LOS ANGELES – Sunday, January 15th 2012 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)– For the first time in its history, The New Yorker, esteemed for its consistent publication of great poetry, will stream on its website (www.newyorker.com) Leonard Cohen’s new lyric “Going Home,” one of ten songs on his new studio album, Old Ideas. The New Yorker will publish the lyric in its January 23rd issue (on newsstands January 16th). The song will also be streamed on The New Yorker website on January 16th. Cohen and Sony will release the album on January 31st (www.leonardcohen.com/us/news/new-album-old-ideas-be-released-013112).

New Yorker poetry editor Paul Muldoon, who has been listening to Cohen since 1967, said that he is “thrilled” this will be happening in the magazine, which has recently been acknowledging the great power and achievement of singer-songwriters. Muldoon said, “The New Yorker has been publishing lyrics over the past years by Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon…Cohen is in some elite company, including his own!” Cohen’s rich, complex lyrics have intoxicated listeners for more than a generation; his work bridges the world of lyric poetry and song. A selection of Cohen’s poems and songs has recently been published by the prestigious Random House “Everyman” series, which includes in its pantheon Rumi, Keats, Byron, Pushkin, Dickinson, Frost, and, now, Cohen (www.randomhouse.com/knopf/classics/resources_press.html). Already, through a second printing, a new edition will be released later this winter.

Recently, Cohen’s work has been receiving literary recognition throughout the world. In late October, Cohen received the Príncipe de Asturias, the highest literary award granted by Spain (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u_7e3Tv7Uk). PEN New England has also awarded Cohen and Chuck Berry its first “Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence.” Judges included Bono, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Paul Muldoon, Smokey Robinson, Salman Rushdie, and Paul Simon.

His native Canada, which has honored Cohen before, will bestow the Ninth Glenn Gould Prize upon Cohen for his great artistic achievement in bringing literary richness to popular music and for touching “audiences far outside his main genre.” Cohen’s honors and the recent nomination of Bob Dylan for the Neustadt International Prize (www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/03/leonard-cohen-major-spanish-literary-prize) reflect the cultural recognition of folk-rock songwriters as poets of the highest order.

Contacts

For Unified Heart Productions, LLC

Alison Graham

310-494-1554

alison@ajgpr.com

Jafza recently concluded its series of cultural and traditional activities, aimed at engaging its 6600-strong business community in the spirit of the union that mark the National Day celebrations, this year.

Members of the Jafza community celebrated at a special Heritage Pavilion set up for the occasion in the free zone which hosted a programmes that included the traditional yola dance, falcon display, and a series of activities. Jafza also hosted several competitions with special prizes awarded to ‘Best decorated free zone company’, ‘Best dressed male and female’, and ‘Best decorated car’

A photo gallery, ‘Al Ettihad Panorama’ was also set up in Jafza 15, displaying 40 photographs capturing the passion and the energy of the nation.

Contacts

Adeti Changulani,

Hasaad Communications

+971 50 429 5576

adeti.changulani@hasaad.ae

Emirati traditions and culture were the spotlights of the day-long celebrations organized by TECOM Investments, a diversified conglomerate and a member of Dubai Holding, to mark the 40th UAE National Day.

TECOM Investments’ ICT Cluster comprising Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone, Media Cluster, and Education Cluster collectively hosted the event that was attended by business partners and senior management including, Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of the Media Cluster, Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of the Education Cluster; Malek Al Malek, Managing Director of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone and Jamal Al Sharif, Managing Director of Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City.

Mohammad Abdullah said: “As the UAE celebrates its 40th National Day, another important chapter opens in the nation’s efforts to achieve excellence and prosperity. TECOM Investments’ Media Cluster, comprising Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and International Media Production Zone, is proud of its significant contribution towards developing Dubai into a key global destination for the media sector. We pledge to continue our efforts to further raise the industry benchmark across the region.”

Malek Al Malek said: “This year the 40th UAE National Day pays special tribute to UAE’s achievement and progress accomplished under the guidance of its visionary leadership. The celebrations this year are a testament to the open door policy the country upholds in order to create a conducive environment at Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone to attract global technology leaders under one umbrella.”

Dr. Ayoub Kazim said: “We congratulate the leadership of the UAE and Dubai as we join the National Day celebrations. We invite our student community and the youth from the wider Arab world to draw inspiration from our leaders who are outstanding role models. We call upon the youth to sincerely contribute to realizing our leaders’ vision to transform the UAE into a knowledge-based economy.”

The event held at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, featured Emirati folk dances, falconry demonstrations, camel rides, authentic cuisine, live cooking stations and a photo studio where visitors had their photographs taken in traditional clothes.

-Ends-

About TECOM Investments

TECOM Investments, based in Dubai, is a member of Dubai Holding, a global company dedicated to knowledge and life-improving industries.

Home to over 4,500 companies, including major multinationals and many of the Fortune 500 companies, TECOM Investments interests also include exclusive investments in high-growth sectors.

One of TECOM Investments’ largest portfolio companies is TECOM Business Parks. It comprises 10 business parks under five industry clusters across the information and communication technology (ICT), media, education, sciences, as well as manufacturing and logistics sectors.

Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone form the ICT Cluster, while Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and the International Media Production Zone make up the Media Cluster.

Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City are part of the Education Cluster. Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park and Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK) compose the Science Cluster.

Dubai Industrial City comes under the Manufacturing and Logistics Cluster of TECOM Business Parks.

Building on its domestic success and vision for global expansion, TECOM Investments has conceptualised SmartCity, a venture that aims to develop knowledge industry townships worldwide. The foundation has already been laid with the development of SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi.

Apart from spurring cluster development by creating purpose-built facilities and working with the Dubai and Federal Governments to develop business-friendly policies and industry regulations, TECOM Investments also focuses on ‘pure play’ businesses.

eHosting DataFort is a managed IT and advisory services provider. Arab Media Group (AMG) is a leading media and entertainment organization in the UAE, with subsidiaries covering radio broadcasting, event management and outdoor advertising.

TECOM Investments also owns share capital in Empower, a district cooling service provider; Nexgen Advisory Group, a MENA-based specialized advisory and consulting services organisation; and Energy Management Services.

Contacts

Omar Alziri

APCO Worldwide

+ 971 4 446 6268

Oalziri@apcoworldwide.com

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Wednesday, November 30th 2011 [ME NewsWire]

Dubai World today celebrated the 40th UAE National Day with fun, festivities and frolic. Hundreds of Dubai World staff, their families, special invitees and others attended the gala celebrations worthy of the historic milestone in the UAE’s history.

Organised by Dubai World and Limitless, the day-long celebrations were held on the landscaped outdoor plaza of at The Galleries at Downtown Jebel Ali, the flagship community project of Limitless, amidst a festive atmosphere.

Celebrations, attended by employees from other global and local companies based at The Galleries, including Siemens, Kraft Foods, Ericsson, China National Petroleum Company, Atos and Arup, began with the playing of the National Anthem and speakers walked the audience back in history for a brief look at the UAE’s evolution since the Federation was formed on December 2, 1971.

The activities included traditional Arabic Yola dance, an Emirati bazaar with traditional crafts on display, Emirati food stalls, entertainment troupes, and a raffle draw for the best decorated car.

Khawla Ali, Director, Head of Dubai World Corporate Human resources, said:

“This is a day of special significance to the UAE Nationals and expatriates. The last four decades have seen the UAE make tremendous strides in every field and we are proud to be a part of this progress. For the employees of Dubai World and its group companies this is an occasion to renew our commitment to the welfare of this great nation and dedication to our Group.”

Earlier, welcoming the visitors, Bahaa Abouhatab, Head of UAE Projects at Limitless, said:

“From its very early days this country has opened its doors to the people of the world, which is reflected in the multicultural, cosmopolitan society that embodies the spirit of this union. It is heartening to see people of so many different nationalities and cultures joining their Emirati colleagues to mark the UAE’s 40th National Day here at The Galleries. We are delighted to be celebrating the UAE’s past at one of the fastest-growing business communities of its future.”

