For this symposium more than 600 people filled one of the huge conference rooms that have been recently built in an annex building to the UN Secretariat (partial view of it is on the right in picture below).
This new UN wing, erected on what used to be a beautiful green lawn along the East River, has a very insignificant, outside look with its white wash color on a structure that resembles very much an hangar.
Walking inside it, however, it reveals quite a different aspect, with huge, long hallways, draped with sculptures, tapestries, exhibits from different world countries, and computerized boards similar to the ones one may find at airports, that display the various ongoing activities within the complex.
This new building contains many enormous, high ceiling,and stark looking conference rooms that are equipped, however, with high-tech facilities.
Comfortable sitting and table arrangements have communication equipment available for each attendee, in addition to several computers and projecting units, mammoth screens, and even a special platform for the disabled to access the staging area.
This event was moderated by Bryon Pitts, CBS News Chief National Correspondent and author, and focused on different areas of literacy (digital, emotional, women's, etc.) and creative partnerships (government, civil society, social innovation, etc.).
The keynote opening address was delivered by ex First Lady, Laura Bush, advocating cooperation at all levels for successful implementation of literacy, followed by two moderated panel discussions re: "Literacy for Empowerment" and "Accelerating Progress through Creative Partnerships".
An emotional ending was provided by the keynote closing address of a Sudanese young man, Jacob Atem. He described his life from his humble beginnings as a herder like his father in his native country, later lucky to have been exposed to literacy that allowed him to pursue studies and even earn a degree in the US. He is the Founder of the Home at Southern Sudan Health Care and a former "Lost Boy" of Sudan.
The UN complex is a busy place and, notwithstanding heavy security checks, is always full of visitors. Many are the tours offered in different languages, such as the one I saw below as I was entering the main building on Wednesday. Personally I accompanied there many guests over a period of years, and I also had the privilege once to be included in a special (professional) group for which an evening tour was conducted after the general public access had ended.
Before leaving the place this time I went to one of its shops in the basement to purchase some small flags that needed to be replaced at home. They represents the triangle of the stages of my life in 3 different countries.
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