Maria do Carmo Alves Federal Senator Brazil

Aracaju, August 12, 2005.

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

...................In December 3 to 8, 2005 Sergipe will be the Brazilian State to host the World Family Summit +1 in partnership with the World Family Organization and the United Nations. As the Parliamentarian Representative from my State at the Federal Senate, I am honored in welcoming you to participate of this historic moment, when 2005-2015 Plan of Action will be discussed on the theme: “Investing in Development: Working the Millennium Development Goals at the Local Level and in the Family”, chosen as the most important for governments, parliamentarians groups, non-governmental organizations, academia, local authorities and the business community.

...................The Tenth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family was celebrated in China in 2004. This discussion was introduced during the World Family Summit. As a result the “Sanya Declaration” was presented, supporting the implementation of the Millennium Goals, regarding the Family as the most efficient tool for the everyday practices of the recommended goals.

...................I would like to invite you to a great mission: discuss the themes following a multi-stakeholder approach and strengthen the capacity of the national and local institutions to identify, discuss and formulate family related social public policies, as well as to determine the appropriated means to implement concrete actions, following the philosophy and recommendations of the United Nations Millennium Project.

...................I am committed to the Sergipe State Government, and will put all my efforts to make the World Family Summit +1 a landmark in the world’s changes process to which all countries are also committed. Our families welcome your attendance, which will contribute greatly to the success of our aims, such as eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and promoting gender equality and women empowerment.