-ENDS-

About Dubai World:

Global holding company Dubai World operates businesses across four strategic sectors: Transport & Logistics, Drydocks & Maritime, Urban Development, Investment & Financial Services. Its portfolio contains some of the world’s leading companies in their industries, including Economic Zones World, Istithmar World, Drydocks World, P&O Ferries, and majority ownership of global port operator DP World. Dubai World is committed to investment in the long term and generating value for its stakeholder, the Government of Dubai, with a corporate philosophy in line with Dubai’s vision, and based on sustainability, best ethical practices and integrity.

Contacts

Khoder Makki

Account Manager

Hasaad Communications

+971 50 5592268

Khoder@hasaad.ae

Celebrating its 6th anniversary in 2011, Contemporary Istanbul is Turkey’s most comprehensive “modern and contemporary art event” to date, expanding Istanbul’s cultural and artistic life to the world.

Consisting of national and international galleries chosen by the organizational committee, art institutions and sector representatives, the premier art fair of the region will open its doors this year to art lovers on November 24-27 at Istanbul Congress Center & Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center/Rumeli Hall. Contemporary Istanbul showcases contemporary paintings, sculptures, videos, photographs, installations and limited editions  with the participation of national and foreign galleries.

The art fair that aims at being in the Top 10 list of the world art fairs within the next couple of years, is also dedicated to contributing to the development of Contemporary Turkish Art, introducing the genre to collectors with pieces that increase in value and are globally recognized.

This edition brings together 89 contemporary art galleries from 20 countries, half being international, featuring art initiatives, independent projects and publications along with art institutions in addition to exhibitions. 3000 contemporary artworks belonging to 550 local and global artists will be exhibited and more than 1000 collectors will be visiting Contemporary Istanbul.

Ali Güreli, Chairman of Contemporary Istanbul said, “Contemporary Istanbul’s aim is promoting contemporary art in Turkey and Turkish contemporary art to the world.  We are once again excited to host the pioneer names in art, culture and architecture in our Contemporary Istanbul Event and to contribute to making Istanbul an artistic center of attraction bringing in foreign collectors, artists, press members and art lovers in general. We will continue our efforts to make Istanbul one of the capital cities in the art realm.”

“We hope that Contemporary Istanbul provides its visitors the opportunity to catch up on the latest trends in Contemporary Turkish Art and the global art scene, while ensuring to remain the medians through which the international art communities can interact.” continues Ali Güreli.

For the first time, Contemporary Istanbul will also be hosting galleries from the Gulf Region in it’s New Horizons section in 2011. Furthermore, a number of preeminent galleries will be participating, celebrating aspirant artists and real talent from the Gulf. Amongst the exhibiting galleries from the Gulf region are Etemad Gallery, XVA Gallery, Empty Quarter Gallery all from Dubai, FA Gallery from Kuwait and EOA Projects from Saudi Arabia .

Contemporary Istanbul offers a rich experience during the fair with various panel discussions on contemporary art. Contemporary Istanbul Dialogues (CI Dialogues) where local and international speakers will share their observations and experiences of their respective countries’ Contemporary art enviroments and art instutions with art enthusiasts. The 3rd day of CI Dialogues will be special for New Horizon Section; art experts, advisors, curators and art critics will be discussing the current art market, emerging artists and art institutions in the region. Laura Egerton, Curator, Abraaj Capital Art Prize and Arsalan Mohammad, Editor in Chief, Harper’s Bazaar Art Dubai are two of the key speakers within this dialogue.

Also Contemporary art expert on emerging markets, Ian Robertson will talk about the emerging markets and the changing dynamics and geographies in contemporary art.

With social events held throughout the fair, Contemporary Istanbul brings together collectors, press members, artists, gallery owners, critics and all art enthusiasts from around the world.

