On the occasion of the 27th edition of Brazilian Day in New York, which took place on September 3 and 4, 2011, the Legion of Good Will (LGW) made the traditional delivery of the Commendation of the Order of Merit of Ecumenical Fraternity. This took place on Saturday 3rd during the Cleansing of 46th Street. The event is officially part of the biggest Brazilian festival outside Brazil. The person honored this year was the Brazilian singer and music entrepreneur, Netinho, for his commitment to social and humanitarian causes allied to his successful artistic career.

In the center, singer Netinho receives the medal and trophy of the Commendation of the Order of Merit of Ecumenical Fraternity from the hands of Alziro Paolotti de Paiva, from the LGW. On the left, the coordinator of the Cleansing of 46th Street ceremony, Silvania Magda. On the detail, wearing the medal, the singer livens up the public in the event.

With this Commendation, which includes a trophy, a medal and a diploma of Honor of Merit, was instituted in 1996 by the LGW’s President, journalist, radio broadcaster and writer José de Paiva Netto. The Organization pays tribute to individuals and/or legal entities that distinguish themselves in the areas in which they operate, both nationally and internationally, carrying out actions in favor of the common well-being and for a fair and fraternal society. The decision criterion for choosing those so honored favors initiatives based on Ecumenical Fraternity, making this award an important incentive for good practices. Already honored have been statesmen Mário Soares (former president of Portugal) and Nelson Mandela (former president of South Africa), the Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, TV host Jô Soares, actresses Fernanda Montenegro and Bibi Ferreira, singers Carlinhos Brown, Fafá de Belém and Margareth Menezes, businessman João de Matos (one of the creators of Brazilian Day) in addition to various personalities from industry, commerce, sport, communications, human rights, education, ecology and other areas of activity. Since 2004 the prize has been presented during the Brazilian festival in New York.

The friendly sportsman Gustavo Kuerten receives the GOOD WILL magazine from the hands of Maria de Albuquerque, from the LGW.

LGW booth at Brazilian Day
On the 4th, the Legion of Good Will had a booth on 46th Street, on which were exhibited photos of the social and educational programs being developed by the Organization and promotional products were sold. The booth also provided information about the LGW’s partnership activities with the United Nations, especially with the Department of Public Information (DPI) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The booth was put up by Brazilian and American LGW volunteers who publicized the programs referred to above and rose funds for maintaining and improving these initiatives. They also invited all those who passed by the booth to visit the Organization’s units in the United States.

Further information about the LGW’s participation in the Brazilian Day or about the work of the Organization can be obtained by calling (646) 398-7128 or (973) 344-5338, by e-mail, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by accessing www.legionofgoodwill.org.