THE GLOBAL GOAN CONVENTIONS -

BASILIO S LETTER TO CASA DE GOA

2008-07-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Virginia,
You won't imagine what a great pleasure it was for me to meet you, at last, personally, and to learn what a strong personality you are, thru the superb organisation of the Convention of the Goan Diaspora held in Lisbon, 15 -17 June 07. I was thrilled when Dr. Coissoro paid you the high tribute in his closing speech. Everything had fallen in its right place due to your intelligent planning. And above all you made us all, coming from abroad, feel at home at Casa de Goa. That memory will linger for many, many years of our lives. Please accept my hearty Congratulations and a big Godbless!

I hope I have not disappointed you in your expectations of me. It was very kind of you to give me the opportunity to speak on songwriting and to showcase some of my songs to show how they have been done. And on the stage I was put in a friendly company of maestro Jeronimo Silva and musicologist Susana Sardo, which contributed to my presentation going off smoothly.

It was my first visit to Casa de Goa. I am truly happy that Casa de Goa enjoys such a large club-house, with rooms for various activities,
including a conference hall and a museum. This kind of facilities no other Goan Association anywhere posseses. And as a member (691-E)
I have reason to be mighty proud of my Goan roots. I must say I am equally proud to be Portuguese, despite colonial colour. What is more, you have a very good working team to undertake assignements of the magnitude of International Convention of the Goan Diaspora under your very able leadership. No wonder that Prof. Dr. Coissoro -the president , gives you free rein to manage the show in its entirety.
I have found great admiration for him for the amiable way he received us all, free from aloofness, which some club-presidents often portray. Rosi was amazed by the Goan fervour to maintain their native identity, travelling from across the oceans just to lend their voice in support of their social identity and cultural heritage. The anthem of Casa de Goa was really majestical and the joint composers Silva and Noronha deserve a pat on the back.

An international event like this always offers the possibility of meet-ing with people hitherto known or for making new friends. In that, I
met Mariano and Flora from Germany whom I hadn't seen for a long while, as also Rene and Maria, both the couples -our good friends.
Made some new friends too, like Prof. Teotonio, composer Jeronimo,
musicologist Susana, V. Rangel among others. We were very much impressed by the communal generosity of Dr. V. Mascarenhas, who
feted all the participants and more with sumptuous Goan dinner in the
luxurious setting of his Quinta, to continuous classical piano-playing.
The crowning glory of it all was the opportunity to hear the groups Ekvatt and Surya rendering their precious folksongs-dance offerings.
It was very encouraging to find young Goans taking part in cultural activities, like the one in the Young Violinists Orchetra. That prompts me to join Rene in wishing Portugal -Casa de Goa, to be the Mother-house for all Goan Associations the world over. I sincerely hope Prof. Coissoro will follow up on this idea of Rene, as he has done with Rene's
idea of holding the Goan Diaspora Day in Lisbon this year.

I hope we will meet once again in Lisbon in the near future. Once again my Congratulations and Thanks for your very successful under-taking on behalf of Casa de Goa, thanks to Prof. Coissoro's far-sighted
leadership. I close with kind regards from Rosi and me.
Basilio (Spain)

Visits

2007-09-26T08:26:00.001-07:00

Visit no

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA HELD IN JUNE 2007- - Nancy de Souza

2007-09-24T03:50:00.000-07:00

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA HELD IN JUNE 2007
=======================by - Nancy de Souza

The 2007 Goan Diaspora Convention was held at ‘Casa de Goa’, the headquarters of the Goan Community in Lisbon from 15th to 17th June 2007. The convention, combined with the twentieth anniversary of the foundation of the Casa de Goa, was organised by the President of Casa de Goa, Prof. Dr. Narana Coissoro, Maria Virginia Bras Gomes and team at the suggestion of U.K.-based Rene Barreto of the Alliance of World Goan Organisations. The convention attempted to keep alive in second and third generation Goans from the diaspora the torch of Goan culture and love for the homeland, Goa,and to discuss other issues of common interest.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, chosen as the 2007 convention’s venue, was a fitting tribute to the 450 year-old historical connection between Goa and Portugal. Lisbon, a city, like Rome, set on seven hills, has a charm all its own with its beautifully tiled buildings and highway walls. The many churches hidden in little alleys, the balcaos with intricate wrought-iron work railings and its architecture are reminiscent of Goa. Lisbon enhances the cultural link between the motherland, Goa and Portugal through the Portuguese language, which many a Goan whether settled in Mozambique, Kenya or the U.K. knows as well as their own mother tongue, Konkani.

The people of Goa have a long tradition of migration to greener shores in order to seek employment, for higher education or to better their prospects. The reasons for this migration are myriad. Goans have always had an edge over many an Indian in education, musical and culinary talents, working knowledge of the English language and innate honesty. However, some of the most compelling reasons that Goans have left their homeland and continue to do so even now, are the lack of opportunities for the youth in Goa, the still-ineffective economic infrastructure and the harnessing of Goan talent.

However, more than most other races or peoples, the Goans assimilated with their host countries and became a part of them, yet retained their intrinsic Goan identity and distinctiveness. The diasporic consciousness of the Goan is unique in that Goans feel connected to Goa’s umbilical cord, which though severed, is a constant reminder of the motherland.

The theme chosen for the Convention was “From Goa into the World”. There were over a hundred delegates from several countries, excluding Portugal, which are home to the Goan diasporic community. The well-known delegates attending the convention included author Victor Rangel Ribeiro and artist Venantius Pinto from the U.S., organizer of World Goa Day, Rene Barreto, Adv. Fitz de Souza and his wife Dr. Romola, Ms.Elisabeth Pires from the U.K. Several Goan achievers from places like Switzerland, U.K., Germany and Canada were also present and contributed to the success of the event.

The Goans settled in Portugal, the members of the Casa de Goa, went to great lengths to organize a truly memorable Goan cultural and social event. Starting the ball rolling on the first day of the Convention, 15th June, the President of the Casa de Goa, Prof. Dr. Narana Coissoro, inaugurated the convention and welcomed the delegates. The Chief Secretary of Goa, Dr. J.P. Singh was the chief guest. Other dignitaries from Goa included NRI Commissioner, Ulhas Kamat, leading fashion designer, Wendell Rodricks and media person, Ethel da Costa.

After a brief opening ceremony, the convention delegates and guests were treated to a grand musical soiree and dinner at the vineyard mansion ‘Quinta dos Mascarenhas’ at Palmela, which is about 70 miles from Lisbon. Dr.Vilberto Mascarenhas, the owner and host for the evening, is a highly successful entrepreneur of Goan origin who has been residing in Portugal for the past 50 years. Though not an active member of the Casa de Goa, Dr. Vilberto graciously agreed to host the evening’s events at his premises. A hangar-like tent was specially constructed for the cultural programme while the Quinta’s lawns around the swimming pool provided space for visitors to mingle and dine.

The local Goan diasporic groups, ‘Ekvat’ and ‘Surya’ gave superb musical and dance performances and showcased the Goan spirit of camaraderie, love of dance and music as well as innate talents. The delegates were transported back to the Goa they had left behind years ago as they listened to the ‘mandos’ and the ‘dulpods’, their feet a-tapping and their lips softly singing along.

Dinner was an elaborate affair with the Goans nostalgically enjoying typical Goan food from ‘shith-koddi’ to ‘bebinca’. Portuguese wines, especially, Dr. Mascarenhas’ own product, Lotus Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah (Tinto) warmed the throats and a souvenir bottle presented to all the delegates of the convention. The soiree made the convention a truly unforgettable experience.

An interesting feature of the Convention was an exhibition of paintings by young artists from Goa organized by Ethel da Costa which showcased the works of Franco Fernandes, Nixon Fernandes and Chandan Bandekar as well as of photographer Prasad Pankar.
 After the enjoyment of the previous evening, the convention took a serious turn on the 16th with the day’s events taking place at the Instituto da Defesa Nacional, near the Casa de Goa building. It was indeed a celebration of the many positive contributions Goans have made to the various countries they chose to live in and become part of. It was heartening to note that all Goans who travel abroad are no longer labelled ABCs, ‘ayahs’, butlers and cooks, but have proved that they have made their mark in myriad fields in their adopted countries. Goa itself is getting out of its ‘susegado’ groove and is heading towards a prosperous future.

Presentations were made in different areas like Education, Literature, Fine Arts, Volunteering, Music, Media and Entrepreneurship. Panelists were Goans from Goa, Portugal as well as from several other countries. Young as well as senior persons from these different fields shared their experiences, thus leading the way to a hopefully fruitful future for Goans both at home as well as in their host countries.

Speaking on Education, Jason Keith Fernandes, a serious young academician from Goa, expressed his opinion on the crisis situation of higher education in the State of Goa. Goa, he said was merely portrayed as a tourist destination while its academics and intellectuals fled elsewhere due to lack of space for serious interventions. He pointed out a series of recent initiatives which hoped to contribute to the development of the public sphere by engaging with issues crucial to Goa.

Dr. Teotonio de Sousa introduced the Literature panelist, author of several books, Victor Rangel Ribeiro as the ‘grandfather of Goan writers’. Rangel Ribeiro informed the audience that a few diasporic Goans like Lino Leitao, Ben Antao, Peter Nazareth and himself, sought to open a window to the younger generations about the land of their ancestors and their culture. He strongly advocated Education as the only tool to eradicate unnecessary social systems and to promote a system of universal values.

The next speaker on the subject of Literature was Valentino Viegas, a Goan historian from Portugal, who had published quite a few books and articles in Portuguese. He belonged to the group of Goans that moved to Portugal soon after Liberation, believing that they only moved from one Portuguese territory to the next. His current aim was to support Goans of the second and third generation to retain their identity in their current social contexts through cultural programmes and modern communication.

The Fine Arts Panel, moderated by artist Aristides Meneses, had three speakers. Hilda Moreira de Frias Rodrigues from Portugal spoke about the Luso-Goan intercultural exchange mainly in the field of religious art. Venantius J. Pinto from New York elaborated on his translation onto canvas his ideas on the intersection of religion, sexuality and the social consciousness. The final speaker on this panel was fashion guru, Wendell Rodricks from Goa, who detailed the history of Goan costume and dress.

Presentations for the Music Panel that followed were made by Jeronimo Araujo Silva from Portugal and Basilio Magno from Spain. Basilio spoke on songwriting and played some of his own compositions about Goa. Jeronimo, Director of Music of Ekvat, the cultural troupe of Casa de Goa, explained the variety and wealth of the different styles of Goan music.