Contemporary İstanbul:

The sixth edition of Contemporary Istanbul will take place from 24th to 27th of November 2011. As the most extensive contemporary art fair in Turkey, Contemporary Istanbul aims to promote the cultural and artistic life of Turkey. For the first time, the fair will feature a special GCC (Gulf Co-operating Countries) “corner” with a number of preeminent galleries participating, celebrating aspirant artists and real talent from the Gulf

For five days, Contemporary Istanbul is hosting national and international galleries, artists from all over the world, collectors, museum directors, curators, art critics, members of press and art lovers at Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center and Istanbul Congress Center. And in addition to the main event, Contemporary Istanbul is organizing through the year several side events and art projects such as conferences, exhibitions with the aim of contributing to the country’s contemporary art development.

For further information:

Rawaj International

Ms. Joelle Mehchi

Mobile: +971505782974

Email: joelle.m@rawajinternational.com

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Tuesday, October 18th 2011 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)– A first-of-its-kind landmark research project, carried out at Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) pulpwood suppliers’ areas in South Sumatra, by academics at Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Bogor Agricultural Universityin Indonesia has been honoured at the Indonesian Green Awards, for successfully proving the positive impact of plantation forestry on degraded peat land and greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusions from this research were based on a study carried out from September 2010 to March 2011 effectively proving that the development of pulpwood plantations – or afforestation – on degraded peat land, or land that had been stripped of forest, can help the land sustainably recover contributing significantly to increased carbon absorption.

The Green Award ceremony on 28 September 2011 was endorsed by the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry. The findings of the study, which showed a substantial rise in secondary and plantation forest cover over the period of the study, were highlighted.

Dr. Basuki Sumawinata, a well-known peat expert from IPB who jointly led the study, said: “The outputs of the study suggest that forest plantations are actually more effective than degraded wasteland, in terms of managing CO2 emissions. In turn, this puts greater emphasis on the importance of how forestry plantations are sustainably maintained to manage greenhouse gas emissions.”

“Our study also shows a divergence from current thinking on greenhouse gas emissions. At present, considerable opinion suggests that emissions arise from the management of the plantations themselves, particularly from the creation of canals and the supposed drop in water levels from the soil in the plantation,” said Dr. Basuki. “However, our research indicates that that is not necessarily the case. The findings of the study actually suggested that the rate of greenhouse gas emissions from forestry plantations is largely controlled by natural phenomena, such as the decomposition of litter, like fallen leaves, as opposed to factors relating to the management of plantations,” he said.

The study was carried out on an area of land of about 600,000 hectares in South Sumatra that was largely destroyed by fire in 1997-98. Forest fires during the El Nino climate pattern were an ongoing phenomenon until early 2000, at which point forest cover in the area had been reduced by 80%. The area was then developed into a pulpwood plantation by APP’s pulpwood suppliers.

Using airborne and spatial radar technology, the research team was able to evaluate the impact of pulpwood plantation on the degraded land over four distinct periods: before the forest fires; after the forest fires; during the early plantation period; and during the recent plantation period, from 2009 onwards.

Dr. Mahmud Raimadoya, a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Peat land Management expert from IPB whose team carried out the study using radar technology, said: “We now have the technology and the capability to measure carbon absorption in degraded peat land across a number of different periods, from 1995 to 2009. Using radar systems, along with satellite imagery and on the ground verification, we have learned that pulpwood plantations on degraded peat land actually increase carbon absorption, greater than that of natural forest in the same area.”

The wood, then harvested from plantation forests and used to make paper, continues to store the carbon that growing trees have removed from the air. Responsibly managed forests are re-planted and re-grow, absorbing more carbon dioxide and so the cycle continues.

Along with increased carbon absorption, the findings of the study specifically showed that, in the period 2004-2009, the development of pulpwood plantation managed to successfully improve land cover significantly.

Dr. Basuki said: “One of the key conclusions we can draw from the study is that leaving degraded peat land unmanaged is simply not an option. There is also scope for further private sector involvement to help further forestry management goals, as private companies have much needed resources that can be used to help support GHG emission reductions in the forestry space.”

