On the 17 of November 2007, against all the odds, despite the fears, the question marks, the meetings, the discussions, but with a brave heart and a never ending faith in its people and its mission, The ATEL annual conference finally took place.
7.30: the committee, the delegates, the cameras, the British Council, Librairie du Liban and the staff of the UNESCO Palace were ready (and waiting), crossing their fingers for a successful day.
It was to be even better than expected!
Everybody came to the rendezvous to show solidarity, appreciation and support to a dream which was born 10 years ago and has become today an association of dedicated professionals with set educational goals and numerous academic facilities.
The British Ambassador arrived. She seemed happy, relaxed and quite content to be part of the day. After the opening speech, the crowd, gathered in the main auditorium, watched a documentary relating the last 10 years of ATEL, from its very beginning, to the icon it is today. You could hear a pin drop! The newcomers were astonished, the pioneers had tears in their eyes, but every single soul in that huge room was proud, so proud!
At 10.15, break time for the ATEL members and speakers before the workshops, award ceremony time for the Cambridge Certificate laureates under the patronage of her Excellency the British Ambassador. A time for the ATEL family to catch up on the latest news, to renew memberships and to make the final decision on which of the many workshops to attend.
To write about these last ten years would take too long for too much had been achieved. I can only agree with the saying “a picture is worth more than a thousand words” so watch the DVD “ATEL in 10 minutes”, and be amazed!
We will meet again next year, rain or shine and ATEL will be, as always, the bright star that lights the way.