Left: L-R Mr Robert Morse and Ambassador Sichan Siu.
One of the highlights of the Conference was the tour and reception at the United Nations. A very fitting close to this international event was the Farewell Dinner at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Above: L-R Mr William Miller, Mme Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil and Lord Watson.
To raise awareness of the success of the ESU's international development, three stimulating Panel Sessions were held. The first, “The Communication Challenge” was moderated by Lord Watson, then followed “Making a Difference for Young People – English as the Language of Opportunity”, which was moderated by Ms Alice Boyne, ESU-US President/ Executive Director, and finally, “English and the Challenge of Cultural Diversity”, moderated by Mrs Valerie Mitchell, Secretary-General of the International Council.
We would like to thank Mr William Miller, Ms Alice Boyne and all the ESU staff in New York for organising an enjoyable and varied programme of events. For the full copy of Lord Watson’s speech, “Rendezvous with Destiny”, go to www.esu.org/what/index.asp, or contact Sarah Spinney at Dartmouth House.
In summing up, Mrs Mitchell stressed that the ESU strongly supports linguistic diversity, and concluded that “English has an unrivalled role to play as a facilitator for communication, and today is uniquely building bridges between cultures and geographies”. Right: Back row: Mr Richard Atherton, Mexico, Dr Peter Troughton, New Zealand, Mr Michael Greig, Canada, Dr José Dalisay, Philippines. Front Row: Mrs Youmna Asseily, Lebanon, Mrs Aglika Markova, Bulgaria, Mrs Valerie Mitchell, Mme Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil, France, Mrs Branka Panic, Serbia and Montenegro.
International Council Meeting The International Council Meeting was held on 7 October in the Roosevelt Hotel, New York, during the World Members' Conference. It was an early start for the 36 delegates representing 23 countries, and first on the Agenda was the election of the first President of the International Council. Three international Chairmen were nominated: Mme Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil, President of ESU France, Ms Aglika Markova, Co-Chairman ESU Bulgaria and Mrs Margarita Mudrak, Chairman ESU Russia, St Petersburg. The Members of the International Council elected Mme Keil. Also on the Agenda was the ratification of three ESU Steering Committees wishing to launch in 2005. ESUs were ratified in Mexico, which plans to launch in May 2005, the Czech Republic, in June 2005 and the Philippines which is scheduled to launch in November 2005.
Left: L-R Mme Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil, President of the ESU International Council and President, ESU France, Mrs Lalivan Karnchanachari, Secretary, ESU Thailand, Mrs Valerie Mitchell, Mr Phornsake Karnchanachari, Chairman, ESU Thailand.
The new President of the ESU International Council, Mme Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil, visited Dartmouth House in November for a meeting with Valerie Mitchell and was delighted to see Mr and Mrs Karnchanachari from ESU Thailand who were also there for a meeting.
ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship Rosemary Baird, Curator of the Goodwood Collection, lectured to a capacity audience at Dartmouth House on 4 November. Speaking on “Glorious Goodwood - The history, house and art collection of the 2
Dukes of Richmond”, the lecture was preceded by a reception and raised £1,500 for the ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship.