IASL 2003 Conference Logo

The 2003 IASL Conference

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 7-11 July 2001

SPEECH BY
Peter Genco
IASL President

at the Closing Ceremony of the 32nd IASL Conference

This week has been fantastic! When I was packing my suitcase to begin my journey to Durban, I could not have imagined what opportunities were ahead of me.

  • Opportunities to learn
  • Opportunities to meet people
  • Opportunities to network
  • Opportunities to teach
  • Opportunities to experience

Learning and processing information is a life long journey. It begins at birth and continues until death. One never stops learning and processing information. From the moment a new born baby hears his or her first sound, then opens his or her eyes to see the first sight, that baby has begun the process. One needs to learn and process information to function in society, whether it is learning how to read, going to school or college, taking a training course, attending an IASL conference, or learning about an illness. We never stop learning and we will always need to process information. This enables us to improve our quality of life, to make informed decisions, and to empower us. The school library is part of that process.

But... we are also teachers. Many of you have taught me things this week. We often underestimate the ability we each have to teach and influence other's lives. We are all humans and we teach and learn from one another.

Nelson Mandela once stated, "The universe we inhabit as human beings is becoming a common home that shows growing disrespect for the rigidities imposed on humanity by national boundaries". We are all world citizens, we just carry different passports.

We all have inner strength. We may not yet know what our strength is, but I assure you, it is there. We must look inside of ourselves in search of our own strengths. We may already have the tools to dowhatever it is we wish to do. We must communicate our strengths and our needs to others. Do not be afraid. Be proud of what you do. Be proud of what you teach. Be proud of what you learn.

... I read a quote to you in German….

Tu erst das Notwendige,
dann das Mögliche,
und plötzliche schaffst du das unmögliche!

... and in English...

Do first the necessary,
then the possible,
and suddenly you will achieve the impossible!

We have lit a torch here in Durban. DO NOT let the flame go out. Carry it until we meet again!

Last Updated 25 July 2003 (LAC)