Gira 2007:

WASHINGTON, DC October 20 - October 24, 2007

Themes:Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility, U.S.-Venezuela Trade Relations, and Overview of International Financial Institution (IFI) development projects specific to Venezuela

MONDAY, October 22

Welcome and introduction to the program

Mr. Christopher Mrozowski

Program Officer
Near East, North Africa, South and Central,
Asia, Western Hemisphere and East Asia Branch
Voluntary Visitors Division
Office of International Visitors
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
U.S. Department of State

The World Bank
Ms. Amina El-Sharkawy
World Bank Institute (WBI)
Finance & Private Sector Development Division

Topic: Finance & Private Sector Development Division, Business Competitiveness and Development Team, Former Corporate Social Responsability ans Sustainable Competitiveness Program

The World Bank is a source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world.It is not a bank in the common sense. The World Bank is made up of two unique development institutions owned by 184 member countries, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). Each institution plays a different but supportive role in its mission of global poverty reduction and the improvement of living standards. The IBRD focuses on middle income and creditworthy poor countries, while IDA focuses on the poorest countries in the world. Together they provide low-interest loans, interest-free credit and grants to developing countries for education, health, infrastructure, communications and many other purposes.

U.S. Department of State
Mr. Joseph E. Salazar
International Trade Officer
Western Hemisphere Affairs

Ms. Pamela Bates
Bureau of Oceans, International Environmental, and Scientific Affairs, Office of Environmental Policy

Topic: Speakers discussed U.S. foreign policy initiatives to promote corporate social responsibility in international trade.

The U.S. Department of State determines and analyzes American overseas interests, makes recommendations on policy, and takes the necessary steps to carry out established foreign policy.It negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign nations; speaks for the United States in the United Nations and major international organizations in which the United States participates; and represents the United States at international conferences.

Bureau of Western Hemisphere
U.S. Department of State
Mr. Peter Samson
Andean Desk Officer

Topic: Mr. Samson discussed U.S. foreign policy with respect to Venezuela.

The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs is headed by Assistant Secretary of State Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., who is responsible for managing and promoting U.S. interests in the region by supporting democracy, trade, and sustainable economic development, and fostering cooperation on issues such as drug trafficking and crime, poverty reduction, and environmental protection. The Bureau's mission is to generate broad-based growth through freer trade and sound economic policies; to invest in the well-being of people from all walks of life; and to make democracy serve every citizen more effectively and justly.

TUESDAY, October 23
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Ms. Alberto Melo
Public Information Officer
Office of External Relations

Mr. John Ferriter
Senior Public Information Officer
Office of External Relations

Topic: Speakers focused exclusively on how the IDB operates, including a description of the institution’s programs for technical cooperation and loans for social and economic development, as well as the current Venezuela portfolio.

The Inter-American Development Bank, the oldest and largest regional multilateral development institution, was established in December of 1959 to help accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.The Bank's Charter states that its principal functions are to utilize its own capital, funds raised by it in financial markets, and other available resources, for financing the development of the borrowing member countries; to supplement private investment when private capital is not available on reasonable terms and conditions; and to provide technical assistance for the preparation, financing, and implementation of development plans and projects.

International Trade Administration (ITA)
Mr. RandolphMye
Coordinator for Latin America
Topic: Mr. Mye discussed U.S.-Venezuela commercial relations.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) works to help U.S. businesses participate fully in the growing global marketplace.ITA provides practical information to help select markets and products; aims to ensure that access to international markets is available as required by trade agreements; and also safeguards from unfair competition from dumped and subsidized imports.

The Department of Commerce serves and promotes the nation's international trade, economic growth, and technological advancement.Within this framework, it offers assistance to increase exports, administers programs to prevent unfair foreign trade competition, provides research for business and government planners, and assists in the growth of minority businesses.It also grants patents and registers trademarks.

Meridian International Center
Mr. Clarence Lusane, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
AmericanUniversity

Topic: Dr. Lusane will present an overview of the U.S. system of government, its decentralized nature and the decision making process that flows from the system. You will be joined by other International Visitors. The program will last approximately two hours and include a substantive component as well as an opportunity for informal discussions between presenters and Visitors. The sessions are conducted in English.

