BEIJING, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — With a year-on-year growth rate of 5.2 percent, China’s economy has maintained an overall stable development trajectory with steady progress in the first three quarters of this year.

This hard-won rate of 5.2 percent has demonstrated the stability and resilience of the Chinese economy, which enhances the country’s confidence and resolve to overcome difficulties. And the new development philosophy plays a key role in this.

The tide of the times is surging, outlining the magnificent trajectory of China’s economy. As global changes unseen in a century are rapidly evolving and challenges from external headwinds and internal transitions are interwoven, a profound shift in mindset is now shaping the future of China’s economy with formidable strength.

President Xi Jinping said that the China of today stands at a new historical starting point in development. “In light of development requirements in the new stage, we need to stick to a problem-oriented approach so that we can implement the new development philosophy with even greater precision. We need to effectively address the issues relating to unbalanced and insufficient development in order to make our development high-quality,” Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said, according to Qiushi Journal.

The new development philosophy features innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, is the “ballast stone” and “power source” for the Chinese economic ship to create new opportunities in crises and open up new prospects in changing circumstances, and has demonstrated strong vitality and resilience on the path of high-quality development.

The more magnificent the journey, the more it requires the strength of stewardship.

High-quality development is an intrinsic requirement of Chinese modernization. Under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Economy, and by fully, accurately and comprehensively implementing the new development philosophy and accelerating the building of a new development paradigm, China’s economy will surely stride forward on the path of higher quality, more efficient, fairer, more sustainable and safer development.

Innovation

In today’s world, whoever holds the leading spot of scientific and technological innovation and takes the first step in scientific and technological innovation will seize the initiative and gain an advantage. The key to Chinese modernization lies in scientific and technological modernization. China must leverage scientific and technological innovation, develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions and strengthen the support capacity of the modern industrial system for high-quality development.

The breakthrough in chip technology epitomizes how sci-tech innovation, as a pivotal variable, is accelerating its transformation into the “largest increment” for high-quality development.

In a lab of Chinese chipmaker New Sonic Technologies in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province, technicians are holding their breath and intently watching the waveforms jumping on the test system. They’re working on the high-end radio frequency (RF) filter – a “micron-level device” crucial for 5G communications and smart terminals.

“On a film just a few microns thick, we engrave tracks that can precisely guide sound waves while ensuring stability under extreme conditions,” the company’s founder Zou Jie said. The company started research and development (R&D) on the high-end RF filter technology four years ago, at a time when the device were almost 100 percent relying on imports.

The breakthrough came from technological self-reliance and self-improvement. Every year, the company invests over 100 million yuan ($14.1 million) in R&D. Simulation, tape-out, testing, analysis – the entire laboratory erupts in excitement when the self-developed filter surpasses foreign peers in multiple core performance metrics.

The breakthrough also is attributed to the company’s close collaboration with upstream wafer fabs and downstream packaging plants, during which they jointly process debugging and collaborative structural optimization. Now, this hard-won “Chinese chip” has been widely adopted by leading smartphone and tablet brands, ranking among the top in domestic market shipments.

A strong industrial sector also makes a strong economy. The modern industrial system forms the material and technological foundation of a modern nation, while its innovation ecosystem serves as the core engine. While traditional industries are accelerating their transition toward high-end, smart, and green development, China’s emerging and future industries are also flourishing and expanding vigorously. The new landscape has significantly enhanced the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains.

Today, China invests over 3.6 trillion yuan in R&D, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest R&D spender. The country has climbed to the 10th place in the Global Innovation Index and is now home to more than 140,000 specialized and sophisticated small and medium-sized enterprises that produce new and unique products.

Greenness

The green and low-carbon transition represents the trend of our times, while green development defines the undertone of high-quality development. The fundamental approach to achieving sustainable growth is to establish an economic system that promotes green and low-carbon development and foster a comprehensive green transformation in economic and social development.

In the Kubuqi Desert of North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, millions of photovoltaic panels converge into a “sea of energy.” The green electricity generated by the “sea,” which is transmitted through ultra-high-voltage power grids across mountains and rivers, lights up millions of homes in eastern city clusters thousands of kilometers away.

China’s photovoltaic industry suffered a big hit several years ago due to a sudden international trade barrier, which froze the industry with orders plummeting and inventories soaring.

Recalling the situation, Liu Qiang, general manager of photovoltaic module producer Eging PV, said that “either perish in adversity or be reborn under pressure.”

