November Newsletter
WHo CAREs!? Chronicles
Welcome to our monthly newsletter!
“Pluto is the new Mars” “Pluto, like Mars, has a handful of tenuous clouds” Alan Stern
Hello Caring friends and welcome to our November newsletter!
It's Native American Heritage Month in the U.S. November is dedicated to celebrating Indigenous cultures, resilience, and contributions.
As we honor Native American Heritage Month, we urge everyone to recognize the difficult journey Indigenous People have faced in exercising their rights. To truly support Indigenous rights, there must be an acknowledgment of ongoing structures and their impact on Indigenous Peoples. This means reconciling with these systems and removing barriers that prevent Indigenous People from exercising their rights. Reclaiming cultural practices, languages, and traditions goes hand in hand with asserting these rights, allowing Indigenous communities to thrive. And when Indigenous People thrive, humanity thrives, and the planet thrives!
Regarding Indigenous languages, Nora has joined a Unesco global working group focusing on Indigenous languages revitalization. You can learn more about this project here.
To celebrate this month, we would like to invite you to listen to this healing chanting session – Join us in experiencing the healing power of ancient chanting. For thousands of years, this practice was used to connect with the Great Spirit within and all around. May this session bring you profound healing, peace, and a renewed sense of connection.
Spain’s Dana.
While in Spain last month, Nora witnessed the Dana phenomenon. The potency of this phenomenon is truly staggering. These catastrophic flash floods have killed at least 217 people and are caused by a destructive weather system in which cold and warm air meet and produce powerful rain clouds, a pattern believed to be growing more frequent due to climate change… The phenomenon is known locally as DANA, a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression, and unlike common storms or squalls it can form independently of polar or subtropical jet streams. When cold air blows over warm Mediterranean waters it causes hotter air to rise quickly and form dense, water-laden clouds that can remain over the same area for many hours, raising their destructive potential. The episode was the deadliest in modern Spanish history and the most catastrophic flood-related event in Europe since 1967...
Eastern and Southern Spain are particularly susceptible to the phenomenon due to its position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Warm, humid air masses and cold fronts meet in a region where mountains favor the formation of storm clouds and rainfall. If you feel inclined, you can donate here and support the work of one our Eat Like You Care Muse – Chef Jose Andres – This unprecedented catastrophic event has also created an unprecedented movement of solidarity.
We would like to take this opportunity, to express our gratitude for our partner Domestic Data Streamers. DDS is based in the vibrant city of Barcelona which also experienced floods and severe Dana related weather. While known for its cultural richness, the city, like many others, has been grappling with the increasing challenges posed by climate change.
These events are also notable examples of deficit in leadership’s preparedness, particularly evident today. With climate-related emergencies on the rise, it's imperative that leaders are equipped with the necessary skills to prepare/respond effectively. Investing in our comprehensive EI training could be a vital solution to bridge this gap. You can learn more about our training and programs here.
Art Explora Inauguration:
While in Malaga, Nora attended the opening Art Explora (Fortunately, it was not raining that day). The catamaran is the world's first museum boat. Designed by architects Axel de Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier, it is 47m long and 55m high. The boat was built at the Perini Navi shipyard in Italy. It can accommodate 2,000 people a day on board, and features an immersive exhibition designed with the exceptional collaboration of the Musée du Louvre, a sound experience developed with Ircam, and onboard artist residencies. Thank you to Ingrid for the invitation and Maider for your warm welcome and private tour!
Los Angeles/ Climate Finance event series organized by Accelerate 2050
Nora was recently invited to be a keynote speaker at Accelerate 2050, an annual climate finance conference held in Los Angeles. Nora was delighted to present the E.I project to the audience.
She also made sure to mention the work we are doing with our local partner, "If Not Us Then Who," also based in LA. We look forward to following up with everyone who attended and thank you John Rosser for your kind invitation to speak.
UNESCO- Jane Goodall – a rose and a speech for History.
Last month, on Saturday, October 19, 2024, UNESCO welcomed Dr. Jane Goodall for her ‘Speech for History‘, to honor the Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace. Nora attended the event and had the immense opportunity to speak with Jane Goodall and meet some of the esteemed members of her team. A variety of rose has also been named after Jane. The speech was a love letter to her mother who was a staunch supporter of Jane’s vision and work… a memorable moment.
Change Now 2025:
As a historical partner of the summit (since its creation in 2017), we are currently actively planning the next edition of Change Now, which will return to the Grand Palais for the first time since the renovation of this historic landmark.
This year’s edition promises to be thrilling, and we can’t wait to share it all with you! We will of course have great representatives of the indigenous global community including Nina Gualingua! Stay tuned for more announcements in our upcoming newsletters.
London/Mayor’s Parade:
Nora attended the London Remembrance Mayor's Parade. This event commemorates those who have sacrificed their lives in service to their country. The parade featured a procession through the streets of London, with military personnel, veterans, and community groups participating.
Post-Brexit, London continues to be a vibrant and dynamic city! The city's cultural richness, diverse population, and world-class institutions continue to attract talent and investment from around the globe. Nora was honored and humbled to attend and to reflect on her contribution to London’s transition and transformation.
*Nora was named Chief Representative for the city of London in 2018 and served from 2018 to 2021 – during the Brexit Transition.
A word from our founder:
The recent elections have ushered in a new era of political leadership, and as the dust settles, a sense of doubt fills the air. With power comes responsibility, and the adage "The hardest thing about gaining power is keeping it" rings true. The true test of a leader lies not just in winning, but in navigating the complex landscape of governance. In the grand theater of life, where power and influence often dictate the narrative, there is a quiet strength in understanding that true power lies not solely in titles or wealth, but in the ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy, conviction, and humanity. With time and experience, I have learned time and again that the most powerful people in the room will always be the ones with noble convictions and integrity…
The most difficult and complex conversations are often the most important to have. When I finally got around to start this newsletter, I wanted it to be simple and honest and I was always hoping it would be interactive. I do genuinely mean for this monthly letter to be a conversation: This is my place to co-create with my team and partners and connect with you, but it is not one-sided. I read every email reply to these newsletters, and I have always cherished the dialogue and feedback that comes through. If you feel moved to reply, and you’d like us to know your story, opinion, or projects, I and the team would be honored to hear from you.
With love, and gratitude,
The WHo CAREs!? Team,
Nora, Magdalena, Agnes, Swaarthi, Jeni and Melvina and supportive partners.