Principal events and summary of activities carried out by the Angola Educational Assistance Fund during the year 1996 Filippo Nardin, Boston, January 1997

    1996 Summary

1. Incorporation of AEAF, Board of Directors and Board of Governors are formed.
2. Executive Director of the AEAF hired.
3. Delegation of AEAF and Citizens Energy visits Angola June 1996.
4. AEAF web site established.
5. AEAF welcomes Angolan Trade Mission.
6. Contacts.

1. Incorporation of AEAF, Board of Directors formed.

In April 1996, the AEAF was incorporated in Massachusetts to facilitate the establishment of the Catholic University of Angola. The AEAF operates as a charitable and tax-exempt foundation, which qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Codes.

The Board of Directors at time of inception was formed by Mr. Michael LeM. Kennedy, Mr. Agostinho de Miranda and Mr. James McC. Hayward.

The Board of Governors of the Angola Educational Assistance Fund at time of inception was formed by:

- His Eminence, Dom Alexandre Cardinal do Nascimento, Archbishop of Luanda
- Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy, President, The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial
- Mr. Michael LeM. Kennedy, Chairman, Citizens Energy Corporation
- Dra. Maria de Jesus Barroso Soares, President, Fundação Pro Dignitate
- Dra. Albina Assis Africano, Petroleum Minister of Angola
- Mr. Joaquim da Costa David, Managing Director, Sonangol
- Mr. Robert J. Angel,  Managing Director, Energy Africa
- Mr. Torsten Sanness, Managing Director, Saga
- Mr. James Hayward, President, Citizens Energy International
- Dr. Agostinho de Miranda, Partner, A. Neves, B. Mendes & P. de Miranda

2. Executive Director of the AEAF hired.

In March 1996, Citizens Energy hired an Executive Director to coordinate and carry out all activities of the AEAF, following the directions of the Board Of Directors on how the AEAF might best utilize its assets and its resources to support the establishment of the Catholic University.

3. Delegation of AEAF and Citizens Energy visits Angola June 1996.

A delegation representing the AEAF and Citizens Energy, including Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy and Mr. Michael LeM. Kennedy, visited Angola in June 1996 to assess the progresses of the Catholic University of Angola project and to promote its realization with Government officials, the private sector and the media.

4. AEAF web site established.

AEAF web site established. In September 1996, the AEAF opened a site on the World Wide Web, which can be found at www.aeaf.org. The web site takes advantage of the latest communication technology to promote the activities of the AEAF, raise awareness about the Catholic University of Angola, and heighten the profile of corporate contributors, partners and donors.

5. AEAF welcomes Angolan Trade Mission.

In October 1996, the AEAF sponsored a welcome reception and an official dinner in Boston for an Angolan Trade Mission visiting the US.  The mission was headed by Mr. Duque, the Minister of Industry of Angola.  Business opportunities were discussed, as well as their possible implications the Catholic University project.

6. Contacts.

Contacts were established and maintained with several organizations in Portugal, Angola, Italy and the US to determine possible synergies with the Catholic University project and new areas of development for the AEAF.  Among others:

• US-Angola Chamber of Commerce, USAID, Council on Foreign Relations, Corporate Council on Africa, World Bank, IMF in Washington
• Harvard School of Government in Cambridge
• Sonangol in Luanda
• Ministry of Petroleum in Luanda
• Center for Education, Management and Investment in Angola (CEGIA), an affiliate of the Luso-American Foundation in Lisbon
• Pro-Dignitate Foundation in Lisbon
• Catholic University of Italy in Milan
• Construction company Tor di Valle in Rom