October 6, 2009

The newly posted Consul General of China in Houston, Yanping Gao, recognized Miami’s increased relevance to China during her visit with Mayor Manny Diaz at City Hall. China has become one of Miami’s most important trading partners, while last month Miami Dade College was chosen by the Ministry of Education of China to establish the first Confucius Institute in the state, which will offer courses in Chinese language and culture. Under Mayor Diaz’s leadership, the city has promoted mutual understanding between China and the United States as well as strengthening economic, educational and cultural ties through its Friendship City relationship with the city of Qingdao signed in 2005.
 

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Over 1200 people celebrated the first day of summer at the Alliance Française in Fete de la Music/Make Music Miami 2009. African, Brazilian, Caribbean and Middle Eastern rhythms resonated throughout Little Havana’s Calle 8 at the new home of the Alliance. All gathered to enjoy the free music event, which allowed our community to simultaneously join millions throughout the world in this French tradition. Fête de la Musique in Miami was produced by The Rhythm Foundation, The French Consulate in Miami Cultural Services, Alliance Française, Damien B Contemporary Art Center, Transit Lounge and other partners, with support from the City of Miami Mayor's International Council, and Miami Dade Department of Cultural Affairs.

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http://www.afmiami.org/htmls/mmmpicgallery.htm 

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Haitian Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis called for increased investment in the impoverished island during her courtesy visit with Mayor Manny Diaz and Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones. Citing the urgency for the international community to help rebuild Haiti, she emphasized job creation as key to the sustainable development of her country. The island was pummeled by a series of hurricanes last year, after which the City of Miami launched Operation: Hope for Haiti.

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The President of Colombia Alvaro Uribe Velez addressed close to 200 mayors during the United States Conference of Mayor’s 77th Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island. read more »

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The City of Miami is one of the top three cities in which to do business for Latin America, according to the magazine AméricaEconomía and ranks high in the new category— environmental sustainability. Miami is the only city in the United States included for consideration by the business magazine. Original Article » read more »

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The City of Miami and the international relief organization World Vision once again came together at a fundraiser to support rebuilding efforts in the island nation of Haiti following devastating storms in 2008. read more »

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A special thanks to the Consul General of the Netherlands, Lucita Moenir Alam, and our local Dutch community for hosting the first free Orange Bike Parade in celebration of Queen’s Day. The sixth Bike Miami Days held by the City of Miami, under the leadership of Mayor Manny Diaz, brought out over 3,000 people to the heart of Coconut Grove. read more »

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The City’s GreenMiami Initiative tree planting gathered almost 100 volunteers including for the first time ever members of Miami’s Consular Corps. The Consuls General from Israel, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Haiti joined Mayor Diaz in planting more than 200 trees in the Little Haiti Buena Vista East Neighborhood.
www.ourgreenmiami.org » read more » CBS 4 news coverage »

Produced by: Jennifer Lane, City of Miami ITD

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In honor of Israel’s 61st Independence Day, Mayor Manny Diaz proclaimed April 23, 2009, State of Israel Day during the City Commission meeting that same date. A special tribute of honorary citizenship was also presented to Corporal Gilad Shalit, who has been held in captivity since June 2006. read more »

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Executive Director Isabel de Quesada and Mayor George Cadavid of the City of Miami Police Department attended an international security seminar held in Cartagena, Colombia. The seminar gathered 200 governors, capital city mayors and national police commanding officers. Mayor Cadavid’s presentation on “Crime and Public Safety” and on Miami’s new Police Academy were of particular interest. The two-day seminar focused on greater collaboration between the national police and state and local authorities; it was held with the support of USAID. read more »

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In keeping with the City’s commitment to invest in education, the Mayor’s International Council proudly co-sponsored the “First National Language K-12 for Business Conference”, organized by Florida International University’s Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER). The two-day event gathered almost 100 teachers from across the United States interested in introducing language for business to their K-12 students. The conference focused on the most relevant languages taught in the classroom today - Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese. It brought editorial companies from different parts of the world to Miami to showcase their materials. CIBER aims to promote the importance of teaching language for business, even in the earlier education years. read more »

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City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, District 5, would like to thank all of the members of the community who contributed to relief efforts to assist hurricane victims in the Caribbean. read more »

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Mayor Manny Diaz is joined by Mayor’s International Council Chairman, Commissioner Angel Gonzalez, in the City’s call to action for emergency relief to aid hurricane victims in the Caribbean. read more »

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Mayor Manny Diaz, joined by Kagoshima Mayor Hiroyuki Mori and his delegation, held a tree planting ceremony to celebrate the restoration of the Ichimura Miami-Japan Garden at Jungle Island.

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