Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar
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  • Port of Spain
  • Trinidad and Tobago
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Royal Caribbean & Haiti
10 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Lawrence Kahn Jan 25.

 

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar's Page

Latest Activity

July 10
Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar added a discussion
There are many ways that waste can be turned into renewable material. For instance landfill can be turned into ethanol via sulfuric acid and manure, rubber tires etc. can be used to create housing construction material. What I have yet to find is th…
May 3
May 3
I wouldn't underestimate PR as it is a much wider concept as many of us understand. I see that the most important point is that there are so many ways to do PR for FREE by using imagination and creativity - by Connecting the Unconnected.
April 24
For sure there is an overlap and corporate responsibility does more than to serve just PR for a company. One of the key drivers for a CR strategy maybe PR / reputation / brand and this is part of proving the business case to ensure CR activities are…
April 24
Certainly that has been my experience in Jamaica. The vital link to green and sustainability is not understood.
April 8
great discussion! Lots of good ideas here.
April 7
A discussion started by Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar was featured
Practical surveys and research have indicated that in many small and medium enterprises within the Caribbean, CSR is confused with PR and also strictly with corporate philanthropy. What are your thoughts? Does CSR and public relations overlap, are…
April 7
April 6
April 6
February 4
January 29
January 29
I have been on Royal Caribbean and stopped at Labadee, Hatti several times. It is at the north side of Haiti, far from the devastation of the earthquake. There are many Haitians who make their living working at and selling goods at Labadee. Does it…
January 25
I absolutely think that Royal Caribbean should continue to visit Haiti. To pull out now would be mean-spirited and the business is really important to the local economy. However, cruise ships in general are notorious polluters and energy wasters. M…
January 24
Hi! Good to see this. I would like to know the practical examples of the theory.
January 23

Profile Information

What is your Interest?
Corporate Responsibility, Sustainable Development, Microfinance
Represent:
Company, Individual
Name of Company / Organization:
Triumph International dba Triumph Resources Inc.
What is your current job title / department?
Advisor/Investor Relations
What would you most like to get out of this network?
Networking, Share Best Practices, Potential Partners, Career Opportunities, Potential Investors
What knowledge, skills and experience do you have that you would be happy for people to contact you over?
Sustainable infrastructure, sustainable development, CSR, project finance, Venture Capital, investing and development with special emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean.
Website Address
http://www.mytriumph.net

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar's Blog

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

THE SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MODEL: New Theory and Implementation

As we observe the global fallout of our economic crisis, the question begs – where did the due diligence and strategic planning process get lost in our organization and corporate core processes? Within every organization, at least one status meeting is held, whether at Board or Supervisory level. Therefore, if each organization in or global corporate chain can boast of progress and planning meetings, how could entire corporations then crumble before our very eyes?

Short term, profit driven plan… Continue

Posted on January 7, 2010 at 9:12pm — 1 Comment

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

International Financial Centers and the Financial Crisis: could a development approach allow sustainability?

Trinidad & Tobago is currently gearing to become the Caribbean’s top International Financial Centre (TTIFC). According to the Oliver Wyman August 2007 report, which recommends Trinidad as ripe for this opportunity, three types of financial services are to be focused on:

1. Capital Markets – where Trinidad & Tobago is currently the CARICOM leader in debt capital markets.
2. Credit Card Collections Centre.
3. Middle/back-office – Trinidad & Tobago’s local banks and insurance companies… Continue

Posted on September 16, 2009 at 10:32am — 4 Comments

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Debunking the myth and mystery.

There are certain business phrases and adjectives that conjure very specific meanings…strategic planning, supply chain management, auditing, risk assessment…the list goes on.

And then there is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). What is it, really?

Via attendance of the V Summit of the Americas regional Civil Society Forum held in October 2008, we learned from many grassroots organizations the trials and tribulations of dealing with the public and private sectors. At the end of this two-day… Continue

Posted on September 13, 2009 at 1:44am —

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

FINANCE LEASING INDUSTRY CREATION IN THE CARIBBEAN

In Business Guardian’s January 8th 2009 issue, CEO Johnathan Adams of Trinidad’s Small Enterprising Business Association estimated a decrease in national Small Micro Enterprise (SME) activities by 60% for 2009 and beyond. It is noteworthy that Trinidad & Tobago is considered a high income country having comparatively more resources than other smaller nation states to support the SME sector. This gives clear indication as to the more dire expectations for the smaller OECS countries for SME gr… Continue

Posted on August 16, 2009 at 11:28pm — 4 Comments

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

Trinidad - is sustainable infrastructure controlled by cultural mindset?

