World Congress

2. World Congress • According to Article 13 of Law 8/1994 of May 27 every four years a Congress of Basque Communities will take place to promote the encounter and collaboration between Basque communities, Basque Clubs, federations, Confederations and Basque Institutions. • The previous three World Congresses occurred in 1995, 1999 & 2003.

3. Lehendakaritza The World Congress is sponsored by the office of the President of the Basque Government whose leaders are: Josu Legarreta –Director of Relations with Basque Communities Juan Jose Ibarretxe -Lehendakari Inaki Aguirre –General Secretariat of Foreign Action

4. Participation • This year’s congress was attended by 53 congressional delegates, representing 18 countries: Argentina Australia Brasil Canada Chile Columbia Cuba El Salvador Spain USA France Italy Mexico Peru England Dominican Republic Uruguay Venezuela

5. Bilbo While the previous three congresses were all held at Gasteiz, this year’s congress was held in Bilbo at the Euskalduna Jauregia, from July 8th thru the 13th.

6. Opening Day The congress began with an excursion to the Biscayan coast, to visit a 17th century replica of a Basque whaling boat and to visit a Nestor Basterretxea exhibit with the sculptor himself.

7. Congress Opening The opening of the congress took place at the Guggenheim Museum where the Lehendakari greeted the delegates and guests.

8. Congress Opening The opening ceremony was highlighted by speeches by the Lehendakari and by keynote speaker Gloria Totoricaguena.

9. Congress Opening Gloria’s Three Main Points • Centralize & systematize our historical migration archives • Euskal Etxeak: Self study & renovation of organization and management • Contribute to the positive international image of Basques “Each generation has its own responsibility that pertains to its own time in history. I believe that ours is to work urgently to protect our endangered culture, identity, and collective memory.”

10. Presentation Highlights • Analysis of Members and of the Gaztemundu Survey of past participants • Peace Making Process – Konpondu.net • Urazandi Digital – 134 digitized Basque Magazines

11. Presentation Highlights New Urazandi Volumes Valparaiso by Rubila Araya Montevideo by Xavier Irujo & Alberto Irigoyen

12. Presentation Highlights New Urazandi Volumes Argitxu Camus Etchecopar

13. Presentation Highlights FEVA – Mariluz Arteche If the Basque Centers are to reflect the image of Euskal Herria to the world, we have a very important obligation to spread the other face of the truth in order to contradict manipulated information out there. The Federation of Basque Organizations and Centers of Argentina support and have supported the cause of the land of our ancestors, which is not something other than the time of democracy, freedom, recognition for the right of self-determination, which is the most natural right of human beings.

14. Presentation Highlights NABO • Respond to Membership Data questions by Basque Government • NABO Direction • Youth Initiatives • NABO 2009 in DC • Bridge to our neighbors: • Montreal and Vancouver

15. Presentation Highlights FEVA & NABO • Confederation of Basques Entities in America • Euskara • Shared Basque Dance Initiatives • Preserve Historical Memory • Promote Basque Studies

16. Presentation Highlights Association of European Migration Institutions Brian Lambkin

17. Presentation Highlights Etxepare Institute • Promote Basque language and Culture • Foreign action • Language and culture policy • Basque Language research

18. Presentation Highlights Debate on the Four Year Plan

19. Closing • Peace Statement Submitted by Peru • Congressional deliberation process

20. Closing • Election of three persons to represent the entire Basque diaspora Xabier Berrueta elected and lead with most votes.

21. Farewell Reception