Latest news with #UIV
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Global experts at SMU City Dialogues Vienna: Urban resilience requires trust, equity and 'smart enough' solutions
SINGAPORE and VIENNA, July 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a partner event of the Mayors Forum of the World Cities Summit 2025, the fourth edition of SMU City Dialogues was successfully organised by Singapore Management University (SMU) in partnership with Urban Innovation Vienna (UIV) on 2 July 2025 at Vienna City Hall. City Dialogues Vienna welcomed over 100 attendees from 20 countries; with representation from more than 20 universities and over 30 private and public organisations – a testament to the diversity and dynamism of our global community, and the urgency and relevance of the dialogue topic of urban resilience. The event opened with a welcome address by SMU Provost, Professor Alan Chan, followed by remarks from Mr Melvyn Ong, Permanent Secretary (Development) at the Ministry of National Development, Republic of Singapore. The keynote address was delivered by Mr Jürgen Czernohorszky, Executive City Councillor for Climate, Environment, Democracy and Personnel of the City of Vienna. Centered around the guiding question "What is the value of urban resilience?", the event brought together urban leaders, policymakers and academics from Europe, Asia and beyond to exchange actionable insights towards resilient, inclusive and future-ready cities. The programme featured three thematic tracks, each addressing a core dimension of urban resilience: These parallel discussions concluded with a joint key takeaway session led by SMU professors Winston Chow and Orlando Woods, alongside UIV's Johannes Lutter. Their insights made one thing clear: urban resilience is not a buzzword, but a lived responsibility which requires trust, participation, and context-sensitive action. Professor Winston Chow, Co-Chair of the IPCC Working Group II and Professor of Urban Climate at SMU, said, "Resilience isn't just about surviving, it's about thriving. We need to align financial systems with social goals, build trust through good governance, and empower communities to shape their own future." Prof Chow also cautioned against over-reliance on public-private partnerships, noting that "public-private partnerships can be powerful tools, but they are not universal solutions. They require competent, stable governments, extensive due diligence and clear alignment of interest." SMU Professor of Geography Orlando Woods, who is also Director of the SMU Urban Institute, reflected on the limitations of digital solutions in addressing complex urban challenges. While his group was tasked with exploring innovation and technology, much of the discussion shifted toward the structural problems that technology alone cannot resolve. "It's not about being a smart city. It's about being a smart enough city. Smart enough relative to the context, the specific problem we are trying to solve with the technology that we have." He emphasised that overreliance on data and digital tools often leads to oversimplified responses, while masking deeper systemic issues like inequality, mental health, or infrastructural neglect. Dr Johannes Lutter Senior Urban Planner at Urban Innovation Vienna, outlined three key messages on how resilience can be made more socially inclusive and locally grounded. "Given our limited resources, it is essential that we take targeted action—focusing in particular on those who are most vulnerable. To do so effectively, we must have a clear understanding of who is at risk." "We must restore agency to communities—not by shifting responsibility onto them and stepping back, but by fostering a structured dialogue between governments and communities, ensuring genuine collaboration between public institutions and the people they serve," he added. Initiated in 2019 by Singapore Management University, the City Dialogues series fosters candid exchange among policymakers, academics and business leaders. It aims to generate actionable recommendations for sustainable and inclusive urban development. Previous editions held in Singapore and Bangkok successfully brought together leaders from government, industry, and academia to engage in honest, action-oriented conversations.
Malaysian Reserve
07-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
The European Union's "Taste the Difference" Campaign Brings Exclusive Wine Events to the U.S. this May
This May, the Taste the Difference campaign will take part in USA Trade Tasting in Chicago, present a Grand Tasting in New York City, and host exclusive trade dinners in both cities—led by top sommeliers and featuring some of the finest European wines from Italy and Spain. NEW YORK, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The European Union's Taste the Difference campaign—led by its beneficiaries, Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) and PRODECA, Promotora dels Aliments Catalans —is set to launch a dynamic series of events in both Chicago and New York City from May 19 to 22. Aimed at increasing the competitiveness of high-quality European wines from Italy and Spain (PDO and PGI), the campaign seeks to raise awareness and enhance perceived quality among trade and media professionals. The program will feature immersive tastings, expert-led masterclasses, and exclusive trade experiences that highlight the diversity and excellence of European wines. The U.S. tour kicks off in Chicago on May 19 with an intimate five-course trade dinner at Alla Vita—a celebrated Italian restaurant known for its modern take on traditional cuisine. Italian producers will join the evening to share the stories behind their wines and engage directly with guests. On May 20, the campaign will have a strong presence at the USA Trade Tasting , one of the country's premier industry events. The day's highlights include: Masterclass: 'European Character – A Journey through the Italian wine regions' 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Led by Master Sommelier Mark Guillaudeu , this tasting explores how Italy's diverse geography—altitude, soil, and climate—shapes its wines. Each selection reveals a distinct terroir, from alpine slopes to coastal vineyards. Led by , this tasting explores how diverse geography—altitude, soil, and climate—shapes its wines. Each selection reveals a distinct terroir, from alpine slopes to coastal vineyards. Taste the Difference Press Conference 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Presented by representatives from UIV and PRODECA , this session invites media professionals to learn more about the campaign's mission, impact, and vision—accompanied by light bites. Presented by , this session invites media professionals to learn more about the campaign's mission, impact, and vision—accompanied by light bites. Masterclass: ' Spain , Catalonia – A Journey Through 12 PDO Wine Regions' 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM Lucas Payà , Global Brand Educator for House of Lustau, leads a tasting featuring seven wines that showcase the richness and diversity of Catalonia's 12 PDO regions. , Global Brand Educator for House of Lustau, leads a tasting featuring seven wines that showcase the richness and diversity of Catalonia's 12 PDO regions. Masterclass: 'From the Mountains to the Coast – Italy's Winescapes' 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Mark Guillaudeu , MS, returns to guide guests through a tasting that explores how Italy's varied landscapes—from mountain vineyards to coastal plains—shape its wines. The campaign continues in New York City on May 21 with an exclusive trade-only cocktail event at Manhatta. This elegant evening offers industry professionals the opportunity to taste and explore the heritage of Italian and Spanish wines while enjoying breathtaking views of New York City from Manhatta's rooftop. Attendees will also have the chance to connect directly with producers, who will be on hand to share the stories and insights behind their wines. The campaign reaches its grand finale on May 22 with the highly anticipated Taste the Difference Grand Tasting, taking place at Manhatta in New York City. This exclusive event will gather wine professionals for an immersive tasting experience, showcasing a diverse range of high-quality European wines. Press Conference 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Led by representatives from UIV and PRODECA, this session provides updates on the campaign's goals, outcomes, and future direction. Led by representatives from UIV and PRODECA, this session provides updates on the campaign's goals, outcomes, and future direction. Masterclass: 'Italian Character – A Regional Journey' 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Hosted by Mark Guillaudeu , MS , this session continues the exploration of Italy's wine regions, with a focus on how regional differences in climate, soil, and elevation shape the character and style of Italian wines. Hosted by , this session continues the exploration of wine regions, with a focus on how regional differences in climate, soil, and elevation shape the character and style of Italian wines. Masterclass: 'Discover the Rich Heritage, Bold Flavors, and Hidden Gems of Catalonia in Spain ' 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Led by Master Sommelier Jonathan Eichholz, this tasting highlights the dynamic range and character of Catalan wines, celebrated for their bold interpretation of Spanish terroir. Join us in celebrating the richness of European winemaking. Discover full event details and register here: Taste the Difference Grand Tasting . For questions or additional information, please contact Gemma Bosch at [email protected]. About Taste the Difference The program: 'European Quality Wines: Taste the Difference', co-funded by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) and PRODECA, Promotora dels Aliments Catalans, is dedicated to promoting European PDO and PGI wines in China and the U.S. This initiative includes diverse activities such as walk-around tastings, wine seminars, workshops, and B2B meetings conducted in target markets. It also invites wine professionals to embark on study trips to Europe, in Italy and Spain, offering an immersive experience of European quality wines. The program aims to showcase the rich heritage and superior quality of European wines. The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) is the oldest and most trusted organization in Italy's wine industry. The association includes members such as cooperatives, private wineries, agricultural organizations, bottlers, consortia, brewing equipment manufacturers, and laboratories. PRODECA, Promotora dels Aliments Catalans, is a public company established in 1986 that operates under the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Catalonia. It supports the agri-food sector and its companies with the knowledge, tools, and experience to increase the reach of Catalan products both domestically and internationally. Media Contact: Gemma Bosch Colangelo & Partners [email protected] +1 917 365 4962 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Taste the Difference