Media and Telecommunication were clubbed together with Ethel da Costa from Goa who showcased the role of the media in Goa especially on educational issues and social awareness. A short film on Goa which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival, attended by Ethel, was also viewed by the convention audience. The next speaker on this panel was a brilliant young Goan from Portugal, Constantino Xavier, who is currently pursuing higher studies in New Delhi. Constantino elaborated on the tremendous opportunities now available in building a virtual Goa with a view to connect young Goans with one another and the world. The challenges of this situation of exacerbation or excessive imagination, fertility of myths detached from reality, fragmentation of the Goans into exclusive groups and the danger of being further marinalised by society were elucidated by this young speaker.

The final topic discussed was Entrepreneurship which due to lack of time, had to be snipped and could not be fully exposed. Bruno Gomes, a senior contract buyer from Switzerland, informed that a Goan could put on the mantle of entrepreneurship anywhere in the world but had only to have skill, vision and a proper business plan. Elisabeth Pires from the U.K. took the speaker’s platform last. She helped found Investcorp around twenty five years ago. This leading global investment bank, which has offices in London, New York and Bahrain,is public traded in the London and Bahrain Stock Exchanges. The success of Investcorp, she said, was due to the company’s vision (no titles or hierarchy), team work, high ethical standards and transparency and strong values. The company has started an ‘e-mentoring’ system, which helps people in developing countries to resolve social and other issues.

The third day was part-relaxation and part-work. After a trip to the 1.5 million year-old Caves near Fatima and to
the Shrine of Our Lady, the group returned to the concluding session at the Casa de Goa.

The young Goans deliberated on the ways they could take Goan culture forward and on the contributions they could
to the societies they live in. Inter-generational interaction was important if the torch of Goan culture was to be kept
burning. Logistics like sponsorships in education and travel that would help the bright youth of Goa were also noted.

A beautiful finale was the fine performance of the Young Violinists Orchestra by Goan children, which ended the programme on a very heartening and encouraging note. The Casa de Goa’s core committee worked hard to organize the diaspora convention. Dr. Coissoro in his farewell speech specially thanked Maria Virginia Bras Gomes a senior civil servant in the Portuguese government and on deputation to the UN as well, who personally saw that every programme of the convention went off as planned.

Casa de Goa has a large club-house, with a number of facilities such as conference hall, a mini-museum and art-gallery. Rene Barreto suggested that since the convention was such a grand success, the Casa de Goa should be a Cultural Centre for Goans all over the globe.

The entire group left the convention satisfied, with Kevin Saldanha picking up the gauntlet of holding the next diaspora meeting in Canada.

Casa de Goa , Lisbon

2007-08-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Casa de Goa, in Lisbon, is holding a Convention bringing together Goans from all over the world to spend a weekend in Portugal discussing issues of common interest. We wish to celebrate the many positive contributions Goans have made to the countries in which they have lived for many years and where their children were born and brought up.

Dates: 15th June to 17th June 2007

Venue: Casa de Goa Association, Lisbon, Portugal

Aims:
• To celebrate the Goan Diaspora and the contributions to the societies in which we live

• To reinforce second and third generation Goans in their efforts to keep Goan culture alive

Themes
Fine arts
Literature
Music
Education
Entrepreneurship
Media
Information technologies
Volunteering

We are not a research institution and therefore we do not wish to promote an academic or scientific event. What we really want is to organise an interactive dialogue to share our achievements, on one hand, and to encourage our children and grandchildren to hold the torch of "Goanity" alive in the future whatever that might mean in different economic, social and cultural contexts.

We are also celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the foundation date of Casa de Goa, the Goan Association in Portugal.

Many thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Prof. Dr. Narana Coissoró
President of the Board of Directors

Casa de Goa Associação de Goa, Damão e Diu
Calçada do Livramento 17 - 1350-188 LISBOA
Telefone: (+351) 213 930 078 - Fax: (+351) 213 930 167

Casa de Goa - Lisbon, Portugal

http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html

basilio magno

2007-07-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

This is Basilo Magno 's home page

Trip to Fatima

2007-07-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

Casa de Goa - Lisbon, Portugal

http://www.goacom.org

A WORLD CONVENTION OF GOAN OVERSEAS ASSOCIATIONS

2007-07-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

Casa de Goa - Lisbon, Portugal

http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html

================================================
Sunday, November 05, 2006

A WORLD CONVENTION OF GOAN OVERSEAS ASSOCIATIONS
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Associação de Goa, Damão e DiuPessoa Colectiva de Utilidade Pública

Lisboa, 23rd September 2005

Dear René Barreto,
coordinator of World Goa Day

It was a great pleasure to welcome you and Maria to Casa de Goa and to have the opportunity to talk with you about the role we envisage for Casa de Goa in the Portuguese society and our future plans.

We were also very happy to realise that we have a common goal - a Convention for the leaders of Goan associations all over the world to get together in order to share not only ideas and achievements, but also plans to involve 2nd and 3rd generation Goans in the effort to strengthen Goan identity and culture.

We will be glad to pursue the matter further thought in the near future, but a
possible date for the Convention, to be held in Lisbon, would be October next year.

I can assure you that Casa de Goa will provide all its support, not only from the organisational point of view but also in the definition of the Convention programme.

