UNA-DR, GFDD and FUNGLODE Inaugurate CILA 2012

The United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (UNA-DR), with support from Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), inaugurated with great satisfaction, yesterday, October 24, the eighth edition of the International Conference of the Americas (CILA 2012), at the
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana.

The ceremony began with the presentation of the members of the table of honor, which was comprised of Ms. Pilar Sandoval, Executive Director of UNA-DR; Mr. Ion Botnaru, Director of the General Assembly & ECOSOC Affairs Division (GAEAD); Ms. Yamile Eusebio, Director of Formative Activities at FUNGLODE and Director of the GFDD New York Office; Ms. Berenice Alcalde, Specialist on topics related to International Youth
Organization of Labor (OIT); Ms. Arlene Trinidad, General Manager of UNA-DR Projects; Ms. Claudia Saviñon, Manager of Programs and UNA-DR Education Models; Mr. Juan Laucel, President of the Council of Educators to the United Nations (CENU); and Mr. Alejandro Javier, Secretary General of CILA 2012.

The act was followed by a flag procession realized by the Heads of Delegations, led by Alan Fernández, President of Volunteer Outreach for UNA-DR, and later on the procession of
the Judges of the International Court of Justice.

The welcome remarks were delivered by Mr. Alejandro Javier, Secretary General of CILA 2012, who conveyed that the world needs ideas, stating that it is these ideas that make up the committees that form the Model United Nations, and that provoke change.

“We are called upon to look beyond the borders of difference to address contemporary problems that require the effort of everyone,”
affirmed Mr. Javier.

Later on in the evening, participants had the opportunity to view the video “Path to CILA 2012,” which presented the educational and social activities organized by UNA-DR staff and their body of volunteers, leading up to the conference, during which they realized initiatives such as “Course on Research Methodology and Production of Academic Documents” and the celebration of the International Day of Older
Persons at the San Francisco de Asis Senior Center.

Following the video, the Heads of the Delegations took the stage to deliver statements, and a video address by Isaac Vásquez, Youth Delegate to the Dominican Republic before the Sixtieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly was presented.

Director of Formative Activities at FUNGLODE and Director of the GFDD New York Office, Ms. Yamile Eusebio, then congratulated the student delegates for
being part of this conference that has had such an influential impact on the academic and professional development of so many young people. “CILA is an opportunity to prepare yourself and to be different – in your homes, in your schools and in your country,” conveyed Ms. Eusebio. In the name of GFDD and FUNGLODE, Ms. Eusebio ratified the institutions’ compromise to provide support and collaborate with UNA-DR in its quest to form the leaders of
tomorrow.

2012 participants also received a special message from Dalina Lebrón, 2011 CILA Best Delegation Award winner and recipient of the ITESM-CILA Excellence scholarship for graduate level studies. Ms. Labrón shared with youth delegates her experience at Campus Querétaro del Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, and encouraged the student leaders to give the best of themselves during CILA 2012, describing the Conference as a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.

The introduction of the General Committee of the General Assembly was performed by Ms. Claudia Saviñon. Ms. Saviñon also presented the executive table to the Commisions and oversaw the voting of the General Committee of the General Assembly to officially aprrove the thematic agenda for CILA 2012.

Mr. Ion Botnaru spoke about the role of the General Assembly and the process to elect the president. He also referred to the organisms created by
the General Assembly to provide aid and security for Member States. Upon delivering his intervention, Mr. Botnaru received a plaque of special recognition, bestowed by Ms. Pilar Sandoval.

Ms. Sandoval thanked everyone for making the eighth edition of CILA a reality, highlighting the dedication and hard work of CILA 2012 volunteers, staff members, teachers, and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino personnel, run by General Director, Mr. Álvarez.

At 9:17 pm,
Mr. Javier struck the gavel, signifying the official start of CILA 2012.

The ceremony, which took place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Convention Center in Punta Cana, was directed by Mr. Manuel Amézquita.

Related link:
http://www.unadr.org.do