Ukraine’s stolen children, dubbed SaveChildrenFromPutinism.org; the opportunities to reject Russian state aggression are as multifaceted as the people spearheading them, and the rate of activity is enough to make the head spin.

Driving the opposition effort’s momentum are centralized hubs–such as the online platform Map of Peace–activists use to coordinate their activities and support one another. Originally launched just after the full-scale invasion as a means of connecting Russian-speaking anti-war activists across the globe, Map of Peace, bolstered by a recent Campaigns for Humanity award, is announcing a new goal of hosting every Russian anti-war initiative on its map. With 144 communities already on the map and growing by the dozens in recent months, project organizers are confident the updated platform’s one-stop-shop convenience will amplify the impact of the legions of expatriates agitating for peace.

As the war drags into its 16th month, there’s a renewed sense of urgency among anti-war advocates, fueled by evidence suggesting that their efforts are working. For example, activists with Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAR), a movement hosted on Map of Peace, frequently engage in creative propaganda subversion techniques designed to appeal directly to those in Russia, such as creating “anti-lessons” parents can use to counter the effects of the militarization indoctrination imposed on Russian schoolchildren, and turning a favored Russian propaganda tool–tanks–on its head by posting to Google Maps photoshopped images of tanks covered in blood and featuring anti-war slogans.

Excerpt from Feminist Anti-War Resistance Facebook Post About Its “Anti-Lesson”: “Before May 9, propaganda ‘patriotic classes’ are held for many Russian schoolchildren and students, justifying the attack on Ukraine with the narrative of the Second World War. We studied the materials of ‘Conversations about the important things’ to May 9 and information on how educational institutions will celebrate this day. Based on what we’ve read, we have prepared an outline and materials for the Anti-Lesson for May 9th to initiate a conversation about anti-militarism and the causes of war.

Can exiled Russians’ ingenuity influence the outcome of the war? Recent reporting suggests so. According to Mediazona, Russian AWOL figures are soaring, surpassing the 2022 full‑year tally within the first four months of 2023. Both contract soldiers and conscripts are going AWOL, either by directly refusing orders to deploy to Ukraine or deserting from the front lines.

As stated by the Congress of Antiwar Initiatives on the one-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “We must keep resisting the regime together, support all forms of protest, change the minds of supporters of the war, help those who are in trouble because of the war and show solidarity by all means available and safe for us, let’s not be afraid to speak the truth! We urge Russians to refuse to participate in and help others to not take part in the criminal war and genocide of the Ukrainian people.” Join our mission for peace and justice for Ukraine. Visit www.mapofpeace.org today to ensure your initiative is represented.

Renaissance3’s “Campaigns for Humanity” seeks nominations of organizations, projects, or individuals working to achieve peace for Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine, 24-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Award-winning digital marketing agency Renaissance3 is seeking nominations of exceptional initiatives that have the objective of achieving peace for Ukraine. Each project selected will receive €10,000 in funding, as well as technical and strategic support from the agency’s team of digital communications experts.

Since its 2022 launch of Campaigns for Humanity, a people-focused initiative to empower change makers promoting human rights, digital democracy, and more humane economies around the world, Renaissance3 has been steadfast in its belief that with additional support and awareness of their efforts, the legions of Russians and Ukrainians committed to defending Ukrainian sovereignty can achieve their aims.

“I think the only way I can personally help Ukraine right now is by not fighting there,” Igor, a 26-year-old IT professional from St Petersburg as he fled his home for Russia, told The Guardian. Tatayana, a doctor from Irkutsk, added as she left for Azerbaijan following reports that Russia was calling up health professionals to the front, “I believe the sooner this horrible war stops, the fewer people will die.”

As highlighted in Renaissance3’s â€œ24 for 24” campaign, so named in reference to the 24 change makers featured on each of the 24 days leading up to the one-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Russians who have fled the war have been using their experience and resources to support the Ukrainian people in extraordinary ways. The campaign, which was designed to illustrate how our shared humanity can allow us to overcome the forces that seek to divide us, offers a glimpse into the vast world of Russians and Ukrainians working alongside one another for freedom and human dignity.

Renaissance3 is an award-winning digital marketing agency staffed by a team of strategists, creatives, and social media experts with diverse experience across six continents and united by a shared mission to not just market, but build movements. Renaissance3 is committed to giving back by investing a portion of its annual gross profits in initiatives that move one or more of its guiding values of human rights, digital democracy, and building more humane economies forward. Learn more at Renaissance3.com.

Renaissance3’s call for nominations follows.

Funding Opportunity: Campaigns for Humanity

When we recognize our shared humanity, we are not strangers; we are simply friends who haven’t met yet.

Why: At Renaissance3, we believe hope is both the antidote to despair and a powerful motivator. At Renaissance3, we believe hope is both the antidote to despair and a powerful motivator. Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, more than twice as many Russians have fled their country as have been drafted into the army. Vladimir Putin knows that Russians who become aware of the truth will not want to kill Ukrainians, which is why he is working so feverishly to churn out propaganda and restrict the flow of accurate information inside Russia.

When Putin launched his war of aggression, the world rallied behind Ukraine: Corporations pulled out of Russia, refusing to fund Putin’s war machine; strangers welcomed those fleeing the violence into their communities and even their homes; and citizens across the globe deployed their unique talents in support of the Ukrainian people. Renaissance3 was no exception: As an agency dedicated to empowering change agents to defend human rights, fight for digital democracy, and create more humane economies, we jumped at the opportunity to make a difference by doing what we do best.

What we do: In March 2022, we launched Campaigns for Humanity as a people-focused initiative to connect and elevate a global alliance of creatives, activists, and advertisers working toward peace in Ukraine. Since then, we’ve partnered with Ukrainian creatives to counter Russian propaganda using the power of GIFs; strengthen global solidarity by calling on the world’s people to #StayWithUkraine even as the war dragged into the spring; and spotlight the many heroes born of this tragedy through our latest project, 24 for 24. Renaissance3 was recognized as one of the KYIV International Advertising Festival’s Positive Change Winners for our work for Ukraine in 2022. And while the awards we’ve received for our work feel great, we won’t set aside our keyboards until there’s peace for Ukraine.

As marketers, we understand that attention is finite and prone to waning. That’s why, as we mark one year since the invasion began, we’re committed to leveraging our skills and resources to breathe new life into the ongoing campaign for peace.

We know:

Russians are being bombarded with propaganda denying the humanity of Ukrainians.
Information breeds resistance to injustice.
Ordinary Russians have extraordinary power to influence the outcome of this war.

How you can help: We’re seeking nominations of organizations, projects, or individuals working to achieve peace for Ukraine that could use additional funding and marketing support to magnify the impact of their efforts. Selected nominees will receive the following:

€10,000 in funding to directly support their work to help end the war in Ukraine
Technical and strategic support from our team of digital media experts to amplify the impact of the funded work

Whom to nominate: Selected nominees will be able to articulate how their work can bring peace to Ukraine and how €10,000 in new funding will meaningfully propel that work forward. Self-nominations are permitted. Nominees should be engaged in work that seeks to educate Russians and Ukrainians about ways they can help stop the war by raising awareness, encouraging action, and promoting the principle of shared humanity among all people. The work should align with one or more of the following objectives:

Save Lives:
Humans fight wars; humans can also choose to not fight wars.
Let Russians who have been conscripted into the army or could be in the future know they have options to resist fighting in this unjust war. (Ex: I Want To Live Hotline).

Share Truth:
Counter Russian propaganda by communicating accurate information about the war to personal contacts. Ukrainians and Russians alike can leverage close relationships with family and friends to provide resources that can help them overcome Russian state influence. (Ex: Papa Believe Outreach Initiative).

Build Community:
Foster relationship-building and cultural exchange between Russians and Ukrainians who have fled their countries as a result of the war and have a shared desire for peace.

Submit your nomination: Please fill out the form at campaignsforhumanity.com/call-for-submissions to submit your nomination. Renaissance3 will review nominations on a rolling basis and contact both the nominator and nominee if they are being considered for an award.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

New Campaign Highlights Extraordinary Efforts of Peace Activists in Ukraine

24 for 24

KYIV, Ukraine, 24-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Prior to February 24, 2022, the people and organizations spotlighted in digital marketing agency Renaisssance3’s latest initiative were content to be parents and children; musicians and poets; businesses and workers. The company’s newest campaign, titled “24 for 24” in reference to the 24 change makers profiled–one for each of the 24 days leading up to the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine–was conceived as a series to illustrate the power our collective humanity has to overcome the forces that seek to divide us.

