CEDES’ 30th anniversary
Messages of Best Wishes and Congratulations

“I would like to say I have very fond memories because I think it was one of the first interviews I agreed to and it was all about social movements. I remember perfectly well that Germán Abdala was at the table with other social activists, popular activists who were there to testify about their activities, their political and social activism.
I remember Elizabeth Jelín, whom I have followed ever since and whom I always find so active; and also regret the loss of Oscar Landi. Then, of course, I would like to mention Silvina Ramos and a group of women –mostly women I recall- that were always close to us and inviting us to participate. I know these thirty years have entailed continuous work, activism in social, economic and cultural rights. These are people with great determination and that makes me happy. I seem to be getting a little older but the people of CEDES are full of beans and willing to renew themselves day after day. I thank you for having invited me and I hope we will all continue in this fight for truth, justice and memory; and to make our children’s dreams come true, as well as those of our arrested and disappeared daughters and of all those who nowadays continue in this battle under the same flag, that of social justice.
I would like to add that recently, while tidying up my library which was quite untidy, with books piled one on top of the other, I came across a booklet whose pages are turning yellow, which has the interview I mentioned before, about social movements. It is a book that was published in a format that is easy to carry in ‘women’s handbags or men’s pockets’, a very nice and practical size –as vendors advertise on trains and buses-. Its contents, however, are the essential element. And the contents express the voices of the popular sectors which are so valid. And even nowadays when many of the leading players of those times are no longer present, as is the case of Oscar Landi and Germán Abdala, and so many other people who walked by our side throughout all these years, by the side of the mothers (whose children had disappeared) and of the human rights organizations (Nora Cortiñas, mother of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo, Founding Group).

“I am away on a trip so I cannot be there with you. I would have very much liked to have celebrated CEDES’ 30th anniversary. It was the first study center I visited and shared some activities with when I returned to the country.
I wish to compliment you all for your permanent, committed work throughout all this time and I hope CEDES will continue making significant contributions towards shaping the country. I embrace you all”. (Patricia Tappatá de Valdez, Director, Memoria Abierta).

“Dear Silvina: I wish to express my adherence to and joy in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of permanent, productive work in outreach, research and training in human resources, particularly in sexual and reproductive rights.
Wishing you the best of success, I greet you warmly.” (Dra. María E. Barbagelata, National Representative).

“Hello Silvina: I wish you and CEDES the best of success, as you have had to date. Social sciences in Argentina would not be the same without you”. (Susana Torrado, researcher).

“Since I cannot attend, I would anyhow like to share on behalf of the Instituto de Género, Derecho y Desarrollo of Rosario the joy of your thirty years of renowned trajectory in the academic field, in different areas of social sciences.
The work carried out by CEDES in these three decades should be a reason for satisfaction and pride for those who are part of the institution. We really hope you will continue working in the same direction and under the same quality standards. Warm greetings,” (Susana Chiarotti, Director INSGENAR).

“Silvina Ramos: I with to thank you for your kind invitation on the thirtieth anniversary of CEDES. Regretfully, for health reasons, I will be unable to attend but I wish you the best of success in your work and congratulate you for all the achievements in these young thirty years” (Jorge H. Andrade, Technical Secretary of the Centro de Investigaciones Epidemiológicas, Academia Nacional de Medicina- Center for Epidemiological Research, National Academy of Medicine).

Mrs. Silvina Ramos: I wish to thank you for the special invitation you sent me to attend the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of such a prestigious institution.
Regretfully, due to official commitments of my area of government I will be unable to attend the celebrations on this occasion but I would like to sincerely compliment the institution for its constant training of researchers.
I reiterate the assurances of my highest consideration. (Dr. José J.B. Pampuro, Minister of Defense).

“Dear Silvina: Regretfully I will not be able to attend the celebration of CEDES’ 30th anniversary because I am abroad. Anyhow, I wanted to congratulate you and your people for your achievements throughout these years. Your institution is one of the most prestigious and serious in the field of health and for all of us who are a part of IECS –a new institution- you are an unavoidable reference to imitate.” (Adolfo Rubinstein, Head, Family and Preventive Medicine Unit, Italian Hospital, Buenos Aires).

“Dear Silvina: on behalf of Carmen Barroso and me and that of your friends from IPPF/WHR, we wish to congratulate CEDES for this important milestone of 30 years of efforts not only in Argentina but also throughout the continent. At this organization we feel proud of having colleagues that have throughout 30 years been the leaders in providing information, activism and in promoting and defending the sexual and reproductive rights of our countries’ inhabitants. I hope the next 30 years are as productive as these first 30. Thank you for your kind invitation to the celebration on 5 September and although we will regretfully be unable to attend, we will be celebrating with you. Let’s hope that we get a chance to collaborate more closely in forthcoming years.” (Humberto Arango, Senior Advisor, IPPF/WR Institutional Government).

“Dear Silvina: Congratulations and the best of success in the celebration on 5 September. Kind regards.” (Claudio Fuentes, Director FLACSO-Chile).

“Thank you so much for the invitation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of CEDES. As former special assistant to CLACSO’s Executive Secretariat, I had a close and long-standing relationship with CEDES and with most of the researchers of those years. I would love to be at the party with you”. (Waldo Ansaldi, CONICET/UBA Researcher).