Well, here’s a little excitement! At the first ICBIE board meeting of the 2011 academic year, a new generation has come forward to assume the leadership of the Institute. This is a major realization of the ICBIE project; after Pietro and Marlene have soundly established the ICBIE in Salvador, it is time for them to step back and allow a fresh team to take over the direction. By unanimous vote, our dear Marcella Sgura will assume the title of ICBIE President. It is only right that her enormous contributions be rewarded and recognized. Her total dedication and her unquestionable competence, not to mention her deep understanding of our community and its needs, make her both an obvious and an appropriate choice. At the same time, Pietro and Marlene wanted to demonstrate their confidence in our team members, but also, they wanted to show that they are not despots, absolute rulers to be feared, and the only ones to make all the hard choices. In Brazil, and in Bahia in particular, there is an ingrained complacency that derives from the absolute rule of former president Getulio Vargas (their “good Mussolini”) and the long-time governor of Bahia Antônio Carlos Magalhães: the ICBIE mission aspires to demolish that kind of attitude. In another sense, this is a perfect time to make the bold move, with youth movements all over the world coming forward and demanding their right to decide the course of history. Furthermore, with Brazil choosing Dilma Roussef as its new president, we are also riding that wave by appointing Marcella as our President.
The new changes go deeper than just the position of President. In the role of Vice-President, Marlene has been replaced by Augusto Carvalho and Ana Paula Anjos, two long time associates from the local community. Augusto is our steadfast hapkido instructor and he also taught the wonderful citizenship course for the big Officina de Rua project, while Ana Paula led the organization of the Leonardo da Vinci Library.
A new position, Director of Fine Arts, has been created for our dear Júlio Costa. We are delighted to be able to keep this clever and popular artist in a role of responsibility on the ICBIE team.
Pietro’s new titles will be Honorary President (joining with Roy Zimmerman), Artistic Director, and Head of Public Relations.
Both Pietro and Marlene will continue to teach, to advise and to help, as always.
To Marcella, Ana Paula, Augusto and Júlio, congratulations and good luck!
This photo shows the historic board meeting. From left to right: Marlene, Pietro, Meg, Marcella, Raquel and Augusto. Júlio took the picture!
30 marzo 2011, 15:36
That is big news! Congratulations to those assuming responsibility and to those giving it up.