In her “Diary of Lviv,” Vlada Ralko writes, “The shock of war undermines ordinary perception of reality.” But “If we are united, we will be able to defeat evil,” insists Valentyna Polovnyka of Bickerstaff, a Ukrainian creative agency featured in the campaign.

Among the stories documented in “24 for 24” are those of a German father and daughter who, determined to assist the thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the bombs, journeyed 1,000 km from their home in Frankfurt to meet refugees flowing through the Polish border; an account of thousands of creatives who banded together to fight information warfare with the stated aim of preventing World War III; and Russian independent media, many in exile, who risk their security and livelihoods to provide accurate information to those who need it most.

Renaissance3–which launched Campaigns for Humanity in March 2022 as a global alliance of creatives, activists, and advertisers working toward peace in Ukraine–is an award-winning digital marketing agency that invests a portion of its profits in initiatives aligned with its guiding values of human rights, digital democracy, and more humane economies. For its work with Campaigns for Humanity, the company was named a Positive Change Winner at the 2022 KYIV International Advertising Festival.

As part of its renewed commitment to support peace in Ukraine as the war enters its second year, Renaissance3 is also announcing €10,000 funding awards, as well as technical and strategic support from its team of digital communications experts, available for nongovernmental organizations or individuals working on projects to defend Ukrainian sovereignty. To submit a nomination, visit campaignsforhumanity.com/call-for-submissions.

Follow the 24 for 24 campaign at https://campaignsforhumanity.com/24-for-24/.

To learn more about Renaissance3, please visit Renaissance3.com.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Bring Back Civility initiative hopes to promote civility In the United States

JUNEAU, Alaska, 2020-Oct-13 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — What started out as a way to get his daily 10,000 steps, a local man hopes in the long run will change the course of dialog in America.

For 12 years during the cruise season, Robert Steinke has been coming to the Port in Juneau to greet cruise customers and welcome them aboard humpback whale watching excursions. With the pandemic in full swing, he still feels drawn to the Port and would visit frequently – focusing on his daily 10,000 step goal rather than greeting customers. These walks allowed for releasing some built up pandemic energy and passing the time listening to a little talk radio or podcasts.

It was during one of these daily walks while listening to various podcast’s that Robert was struck with an idea. “Sometimes on these call-in shows, things can get a bit heated,” stated Steinke, “then, one of the callers said ‘Why can’t we just bring back civility?’ I couldn’t get that thought out of my mind, I went to bed that night thinking about the idea of civility and how important that concept is to a democracy.” From that day at the Port, Steinke was inspired to help spread the idea of bringing back civility.

After chatting with his wife and doing some research, Steinke decided the best way to change the tone was for individuals to publicly share the concept of civility – almost brand themselves with the idea of ‘be civil’. So, Steinke launched the website BringBackCivility.com where individuals can brand themselves with the ideal of being civil to each other.

“We don’t have to agree on everything, or even anything, to be civil to each other. Being civil is really a choice,” stated Steinke. “This is just a simple way to remind ourselves and others to be kind and be civil to each other.” Since the launch of the website, the most popular items have been face masks and hats. Both come in a variety of colors and designs to suit everyone. “I like the face masks, they make a few different statements when you wear one,” stated Steinke.

The site will be up at least until the end of the year. Most gear will be shipped in 3-7 days and can be shipped worldwide. The company is also taking bulk orders from shops that are interested in carrying the line.

Via EPR Network
More Government press releases

SecurLine secure communications app by Privus formally certified by Portugal’s Gabinete Nacional de Segurança

ZUG, Switzerland, 28-May-2020 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — Privus, the Swiss-based cyber-security firm, announced today that SecurLine, its flagship secure communications application, has been formally certified by Portugal’s Gabinete Nacional de Segurança (National Security Office) to protect classified communications.