Chinese photovoltaic industry has obviously chosen the latter and embarked a journey of “turning crisis into opportunity.” The development was not only about survival but also a pressing self-evolution driven by the urgent need for sustainable development.

For example, with regards to upstream, polysilicon producers in western China have been leveraging abundant green electricity resources and technological innovation to minimize energy consumption in production, so as to build green and low-cost competitive advantages from the source.

In midstream, solar panel manufacturers in eastern China have been joining force to collaboratively make breakthrough in next-generation high-efficiency battery technology. Downstream players have also expanded the use of green energy as a way to significantly reduce energy costs for businesses.

The result of this “stress test” is very impressive. To date, China’s photovoltaic industry chain has been reshaped through collaboration, gradually forming a multi-point supported and more resilient supply chain system. Meanwhile, a full set of technology, standard and service involving the industry has successfully expanded globally, becoming an oasis and lighthouse for sustainable development in the new era.

A flurry of data underscores this transformation. China now provides over 80 percent of the world’s photovoltaic modules and 70 percent of wind power equipment. During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, China’s exports of wind and solar products cumulatively reduced carbon emissions for other countries by approximately 4.1 billion tons.

Openness

South China’s Hainan Province opens a new window for the mutual promotion of China’s dual circulation. The Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will officially launch an island-wide independent customs operation on December 18 this year.

“In the past, I had to wait for overseas purchases or find opportunities to go abroad to buy new cosmetic products. Now, I can simply purchase a ticket and fly to Hainan, where prices of those products are also cost effective,” said Zhang Lu, a Chinese traveler who was shopping at the duty-free shop at the Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hainan.

Zhang’s change in experience is a vivid footnote to how China activates its super-large domestic market through high-level opening-up. Hainan’s duty-free policy represents a highly valuable institutional opening-up measure. The policy firmly “draws back” the massive outbound consumption power, playing a symphony of the new development paradigm. It also draws in more world-leading brands, driving prosperity across local tourism, hospitality, logistics, and a hundred other industries, while creating numerous job opportunities.

The trajectory of the FTP’s development embodies the vision of a great nation. Facing headwinds and backlashes in economic globalization, China’s door to opening-up will not close; it will only open wider. And a more open China will undoubtedly bring more opportunities to the world and, through exchanges with the world, shape greater resilience and vitality for its own high-quality development.

To date, China has completely eliminated foreign investment access restrictions in the manufacturing sector, while opening-up in the service sector is advancing steadily. As of the end of June, the actual foreign investment utilized in China during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period has reached $708.73 billion and the country has established 22 free trade zones.

A series of pragmatic measures to expand opening-up have won widespread praise from the international community and the “vote with their feet” by multinational companies, who believe that “believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow.”

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-opening-up-new-prospects-amid-changing-circumstances-302592897.html

SOURCE Global Times

ATLANTA, October 23, 2025 /3BL/ – Georgia Power announced that it has started construction on a new 200-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Twiggs County, southeast of Macon, Ga. The project was selected through competitive processes resulting from the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update and was approved for construction by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) on Sept. 4, 2025. The Twiggs BESS is a company-owned project that is adjacent to the existing Twiggs County Solar facility.

The 200 MW system is designed to quickly dispatch stored energy over a four-hour period. BESS projects support the overall reliability and resilience of the electric system, while also enhancing the value of intermittent renewable generation resources, such as solar. Storage systems can improve the efficiency of renewable energy by storing excess energy produced during periods when the demand for electricity is lower, for use when the demand is higher, such as on cold winter mornings when solar is unavailable. These BESS facilities help to address power needs identified in the 2023 IRP Update in a cost-effective and strategic manner.

“At Georgia Power, our collaboration with the Georgia PSC and other stakeholders is key to making necessary investments for a reliable and resilient power grid,” said Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer for Georgia Power. “With the construction of the 200 MW BESS in Twiggs County, we will be able to better serve our existing customers and support Georgia’s growth. As we expand our energy mix to include more renewable sources, these batteries will play an invaluable role in helping to ensure reliability and flexibility, particularly when renewable sources are not available.”

The Twiggs BESS, constructed by Crowder Industrial Construction, LLC, is projected for completion in 2027.

In addition to the Twiggs location, construction is underway on four BESS facilities, consisting of 765 MW in locations throughout the state with estimated completion dates in 2026. These projects, located in Bibb, Cherokee, Floyd, and Lowndes counties, were also approved in the 2023 IRP Update.

