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Productive and Enjoyable JCI Conference Begins in Dakar
On Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in Dakar, Senegal, more than 400 JCI members and Senators gathered for the Opening Ceremony of the JCI African and Middle Eastern Conference at the Daniel Sorano National Theater. Dakar Deputy Mayor Moussa Sy, who is also President of the National Assembly, launched the event.
Several JCI officers had traveled to Dakar for the Conference and were present at the Opening Ceremony. JCI Executive Vice President and Conference Chairman Joe Dilger from Great Britain, as well as JCI Vice Presidents Angora Elidjé from Ivory Coast, Slim Gomri from Tunisia, and Safi Moubelet-Boubeya from Gabon actively took part in the Ceremony.
JCI President Fernando Sanchez-Arias from Venezuela was present at the event and delivered an inspiring speech. JCI staff members, lead by JCI Interim Secretary General Edson Kodama, provided support.
Chief Delegates, many of them wearing beautiful and colorful attire, marched to the stage to be introduced to members, sponsors, and members of government and the diplomatic corps by Conference Chairman Joe Dilger and their assigned JCI Vice President. The event was solemn, but laced with musical interludes and fascinating artistic performances.
Moving Speeches
Host Chapter President Omar Gueye welcomed delegates to Dakar and wished them a wonderful stay. Conference Director Ismail Sy thanked his team, his wife and Senegal National President Fatoou Mboup, who was carried away by emotion when she welcomed delegates to Dakar.
JCI President Fernando Sanchez-Arias challenged JCI members in Africa and the Middle East to provide the leadership needed in the region. "I can tell you that, since I visited Africa for the first time in Bamako, Mali, my experiences in Souse, Tunisia; Libreville, Gabon; Douala, Cameroon; and Lagos, Nigeria, have shown me that JCI has high-caliber leaders — competent, committed, creative, visionary leaders who are agents of development and progress, and who seek to meet the needs of their families, companies, professions and communities," he said. "I have met African leaders compelled by the passion we need to move forward in the future."
Reception and Party
After the Opening Ceremony, a warm reception took place at the residence of the British Ambassador, who showed his support to Conference Chairman Joe Dilger, a citizen of the United Kingdom. Delegates proceeded to a festive Senegalese Welcome Party at the Centre Cuturelle Douta SECK, where they enjoyed traditional Senegalese food and dance.
The Opening Ceremony, the reception by the British Ambassador and the Welcome Party marked the beginning of a JCI Conference that is expected to be highly productive and enjoyable.
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