February 2006
February 2006 update
PRESIDENT XANANA GUSMAO OF TIMOR-LESTE HONORED AT EDUCATION EVENT AT THE FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, WORK OF AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER TED FOLKE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED, JANUARY 21, 2006
The Foundation for Post-Conflict Development presented an educational event honoring H.E. President Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste. Also present were H.E. Senior Minister and Minster for Foreign Affairs of East Timor , Dr. Jose Ramos Horta and H.E. Mr. Hasegawa, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for East Timor, at the Fashion Institute of Technology on January 21, 2006.
The reception that attracted about 150 invited guests was co-sponsored by the World Harmony Foundation, which brought its 500-pound Harmony Bell to the event, where H.E. President Gusmão became the first Head of State to ring this symbol of sustainable development and peace. H.E., Dr. Jose Ramos Horta became the first Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to ring the bell.The bell is made of recycled scrap metal gathered by Chinese schoolchildren as well as from the casings of live ammunition donated by the Chinese military.
The Board of Directors of the Foundation for Post-Conflict Development were present for this unique event: Vincent Wilkinson, Director of Special Projects, Kristen Ireland, Director of Organizational Development, Richard Jordan, Director of Public Relations and Mr. Frank Abate, Director of Grants and of Web Development.After the ringing of the Harmony Bell, Ms. Claudia Abate, Executive Director of the Foundation, addressed the audience in an inspiring speech that invited people to act upon the three pillars of the FPCD: education, action and development.Ms. Abate related her own experience of having worked on Timor-Leste, where she saw first hand that event though a society could be virtually destroyed through conflict and poverty, an inspiring leader such as the country's beloved President could help his people to engender a feeling of national pride.
Speakers who addressed the audience before the screening of the award winning documentary, “East Timor: Betrayal and Resurrection,” were Ms. Desiree Koslin, Director for the Center for Excellence in Teaching at F.I.T. and a textile expert, who relayed the warm wishes of FIT President Dr. Joyce Brown, Dr. Grace Shu, who represented the World Harmony Foundation, Ted Folke, award-winning film maker and F.I.T. faculty member, who introduced the film and described the great rapport President Gusmão enjoys with the people of Timor-Leste, and President Gusmão.President Gusmão highlighted the fact that he and the Executive Director will be developing a Sister-Foundation relationship through the Fondacao Xanana Gusmão, an educational foundation in Timor-Leste.
President Gusmão reminded the audience, that though East Timor has been recognized as independent since 2002, his country still needs moral and other support in order to sustain its future.The event, along with the comprehensive history of the history of Timor-Leste, fulfilled the mission of the FPCD by educating all present on the special needs of countries as they emerge from conflict into development.
PRESIDENT XANANA GUSMAO OF TIMOR-LESTE HONORED AT EDUCATION EVENT AT THE FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, WORK OF AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER TED FOLKE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED, JANUARY 21, 2006
The Foundation for Post-Conflict Development presented an educational event honoring H.E. President Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste. Also present were H.E. Senior Minister and Minster for Foreign Affairs of East Timor , Dr. Jose Ramos Horta and H.E. Mr. Hasegawa, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for East Timor, at the Fashion Institute of Technology on January 21, 2006.
The reception that attracted about 150 invited guests was co-sponsored by the World Harmony Foundation, which brought its 500-pound Harmony Bell to the event, where H.E. President Gusmão became the first Head of State to ring this symbol of sustainable development and peace. H.E., Dr. Jose Ramos Horta became the first Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to ring the bell.The bell is made of recycled scrap metal gathered by Chinese schoolchildren as well as from the casings of live ammunition donated by the Chinese military.
The Board of Directors of the Foundation for Post-Conflict Development were present for this unique event: Vincent Wilkinson, Director of Special Projects, Kristen Ireland, Director of Organizational Development, Richard Jordan, Director of Public Relations and Mr. Frank Abate, Director of Grants and of Web Development.After the ringing of the Harmony Bell, Ms. Claudia Abate, Executive Director of the Foundation, addressed the audience in an inspiring speech that invited people to act upon the three pillars of the FPCD: education, action and development.Ms. Abate related her own experience of having worked on Timor-Leste, where she saw first hand that event though a society could be virtually destroyed through conflict and poverty, an inspiring leader such as the country's beloved President could help his people to engender a feeling of national pride.
Speakers who addressed the audience before the screening of the award winning documentary, “East Timor: Betrayal and Resurrection,” were Ms. Desiree Koslin, Director for the Center for Excellence in Teaching at F.I.T. and a textile expert, who relayed the warm wishes of FIT President Dr. Joyce Brown, Dr. Grace Shu, who represented the World Harmony Foundation, Ted Folke, award-winning film maker and F.I.T. faculty member, who introduced the film and described the great rapport President Gusmão enjoys with the people of Timor-Leste, and President Gusmão.President Gusmão highlighted the fact that he and the Executive Director will be developing a Sister-Foundation relationship through the Fondacao Xanana Gusmão, an educational foundation in Timor-Leste.
President Gusmão reminded the audience, that though East Timor has been recognized as independent since 2002, his country still needs moral and other support in order to sustain its future.The event, along with the comprehensive history of the history of Timor-Leste, fulfilled the mission of the FPCD by educating all present on the special needs of countries as they emerge from conflict into development.
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posted by Claudia Abate at 7:25 AM
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