Connecting Local to Global

Past Events for Connecting Local to Global

Working in partnership with our colleagues at City agencies we create opportunities for the 114 consulates in NYC to learn about the work of NYC agencies and share NYC's programming with the communities they serve, while also sharing their own best practices. Through our Connecting Local to Global (CL2G) programming we also work to connect NYC's solutions to local problems to international efforts to tackle global issues, from climate change and disability rights to immigration and food insecurity. 

Navigating Administrative Justice and Enforcement in NYC  

July 13, 2016 - The second installation of the Connecting Local to Global Workshop Series, entitled "Navigating Administrative Justice and Enforcement in NYC" featured the work of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), New York City’s central administrative court, NYC Department Of Health And Mental Hygiene, the New York City Department of Sanitation, the NYC Department of Transportation, and New York City Fire Department (FDNY). This workshop highlighted New York City’s administrative justice system while also orienting the diplomatic and consular corps to the relationships between enforcement agencies and OATH’s work. The workshop, which took place at the beautiful and historic Surrogate’s Courthouse, featured presentations from high-level representatives of various New York City enforcement agencies and remarks from the Commissioner and Chief Administrative Law Judge of OATH, Fidel F. Del Valle. View event photos.

Opening Remarks:

• Fidel F. Del Valle, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Law Judge of OATH (Watch Commissioner Del Valle's video message here.)
• Marissa Jackson, General Counsel, NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs

Guest Speakers:

• Corinne Schiff, Director of Special Projects, Environmental Health, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, "Navigating Administrative Justice and Enforcement" 
• Elisabeth Prael, Legal Affairs/Enforcement Unit, FDNY
• Jose Marquez, Deputy Chief Inspector, FDNY
• Ignazio Terranova, Citywide Community Affairs Officer, NYC Department of Sanitation, "Support a Clean Neighborhood"
• Vinny Maniscalco, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Transport
• Tynia Richard, Deputy Commissioner/General Counsel, OATH, "Presenting OATH: The City's Central Tribunal"
• Helaine Balsam, Deputy General Counsel, OATH, "Presenting a Defense Based on Sovereign or Diplomatic Immunity"

Social Media for Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Response  

April 11, 2016 - The NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Switzerland and the Digital Diplomacy Coalition, hosted a Connecting Local to Global event themed, "Social Media for Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Response." The event highlighted the importance of social media for engaging with residents and sharing information and delivering services more quickly and effectively, especially during times of crisis. View event photos here.

Opening remarks:

Ambassador André Schaller, Consul General of Switzerland in New York
Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs

Guest Speakers:

• Masha Gindler, Deputy Director for NYC Office for Digital Strategy
• Liz Debold, Communications Manager for NYC Mayor's Fund
• Detective Scott Glick, Social Media Strategist for NYPD
• Nancy Silvestri, Press Secretary for NYC Office of Emergency Management

Talk to Your Baby and Agency Information Session 

March 8, 2016 - The Talk to Your Baby Campaign "Love Is" Translation Launch and the NYC Agency Information event, hosted at the Queens Library at Flushing, was the first collaboration between the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, the Children’s Cabinet, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea. View event photos here.

Guest Speakers:

• Chirlane McCray, First Lady of the City of New York
• Richard Buery, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives, City of New York 
• H.E. Gheewhan Kim and Jihyun Kang (referred to as Mrs. Kim), Consul General of the Republic of Korea and spouse
• Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner for Mayor’s Office for International Affairs
• Benita Miller, Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet
• Bridget Quinn-Carey, Interim President and CEO of the Queens Library
• Dennis Walcott, President and CEO of the Queens Library

Office of Emergency Management Training 

January 28, 2016 -  The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs launched our Connecting Local to Global training series. In partnership with NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) we hosted over 150 consular officials and City representatives at the NYCEM campus to discuss New York City's emergency response strategies and programs. This series will provide workshops and training sessions designed for diplomats and consular officials seeking to better access City assets. View event photos here.

Guest Speakers:

• Ambassador Gentry O. Smith, Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions
• Joseph. Esposito, Commissioner for NYC Mayor's Office for Emergency Management

Leading the Charge: Cities Role in Ensuring Food Secuirty 

October 22, 2016 - The Consulate General of Italy in New York and the New York City Mayor’s Office for International commemorated the signing of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact and Framework for Action, a voluntary commitment among global Mayors and local government leaders to take action in developing more sustainable and equitable food systems in urban settings. This one-on-one conversation explored New York City’s strategy for addressing food insecurity and the underlying socio-economic and environmental challenges in promoting equitable access to locally sourced and nutritious foods

Guest Speakers:

• Consul General Natalia Quintavalle, Consul General of Italy 
• Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner for NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs
• Barbara Turk, Director for NYC Mayor’s Office of Food Policy

 Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Americans Disabilities Act 

June, 2015-  The NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs worked in partnership with the NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities and the U.S. Department of State to bring reflections on the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act into the United Nations with a panel discussion featuring NYC Commissioner Victor Calise, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, Judith Heumann, and NYC advocates and leaders.

Guest Speakers:

• Victor Calise, Commissioner for NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
• Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights