From left to right: the renowned Brazilian journalist Gilberto Amaral; Mr. José Roberto, Executive Director of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce; the Consul General of Brazil in New York, Osmar Chohfi; and Danilo Parmegiani.

New York/USA — The Legion of Good Will of the United States received on the morning of July 13, in its new office located in the heart of Manhattan, the visit from illustrious representatives of the United Nations, diplomats, personalities from New York City and leaders from the Brazilian community in NY.

PHOTO GALLERY

During the reception, the guests got to know the new office, the main activities developed by the LGW of the USA, as well as the historical facts that register the broad work carried out by the Organization in favor of the low-income population — aside from the United States, the Legion of Good Will is also present through its autonomous offices in six countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Portugal, and Uruguay).

Diane Williams, former President of the United Nations NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, highlighted that “as I walked down 44th Street and saw the sign of the LGW, I literally felt chills because I just felt so happy that the Legion of Good Will is now in New York City”. The current president of the committee, Ms. Sharon Hamilton-Getz, also attended the event. On the following day, she shared the news with all the members of the commission gathered at the UN. “Yesterday I went to the new office of the LGW. The place is wonderful”.

Another friend of Good Will present at the inauguration was Edilberto Mendes, Editor-in-chief of The BrasilianS newspaper. He sent his warm regards to the LGW President and his congratulations on this great achievement.

Former Under-Secretary-General of the UN, Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, declared: “Congratulations to you [LGW] on having this new office in New York. That’s wonderful! I think the Legion of Good Will has been working very closely to support the UN agenda in a big way, for many years. I have seen, over many years, how the Legion [of Good Will] with its strong leadership in New York, is doing so well. I’m delighted that you are ready to support civil society organizations and the UN system, and performing in an effective way in these places. So, congratulations again on the wonderful work of the LGW”.

Minister Maria Teresa Mesquita Pessoa, from the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the UN, also expressed her happiness at this successful accomplishment of the LGW. “I want to congratulate all of you on this beautiful office which is very close to the UN. I validate the work carried out by the Legion of Good Will as a civil society organization associated with the ECOSOC, always participating in the activities of the Economic and Social Council, always divulging Brazil’s performance on recent issues. (…) You can count on us”, she said.

One of the organs of the United Nations, the NGO Branch of ECOSOC, was represented by its Deputy Chief, Joop Theunissen, who in 2009 participated in the events of the Solidary Society Network, organized by the LGW. “It is a great opportunity for me to see this. I think it’s a very logical step for the Legion of Good Will to be here and have an office present here now. It’s an extension of what you have been doing in Brazil and South America. The LGW has an official status at the UN as ECOSOC accredited organization. That means that the Legion [of Good Will] can participate in debates at the UN, as it has. And the location is very close to the UN. I wish you do very well!”, he stressed.

Gilberto Amaral, veteran journalist and a friend of Good Will, also marked his presence at the event, highlighting this day in his column at the Jornal de Brasília newspaper. On the opportunity, he interviewed several of the personalities present at the inauguration, such as Ambassador Osmar Chohfi, Consul General of Brazil in New York, who congratulated the LGW for the meritorious work and the inauguration of its new office: “I believe that, for the LGW, this is an important phase in the expansion of its activities”, he emphasized.

Irena Krawtchuk, one of the organizers of the Person of the Year Awards, also gave an interview to the social columnist, pointing out the partnership with the Organization: “LGW, I have already told you: whatever you may need, please, you can count on me. We are here to help”.

The Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce published on its website the highlights of the event. José Roberto Azevedo, Executive Director of the Chamber, also talked about his contact with the LGW concerning the company’s social undertakings. “It’s the first time that the Chamber associates itself in a team work with such a precious organization as the LGW; I believe that we have a lot to do, taking advantage of this synergy that can be obtained with our members and the LGW’s friends. The mission you [LGW] have is essentially the same as the chamber’s: to improve the quality of life of the Brazilian nation”.

On the left, journalist Gilberto Amaral’s column in the Jornal de Brasília newspaper. Next to it is the page of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce (www.brazilcham.com) divulging the event.

Present in the special breakfast were also Mr. Airam da Silva, from The Icla da Silva Foundation; Mr. Uttama Shloka da Iskcom, from the Hare Krishna Movement; Mr. Benito Romero, Founder of the Casa do Brasil-USA; Andrew Aberham, Vice President of Philips International; Vice Consul of Brazil in New York, Dario Campos.

HISTORY

On July 3, 2010, the Legion of Good Will*¹ (LGW) of the United States of America inaugurated its representation office to the United Nations, in Manhattan. Located at 36 W 44th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), it will help strengthen the voice of Latin American civil society over the issues discussed at the UN, where the LGW holds general consultative status in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1999. This is the greatest recognition that a civil society organization can obtain at the United Nations, and through which the LGW is allowed to present its recommendations concerning all the items on the development agenda of the organization. By doing that, it contributes to a greater efficiency in the international public policies.

Some moments of the open house day of the office of the Legion of Good Will of the United States. This space was opened to strengthen the voice of the Latin American civil society over the issues discussed at the UN.

Besides having this purpose, the office will also serve to mobilize New Yorkers and members of the international community to help maintain and improve the social and educational programs carried out by the Legion of Good Will of the United States and worldwide.

On the day of the office’s inauguration, the President of the Legion of Good Will, José de Paiva Netto, through a teleconference (via the Internet, radio and TV stations), also invited people from many parts of the world to learn about the Organization’s pioneering work. A photo gallery set at the location shows the LGW’s main activities as well as the historical facts that marked its 60 years of existence.

On this same day, the 35th International Forum of the Militant Youth of the Good Will of God—which is headed by Paiva Netto—was held in many cities of Brazil and abroad.

INFORMATION:
Address: 36 W 44th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), New York/USA.
Phone: +1(646) 398-7128
Website: www.legionofgoodwill.org

Legion of Good Will

Founded in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro on January 1, 1950 (World Day of Peace), the Legion of Good Will has become one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the world, reaching a significant mark of almost nine million services rendered every year to low income communities through its programs.

The LGW has been present in the United States since 1986, also operating a community center in Newark, New Jersey, where various projects of a social, educational and health nature are developed to give support to thousands of people in vulnerable situations.
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*¹ Founded in Brazil more than 60 years ago, the Legion of Good Will is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization with autonomous offices in the United States, Portugal, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina and in the entire Brazilian territory, among which are homes, community centers and schools. Its mission is to promote Education and Culture with Ecumenical Spirituality, so there may be Food, Security, Health and Work for everyone, in the formation of the Planetary Citizen.