PS Chorus Performs for UN & City of Atlanta Officials
A special ceremony recognizing a new partnership between the United Nations and Atlanta was held at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday September 21.
UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research), an autonomous body within the UN, will offer training in Atlanta to western hemisphere nations in sustainable urbanization and environment, information technology and telecommunications, and humanitatian affairs. This training will be implemented through their program called CIFAL (CIFAL is the French acronym for “International Training Centre for Local Authorities”). There are over 150 CIFAL programs held annually around the world. The Atlanta CIFAL office is expected to open in 2005.
The Primary School Chorus sang songs of international friendship as part of the ceremony: Changamano (Swahili for “join together”), Uma Familia (Portuguese for “one family”), Rhythm of the Reggae, and It Takes a World of Differences (to Make a Difference in This World).
Marcel Boisard, the UN Assistant Secretary General and Excecutive General of UNITAR, was present to make the announcement. Mayor Shirley Franklin also offered comments regarding the partnership between Atlanta and UNITAR. Also in attendance was AIS Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Axel Leblois, who was instrumental in locating the office of CIFAL in Atlanta.
Dr. Boisard talked with the students during lunch regarding the United Nations and its role in the world. He remarked that he was once an educator and the discussion was quite animated. The chorus enjoyed meeting Dr. Boisard and especially appreciated the opportunity to sing and provide inspiration for this important endeavor.