Una ocasió perduda | El blog del comissari
A lost opportunity
Yesterday we disclose bad news: He fell in our program one of the most attractive events. The gala award "Ambassador of Conscience" in 2014, scheduled for March 19 at the Palau de la Música. This show is organized every year the foundation Art For Amnesty linked to Amnesty International. Mediation by Lluís Danish, who has worked with this company on several occasions, we invite you to take Art for Amnesty gala in Barcelona. In previous years, the prize was awarded to individuals who had distinguished themselves in the struggle for human rights and civil liberties around the world. People like Nelson Mandela, Mary Robinson, and U2-edition in 2013 - Harry Belafonte and dis Youfsafzai.
As tercentenary BCN was very important this event. We have put much emphasis on the claim in 1714 that has defense against absolutism Catalan constitutional tradition. We have driven many initiatives to open a renewed reflection on the validity of the concepts of freedom, civil rights, citizenship ... and we have endeavored to link the celebration with an image of Barcelona as a free city and defending the rights of people. Therefore, we were very pleased to host a gala in the city linked to an organization as important as Amnesty International.
Last June, days before publicly present the program of the tercentenary BCN, I personally confirmed with the President of Art for Amnesty, Bill Shipsey, his agreement to take the show in Barcelona. From the outset it was clear that it would be an act of Art for Amnesty, and assisting the council is giving the Palace of Catalan Music. Later we contacted Amnesty International Catalonia to give them the good news, and its responsiveness was optimal, although at the time we started having news that the Spanish section did not accept the decision of Art for Amnesty .
Amnesty International's policy to respect the authority of sections "national" in everything that takes place within its territory, and made close to the Spanish section, despite the sincere efforts of Bill Shipsey to convince them opposite direction. I myself also spoke with Esteban Beltran, president of Amnesty in Spain, but categorically refused to discuss the issue, claiming that coincide with the tercentenary of the event made it unfeasible. At all times I reiterated Beltran in the development of the car will be borne by Art for Amnesty and the presence of the tercentenary be testimonial, but I was able to convince.
Yesterday the Spanish section of AI issued a statement which said that the decision was not final gala-which, if it is true, is the sole responsibility of AI and Art for Amnesty, and mentioned several arguments certainly debatable such doubts about the economic viability of the show (in no time it was thought that the Spanish section contributes).
The truth, in any case, Amnesty, Catalonia has been apart of the decision in that case totaled directly. Which, for me, and I speak now as a partner, demonstrated the need for obtaining legal personality. I think the show would have been the palace a great opportunity to publicize the Amnesty abundant activity in Catalonia, which is a shame it has been wasted.
I have seen on the net that some partners have raised Catalans cut all cooperation with the organization. For me this is not the solution, Amnesty does a great job of raising awareness for a long time, and we need to strengthen it and, if possible, to convince its members of the need to take them as their own- also, the right to decide.
The tercentenary BCN continues! And we have much more to offer in the city.