Deploying a zero-knowledge architecture and employing open-source based, end-to-end encryption, SecurLine is designed to ensure the highest levels of verifiable security, privacy and quality of communications between users for its messaging, voice and video services.

Portugal’s GNS certification is particularly significant and its timing auspicious given the current perspectives for the global cyber-security market, which is expected to grow to US$250 billion in 2023. Driven by mounting concerns over privacy and security resulting from systemic increases in digital surveillance and the extent and the costs of cybercrime, this already strong sector growth is expected to be enhanced by the Covid-19 crisis, which has triggered a general adoption of remote collaboration
and communication tools, and widened the privacy debate to include the possible use of intrusive tracking technology to fight the pandemic.

For Henrique Corrêa da Silva, Privus’s Founder and CEO, “Privacy is not only about well implemented and verifiable encryption – it is about trust. We established Privus in 2016 to develop intuitive solutions that ensure absolute privacy and security for the most demanding clientele; those in the public or private sector that may be targeted by systemic digital surveillance and sophisticated cyber-attacks. As we do not believe in blind trust, we will continue to operate as an independent firm, true to our motto: “Trust but Verify”. This certification demonstrates the strength of our achievements over the last four years and the significance of Privus and SecurLine, which I regard as vital defensive tools in the hostile digital reality that encroaches more and more upon our daily lives.”

Luís Lavradio, Founder and CFO stated, “The certification form Portugal’s GNS highlights our focus on the fundamental characteristic for success in this market: trust. It has been an extremely rigorous process that clearly boosts our ability to grow the business, particularly in post-Covid-19 scenario.”

Artur Goulão, CTO, added, “The certification of SecurLine, which a growing number of experts consider to be possibly the only true alternative to platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal, affirms the high levels of security and anti-surveillance engineering capabilities available at Privus.”

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Geneva Global Initiative calls on Governments and multilateral institutions to develop more integrated and concrete preparedness strategies for whole-society responses

GENEVA, 6-May-2019 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — The UN IPBES’ 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is another one in a long line of warnings about the state of our planet. It should be clear that we face multiple interacting environmental stresses, and these are intensifying. Profound environmental, economic and political changes will likely define the next decade and beyond.

“Now is the time to bring attention to how we handle the risk of a large-scale systemic failure if all mitigation efforts fall flat and sustainable goals are not met in time”, said David Korowicz, GGI’s Director for Risk and Response.

The GGI is hosting an on-the-record teleconference to further discuss this, open to journalists and parties focused on these issues on Wednesday, May 8, at 4:00 pm Central European Time. The call is open to the public, but RSVP is required at Rachel@morrisseypr.com.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Sallux presents its 2nd publication in the Confederal Europe project

BRUSSELS, 28-Mar-2019 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — As the EU is approaching the next European Parliament elections there is more need than ever for a constructive middle ground between ‘more Brussels’ and ‘no Brussels’. The ‘Confederal Europe’ project aims to provide a positive case for confederal reform. It is possible to be pro-EU without allocating more competences to the EU institutions. Sallux presents its second publication in the ‘Confederal Europe project’ that emphasizes the relations between the peoples and nations of Europe and is pointing a way forward based on the Judeo-Christian roots of the EU in the spirit of the EU founding fathers.

A free copy of the new publication: Confederal Europe: A Political and Societal Vision for Stakeholder Nations (ISBN: 978-94-92697-15-8) will be distributed in the room! (value: € 10,00 postal costs excluded)

See tab PROGRAM

10:00                        Opening

10:00 – 11:00           Launch of the publication with the authors

11:00 – 12:30           ECPM MEP & Expert panel on reforming the EU.

For those who have no EP accreditation we urge you to sign in before 3 April 2019………

We look forward to meet you at the Launch of this publication.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

88.000 SCHENGEN VISAS AND AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF MEDICAL VISAS HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY SOLD WITHOUT PROPER CHECKS IN A COUNTRY WHERE ISIS-TERRORISTS ARE ACTIVE

BRUSSELS, Jun-25-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — There is evidence that points to the possibility that up to 88.000 Schengen visas and an unknown number of medical visas have been illegally sold without proper checks in a country where ISIS-terrorists are active.

