Encuentro Nacional
de la Diáspora Puertorriqueña:
National Agenda Pro Puerto Rico
Welcoming Reception
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 6pm-9pm
Conference
Wednesday, October 14th, 2015 - 8am-5pm
Casa Borinqueña
(formerly the Asociacion Borinqueña)
1865 N. Econolockhatchee Trail
Orlando, Florida 32817
Leaders of the Puerto Rican Diaspora in the US have called for a national meeting in Orlando, Florida on October 13-14, 2015 for the purpose of developing a National Puerto Rican Agenda in support of Puerto Rico and stateside Puerto Ricans.
A National Puerto Rican Agenda would be comprehensive, through which issues relevant to the economic and social revitalization of Puerto Rico would be addressed. A National Puerto Rican Agenda would guide all Puerto Ricans interested in taking an active role in the solution, as well as a guide for elected officials advocating for the interests of Puerto Rico and the Diaspora.
This national gathering will bring together government and civic leaders from Florida and throughout the US, as well as the Island, who lead Puerto Rican movements and networks aimed at providing solutions for the current crisis issues in Puerto Rico and the Diaspora in the US.
Please block the dates in your calendar. Soon you will receive a more formal invitation from the local organizing committee "Unidos Por Puerto Rico", which encompasses a broad coalition that includes elected officials, PRFAA, and other labor, academic and community leaders.
To read draft of conference statement
"Building an Agenda for the Puerto Rican Diaspora:
A National Conversation," click here
Unidos Por Puerto Rico comprised of organizations organizing the event(s):
Iniciativa Acción Puertorriqueña, Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Association,
Hispanic Federation, Puerto Rico Bar Association,
Asociación de Puertorriqueños Viviendo en la Florida
Acacia will host the event
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (Preliminary)
8:00 - 9:00 Registration and Breakfast
9:00 - 9:20 Welcoming and Context of Convening
Speakers:
Jose Lopez - Chicago -Puerto Rico Cultural Center
Edwin Meléndez - NY -Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueño-CUNY
Diaspora: Demographic Changes its Social and Political Impact
Betsy Franceschini - Florida PRFAA
Power and Influence of the Puerto Rican Diaspora
9:20 - 9:30 Agenda and Expectations: Jimmy Torres - Florida Boricua Vota
9:30 - 10:30 Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)
Brief Message on Support for Puerto Rico /Introductions
Congressional Briefing Panel
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Rep. Serrano (via skype) (D-NY)
11:00-12:00 Individual Press Interviews (with Congress members)
11:00-1:00 Simultaneous Breakout Sessions with Boxed Lunch
Topic 1. - Puerto Rico Fiscal Crisis - Options & Solutions
Anchor: Puerto Rican Bar Association in Florida
Experts
Steve Albright (32BJ)
Lic. Alvin Velazquez (Invited)
Topic 2. - Healthcare Crisi (FL 2)
Anchor: Iniciativa Acción Puertorriqueña
Experts
Johnny Rullan
Dennis Rivera
Topic 3. - Human Rights and Civic Engagement (FL2)
Anchor Organization: Latino Justice PRLDEF
Experts
Juan Cartagena
Jose Lopez
Zoe Colon
Topic 4.- Environment (BR)
Anchor: El Puente: Pedro Julio de Viverito's office
Experts
Christina Hernandez (Invited)
Pedro Julio Serrano
Topic 5. - Elected Officials Meeting
NYC Coucnil Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito (D-NY)
1:15 Reconvene for Plenary Session
1:30-3:00 Group representative reports back by topic for a Blueprint for Puerto Rico?
3:00-3:30 Question & Answer and Closing
3:30 Press Conference
Further information
Cristina Pacione-Zayas
Jessie Fuentes
Co-Chairs, Puerto Rican Agenda (Chicago)