Kindest regards

Prof. Dr. Narana Coissoró,
Ph.DPresident of the Managing Committee

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Goan Convention - Lisbon

2007-07-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORAFROM GOA INTO THE WORLD

15 – 17 June 2007

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

The 1st Convention of the Goan Diaspora in Portugal was organised by Casa de Goa, in Lisbon, from the 15th to the 17th of June. It was attended by approximately 150 participants, including representatives from the Goan communities in Angola, Canada, Germany, India (Goa and New Deli), Kenya, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, UK and USA. The objectives of the Convention were to celebrate Goanity, Goan identity and Goan achievements. Participants exchanged ideas, life experiences and examples of good practices in their diverse fields of work. They also shared memories of the past and present and future pledges of friendship.Participants have recognised the need to create an annual event to continue the momentum that has been created by this successful international Convention and to provide young and not so young Goans with further opportunities for bonding and maintaining a sense of identity with their culture in whatever way they wish to express it. Kevin and Lisette Saldanha, on behalf of the Goanetters Association of Toronto, have expressed their intention of coordinating the various organisations that will participate in the next Convention of the Goan Diaspora, in Canada, in 2008, the significance being the 20th anniversary of the international convention held in that country, in 1988. Approved by the participants in the closing ceremony of the Convention Casa de Goa, 17th June 2007

Casa de Goa Associação de Goa, Damão e DiuCalçada do Livramento 17 - 1350-188 LISBOATelefone: (+351) 213 930 078 - Fax: (+351) 213 930 167

2007-07-15T08:23:00.001-07:00

Casa de Goa - Lisbon, Portugal

http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD

2007-05-16T03:35:00.000-07:00

Casa de Goa - Lisbon, Portugal

http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html

-----------------------------------------------

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA
CASA DE GOA, LISBON 15/17 JUNE 2007

2nd UPDATE

Participants Expected number of participants: 140

Among those who have agreed to come from other countries:

Angola
======
Paulo Armando Sousa
AustriaMarilena Fernandes

India

Goa
Clinton Vaz
Jason Keith Fernandes
Theodore Mesquita
José Lourenço
Vivek Araújo
Didier and Sonia Melo
Wendell Rodricks

New Delhi
Constantino Xavier

Germany
Mariano and Flora Pereira

Kenya
Francis and Romola de Sousa

Spain
Basilio and Rossi Magno

Sweden
Alfred Tavares
Switzerland
Bruno and Hanny Gomes

Tanzania
Merwyn Nunes

UK

Rene and Maria Barreto
Percy Ferrao
Betty and Walter Pires
Rabbi Martins
Ben and Hillary Dias
Felix Rebello
Leo Rebello

USA
Victor and Lea Rangel Ribeiro
Venantius Pinto

We are awaiting a final decision from:

Eduardo Faleiro
Armando Gonçalves

Draft Programme
(as it stands on the 11th May. We are still awaiting
confirmation and cv’s of a few presenters and moderators).

15 June

Casa de Goa Welcome Desk

Registration

Lunch

15.00 Registration

16.00 Opening of the Convention by the President of

Casa de Goa, Prof. Narana Coissoro

Dinner. Performance by Casa de Goa’s Group Ekvât

16 June

08.45 Setting the context

09.00 Education

Moderator: Teotonio de Sousa

Presentations:

Lea Vaz Rangel Ribeiro

09.30 Literature

Moderator:

Presentations:

Victor Rangel Ribeiro

Valentino Viegas

10.00/10.30 Discussion

10.30/11.00 Coffee break

11.00 Arts

Moderator: Aristides Meneses

Presentations:

Hilda Moreira Frias

Venantius Pinto

Wendell Rodricks

12.00 Volunteering

Moderator: Smita Coissoro

Presentations:

Clinton Vaz

Rene Barreto

12.40 / 13.00 Discussion

Lunch

14.30 Music

Moderator: Susana Sardo

Presentations:

Marilena Fernandes

Jerónimo Araújo Silva

15.15 Entrepreneurship

Moderator: Eugenio Viassa Monteiro

Presentations:

Bruno Gomes

Elisabeth Pires

16.00 / 16.20 Coffee break

16.20 Media

Moderator:

Presentations:

17.00 Information and Communication Technologies

Moderator: Henrique Machado Jorge

Presentations:

Constantino Viegas

17.40 / 18.30 Discussion

17 June

Morning – Trip to Fatima

16.00 / 17.30 Youth Round Table. Discussion

18.30 Conclusions. What next?

20.00 Farewell Dinner Sardinhada

Presenters

Education

Lea Vaz Rangel Ribeiro

Educator, associated with the UN International School in
New York. As a pianist, she played concerts in Bombay and
studied at the Julliard School in NY. Broadcasts piano
recitals in “Young America Plays”
Literature

Victor Rangel-Ribeiro

Born in Porvorim, in 1925. Settled in the US since 1956.

Written extensively on Goan subjects during professional
writing career both in Bombay and in the US. First novel
Tivolem won an award in the US, in 1998 and was named one
of the twenty best first novels to be published that year.
Short story collection Loving Ayesha also includes several
stories with a Goan theme. Currently editing The Goa Book.

Valentino Viegas

Historian. Till his recent retirement, he was the head of
an information and documentation service in the General
Directorate for Health, in Lisbon. 7 books published, among
which As Políticas Portuguesas na Índia e o Foral de Goa,
as well as many articles in scientific and non-scientific
journals and newspapers.

Arts

Hilda Frias Rodrigues

Degree in Art History and a Master's degree in Art,
Heritage and Restoration. Working on her PhD in Modern Art.
Scholar of the Oriente Foundation between 1995 and 1997.
Has written books, among which Goa. A Arte dos Púlpitos,
articles and research papers. University lecturer since
2000. Her presentation will be dedicated to the
intercultural components of religious art.