“We are delighted that this study has been honoured by the Indonesian Green Awards. But we believe that the outputs now need to be incorporated into ongoing initiatives to support sustainable forestry management, such as REDD+,” he said.

About APP:

Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) is brand umbrella for paper products manufactured by a number of mills in Indonesia, inter alia PT. Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk, PT. Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills, PT. Pabrik Kertas Tjiwi Kimia Tbk, PT. Lontar Papyrus Pulp & Paper Industries, PT. Ekamas Fortuna and PT. The Univenus in Indonesia. APP markets its products to over 120 countries. The majority of APP’s production facilities hold Chain-of-Custody certification from LEI and PEFC.

For more information about Asia Pulp & Paper and the positive impact of plantation forestry on degraded peat land and greenhouse gas emissions please visit www.rainforestrealities.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50031905&lang=en

Contacts

APP Indonesia

Aniela Maria, (62-21) 392 9266-69 Ext. 2303

Head of Stakeholder Engagement

Aniela_Maria@app.co.id

Dr. Basuki Sumawinata

Peat land Carbon Balance Research Team Leader

Department Soil Science and Land Resources

Bogor Agricultural University (IPB)

Basukis2@yahoo.com

Mahmud Raimadoya

Principal Investigator (JAXA/ALOS)

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Bogor Agricultural University (IPB)

raimadoya@ipb.ac.id

Cohn & Wolfe

Naomi Bata, 312-596-3332

Vice President of Public Relations

Mobile: 630-788-6507

naomi.bata@cohnwolfe.com

(BUSINESS WIRE)– KBR (NYSE: KBR) today announced it was awarded a three-year contract to provide program and project management services for Unitywater—a retail and distribution authority providing water to the fast-growing populations near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

KBR’s scope of work includes scheduling, estimating and construction management for water and sewage projects ranging from AUS$50,000 to $2 million.

“We are proud to have been appointed to provide project and program management services to Unitywater and the people of the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay regions,” said Colin Elliott, President, Infrastructure & Minerals. “This contract builds on our extensive expertise and experience in project management of water programs, including a project management and procurement (PMP) appointment with SA Water and a similar contract with Scottish Water.”

Unitywater’s Chief Operating Officer, George Theo said the three-year contract had been awarded following a rigorous and transparent tendering process.

“That process found that KBR had the expertise, the experience and the ability to provide value for money for our customers,” Mr. Theo said. “Our priority is to use locally-based staff, and KBR personnel will be working out of our Unitywater regional offices to oversee delivery of important infrastructure upgrades that will cater for future growth and help safeguard the health of the community and the environment.”

KBR is a global engineering, construction and services company supporting the energy, hydrocarbon, government services, minerals, civil infrastructure, power, industrial, and commercial markets. For more information, visit www.kbr.com.

Contacts

KBR

Sharon Bolen, 713-753-7615

Director, Administration

mediarelations@kbr.com

Rob Kukla, Jr., 713-753-5082

Director, Investor Relations

investors@kbr.com

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Wednesday, October 12th 2011 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cross Match Technologies, Inc., a leading global provider of biometric identity solutions, announced today that it has been certified as one of the first suppliers of biometric devices for India’s unique identification (UID) program. This milestone signifies that the company has successfully completed a rigorous two-step certification process and has received the Certificate of Approval from the Indian Government to continue to supply the program.

Cross Match received the Certificate of Approval for its rugged and dependable Guardian fingerprint capture device and the I SCAN dual iris capture device on October 7, 2011. Both systems utilize Cross Match’s patented Auto Capture feature, which quickly captures high-quality images with minimal operator involvement.

The Certificate of Approval, which is valid for three years, was issued after completion of all tests required to demonstrate compliance with the quality requirements of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The certification body consists of the Standardization, Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate for the Government of India’s Department of Information Technology (DIT) and the UIDAI.

The tests performed by the STQC included the following criteria: Physical & Dimensional, Image Quality, Environmental (Durability/Climatic), Safety, EMI/EMC, Security, Functional, Performance, Interoperability, Ease of Use & Ergonomics.

