Letter to a Friend
to give us a vision, an itinerary and a direction. Where do we all want to go together? What do each of us need to be prepared for? My friend, to be frank, I have the same feelings concerning our submarine cable community. Our leaders seem to keep their eyes only on their bottom line. I stay tuned in, but I cannot hear any message at all.
Jean Devos My dear friend, I am writing this letter on the opening day of the G20 summit in Cannes, which is taking place in the “palais des festivals,” a building known for hosting the annual Cannes movie festival. Perhaps this is some kind of message?
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It seems to me that these leaders would have done better gathering in a Cathedral, such as the famous one in Chartres. The image of World Heads of State on their knees, burning a candle, singing a psalm or praying to God to bring them some light would have been such a shock that
the people of this planet would have to return the confidence in their leaders that has been lost as of late. The Greeks, Italians, French and others might make more efforts to accept the proposed cost cutting plans, drastic though they might be. The Americans and the Europeans might recover their morale and creativity. The Arab world might see a little better what they are fighting for. And the emerging countries might have a clearer perception of the landscape into which they are progressing. We do not need to be told frightening figures every hour. We need our leaders
Therefore, I am suggesting that the ASN organizers of SubOptic 2013 consider changing the venue of the conference. We have many great and prestigious monasteries in France.
Jean Devos