Additional BESS Resources Planned and Proposed

As a part of an All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP), Georgia Power is currently seeking approval from the Georgia PSC of 10 new BESS facilities with a total capacity of 3,022.5 MW and two new state-of-the-art solar systems paired with BESS totaling 350 MW. Site selection for the systems was based on deployment capabilities, including the opportunity to locate additional resources at existing company plant sites, other company-owned land, and sites near existing substations.

Georgia Power is also seeking bids for an additional 500 MW of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with a storage discharge duration of a minimum of two-hours. The RFP, administered by independent evaluator Ascend Analytics on behalf of Georgia Power, will solicit:

  • Standalone ESS with grid charging capability; and
  • ESS with Renewable Resource (new or existing) and grid charging capability

The procurement target capacity is 500 MW with a preference to be online no later than 2031. Bids are due for qualified projects in early 2026.

To learn more about how Georgia Power is meeting the needs of customers through a diverse, balanced energy portfolio, and the IRP process, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company’s promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning future BESS facilities and projected completion dates for construction projects. Georgia Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: variations in demand for electricity; the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction, and operation of facilities or other projects; global and U.S. economic conditions, including impacts from geopolitical conflicts, recession, inflation, changes in trade policies (including tariffs and other trade measures) of the United States and other countries, interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions, and the results of financing efforts; and catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events, political unrest, wars or other similar occurrences. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

SOURCE Georgia Power

For further information: Georgia Power Media Relations, (404) 506-7676 or (800) 282-1696, www.georgiapower.com

October 23, 2025 /3BL/ – Companies across the United States expanded their workplace giving programs in 2025 to strengthen employee engagement and community impact. As corporate social responsibility becomes a central business focus, organizations are investing in matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving programs that empower employees to give back to causes they care about.

Corporate Giving Continues to Grow

According to data from the Giving USA Report, corporate philanthropy exceeded $44 billion in 2024, a 9% year-over-year increase. This surge highlights a powerful shift toward purpose-driven business practices where employees and companies collaborate to support nonprofits nationwide. With innovative developments in corporate giving programs in 2025, experts are optimistic that this will be another strong year for corporate philanthropy.

Leading Companies Champion Workplace Giving

In 2025, many large corporations are going beyond traditional donations to create inclusive, engaging, and scalable giving experiences:

  • C.H. Robinson strengthened its commitment to community engagement in 2025 through its Robinson Cares” employee giving program. The initiative empowers team members to support nonprofits, awarding $400,000 in grants to organizations championed by its workforce. This program demonstrates how industry leaders can integrate philanthropic efforts into a unified strategy that amplifies employee engagement and community impact.
     
  • The Walt Disney Company continues to strengthen its focus on employee engagement and community impact through a variety of corporate social responsibility and volunteerism programs. Disney’s Disney VoluntEARS program, one of the longest-running corporate volunteer initiatives in the world, encourages employees to donate their time to community organizations while earning matching grants for eligible nonprofits. In recent years, Disney employees have contributed millions of volunteer hours globally, supporting causes such as education, conservation, and youth development. These efforts showcase how major corporations can integrate volunteerism, workplace giving, and employee engagement into their core company culture.
     
  • Microsoft continues to operate one of the most recognized employee giving programs in the world. Each year, Microsoft matches employee donations dollar for dollar and rewards volunteer hours with additional corporate funds. Since its program began, Microsoft employees have donated over $2 billion to nonprofits worldwide, proving that sustained workplace giving programs can scale impact across decades.
     
  • In July 2025, Principal Financial Group announced it had surpassed its global volunteer goal of 145,000 hours, marking roughly 157,657 volunteer hours served across more than 4,100 nonprofits worldwide. This is a 50% increase over the prior year. This kind of scale shows how corporate volunteer programs can become a major flagship element of social responsibility and workplace giving programs.

These examples show that corporate giving and employee engagement go hand in hand. Companies that prioritize workplace giving report higher retention rates, stronger morale, and a more purpose-driven culture.

Why Workplace Giving Matters for Nonprofits

For nonprofits and schools, workplace giving programs represent a major opportunity for consistent and sustainable funding. When corporations promote matching gift programs, volunteer grants, and payroll giving options, nonprofits receive steady support that fuels their missions year-round.

Despite this potential, many nonprofits still lack the tools to identify eligible donors and track available programs, leaving millions of corporate dollars unclaimed each year.

How Double the Donation Helps Nonprofits Capture More Corporate Giving

Double the Donation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is the leading provider of workplace giving software that helps nonprofits and educational institutions connect with corporate philanthropy. Its platform automates key fundraising processes so organizations can:

  • Identify donors eligible for matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving programs.
     
  • Simplify the process of linking employee donations to their employer’s corporate giving options.
     
  • Increase revenue through automatic matching gift identification and real-time employer data.
     
  • Strengthen donor relationships by making workplace giving easy and accessible.

With Double the Donation’s new platform features, including Volunteer Grant and Payroll Giving Modules, nonprofits can take advantage of workplace giving opportunities in 2025 and beyond.

About Double the Donation

Double the Donation is the leading provider of matching gift and workplace giving automation software for nonprofits and educational institutions. The company’s tools help organizations raise more by identifying and engaging supporters eligible for corporate giving programs.

To learn more, visit doublethedonation.com.

Bri Nunley is a leader on and off the soccer field. As a Division I collegiate athlete at Arizona State University (ASU), she brings determination to every game. Off the field, Bri channels that same strength into uplifting her community – serving as current president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; former president of EmpowHER, an ASU student-athlete organization empowering individuals to find their voice, build allies, and inspire the next generation through women in sports; and a personal trainer committed to mentorship.

Now, through ASU’s Student-Athlete Venture Studio in collaboration with GoDaddy Empower, Bri is learning to channel her leadership into entrepreneurship. With GoDaddy Airo®, she’s building her personal brand, creating a digital hub that reflects both her athletic career and her drive to empower others.

This collaboration between GoDaddy Empower and ASU supports student-athletes by giving them tools to maximize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights; tell their story their way; and lay the foundation for future entrepreneurial ventures.

Ready to build your future? Get a .com for only $4.99 for your first year — includes Airo — at studentathlete.godaddy.

Watch Bri’s story here.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

GoDaddy Empower Spotlight Series

By partnering with diverse community organizations, schools, and education institutions, GoDaddy Empower helps emerging entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds build and grow their businesses online with free digital tools, training, and community. This article is part of the GoDaddy Empower spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible. 

PORTLAND, Ore., October 23, 2025 /3BL/ – The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) today announced the release of the Circular Electronics Design Guide Addendum 2025: Navigating the Corporate-to-Product Divide in Circular Design Performance. Developed in collaboration with Accenture, this addendum builds on the Circular Electronics Design Guide (CEDG) published last year, offering a practical roadmap to help companies translate their circularity ambitions into measurable product-level action.

While the 2024 CEDG provided an industry-defining blueprint for circular innovation — spanning “Enable, Frame, Plan, and Implement” phases — the 2025 Addendum tackles one of the most persistent barriers in the electronics industry: the disconnect between high-level corporate goals and on-the-ground design execution.

“Strategic intent too often falters at the point of translation into practice,” said Teun van Wetten, Industrial Design Director at Accenture. “This addendum is the bridge — a unified Circular Performance Framework that links boardroom ambition to offer circular electronics with engineering reality.”

Where the Circular Electronics Design Guide mapped the full circular innovation process, the new Addendum complements the original guide by zeroing in on two critical enablers: FRAME and ENABLE. Together, they show how organizational vision, data systems, and AI-powered tools can work together to drive measurable circular performance.

Additionally, the Addendum introduces a Circular Performance Framework that unites corporate, operational, and design-level systems. It also explores how product lifecycle data, agentic AI, and digital twins can help organizations simulate, validate, and scale circular design decisions — closing the “language gap” between sustainability leaders, engineers, and operations managers.

By connecting frameworks such as CEIC’s corporate indicators with EN 4555X product standards, the Addendum provides a new methodology for evidence-based circularity. Case studies from CEP Member Companies and Partners illustrate how companies are experimenting with different ways to align financial, material, and mission-driven metrics.

“This work strengthens the connective tissue of the circular economy,” said Dan Reid, Head of Secretariat for the Circular Electronics Partnership. “The Design Guide gave us the architecture; this Addendum gives us the wiring — the systems, data, and decision loops that make circular performance real.”

 

About the Circular Electronics Partnership

The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) is a global community leading the transition to a circular economy in the electronics industry. Since its inception in 2021, CEP has brought together six founding partners and over 35 leading tech companies, all working together to transform the sector.