Meet Mr. IVAN GRECH MINTOFF who recently presented evidence to the Maltese courts of a far-reaching scandal involving political appointees in the Maltese Prime Minister’s office sold Schengen and medical visas to Libyans illicitly.

Mr. Grech Mintoff’s testimony continues the work of recent murder of the anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta. The scandal points to high-level political direct involvement in visa trade and human trafficking, that could undermine public trust in the Schengen visa system and potentially threaten European security arrangements.

Also present will be a number of MEPs that demand an investigation.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

High-level conference on democracy in Syria in the European Parliament, Brussels

AMERSFOORT, The Netherlands, Apr-02-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — WIth this high level conference, we would like to present to Europe and European decision makers, politicians and media the Official Delegation of the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria (DFNS) The Delegation is headed by the Co-President of the Federation, Mr. Sanahrib Barsom.

The DFNS was founded on the principles of gender equality, ethnic and religious tolerance, sustainable ecology, and self-defence. Currently, the region is home to over 4.5 million residents, but this number consistently increases due to the ongoing arrival of (an estimated 250.000) refugees from newly liberated territory. The territory it comprises is about 30% of Syria which means about the size of Belgium. This governing body of the de facto “autonomous region” is not widely known. the military branch which is under controll of the DFNS is more known : Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which are the main ground forces for the Coalition against ISIS/Daesh, which obviously is more than the Kurdish alone.

This high-level conference presents international speakers on this very important topic and will also have important representatives of the DFNS, form Syria itself. The first session will describe the structure of the Federation and how to “kill the mentality” of ISIS/Daesh and create the possibility for “European” refugees to return safely to the Federation area. The second session will discuss the issues of security, reconstruction and reconciliation in Northern Syria. The rest of the (closed / invitations only) conference on the 10th and 11th of April will consist of round table meetings.

Information & registration

Date: 10 April 2018 9:30 – 12:45

Location: European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles, Belgium; Room PHS1A002

Registration: For Journalists / media with press registration/accreditation free access. Other press / media staff can send an email to info@sallux.eu

This event is hosted by MEP Branislav Skripek (Slovakia ECR / president ECPM).

SOURCE: EuropaWire

New York’s Health Agency (NYSDOH) Cited in Iraq War’s Blowback

New York, NY, 2016-Dec-31 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — As the Iraq War’s official end on December 18, 2011 marks its fifth anniversary, many questions remain on its fallouts. New York’s French-American community is one of them, as it remembers its blacklisting when France opted out of attacking Iraq.

Choosing diplomatic pressure rather than “shock and awe” ignited fury for many in New York. The call for anti-French boycotts resonated in tabloids as pictures of New Yorkers spilling wines in gutters vied with accusations of an ally’s betrayal and cowardice. Information can be found by googling “New York’s French boycotts and Iraq,” and “Freedom fries.”

How effective were the boycotts? “Very much so, even devastating,” says French consulate’s official physician and mental health coordinator at the time, Gérard Sunnen, MD, “the French-American community of New York was stunned by their virulence. Why, many wondered, did they materialize only in New York, in striking contrast to the rest of the country?”

“Targeted were all manner of French-American businesses, from Air France to bakeries, as rosters of marked companies circulated widely. Earliest felled were restaurants, whose sales plummeted by as much as half. Like dominoes, they closed their doors, dismissing their workers. Called by many the “consulate’s darkest hour,” it went on for weeks, interminable months, and still resonates today.”

“As layoffs mounted,” Dr. Sunnen added, “so did their mental health consequences, from all manner of stress reactions to self-destructive depressions. And workers suddenly out of work could not find employment because no one would take them. The consulate’s social services department work load soared to levels never attained before.”

Faced with this onslaught, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) was repeatedly contacted to lend the community its medical and mental health assistance. In addition, New York state and city top officials were insistently asked to add their voice to call off the boycotts. All appeals remained unanswered and, for reasons of non-assistance and abandonment of responsibility, this matter was eventually reported and filed in New York and Federal courts.

Dr. Sunnen, who also cites his experience as a Vietnam-era U.S. veteran, concludes, “history needs constant reckoning, otherwise it can remain a fable. These events are now brought to light so that long-term allies can better understand the meaning of their relationship.”