Venantius J. Pinto

An artistic labourer of Indian descent – born of Goan
parentage. Lives in NY city where he constantly looks for
possibilities into phenomena that pass within his senses,
He graduated from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, and has since
reflected upon experiences situated at the intersection of
religion, sexuality and social consciousness; through a
range of forms, and recently “layering” it together in
artists books, including drawings.

Teaching experience. Various publications and reviews.

Wendell Rodricks

Fashion designer. Most recent workshops and shows: with
Divya Arora for different challenged persons to address
their special clothing needs; with children, at the Prince
of Wales Museum in Mumbai to make garments of paper that
culminated in a grand fashion show; show at the Texworld
Fair, in Paris, to design the India display that generated
much media and market response. In 2005, he was part of the
Blenders Pride Fashion Tour in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore,
Delhi and Hyderabad. He will present a slide show, the
history of Goan costume research and the future of Goan
fashion. t

Volunteering

Clinton Vaz
Born in 1981. Lives in Benaulim (Goa)

Production Engineer (with Industrial Training). Presently
working as a consultant in the field of Waste Management at
the Corporation of the City of Panjim where he implemented
systems to reduce landfill waste by 40%. Volunteer for US
based NGO and in environmental issues, wildlife and
computers. Runs and manages GreenGoa - an environmental
group of 150+ members and WildGoa – a wildlife group of
350+ members.

Rene Barreto

Promoter of the World Goa Day celebrations that have become
an annual event in all Goan communities around the world.
A strong believer in Goan Unity, he has enormously helped
establish the Alliance of Goan Organisations. Was amongst
the Six Goans that were honoured for their outstanding
contribution in different fields by a US based community
development organisation Goa Sudharop Community Development
Inc, an NGO working for the development of Goa and Goans,

Music

Marilena Fernandes

Soloist concert career all over the world, radio, TV and
CDs-recordings. Profiled as chamber musician and programme
curator, foundation of the Gemini-Quartet, artistic
director of several concert series with programmes which
offer a favourite platform for young musicians. Regular
international master-courses, including in Mumbai. Special
interest in improvisation and arrangements not only of
classical but also popular music.

Her proposed theme is Music as medium: The Goan Song as a
bridge between cultures

Jerónimo Araújo Silva

Researcher in the field of optics and lasers recently
retired. Lives in Lisbon since 1958. During the last 15
years, he has dedicated a lot of his time to Goan music, as
a composer, a guitar and mandolin player. Musical director
of Casa de Goa’s group Ekvât from 1989 to 1998 and 2004 to
2005. He is particularly inclined to searching for new
sonorities and trends namely in bringing together Indian
and European music. His theme will be The heartbeat of Goan
music in the Portuguese diaspora: a personal approach

Entrepreneurship

Bruno Gomes
Settled in Switzerland.

Works as SR Contract Buyer at Johnson and Johnson. Formerly
Strategic Purchasing Manager and Senior Buyer for EMEA.
Negotiator of procurement and service contracts.

His paper will be dedicated to the risk and success of
entrepreneurship. He wishes to share a message with young
Goans as to how they can build a company from a single
bright idea and be independent.

Elisabeth Pires

Born and raised in Bombay. Left in the mid 70’s and since
then has lived in the Middle East, Australia, USA and now
the UK. Training Programmes at INSEAD (France) and
Georgetown University. Career with Lloyds Bank, Citigroup,
the Chase Manhattan Bank. Involved in the establishment of
INVESTCORP, a global investment bank which operates out of
offices in London, New York and Bahrain. Serves on various
boards in the field of education, charity and faith-based
organisations

Information Technologies

Constantino Xavier

Graduate of Universidade Nova, in Lisbon, is presently
preparing a Master’s degree in International Relations at
Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Deli. He is a
correspondent for various Portuguese newspapers, namely the
weekly Expresso and for Radio Renascença, in India (since
2004). He is also the editor of Supergoa.Com.

He will be presenting the theme Building a virtual Goa:
diasporic opportunities and challenges

Moderators

Smitá Coissoró (volunteering)

Aristides Meneses (arts)

Teotónio de Sousa (education)

Eugénio Viassa Monteiro (entrepreneurship)

Susana Sardo (music)

Youth Round Table

Constantino Xavier and Ana Paula Colaço are organising an
open round table for 2nd and 3rd generation Goans,
Portuguese young people and representatives of migrant
communities in Lisbon to get together and discuss issues of
common interest. They are now in the process of contacting
other young participants in the Convention to identify
these issues and plan the event.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome Dinner (15th June)

It will be held at Lotus Crest Quinta dos Mascarenhas, a
very beautiful setting in Palmela, about an hour away from
Lisbon. We will provide transportation. It will be a a very
pleasant evening with good food, good music by Casa de
Goa’s group Ekvât and excellent company.

We need to have our opening ceremony earlier than expected
so as to get to Palmela in daylight and have the time to
stroll round the farm and the lake. We think the adequate
time would be round 4 P.M. and therefore you need to book
your flights to be here in time.

Farewell dinner (17th June)

Sardinhada, in Casa de Goa’s terrace. It is an event, that
we hold every year, at the end of June, to celebrate the
popular saints (St. Anthony, St. John, and St. Peter). This
time, we will have it a little earlier so that we have
another opportunity to socialize.