“We are pleased to learn that the Cross Match Guardian and I SCAN devices have fulfilled the stringent UIDAI test requirements and received this critical certification,” explains David Buckley, CEO of Cross Match. “Today’s milestone demonstrates that Cross Match, as a global leader in image quality and performance, and its Indian partner for the UID program, Smart Identity Devices Pvt. Ltd. (Smart ID), are ideally suited to help make this historic project a reality.”

“The program is both ambitious and incredibly large in terms of scale and potential impact,” Buckley notes. “It is designed to biometrically enroll the entire population of India so that up to 600 million of its citizens can come out of the shadows and lead a better life through access to fundamental benefits and services.”

Nirmal Prakash, Managing Director of Smart ID added, “Cross Match products are best-in-class, which is evidenced by a majority of the UIDAI certified enrollment agencies use of the devices across India. We are confident that this certification will further facilitate leveraging our joint expertise and ability to offer the best solutions in support of the Nation’s revolutionary project.”

Cross Match was also the first company to receive the Provisional Certificate for use in the UID program in September, 2010. This certificate marked the first step of the certification process and was the prerequisite for the deployment of fingerprint and iris scanners for the enrollment process. Cross Match and Smart ID have fielded over 20,000 fingerprint and iris scan devices to date for the UID program and other Indian Government initiatives.

More information about the UID program is available in the official UID video featuring the Cross Match Guardian and I SCAN devices. To view the video, please go to http://uidai.gov.in/images/FrontPageUpdates/networked_nation.html.

About Cross Match Technologies

Cross Match Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of biometric identity management systems, applications and enabling technologies to governments, law enforcement agencies and businesses around the world. These solutions are used to capture and process the unique physical characteristics of individuals to establish and verify their identities. Offerings include multiple biometric technologies capable of wireless, mobile or stationary use that encompass fingerprint, palm and full-hand scanners, facial recognition systems, iris scanning technology, document readers, biometric software, and related services. For more information visit www.crossmatch.com.

Contacts

Cross Match Technologies, Inc.

John B. Hinmon, +1 (561) 493 7401 Office

+1 (561) 346 5862 Mobile

VP, Global Marketing

john.hinmon@crossmatch.com

Robert Wolfer, +49 (0) 3641 4297 751 Office

+49 (0) 172 3652272 Mobile

Director, Product Management

roberto.wolfer@crossmatch.com

http://www.confluence-ci.com/content/what-we-do/workshops-a-retreats

Dubai, UAE September 28 2011: Taking time out to look inside could uncover the new wave of creativity and courage required of future leaders, according to Wendy Appel.

Appel, a seasoned organisation consultant with a deep embrace of the Enneagram System, is poised to expand on the attributes of the centuries-old symbol in a six-part webinar series, from October 12. The Enneagram is a nine-sided, multi-faceted figure that can be traced back to 750BC. During the 1960s and 70s, it merged with modern personality theory to represent a spectrum of possible personality styles and archetypes.

“I have worked with the Enneagram for many years. I know it has the ability to transform the way one can show up as a leader. I see writing on the wall and feel strongly that the time for change in the fundamentals of leadership is now,” she said.

Appel was quick to add that she is referring to leadership across all touch points – in business, government, family, community and personal life choices.

She suggested that the course of life is directed by individual habits, patterns and beliefs that lie low in the sub-conscious mind. “Most of us are unaware that our decisions – hence destiny – are being directed by our sub-conscious. This can be harmful, as much as it can be good. I believe it is the positive guise of these core beliefs that are greatly needed now. We must help transform leaders who are then able to transform organisations, worldwide.”

She describes the Enneagram as a ‘living system’. “After two decades of using the Enneagram myself, I know it acts as a dynamic, living system that is always revealing more of human nature.

“If you are ready, the Enneagram enables a journey through your inner landscape for powerful self-transformation. This does require a certain amount of courage. The result is enhanced emotional health, as well as the ability to respond to all circumstances with agility, balance and freedom.”