References:

Gérard Sunnen, MD: www.triroc.com/sunnen
Supreme Court, State of New York, No. 102194/2012
U.S. District Court, Southern District of NY 12 Civ. 3417
U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit 13-465cv
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) 1:13-cv-1242
New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR) No. 10181422
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) No. DCA96MA070

Contact-Details: Gerard Sunnen, MD

 

Via EPR Network
More Government press releases

Est d’Ucraina: Compagnia europea Flame SA paga a gli guerriglieri

KIEV, 08-Nov-2016 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — “Giornalisti contro la corruzzione e illegittimità” – un gruppo di giornalisti-investigatori Ucraini – ha comunicato dei documenti compromettenti che si sono trovati a loro disposizione e confermano la collaborazione della compagnia europea Flame SA con La Repubblica Popolare di Donetsk (RPD) – organizzazione a riconoscimento limitato che ha preso la territoria al Est d’Ucraina sotto suo controllo.

Il documento sopracennato è un contratto a consegna di 72 000 tonnellate di carbone tra Flame SA e la miniera “Jdanivska” che si trova nel territorio non controllato al Est d’Ucraina. Questo territorio, anche come tutte le imprese localizzate, sono conrollati dai ribelli filorussi della stessa RPD. Intanto, tali relazioni commerciali devono essere regolati proprio dalla legislazione Ucraina: l’impresa, anche stando al territorio non controllato, deve pagare le tasse al bilancio statale, poiché è registrata al territorio d’Ucraina e si trova li stesso.
Però, dopo l’inizio di azioni militari nel 2014, molte compagnie della regione hanno dichiarato della nuova registrazione, iniziando a pagare le tasse al bilancio della autodichiarata RPD.

Praticamente, questo è il diritto finanziameno degli guerriglieri. In mezzo a tali “sponsor” – la sopracennata miniera “Jdanivska” che a sua volta riceveva i soldi dalla europea Flame SA.

A quale base la Flame SA acquistava il carbone proprio in questa miniera e perché non ha trovato una fonte alternativa per le consegne di questa materia prima – resta l’incognita. I rappresentanti della compagnia non hanno risposto ne a una domanda dei giornalisti ucraini.

Tra le altre cose, il sito web della Flame SA è inaccessibile, per questo non risulta possibile avere dei commeti ufficiali della compagnia su quest’affare.

Il Servizio di Sicurezza d’Ucraina (SSU) si è già interessato del fatto del presente contratto – per adesso solo nella parte di rinvio a giudizio penale del direttore della miniera “Jdanivska”, il signore Ruslan Dubovskiy. È accusato di esecuzione delle operazioni illegali d’esportazione con Flame SA e una serie di altre compagnie allo scopo di “fininziamento del terrorismo” (clausola 258-5, parte 1 del Codice Criminale d’Ucraina). Al presente, l’indagine del SSU su quest’affare continua.

Ma non è l’unico “buco” della compagnia Flame SA. Secondo i dati dei giornalisti ucraini, la compagnia in violazione delle sanzioni internazionali ha dei rapporti commerciali con un’altra miniera – “Zarechnaya”, che si trova nella Federazione Russa. Questa miniera è l’attivo della compagnia “Uralvagonzavod” che a sua volta sta nella lista delle compagnie sottomesse alle sanzioni degli Stati Uniti e Unione Europea.

Flame SA e le sue filiali F-Chem SA e Brando International sono situati allo stesso indirizzo in Svizzera. L’attività principale della compagnia è la ricerca e consegna del carbone energetico, coke di petrolio e coke mettallurgico. Flame SA esercita commercio in tutto il mondo, il suo capitale impiegabile è 1 milione di franchi svizzeri. E non è una sorpresa, considerando i volumi degli acquisti e il profitto ricevuto.

Fonte: EuropaWire

La société européenne «Flame SA» paye aux rebelles de l’Est de l’Ukraine

KIEV, 08-Nov-2016 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — «Les journalistes contre la corruption et l’illégalité», un groupe de journalistes enquêteurs ukrainiens, a signalé des documents compromettants dont on avait saisi, qui témoignent de la collaboration de la société européenne «Flame SA» avec la République populaire de Donetsk (RPD), l’organisation non reconnue qui avait pris contrôle du territoire de l’Est de l’Ukraine.