CEP fosters cohesion and drives collective action for greater impact. Serving as a coordination platform, CEP facilitates effective collaboration across the entire electronics value chain. It leverages the strengths of each founding partner, connects existing initiatives, and aligns the sector around a shared vision and roadmap to overcome the barriers to a circular electronics industry by 2030.

 

Erik Fessler 

Senior Manager, Global Communications

Global Electronics Council

efessler@gec.org

 

Daniel Reid 

Head of Secretariat

Circular Electronics Partnership

dreid@gec.org

Originally published on Food Dive

Choosing the right package for a product can also support a brand’s environmental goals. For example, did you know that food loss and food waste are responsible for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions? 
“We’re at a point where consumers are counting on brands to make the right choices,” says Babitha George, packaging portfolio manager for Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada. “Choosing recyclable packaging that has been purposefully designed to extend shelf life shows you recognize the impact your choices make on consumers — and the planet.”

Click here to read more on Food Dive

VERO BEACH, Fla., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Watercrest Senior Living Group proudly announces that Watercrest Buena Vista Senior Living has received a 100% deficiency free survey from the state of Florida.

A deficiency free survey is an unannounced evaluation by state surveyors that finds zero violations, meaning the facility meets or exceeds all state and federal regulations for quality and safety. Achieving this is a top indicator of excellence and demonstrates a commitment to providing exceptional resident care, a positive environment, and maintaining the highest standards in staffing, services, quality of life and procedures.

“Earning a deficiency free survey is an outstanding accomplishment that reflects teamwork, dedication and a commitment to excellence,” says Johnita Jackson, Vice President of Clinical Operations for Watercrest Senior Living Group. “We congratulate the Watercrest Buena Vista team on this distinction and their success in creating an exceptional experience for residents and associates.”

Watercrest Buena Vista is an award-winning independent, assisted living and memory care community located in the popular region of Central Florida known as ‘The Villages.’ The community was most recently  recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a 2025 Best Independent Living Community with  the highest achievements for ‘feels like home’ and ‘activities and enrichment,’ and notably high ratings in safety, value, staff, and care services.

Residents of Watercrest Buena Vista enjoy outstanding amenities and exceptional care in a beautiful community offering Southern style balconies and outdoor gathering spaces, manicured lawns and walking paths, resort-style pool and patios, and purposeful Watercrest health and fitness programming.

Watercrest Buena Vista is located at 5867 E County Road in The Villages; for information contact the community at 352-604-5119.


About Watercrest Senior Living Group


Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. An eight-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders.  For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/watercrest-buena-vista-senior-living-receives-100-deficiency-free-survey-302592249.html

SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group

With nearly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the built environment, the construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably. With innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

If you don’t know the acronym PAAS, it stands for “product as a service”. It’s a model based on how a product is used and not just its physical ownership. For businesses, this calls for new business models and longer-term thinking. And the world of construction is gradually starting to adopt a similar approach!

Listen here, P…for PAAS, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Las Vegas Sands

The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) hosted more than 300 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students and parents for the annual College Readiness Bootcamp Sept. 13 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ (UNLV). With underwriting from Sands Cares, the event equipped families with the tools they need to pursue higher education.

The boot camp presented insights and advice from 15 speakers on topics including standardized tests, financial aid and scholarships, college life skills, and career opportunities in fields such as technology, culinary arts and health.

Michael Busuamlak, father of a high school student, shared that the event provided valuable insights for a busy parent like himself to better understand the college process and what to expect for his daughter before making any decisions.

The 2025 program included representatives from Clark County School District; UNLV; University of Nevada, Reno; Nevada State University; College of Southern Nevada; the College Board, which administers SAT and Advanced Placement tests; tutoring organizations and leading Nevada employers, such as The Raiders Foundation. The event also provided hands-on support for applying to in-state and out-of-state schools and for financial aid and scholarships, with separate sessions targeted to parents and students.

“The boot camp is one of our most important youth development events, and we’ve seen attendance grow every year since its inception in 2015,” Vida Lin, president and founder of ACDC, said. “Many students will be first-generation college attendees, so our program is critical in helping families navigate this complex system and providing confidence that a spectrum of resources – from application preparation and academic requirements to financial support – exists.”

This year, ACDC also will introduce a Trade School Bootcamp – a new program to assist youth interested in pursuing vocational paths with career track information and guidance on pursuing skill sets in their chosen fields. This program is also being supported through Sands Cares in 2025.

