Launch of the book “A Inquebrantável Vontade de Vencer – do lixo à dignidade” by Bebiana de Almeida
On 23 March, at the Dr. António Agostinho Neto Memorial in Luanda, the launch was held of the book “A Inquebrantável Vontade de Vencer – do lixo à dignidade” by Bebiana de Almeida.
The book tells the life story of more than 500 families who lived on the outskirts of the Golfe 2 rubbish dump and who were brought into a select group that came together to save lives.
During the launch, a short play was staged, from which we share here an audio excerpt as well as some video moments performed by the community involved.
HOLOS is proud to have made another book possible. This time, “A Inquebrantável Vontade de Vencer – do lixo à dignidade” by Bebiana de Almeida.
The book tells the life story of more than 500 families who lived on the outskirts of the Golfe 2 rubbish dump and who were brought into a select group that came together to save lives.
About the Author DEOLINDA BEBIANA DE ALMEIDA holds a Master's in Sociology and Public Administration from the University of Minnesota, and a degree in Economics with a specialisation in Education from Albion College, both in the United States of America.
Bebiana de Almeida, as she is better known, returned to Angola in March 1975 and was appointed by the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government, Lopo do Nascimento, to work at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Following the proclamation of Angola's Independence on 11 November 1975, she served, in different periods respectively, in the Directorate of Political Affairs and the Directorate of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX), as Head of International Organisations and, from 1977 to 1981, as National Director of Cooperation at the Secretariat of State for Cooperation within MIREX.
Between 1981 and 1989 she held the post of Director of the Office of International Relations at the Ministry of Planning, where she was responsible for all bilateral International Cooperation files with countries and Multilateral Agencies of the United Nations.
From October 1989 until 1998 she successively held posts as UNDP Resident Representative in Mali, Botswana and Madagascar. Between 1999 and 2001 she was appointed UNDP Resident Representative and Coordinator of the United Nations System in the Central African Republic, and in that capacity she acted as Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on matters of security for the staff of the Specialised Agencies of the United Nations System in the Central African Republic.
In 1999, on behalf of the United Nations System and Bilateral Partners, she managed the Electoral Processes (legislative and presidential) in the Central African Republic.
Since 2002 she has been a member of the Diplomatic Career staff of MIREX and, duly authorised to Coordinate/Drive a Poverty Reduction Project, was promoted to the rank of Ambassador within the Diplomatic Career staff of MIREX, in March 2017.