ICD Section IV - SOUTH AMERICA
Governance - Contact Information
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International College of Dentists - South America Section IV
About this Section:
South America is formed by 13 countries. Its population is about 350 million people. It was conquered by Europeans, mostly Portuguese and Spanish.
South American Section IV, due to geographical and historical reasons, has ten participant countries . Each of these is an ICD District within the section. Currently, it is composed by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. We are working hard to incorporate Bolivia and Colombia.
The other 3 countries speak other languages: French Guiana (French), Guiana (Dutch) and Suriname (English) and are part of International Section.
In nine countries Spanish is the official language and Portuguese is spoken in Brazil. Despite similar historical backgrounds, each country is a distinct national entity. Special care must be used to respect cultural and linguistic differences. All South American countries have their particular traditions, expressions and accents. Individual countries' peculiarities must be understood and the vast geographical distances among the Districts have to be appreciated. Communications within Section IV are either in Spanish or Portuguese. Communications with the I.C.D. Central Office and other Sections are in English.
Section IV was founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil on January 16, 1981. That day International President Joseph W. Tamari and Secretary General Franklin M. Kenward, accompanied by seventy Fellows from United States, officially delivered the I.C.D. Charter. During that month this delegation held Convocation and Induction Ceremonies in Sao Paulo, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima. Thus I.C.D. Districts were established in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Gradually Districts were formed in other South American countries.
The South American Section was reorganized during a meeting held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, between October 30 and November 1, 1991. It was attended by I.C.D. Secretary General Fellow Richard G. Shaffer and I.C.D. Advisor for Latin American Affairs Fellow Jose E. Medina as well as representatives from the Districts Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. The Chilean District was selected permanent site for Section IV's Secretariat, Treasury and Editorship. Prior this innovation these offices rotated every two years, with Section's Presidency. Biennially a different District hosts and elects the Section's President and Vice President.