Sands’ support for ACDC’s youth development programs addresses the company’s priorities on education and building a diverse workforce of the future. To learn more about the Sands Cares community engagement program, visit https://www.sands.com/responsibility.

To learn more about the Asian Community Development Council, visit https://acdcnv.org/.

Among the many treasures of this beautiful land that I also call home, there is a Greek word that resonates deeply with me: Philoxenia (Φιλοξενία). It’s often translated simply as hospitality, but it encompasses so much more than that. Philoxenia, literally “love of strangers,” embodies a profound, unconditional generosity – offering food, shelter, and comfort to anyone, without expectation of anything in return. It embodies a spirit of genuine warmth, open-hearted connection, and a deep respect for every individual. 

This was precisely the atmosphere I envisioned, and indeed felt, permeating our Europe Cisco Networking Academy Partner Conference in Thessaloniki this past week. This annual conference brings together Cisco Networking Academy teachers, government leaders, and public/private sector collaborators from across the region to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to anticipate even greater successes ahead. 

My hope, as Senior Regional Manager for Cisco Networking Academy in Europe, was to foster an environment where every participant, whether a long-standing partner or a new face, felt not just welcomed, but truly valued, heard, and an integral part of our shared mission. It was an inspiring gathering, a true testament to our collective commitment to shaping the future of technology education across Europe. 

The Imperative for Our Future Workforce

The main theme of this year’s program was, of course, Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are living through a profound technological revolution that stands to shape not only the world of work and education, but society itself. The compelling 2025 report from the AI Workforce Consortium, proudly led by Cisco, clearly articulates the urgent need for a skilled workforce capable of navigating, innovating, and leading within this new paradigm.

At Cisco, we don’t just understand this imperative; we embrace it. Through our Cisco Networking Academy program, we are  creating new AI literacy and practical skills courses to enrich curricula throughout the region, and crucially, to allow any European to take their digital future into their own hands. My personal commitment, and that of my team, is to ensure we are providing our learners with the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience they need to thrive in an AI-driven world. This isn’t just about understanding algorithms; it’s about fostering critical thinking, advanced problem-solving, and crucial ethical considerations – skills that are paramount for the future. And, just as importantly, we are making this increasingly inclusive by translating our curriculum into 12 European languages, because learning must be accessible to all. 

Local Impact, Global Reach: A Thessaloniki Success Story

One of the most gratifying moments of the conference was witnessing the tangible impact of our work through a compelling Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) use case right here in Thessaloniki. CDA helps to power digital transformation around the world through partnerships across government, academia, industry, and more.  

We proudly showcased an innovative project developed in collaboration with the American Farm School. This initiative illustrates how our technology can be applied to solve real-world challenges across industries, including within the vital and so often under supported sector of agriculture. These strategic alliances are not just partnerships; they are living proof of the power how collaboration and creative thinking can transform technology into a source of deep transformation. It’s a testament to how local innovation, nurtured by dedicated partners, can contribute significantly to global progress. 

Celebrating Excellence: Our Valued Partners

No conference would be complete without recognizing the extraordinary efforts of our partners, and we had the immense pleasure of awarding several Cisco Networking Academy partners for their exceptional achievements throughout the year. “Be the Bridge” Award has been awarded to two exceptional partners, the Open University (UK) and PUE (Spain) while, our “Golden Bridge” Award went to Specialisterne, a globally-recognized social enterprise based in Italy dedicated to enabling employment for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism. These learners, by leveraging their unique talent and skills, are then matched with jobs that perfectly suit their strengths. 

By seamlessly integrating Cisco Networking Academy into its modular, free training programs, Specialisterne Italia has profoundly enhanced its curriculum with industry-recognized content in networking and cybersecurity. Started in September 2022, this powerful partnership has already enabled 150 students to gain both theoretical knowledge and invaluable practical skills, aligned with certifications like CCNA. This has led to 50 of those individuals earning a full-time job opportunity. It’s a brilliant example of how our partnerships can help build more inclusive pathways to success. 

Strengthening our Communities to Power an Inclusive Future for All

As I reflect on the insightful discussions, the shared vision, and the renewed sense of purpose from our time in Thessaloniki, I am more confident than ever in Cisco Networking Academy’s profound ability to prepare our students for the future. Together, we are not just teaching technology; we are building crucial bridges to opportunity, fostering innovation, and creating a truly skilled, inclusive, and resilient global workforce — with our own philoxenia that has distinguished this program since 1997.  

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