Parallel events:

Ethel da Costa, from Goa is trying to bring an exhibition
of contemporary painters from Goa, to be on display at the
time of the Convention.

We are also planning to have an on going DVD show, since
some participants wish to bring them for their
presentations and they could be also be seen during the
evening or during the breaks. Wendell Rodricks has already
promised to bring some of his shows on video.

Photographs in any way linked to the themes of the
Convention will be part of an exhibition to be organised
and updated during the Convention. No strict rules, just
your own choice and personal link to the themes. Please do
bring them along (prints) so that we have a big photo
exhibition as one of the Convention “documents”.

Outings and sight seeing

Our trip to Fatima, on the 17th morning, will also include
some very well known caves.

On the 18th, if we have a minimum of 40 participants, a
travel agency is ready to organise an entire day's visit to
some of the most famous landmarks and monuments in Lisbon
and Sintra.

______________________________________________

Casa de Goa

A brief overview of the origin, nature and aims
Goan association in Lisbon, launched in 1989, following the
efforts of a handful of 1st generation Goan migrants who
had, for a long time, felt the need to join efforts in
order to preserve Goan culture and what is now entitled
“goanity”.
The original statutes and internal functioning rules were
reviewed in January 2003 but the statement of mission
remained the same. Casa de Goa is a public utility
non-profit institution with neither political or party
affiliation nor religious option. It has an open
membership, made up of Goans and their families living in
Portugal or abroad and Portuguese people in some way
connected to Goa
Relevant aims – preservation of cultural identity,
specially by 2nd and 3rd generation Goans; collaboration
with Portuguese, Indian and other bodies interested in the
research and dissemination of the cultures of Goa, Damão
and Diu; promotion of cultural and recreational activities
for our members and open to the public. IN SHORT: building
bridges between Portugal and India.
Present membership: 720
If you need any further information or to ask questions or
seek clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact:

Casa de Goa (Ricardo Costa) - 00 351 21 3930078

Ricardo Costa (mobile) - 00 351 965465497

Aristides Meneses - 00 351 9370213530

Further information will be posted regularly in
www.casadegoa.org

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONVENTION!

WE HOPE YOU ARE TOO! ........

Virginia Bras Gomes / Aristides Meneses / Ricardo Costa

Casa de Goa-Lisbon , Portugal.
========================================================

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD

Lisbon,Portugal 15th -17th June 2007 Details:

http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html

BLOG :

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CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD

2007-03-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

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CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD
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Casa de Goa, in Lisbon, intends to hold a CONVENTION bringing together Goans
from all over the world to spend a weekend in Portugal discussing issues of
common interest. We wish to celebrate the many positive contributions Goans
have made to the countries in which they have lived for many years and where
their children were born and brought up.

1. Dates: 15th June/ 17th June 2007

2. Venue: Casa de Goa Association – Lisbon

3. Aims:

• To celebrate the Goan Diaspora and the contributions to the societies in
which we live

4.
• To reinforce second and third generation Goans in their efforts to keep
Goan culture alive

5. Themes

We would be very glad if some of the participants would be willing to make
presentations in order to share their creative experiences in fields like:

• fine arts
• literature
• music
• education
• entrepreneurship
• media
• information technologies
• volunteering

We are not a research institution and therefore we do not wish to promote an
academic or scientific event. What we really want is to organise an interactive
dialogue to share our achievements, on one hand, and to encourage our children
and grandchildren to hold the torch of "Goanity" alive in the future whatever that
might mean in different economic, social and cultural contexts.

We are also celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the foundation date of Casa de
Goa, the Goan Association in Portugal.

Many thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Prof. Dr. Narana Coissoró
President of the Board of Directors

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

The Convention of the Goan Diaspora- LISBON, PORTUGAL

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

UPDATES :

This is an update on the Convention of the Goan Diaspora, to be held in Casa de Goa Lisbon, from 15th / 17th June.

About 50 participants have already enrolled and we are waiting for another 20 to complete the enrolment process.

Participants
=======

Among those who have agreed to come from other countries:

Austria
====
Marialena Fernandes

Germany
======
Mariano and Flora Pereira

India
====
Goa

Wendell Rodricks
Clinton Vaz;
Jason Keith Fernandes
Didier abd Sonia de Melo
Vivek Araujo
Armando Gonçalves,

New Delhi
========
Constantino Xavier
and Suman Kurade

kenya
====
F.R.S D Souza

Sweden –
======
Alfred Tavares

Switzerland –
========
Bruno and Hanny Gomes

Spain
====
Basilio Magno and Rossi

Tanzania –
======
Merwyn Nunes

USA
===
Victor and Lea Rangel Ribeiro
Venantius J Pinto

UK -
===

Rene and Maria Barreto;
Betty and Walter Pires;
Percy Ferrao;
Leo Rebello
Felix Rebello
Ben Dias
Hillary Dias

----------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------

For the time being, we have the following confirmed presenters and moderators

Volunteering

Clinton Vaz

Born in 1981. Lives in Benaulim (Goa)
Production Engineer (with Industrial Training). Presently working as a consultant in the field of Waste Management at the Corporation of the City of Panjim where he implemented systems to reduce landfill waste by 40%. Volunteer for US based NGO and in environmental issues, wildlife and computers. Runs and manages GreenGoa - an environmental group of 150+ members and WildGoa – a wildlife group of 350+ members.

