These are some important questions to ask. No one should be defensive about these hard questions, providing an answer and more importantly a solution. The ones outside Mississauga who attended the conference, likely did so because they were invited speakers. Perhaps one way to get more people to attend is to have coinciding reunions of schools, colleges and professional get-together. This is done at the national Indian medical association meeting. More people attend to participate at the reunions rather than the national meeting. These alumni associations need to be nurtured throughout the year and the get-together is only the finale to the year's efforts. Similar get-together for seniors to interact and network would be something to consider. The seniors with some time on their hands may want to continue the interactions even after the conference, thus making the trip for out-of-town traveling seniors more productive. Retired Goans are increasing in number and I will soon be one of them. They may have the time to make it to these conferences. And carry-on the work of the conference as a on-going activity - which is what such conferences should aim for. Yet, for so many to stay away, there may be other factors. Goans may want to dissociate themselves from getting together with Goans for lack of unity. Rich v/s poor, old immigrants v/s new, place of last residence, etc.. I was very happy to see a session on preserving Goan identity in the diaspora. This was special, after reading several posts on Goanet decrying the need for a Goan identity in the diaspora. One conference speaker described Goans being "united in their disunion". Then another writes how he button-holed a Goanet moderator for rejecting (his and others) posts because they are "inappropriate". These two attendees should have talked to each other. I for one wish to thank the Goanet moderators for rejecting "inappropriate" posts. I hope the moderators exercise their prerogatives, to provide a climate on the internet, for more unity among Goans. From the spate of recent posts it looks like more needs to be done in this regard. Perhaps Goans in Toronto and the 'greater Toronto regions' are sending a 'loud' message by their absence. And some of us may still not be getting that message. Regards, GL ------------ Victor Rangel-Ribeiro
Consider this paradox: A Goan International Convention is held in Toronto, Canada, a city that with its suburbs claims a Goan population of 20,000, and is home to the Goan Overseas Association. You would expect attendance in the hundreds, if not the thousands, right? Just 80 or so registrants who attended the workshops and presentations.Thirty-nine of these were from outside Canada.... remaining 35, most were from Mississauga; only a handful were from Toronto itself, even though that city is only 40 kms away.
