The Centre was launched on the 16th of June 2006.
Such nervous anticipation in the days leading up to the event. Would enough people show up? Who should speak? Should we inform the media, and why would they bother with something so trivial?
It all finally came together, perhaps only on the evening itself. Nancy Boyd Franklin and A.J. Franklin had run a workshop at IFT on Thursday the 15th and Friday the 16th of June, which was very well attended. Some of the workshop participants decided to attend the launch. Altogether, at least forty people attended, which was quite a turn out for a hot, Friday evening during the football season.
Jocelyn Avigad from the Medical Foundation was the M.C., and introduced the speakers who were Barry Mason, myself, Yasmin Ala-Bhai Brown, Nancy Boyd Franklin and A.J. Franklin, and representatives from each of the partner organisations and funding body (see photo album).
I used two recent media stories to highlight the current dilemmas and debates in the field. I went on to describe how the Centre had come about, the services we are hoping to provide (namely, training, clinical services, research, conferences and publications, the weblog and a lending library). I touched on my dreams for the Centre, and what we are looking for from all of you.
We offered everyone wine and snacks after the programme of presentations. Those who had attended were 'buzzing'-exchanging ideas and contact details. I was overwhelmed by the response-many signed up to volunteer their time, energies and skills. I see the launch of the Centre as the formal beginning of the cross-cultural thinking and practice that has now been around at IFT for a while.
Please do post your responses/ questions/comments.
Reenee Singh