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The success and outcome of the International Goan Convention held by the GOA in Toronto, in August 1988 led to the formation of the International Goan Organization. After due deliberations by various sub-committees, it was concluded that an umbrella organization like the IGO would enhance the visibility of the Goan community.
The following sub-committees considered some fundamental issues, and derived some conclusions.

National Networking:

Convenor: Ivan Araujo (Toronto, Canada)
Moderator: Peter Fernandes (Edmonton, Canada)

Peter Fernandes suggested that the main thrust of the National Networking would be to bring together Goan Associations in Canada. Presentations by delegates from the following Associations provided a platform to share views and to draft resolutions.
Presenters: Violet Viegas (Vancouver), Louisa Rodrigues (Edmonton), Maxine Fernandes (Edmonton), Gilbert Dias (Winnipeg), John Nazareth (Toronto), Tony Rodrigues (Hamilton), Leslie Sequeira (Nova Scotia), Nick De Mello (Montreal), Nereus Rodrigues (Montreal).
The following resolutions were drafted, put, and unanimously approved:

• That we agree to affiliating ourselves with people of Goan origin. The purpose of such affiliation would be to promote the cultural, social, financial, welfare/identity of people of Goan origin on a national basis.
• That in setting up the national networking concept, the autonomy of the local Goan Associations be recognized.
• That the Toronto Goan Association be requested to initiate efforts in developing a framework for such national networking.
  

Adaptation in New Environments:

Alvaro Collaco (U.K.), Joanne Mascarenhas (Brazil), Lino D'Silva (U.S.A.), Anthony Machado (Australia), John Noronha (Canada), Noreen Sousa (Hong Kong).
The discussions revealed that all had experienced a measure of difficulty in housing, employment, and recognition of qualifications and experience and discrimination whether subtle or otherwise.
Despite some setbacks, Goans had adapted quite well and were making a valued contribution to the societies they lived in. Their future seemed assured.

International Bridging:

Convenor: Al Mathias
A spirited discussion followed with participants from Goa, Australia, U.S.A., U.K., and Canada.
From a global perspective, a number of suggestions were made relating to: an investment fund, sharing talent and experience in technical areas, community and soul-searching, Goan writings, newsletters, seminars and literature, organizational structure, Goan directory, improved communications, Youth Convention in Goa, permanent Secretariat in Goa, shedding the "crab mentality" (putting each other down).
The session transmuted itself into four sub-sessions stemming from the deliberations:

• Structure of International Goan Organization
• Volunteer Technical Projects/Business Investment
• Academic Conference
• Youth Convention

Structure of an International Goan Organization

After due deliberations, the group developed a Framework, a Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives, Strategies, Logistics, Location, Membership, Constitution and Rules, Functions, and Funding.
The following suggestion was offered by P. Denis:
Name of the Organization: The International Goan Organization
Legal Status: Non-Profit Organization

Business and Technical Projects:

Panel: Alvaro Collaco, Convenor (U.K.), Ronald Nazareth (Canada), Lamberto Gomes (Canada), Maurice Gracias (U.S.A.), Dr. Ambrose Athaide (Bombay, India).
The panel discussed mechanisms to develop an International Goan Investment Fund, Voluntary Capital Projects, and Technical Assistance.
At a joint meeting of the Convenors of all the workshops on August 11,1988, under the Chairmanship of Zulema de Souza, it was agreed that the Working Committee would be based in Australia, and that it would report back to the Secretariat within 3 months or so of the termination of the Convention.

Study Group Meeting:

Participants: Dr. Stella Mascarenhas-Keyes (U.K.), Prof. Peter Nazareth (U.S.A.), Dr. Olivinho Gomes (Goa, India) Joao da Veiga Coutinho (U.S.A.), Vivien Dias (Canada), Dr. George Coelho (U.S.A.).

The session was the brainchild of Dr. Coelho and stemmed from the International Networking session. The purpose of the think-tank was to evaluate the need to study Goan History and culture through Goan eyes and voices. The study was to delve into various expressions of Goan culture, such as music, song, architecture, dance and poetry, journalism and literature.
This led to the proposal to organize an academic conference, to review scholarly papers that would focus on the theme of Goan studies from a totally new perspective.

International Youth Convention:

Workshop participants: Adv. Herculano Dourado (Goa), George Pinto (U.S.A.), Eric Coutts (Toronto, Canada), Desmond Viegas (Vancouver, Canada), Lola Vaz (Toronto, Canada).

Objectives:

• To integrate the Goan youth
• To bridge the identity gap
• To preserve ethnic heritage

Following volunteers agreed to be co-ordinators for each region:
Adv. Herculano Dourado (Goa, India), Maria Lobo (Australia), George Pinto (U.S.A.), Lola Vaz (Eastern Canada), Desmond Viegas (Western Canada)

An office was to be established in Goa. A tentative program was drawn up with a view of hosting a Convention in Goa in December, 1990.

Making Connections:

Convenor: Sharon de Souza. The aim of the session was to bring Goans who were interested in starting a business together with other Goans who were willing to offer their expertise and experience. Several speakers addressed the audience. Participants felt that only collectively, will the Goan community be able to become a recognized financial force. An Advisory Council was formed to serve as a channel through which potential business people could meet other Goans who could help financially or offer advice. Ayres Mascarenhas, Vernon Lobo and Sharon de Souza were proposed members of the Advisory Council.

At a meeting of all convenors of the various sub-committees held on August 18, 1988, the group decided (as was resolved in the 'Plenary Session') to name the organization INTERNATIONAL GOAN ORGANIZATION.
The structure of the Secretariat would be: administrator Secretary (co-ordinator), co-ordinator of Finance, member - Business and Technical Project Development, member - Youth, member- Humanities.

The following people were nominated for the above positions:

Zulema de Souza - administrative secretary/co-ordinator
Al Mathias - co-ordinator Finance
Lamberto Gomes - member, Business and Technical Project Development
Lola Vaz - member, Youth
Felix Almeida - member, Humanities

It was suggested that the Secretariat draw further rules re: fee structure, constitution etc.
It was proposed that the Secretariat send out a communiqué to all Goan Organizations re: Academic Conference and the Youth Convention. The workings and outline on Business and Technical Projects would be initiated in Australia.

Subsequently, the International Goan Organization of Ontario was formally incorporated as a non-profit organization on September 13, 1989 under the Ontario Corporation Act # 855873.

Techtrain '90, a community oriented non-profit voluntary assistance program designed to assist GOAN professionals with residence in Goa (India), in engineering and social sciences disciplines, was developed by Lamberto Gomes whereby two distinct cells as per diagram would gather and disseminate information to their respective areas of influence.

D I A G R A M

At the close of the International Goan Youth Convention held in Goa from December 17 to 27th 1990, the IGO Secretariat was moved to Goa with the expectation that the international functions and aspects of the IGO would be continued, and that the Secretariat would be transferred around the world so that conventions would be hosted by different countries, every four years.

The International Goan Organization of Ontario continued to function as a non-profit organization in accordance with its stated goals:

• To enhance the collective capacity of Goans to meet the social, economic, cultural, educational and community challenges that face Goans in Goa and in the lands of their adoption.
  
• To organize directly or indirectly through a member organization, projects that are deemed beneficial to the Goan Community at large.
  
• To coordinate the flow of information to all its members.
  
• To coordinate emergency assistance as and when required.
  

Current Executive members:
President: Zulema de Souza
Director: Debbie Araujo
Director: Cellie Gonsalves
Director: Lamberto Gomes
Director: Al Mathias