Rene Barreto

Promoter of the World Goa Day celebrations that have become an annual event in all Goan communities around the world. A strong believer in Goan Unity, he has enormously helped establish the Alliance of Goan Organisations. Was amongst the Six Goans that were honoured for their outstanding contribution in different fields by a US based community development organisation Goa Sudharop Community Development Inc, an NGO working for the development of Goa and Goans.

Literature

Victor Rangel-Ribeiro

Born in Porvorim, in 1925. Settled in the US since 1956.
Written extensively on Goan subjects during professional writing career both in Bombay and in the US. First novel Tivolem won an award in the US, in 1998 and was named one of the twenty best first novels to be published that year. Short story collection Loving Ayesha also includes several stories with a Goan theme. Currently editing The Goa Book.

Valentino Viegas

Historian. Till his recent retirement, he was the head of an information and documentation service in the General Directorate for Health, in Lisbon. 7 books published, among which As Políticas Portuguesas na Índia e o Foral de Goa, as well as many articles in scientific and non-scientific journals and newspapers.

Entrepreneurship

Bruno Gomes

Settled in Switzerland.
Works as SR Contract Buyer at Johnson and Johnson. Formerly Strategic Purchasing Manager and Senior Buyer for EMEA.
Negotiator of procurement and service contracts.
His paper will be dedicated to the risk and success of entrepreneurship. He wishes to share a message with young Goans as to how they can build a company from a single bright idea and be independent.

Education

Lea Vaz Rangel Ribeiro

Educator, associated with the UN International School in New York. As a pianist, she played concerts in Bombay and studied at the Julliard School in NY. Broadcasts piano recitals in “Young America Plays”

Music

Marilena Fernandes

Soloist concert career all over the world, radio, TV and CDs-recordings. Profiled as chamber musician and programme curator, foundation of the Gemini-Quartet, artistic director of several concert series with programmes which offer a favourite platform for young musicians. Regular international master-courses, including in Mumbai. Special interest in improvisation and arrangements not only of classical but also popular music.
Her proposed theme is Music as medium: The Goan Song as a bridge between cultures

Arts

Hilda Frias Rodrigues

Degree in Art History and a Master's degree in Art, Heritage and Restoration. Working on her PhD in Modern Art. Scholar of the Oriente Foundation between 1995 and 1997. Has written books, among which Goa. A Arte dos Púlpitos, articles and research papers. University lecturer since 2000.

Her presentation will be dedicated to the intercultural components of religious art.

Moderators

Smitá Coissoró (volunteering)

Aristides Meneses (arts)

Teotónio de Sousa (education)

Eugénio Viassa Montreiro (entrepreneurship)

Susana Sardo (music)

We are waiting for final confirmations and a short CV from the other presenters.
Shall post them in a later update.

---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------

Welcome Dinner (15th June)

It will be held at Lotus Crest Quinta dos Mascarenhas, a very beautiful setting in Palmela, about an hour away from Lisbon.

We will provide transportation. It will be a very pleasant evening with good food, good music by Casa de Goa’s group Ekvât and excellent company.

We need to have our opening ceremony earlier than expected so as to get to Palmela in daylight and have the time to stroll round the farm and the lake. We think the adequate time would be round 4 P.M. and therefore you need to book your flights to be here in time.

Our farewell dinner will be a Sardinhada (a meal of grilled sardines and meat, sals and good portuguese wine) in Casa de Goa’s terrace. It is an usual event, that we hold every year, at the end of June, to celebrate the popular saints (St. John, St. Paul and St. Peter). This time, we will have it a little earlier so that we have another opportunity to socialize with our guests from abroad.

Parallel events:

Ethel da Costa, from Goa is trying to bring an exhibition of contemporary painters from Goa, to be on display at the time of the Convention.

We are also planning to have an on going DVD show, since some participants wish to bring them for their presentations and they could be also be seen during the evening or during the breaks.

Please do bring photographs in any way connected to the themes for our photo exhibition.

Outings and sight seeing

Our trip to Fatima, on the 17th morning, will also include some very well known caves.

On the 18th, if we have a minimum of 40 participants, a travel agency is ready to organise an entire day's visit to some of the most famous landmarks and monuments in Lisbon and Sintra.
______________________________________________

Casa de Goa

A brief overview of the origin, nature and aims

Ø the “Goan House” is the Goan association in Lisbon, launched in 1989, following the efforts of a handful of 1st generation Goan migrants who had, for a long time, felt the need to join efforts in order to preserve Goan culture and what is now entitled “goanity”.

Ø The original statutes and internal functioning rules were reviewed in January 2003 but the statement of mission remained the same. Casa de Goa is a public utility non-profit institution with neither political or party affiliation nor religious option. It has an open membership, made up of Goans and their families living in Portugal or abroad and Portuguese people in some way connected to Goa

Ø Relevant aims – preservation of cultural identity, specially by 2nd and 3rd generation Goans; collaboration with Portuguese, Indian and other bodies interested in the research and dissemination of the cultures of Goa, Damão and Diu; promotion of cultural and recreational activities for our members and open to the public. IN SHORT: building bridges between Portugal and India.

Ø Present membership: 720

If you need any further information or to ask questions or seek clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact:

Casa de Goa (Ricardo Costa) - 00 351 21 3930078
Ricardo Costa (mobile) - 00 351 965465497
Aristides Meneses - 00 351 9370213530

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONVENTION!
WE HOPE YOU ARE TOO! ........

Virginia Bras Gomes
Casa de Goa-Lisbon , Portugal.