A friend from the US Information Services of Trinidad & Tobago sent photos of Colonial Trinidad via e-mail, two of which I've shared below with a modern juxtaposition. While the photos bring back nostalgia and patriotism, they also bring to my mind questions on sustainable infrastructure and the cultural aspects of such, in Port-of-Spain.

I have heard my elderly relatives say they wish Colonialism never ended in Trinidad. I would of course scoff at this (and still do), but now I understand… Continue

Posted on July 30, 2009 at 11:39am —

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At 4:06am on January 29, 2010, Abhishek Pandya said…
Hi Astrid,
Thanks for sending friend request and knowing through DC. Please keep in touch and the experiences.
At 11:50am on December 30, 2009, Amrit Neku said…
Hei,

Wonderful to know you through DCrossing. Merry Christmas and Happy New year 2010. Keep in touch if you have good things/experiences to share.
At 8:08am on October 13, 2009, Daniel ozoukou said…
Hi Astrid:
It's wonderful to met you that social network, I would to keep in touch for communication and ideas sharing. I believe that we have many to share regarding your experiences and passion.
I hope to hear from soon.
please email me : ozoukoud@yahoo.fr
call +225 02733562
Abidjan cote d'Ivoire
At 9:29am on October 5, 2009, GreenTV said…
Please keep me in the loop as I am looking for ideas to make GreenTV better and would consider partnering with like in mind..
At 11:14pm on September 23, 2009, Aimo Berg said…
Thanks for your great posts.
At 2:51am on September 4, 2009, SUSANTA BISWAS said…
Hi Astrid... thank you for adding me as your friend and showing interest on my documentaries.... at present I'm working with a documentary project on a tribal fair...
hope to have creative interactions with you on sustainable development.

Regards
At 6:22am on August 18, 2009, institute for self development said…
ms.kowlessar. praise the lord.my name is sebastiansusairaj.i like your friendship
At 8:34am on August 8, 2009, Fermin Rivas said…
Is cultivation of Bamboo sustainable? Anything that is cultivated and planted is sustainable economically depending on the cultural management of an individual or farmer, organization or corporation. For a small farmer, it may not be so big but at least it can sustain the needs of the family.

Bamboo, depending on variety planted, ex. Laak (Sphaerobambos philippinensis), when matured could be harvested after planting three to five years and every year thereafter. The average culms (erect poles) per clump are 40. Farmer, when harvesting, should cut only the matured one. In every culm or erect pole cut, two bamboo shoots or followers grow. The farmer should also practice pruning or elimination of excess bamboo shoots so as not to overcrowd the number of culms per clump. Bamboo shoots are added income for the farmer. It is food on the table and can be sold as a delicacy.

For a small farmer, waiting years before harvest is a pain in the pocket. The family have to eat and children be sent to school. So the best practice is integrated farming. While waiting for the bamboo to be harvested, cash crop (tubers, vegetables, corn, ginger, etc.) are also planted.

Bamboos have so many uses especially on the protection of environment. If planted along river banks, it can serve as a flood and soil erosion control. Bamboos growth characteristics enable it to spread rapidly and have the ability to improve soil condition in degraded and eroded areas of land. In China, they were able to develop bamboo cloth by extracting its fibre and are producing commercially. Further reference about bamboo, please see http//www.inbar.int.
At 10:59am on August 5, 2009, Fermin Rivas said…
Thank you for inviting me. You have a very interesting topic " Breakthrough in Plastic Decomposition and Bamboo for Sustainable Development. Here in the Philippines, particularly Southern Mindanao, bamboos are planted for furniture, construction, fence, pole and banana propping purposes. The biggest volume requirement are for bamboo propping, with an annual demand from banana plantations of over 12 million props, the market opportunity justified full-out expansion of cultivated bamboo.

Among common bamboo [kawayan] species of the Philippines are:
1) Laak, (Sphaerobambos philippinensis),
2) Kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumena),
3) Kawayan tiling (Vulgaris),
4) Botong or patong (Dendrocalamus latiflorus),
5) Bolo (Gigantochloa levis),
6) Kayali (Gigantochloa atter)

Commonly used propping material for banana are Laak (Sphaerobambos philippinensis), and kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumena).
 
 
 

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