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 a very peculiar continent. Its indigenous population was conquered by Europeans and a colonial system was implanted. During the Colonial Period four predominant categories of people lived in these lands. Spanish, Creoles, "Mestizos" and Indians; there were also Mulattos and "Zambos". The cultured population belonged to the first two groups. Later, during the Republican Period, immigrants arrived from various European countries. The latter also resulted in a significant influx of different cultures and religious beliefs. These factors created a special "melting pot" and influenced each independent nation.
South America is formed by ten countries. Each nation is, or may become, an I.C.D. District. Presently, seven countries make up Section IV-South America. Namely, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. All ten South American states face dissimilar political and economic realities. Optimistically speaking, and in the best of circumstances, South American nations are unrelated "emerging economies".
In nine countries Spanish is the official language. Portuguese, which has similarities with Spanish, is spoken in Brazil. Despite an almost common tongue and 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 in Spanish. Communications with the I.C.D. Central Office and other Sections, except Mexico, are in English. Most schools teach English; therefore it is not a strange language.
Section IV is young. It 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 the 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 all ten South American countries.
The South American Section was reorganized and reactivated 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, 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 the Section's Presidency. Biennially a different District hosts and elects the Section's President and Vice President.