Le document susmentionné est un contrat pour la fourniture de 72 000 tons de charbon conclu entre «Flame SA» et la mine «Zhdanivska» située sur le territoire incontrôlé à l’Est de l’Ukraine. Ce territoire, aussi que toutes les entreprises se trouvant sur lui, est contrôlé par les insurgés pro-russes de cette RPD. Pourtant, c’est la législation ukrainienne qui doit réglementer toutes relations commerciales comme ça : même les entreprises sur le territoire incontrôlé sont obligées à payer ses impôts au budget de l’Etat, étant immatriculées et situées sur le territoire de l’Ukraine.

Néanmoins, beaucoup de sociétés en cette région du pays ont déclaré leur «réimmatriculation» après le début des hostilités en 2014 pour payer leurs impôts au budget de la RPD autoproclamée. En fait, c’est un financement direct des rebelles. La mine «Zhdanivska», qui a reçu de l’argent à son tour de la société européenne «Flame SA», est parmi ces «sponsors».

Reste à savoir à quel titre «Flame SA» a choisi cette mine pour se procurer du charbon et pourquoi on n’a pas trouvé de source alternative de matière. Aucune demande des journalistes ukrainiens a été répondue par les représentants de la société.

Cependant, le site web de «Flame SA» est indisponible, ce qui rend impossible l’obtention de quelconques commentaires officiels sur ce marché par la société.

Le contrat a déjà capté l’attention du Service de Sécurité d’Ukraine (SSU), jusqu’à présent seulement au niveau de la traduction en justice du directeur de la mine «Zhdanivska» Ruslan Dubovsky. Il est accusé d’avoir effectué des exportations illégales à «Flame SA» ainsi qu’à un nombre d’autres sociétés afin de «financer le terrorisme» (article 258-5, paragraphe 1 du Code pénal de l’Ukraine). L’enquête du SSU sur l’affaire se poursuit jusqu’à aujourd’hui.

Et pourtant, ce n’est pas le seul faux pas de «Flame SA». D’après les journalistes ukrainiens, la société a également des relations commerciales, en contournant les sanctions internationales, avec une autre mine, «Zarechnaya», qui se trouve dans la Fédération de Russie. Cette mine représente un actif de l’entreprise «Uralvagonzavod» inscrite sur la liste des compagnies et des entreprises sanctionnées par les Etats-Unis et l’Union Européenne.

«Flame SA» et ses filiales «F-Chem SA» et «Brando International», elles toutes ont la même adresse suisse. L’activité principale de la société est la recherche et la livraison de charbon de chaudière, de coke de pétrole et de coke métallurgique. «Flame SA» fait du commerce à travers le monde, son capital libre s’élevant à un million de francs suisses. Rien d’étonnant, étant donné le volume des achats et les montants recueillis.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

FlipHTML5 Highly Recommends Flip Book Maker to Governments Going Digital

Hong Kong, March 30, 2015 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — FlipHTML5 has recently taken the initiative to show governments how beneficial flip book maker software can be to streamline their public announcements, content creation efforts, documents, and delivery methods in their daily operations. Citizens want excellent services in all localities, and digitalization guarantees that citizen services will be greatly enhanced in the “information era” that the world is currently in. As more and more governments make the move to go digital, they will need strong solutions to make their content delivery approaches efficient and secure. FlipHTML5 not only helps digitalized governments to create great content, it helps them too effectively and securely deliver the content across many channels simultaneously as well. Security is a high priority to every government since so many regulations are in place, so FlipHTML5 is the perfect cost-effective solution for governments on local, state, and national levels.

The benefits of governments using FlipHTML5 are numerous. They will be able to convert their announcements, reports, and other important documents into stunning HTML5 flipbooks with ease. Users will have the ability to covert PDF documents, Word documents, and other document types to jQuery and HTML5 flipbooks that are engaging and easy to read. The software supports up to 17 languages, and it gives governments the ability to make the experience highly interactive for viewers. FlipHTML5 has tons of high quality templates that can be customized in every way. From backgrounds and navigation options, to buttons, logos, color schemes, and more, users will have plenty of choices to make attractive flipbooks that will more than meet their needs. Other amazing features include but are not limited to media rich editing options, the ability to make flipbooks shoppable, annotation and note taking capabilities, photo and video slideshows, and advanced event editing. Going digital by using FlipHTML5 will be a sweeping transformation for governments, but the move will be well worth it since citizens will appreciate the effort to have their services enhanced.