The 12-hour webinar series, dubbed Enneagram Foundation Plus, takes place over six weeks. Making use of interactive learning, Wendy will help delegates decode the Enneagram and identify their core Type as they embrace both the attributes and the tender spots that lie deep, and bring them to the surface.

“To transform as leaders we must first examine our core beliefs; both individual and collective. If we don’t, we will just make surface change and this is not enough to re-shape the shaken world we know today. The Enneagram can reveal the twist in direction, creativity and energy that the world is calling out for,” she concluded.

In parallel to Istanbul Biennale 2011, Contemporary Istanbul is organizing a special seminar entitled “City and Culture “where  international trendsetting names,  opinion leaders from the realms of art and architecture will discuss the changing physiognomy of Istanbul as a new global center of art and culture

The “City and Culture” conference organized by Contemporary Istanbul will be held on Monday, September the 19^th at Esma Sultan Palace, in parallel with the Istanbul Bienial. Contemporary Istanbul, the premier art fair of the region which will open its doors this year to art lovers on November 24-27, is adding one more event to its projects organized throughout the year while expanding its multi-facetted role in the field of culture and art.

The “City and Culture” conference will be held with the participation of leading international figures from the cultural, artistic and architectural sphere in Istanbul, a city that has a population of over 13 million and that has been the center of various civilizations for thousands of years and has now become a global city.

The seminar will be held with the participation of the Republic of Turkey Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Ertuğrul Günay, Mayor of Istanbul and President of UCLG Mr. Dr. Kadir Topbaş and Chairperson of Qatar Museums Authority H. E. Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and will be articulated over two sessions.

The morning session of the event will be moderated by Contemporary Istanbul Advisory Board member Prof. Dr. Ali Akay. Under the title of “Cities as Cultural Hubs: What makes a city a cultural hub?” the art theorician Anna Waldman, contemporary artist that represented Turkey in 2011 at the Venice Biennale Ayşe Erkmen, ex-director of Documenta, curator Catherine David and contemporary artist and sculptor Elisabeth Ballet will be the panelists in the said session. 

The keynote speech of the architecture session will be delivered by the world-famous architect Jacques Herzog, Founding Partner of Herzog & de Meuron, recipients of The Pritzker Architecture Prize and designers of the the National Stadium Beijing, the Main Stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China; Tate Modern in London, UK and new orientalist museum in Qatar which is planned to be opened in 2014.

The afternoon session where “The role of Architecture in City Culture” will be discussed, the moderator will be Prof. Suha Ozkan from the Middle East Technical University.

In this session the 2010 Aga Khan Architecture Prize Winner, the architect Emre Aralot, Francine Houben form Mecanoo Architects, Hans Hollein, one of the designers of the Frankfurt Modern Art Museum and one of the founders of Hans Hollein Architectural firm, Award recipient for the architecture of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome ODBC Architects Odile Decq and Murat Tabanlıoğlu from Tabanlıoğlu Architects, the architect of Istanbul Sapphire, the tallest building of Turkey will be among the panelists.

The conference will end with the closing address of Dr. Johannes Odenthal, the artistic director of Akademie der Künste, Berlin.

Contemporary İstanbul:

The sixth edition of Contemporary Istanbul will take place from 24th to 27th of November 2011. As the most extensive modern and contemporary art fair in Turkey, Contemporary Istanbul aims to promote the cultural and artistic life of Turkey. For the first time, the fair will feature a special GCC (Gulf Co-operating Countries) “corner” with a number of preeminent galleries participating, celebrating aspirant artists and real talent from the Gulf. Among the exhibiting galleries from the Gulf region are Etemad Gallery, XVA Gallery, Empty Quarter Gallery all from Dubai and FA Gallery from Kuwait.

For five days, Contemporary Istanbul is hosting national and international galleries, artists from all over the world, collectors, museum directors, curators, art critics, members of press and art lovers at Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center and Istanbul Congress Center. In addition to the main event, Contemporary Istanbul is organizing through the year several side events and art projects such as conferences, exhibitions with the aim of contributing to the country’s contemporary art development.