The opening meeting that was planned this morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. did
not finish until 1 p.m. So we do not keep you waiting, here is the account
of the first part fo the meeting. You will get the rest in a couple of hours.
Another thing: this was a first test for all of us, including our
note-takers. The four of them took turns taking notes on two computers, so
we are sending you both versions. This is "Opening B".
Our hats off to our valiant note-takers: Brian, who is English; Charles,
who is Swedish; Paulo, a Brazilian, and Veronica, who is Hungarian.
So, all for now and more later,
Remotely yours,
M@rina, Fr@nck and Lydi@
Opening Session "B"
___________________
The opening session was fully attended.
A song composed by a Brazilian, to express peace and goodwill was sung by
all present.
The Sao Paulo group introduced themselves presenting the globe, handing it
from one another, to symbolize global cooperation and goodwill, including
the audience in the interplay.
Mr. Ferron welcomed all and invited Danilo Miranda, president of Sesc,
Pierre Calame, president of the FPH, Betty Grimberg, Hamilton Faria, and
Moema of the Sao Paulo Group, Europe, Marti Olivella, from
Barcelona, and David Gakunzi from Africa, Avdhash Kaushal from Asia.
Someone also from America to complete the table.
Raimundo Gomes da Silva, messenger of Brazil.
Mr. Miranda thanked the presence of everybody, explained the work of Sesc.
This organization, after 50 years of activity working for the well being of
the community is proud to have the Alliance here. They are glad to
cooperate with the aims of the Alliance.
Betty Grimberg made a brief introduction of the Sao Paulo Group. A
geocultural group of organizations and individuals. The group was formed in
1996 to support the aims of the alliance. The group is involved in networks
aimed at progress to a more united society; this is a new initiative in
Brazil. The racial diversity, geographical size, economic importance and
social problems of Brazil made it a natural choice as a host country for
this meeting of the Alliance.
The Group believes that this meeting is decisive for deciding the direction
of the alliance in the next century.
Hamilton Faria emphasized the diversity of the delegates to the meeting. He
went on to describe the work that went into organizing the meeting over the
past year, and to talk of the aspirations of the Group in relation to the
meeting and the role of the alliance. In organizing the meeting, the Group
has sought to collaborate with scientific groups, environmental groups,
groups working among the Brazilian Indians and groups concerned with social
justice, such as Amnesty International. There are also representatives of
commerce and of local and state government. All these groups brought to the
organization their varied points of view.
Some of the main themes include emphasis on racial and cultural diversity,
solidarity/unity at all levels, a recovery of the "poetry" of life in a
time of disillusion. He also paid tribute to Herberto de Souza (Betinho)
who, although infected and ill with AIDS, inspired a movement against
poverty in Brazil.
The next speaker, Pierre Calame, spoke of the achievements of the Alliance.
Now they have to prepare together for the road of tomorrow, for
institutional and cultural changes.
This Sao Paulo meeting should be decisive, it should result in proposals
for how to face challenges. Now the Alliance will present itself in
public, which is unique in its history.
A message from Mr. Gorbachev was given in Russian and then in English.
The work of the alliance, and this meeting in particular, held in 7
countries simultaneously, is in line with Mr. Gorbachev`s aspiration
expressed in his speech to the United Nations 10 years ago. Mr. Gorbachev
takes a very active interest in the meeting and in the alliance.