To obtain further information about the FlipHTML5 flip book maker or to register for free, visit http://fliphtml5.com/.

Contact-Details:
Lailie Tan
Email: pr@fliphtml5.com
Address: G/F, Far East Consortium Building, 23 Des Voeux Road, Central, HK

Via EPR Network
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SEREbox.com, the original monthly subscription box with an emergency preparedness theme, celebrates its successful 1st year anniversary on February 20th, 2015

Atlanta, GA, February 02, 2015 — /EPR NETWORK/ — SEREbox.com was the first monthly subscription box service geared towards emergency preparedness and survival gear planning available on the internet or elsewhere. SEREbox.com combines a comprehensive and innovative line of emergency planning products with an educational aspect that cannot be found anywhere else. Each month has a theme (ie: Fire, Water, Food, Protection, and etc.). They strive to find unique items that are quality made in the USA, highly functional, and extremely durable. Food is always the most popular and important item to have in a cache of emergency supplies. Therefore, special attention was paid to make sure the entire long term shelf stable food line is the best in the business. They succeeded. Their food line is unmatched because it is great tasting, fast cooking, low in sodium, and highly nutritious. Even gluten free and other specialty diet options are available to all customers.

The website has proven to be of tremendous value to families and individuals on their search for independence and freedom from reliance on other people or the government in case of any emergency or survival scenario. “This is a cutting edge Internet site far superior to anything in the marketplace,” said Ryan Bowersox, Co-Founder of SEREbox.com. “We have received a humbling amount of compliments on the concept and product itself. We expect tremendous sales growth in year two through our newly designed, convenient, and user-friendly website.”

“The response from all our customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Companies talk all the time about customer service and it seems to be just lip service. Customer service is a lost art. We really strive to make each customer happy. We have never put turning a profit ahead of doing the right thing for our customers. We have countless testimonials on our website about how we are succeeding in all our goals. We are just so pleased that our little idea has been of such use to people, and it’s so exciting. We can’t wait to see what year two and beyond brings.” said Scott Setter, President.

SEREbox.com has grown by leaps and bounds because of the great value it offers its customers. The company has a very intelligent and hardworking team of people in the greater Atlanta area. The concept and website have been featured in many publications, most notably the Winter 2014 version of “Survivor’s Edge” Magazine. The company’s website at www.SEREbox.com contains additional information on the program and how to sign up.

http://www.realworldsurvivor.com/2014/12/03/serebox-sends-monthly-survival-kits-home/#3-sample-boxes

In the Spring of 2015, SEREbox.com will launch its new product called “The Mini.” It is designed for all those subscribers who cannot afford $39 per month and need a more economical option. It will have free shipping as well.

Contact-Details: Scott Setter
info@serebox.com

Via EPR Network
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Gravis Marketing Poll| Jolly Leads In Latest Congressional Poll

Former Capitol Hill staffer David Jolly leads a tight three-way race to succeed his former boss, the late GOP congressman Charles W. “Billy” Young, according to a Jan. 8 Human Events/Gravis poll conducted with 976 registered Republicans in Florida’s 13th Congressional District for their Jan. 14 primary and on current issues.

Young, who died Oct. 18 at Walter Reed Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., was first elected to represent the St. Petersburg district in 1970.

Both candidates running against Jolly, state Rep. Kathleen Peters and retired fighter pilot Marine Brig. Gen. Mark Bircher are within striking distance, said Doug Kaplan, president of Gravis, a Florida-based polling and marketing company.

Jolly leads the pack with 34 percent, followed by Peters with 28 percent and Bircher 25 percent, Kaplan said. The poll carried a margin of error of 3 percent.

Poll Results
http://gravismarketingblog.com/2014/01/10/florida-congressional-district-13-jolly-holds-lead-gravis-marketing-poll/

Via EPR Network
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