Clarence Lusane is an Associate Professor of International Relations in the School of International Service at AmericanUniversity. He is the author of seven books and numerous articles in the areas of human rights, global racism, and international relations.He has lectured on these topics in more than 40 countries. Dr. Lusane has taught at ColumbiaUniversity, MedgarEversCollege, and HowardUniversity where he received his Ph.D. in Political Science.

AmericanUniversity is a nationally and internationally recognized university chartered by an Act of Congress in 1893 as a private, independent coeducational institution.The university was originally founded as a graduate school of history and public affairs.The university currently provides a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in almost every academic discipline in its six colleges and schools: the College of Arts and Sciences; Kogod College of Business Administration; the School of Communications; the School of International Service; the School of Public Affairs; and the Washington College of Law.

MeridianInternationalCenter is a non-profit institution that promotes international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas, and the arts.Established in 1960 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., Meridian offers a wide array of outreach, exchange, and arts programs.Meridian educates people of all ages about global issues, connects professionals from different countries, and enriches the cultural perspectives of audiences across the United States and abroad.MeridianInternationalCenter conducts international educational and cultural programs, and provides foreign visitors and diplomats in the United States with services, including cultural orientation, seminars, and language assistance.The Center also offers world affairs programs and international exhibitions for Americans.

WEDNESDAY, October 24
Committee of Concerned Journalists (CCJ)
Mr. Wally Dean
Broadcast Training Coordinator

Topic: Mr. Dean will provide visitors with an overview of the U.S. media marketplace.Topics will include responsible reporting practices, ethics, and accountability.

The Committee of Concerned Journalists is a consortium of reporters, editors, producers, publishers, owners and academics worried about the future of the profession.To secure journalism's future, the group believes that journalists from all media, geography, rank and generation must be clear about what sets our profession apart from other endeavors. To accomplish this, the group is creating a national conversation among journalists about principles.The three main goals are as follows:to clarify and renew journalists' faith in the core principles and function in journalism, to create a better understanding of those principles by the public, and to engage and inform ownership and management of these principles and their financial as well as social value.

The Project for Excellence in Journalism is an initiative by journalists to clarify and raise the standards of American journalism.The Project pursues the aim of clarifying standards by bringing journalists together to decide for themselves what their purpose and aims are. There are two main components to the Project.First, it sponsors The Committee of Concerned Journalists, which after a series of nationwide public forums, now conducts a national newsroom training program, The Traveling Curriculum.Second, it conducts research.Several reports are released each year, including a new Annual Report on the State of the News Media.

NEW YORK, NEW YORKOctober 24 - October 28, 2007
Themes:

Overview of U.S. Print and Broadcast Media Industry; U.S. Media Reporting on Trade, the Economy, and Corporate Practices; Business and Energy Reporting; and Corporate Social Responsibility Programs and the Media.

THURSDAY, October 25th
Bloomberg Media
Ms Karen Amanda Toulon
Editor-at-Large, Broadcast

This meeting included a tour of Bloomberg’s New York office and you will have the opportunity to learn about their business and financial reporting practices.

FRIDAY, October 26
Energy Intelligence Group
Mr. John van Schaik
Bureau Chief Editor

Mr. Ramsey al-Rikabi
North American Energy Market Reporter

They had also meetings with Mr. John van Schaik, Mr. Ramsey al-Rikabi of Energy Intelligence Group.Mr. van Schaik covers oil fundamentals and is the bureau chief editor for Energy Intelligence in New York. You will discuss with them issues related to energy business; geopolitics of energy business, U.S.-Venezuelan relations and other related topics.

Business Week International
Mr. Peter Coy
Economics Editor

Ms Christina Lindblad
Deputy News Editor

Mr. David Rocks
International Editor

Meeting with the Business WeekInternational was also requested for they to discuss how these media organizations report on trade, economy, and business.

Time Warner
Ms Rachel Tanzer
Time Warner Corporate Responsibility

A meeting with Time Warner was requested to learn about Time Warner’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs and its relationship with the community and the media.