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For five days – December 14 – 18, 2003 delegates from 44 countries descended to the bedecked city of Hyderabad - capital of Andhra Pradesh, India, to participate in the first ever YES Regional Forum. The city of Hyderabad was festoon with flags, banners, hoardings and other decorations to welcome the delegates of the Forum. The festivities were on till wee hours of the night with artists of the caliber of the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussian making public performances for thousands of young people from all over Andhra Pradesh and for the citizens of Hyderabad.
During the opening ceremony the dynamic Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh welcomed all delegates and distinguished speakers to his beautiful city and encouraged everyone to not only work hard, but to also take time to enjoy the public concerts, the delicious Hyderabadi food, the wonderful historic sites and to indulge in the pleasures of shopping especially of pearls.
The five days were glorious filled with learning about “what work” and “promising strategies” in the five selected sectors of renewable energy, on-farm and off farm, water and sanitation, ICT and HIV/AIDS. The distinguished speakers offered time for dialogue and conversation. Delegates met old friends and forged new relationships, new networks were formed and there was time to visit the innovation marketplace and learn new things.
It was a time to reflect on how far the campaign had progressed since September 2002 when it was launched with great fanfare in Alexandria, and a time to redouble commitments to fulfilling the goals of the campaign. Plans were made for 2004, and the delegates bid adieu promising to meet next at the Mexico Summit – October 4 – 8, 2004 at Boca del Rio, Veracruz. Esteban Gonzalez our youth co chair of the YES Campaign announced the Mexico YES 2004 plans at a gala Forum session and rocked the delegates with Mexican music and visions of Veracruz.
All of us left Hyderabad enthralled by its beauty and cuisine, and completely charmed by its people –
Thank you Hyderabad!
Thank you Hon. Chandrababu Naidu!
Thank you India!
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