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD

Casa de Goa, in Lisbon, intends to hold a CONVENTION bringing together Goans from all over the world to spend a weekend in Portugal discussing issues of common interest. We wish to celebrate the many positive contributions Goan shave made to the countries in which they have lived for many years and wheretheir children were born and brought up.

1. Dates: 15th June/ 17th June 2007

2. Venue: Casa de Goa Association – Lisbon

3. Aims:

• To celebrate the Goan Diaspora and the contributions to the societies in which we live

• To reinforce second and third generation Goans in their efforts to keep Goan culture alive

5. Themes

We would be very glad if some of the participants would be willing to make presentations in order to share their creative experiences in fields like:

• fine arts

• literature

• music

• education

• entrepreneurship

• media

• information technologies

• volunteering

We are not a research institution and therefore we do not wish to promote an academic or scientific event. What we really want is to organise an interactivedialogue to share our achievements, on one hand, and to encourage our children and grandchildren to hold the torch of "Goanity" alive in the future whatever thatmight mean in different economic, social and cultural contexts.

We are also celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the foundation date of Casa deGoa, the Goan Association in Portugal.

Many thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Prof. Dr. Narana Coissoró

President of the Board of Directors

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD

15 – 17 June 2007

DRAFT PROGRAM *

15 June

Casa de Goa Welcome Desk
Registration

Lunch

1900 Opening of the Convention by the President of Casa de Goa,
Prof. Narana Coissoro

Dinner. Performance by Casa de Goa’s Group Ekvât

16 June

09.00 Setting the context

09.15 Education Panel

Moderator:
Presentations:

10.00 Literature Panel

Moderator:
Presentations

10.40/11.00 Discussion

11.00/11.20 Coffee break

11.20 Fine Arts Panel

Moderator:
Presentations:

12.00 Volunteering Panel

Moderator:
Participants:

12.40 / 13.00 Discussion

Lunch

14.30 Music Panel

Moderator:
Presentations:

15.15 Entrepreneurship Panel

Moderator:
Presentations

16.00 / 16.20 Coffee break

16.20 Media Panel

Moderator:
Presentations:

17.00 Information and Communication Technologies

Moderator:
Presentations:

17.40 / 18.30 Discussion

17 June
Morning – Trip to Fatima

15.30 / 18.00 Working groups for review of issues and discussion.

18.15 Conclusions. What next?

19.00 Farewell drink

This is how we plan to organise your participation:

Presentations should not exceed 20 minutes. We plan to have 2 presentations in each panel. After every 2 panels, there will be 20 minutes for immediate discussion. A longer debate is scheduled for the afternoon of 17th June.

We will adjust and finalise the programme as we go along and are sure of who will be making presentations.

If you wish to make any other proposals for side events, please do so.

THIS IS YOUR CONVENTION!

SIDE EVENTS

Book / CD / DVD Exhibition and Sale – if the authors wish to add their own works to those of Casa de Goa, they are welcome!

Photo exhibition – a work in progress during the Convention by whoever wishes to bring photos illustrating the themes.

Baluarte do Livramento

Tel: 213 930 078 / Fax: 213 930 167
Calçada do Livramento,
17 Email : casadegoa@sapo.pt
1350 – 188 LISBOA

CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA - FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD

15 – 17 June 2007

NAME ________________________________________________________________________

DATE OF BIRTH ___/___/_____

OCCUPATION____________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________

CONTACT INFO:

PHONE_________________ FAX___________________

E-MAIL___________________________

NUMBER OF PERSONS _____

Would you like to make a presentation (max 20 minutes) on any of these themes?

Fine arts Education Information technologies Music

Literature Entrepreneurship Volunteering Media

Convention fee 120€

Fee for accompanying family members 60€

Includes lunch and welcome dinner (on the 15th), coffee-breaks, trip to Fatima with lunch.

At the time of enrolment, please transfer fee amount to:

CASA DE GOA
BANCO: CAIXA GERAL DE DEPÓSITOS
Account Number: 0027081881230
NIB: 003500270008188123092
IBAN: PT50003500270008188123092

To be filled in and returned till April 15

Baluarte do Livramento Tel: 213 930 078 / Fax: 213 930 167
Calçada do Livramento, 17 Email : casadegoa@sapo.pt
1350 – 188 LISBOA

HOTELS

We have made contact with the following hotels, where you might like to book rooms. Please inform that you are attending the Convention at the time of booking.

HOTEL ZURICH
Rua Ivone Silva, 18
1050-124 LISBOA
Single: 64 euros
Double: 71 euros
Tel. 00 351 217814000
Fax 00 351 217937290
e-mail: hotelzurique@viphotels.com

RESIDENCIAL NAZARETH
Rua António Augusto Aguiar, 25
1050-112 LISBOA
Single: 45 euros
Double: 48 euros

Tel. 00 351 213542016
Fax 00 351 213560836
e-mail: reservas@residencialnazareth.com

PENSÃO NOVA GOA
Rua Arco Marquês do Alegrete, 13
1100-034 LISBOA
Single: 30 euros
Double: 45 euros

Tel. 00 351 218881137
Fax 00 351 218867811
e-mail: novagoalisboa@clix.pt

The hotels are very conveniently located, with underground stations and public transport at very close distance.

Rooms have A/C and private WC’s.

===============================

WORLD GOA DAY 18-19TH AUGUST 2007

Alliance of WORLD GOAN ASSOCIATIONS

www.goansw.com

================================