Romania will organize the XIII World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges

Sunday, May 15, 2011

According to the latest information from the World Conference (which ended yesterday), Romania will organize in 2014 the XIII World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges. Grand Lodge of India will organize the XII World Conference. For 2014 the candidates were Bucharest and St. Petersburg.

The President of the Confederation of Symbolic Masonry of Brazil attended the Masonic World Conference

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Jose Nazareno Nogueira (CMSB's President), who attended the global meeting of Freemasonry in Colombia has been interviewed by the AP. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Para, said that "Freemasonry in Latin America is increasing, while in other countries is maintained." Moreover, referring to the mainland, he added that "with each day becomes a major power and this conference has helped us confirm what we believe."

Jose Nazareno Nogueira

President

Confederation of Symbolic Masonry of Brazil

WORLD REGULAR FREEMASONRY IN PICTURES - pictures of the World Conference in Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, has been host to the XI World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges. The conference started Friday was full of philosophical and various emotions. The Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay, represented by Grand Master Euclides Acevedo was not lost and paid an emotional tribute. Above some images of the event:

The XI World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges ended

Not long ago ended the administrative meeting of the Masonic World Conference, and now takes place the official closing ceremony of the works of the eleventh edition of the World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges. In about 15 minutes from now, participants will have lunch and later will be held the official dinner gala. The dinner gala will be held by the poolside of the Hilton Hotel in Cartagena.

Final session of the Masonic World Conference

An hour ago, resumed the work of the World Conference. The last issue to address is: "Principles and values, counselor of human development." This issue is very important, especially when you consider what Brother Thomas Jackson said in his speech yesterday: "The importance is to open a space for Masonic leaders from around the world in which they can meet and understand how Freemasonry works." He also added that: "To achieve the unification of a program working together to achieve our goals."

Thomas W. Jackson

Executive Secretary

World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges

The symbolic gesture of Friday, depositing wreath at the monument of Brother Simón Bolívar, it was important not only for American Freemasonry, but also for the Universal one, giving a message of unity. At the event of this year, more than 300 Masons from 70 countries are attending.

Official video of the XI World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges

Grand Masters at the Caribbean Artistic Show

Friday, May 13, 2011

At 4 p.m. (Colombia's time zone) all Grand Masters and observers of the 11th edition of the Masonic World Conference concluded their work for today. The last panel focused on the "Science and Technology as tools of human development." At 6 p.m. (Colombia's time zone) they attended an informal meeting and participate at a Caribbean Artistic Show. The show will conclude in about 30 minutes from now.

During the second part of the day the wifes of the Grand Masters and other guests had a tour of the Castillo de San Felipe Barajas. The works will be resumed tomorrow at 9 a.m. (Colombia's time zone).

The first session of the World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges ended

Today at 9 a.m. (Colombia's time zone) started the opening ceremony of the 11th edition of the World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges. Shortly after stated the first session of the Masonic World Conference, focusing on the following theme: "The influence of Freemasonry in Human Development." The second theme focused on the "Promotion of the study and work, pillars of the Masonic message."

Both events took place in the Simon Bolivar Grand Salon of the Cartagena Hilton Hotel. At the same time all other attendants at the event took a City Tour by the historic center of the city, enjoying the colonial architecture. Both delegates, observers and attendants went to lunch at 2 p.m. (Colombia's time zone).

FLOWER BRUNCH at the Masonic World Conference

At 8 a.m. (Colombia's time zone) took place in the Simon Bolivar Square Park a special and traditional breakfast (Flower Brunch) where Freemasons from Colombia together with Grand Masters from around the world and their wifes enjoyed the weather and shared thoughts.

Freemasons from around the world at Cartagena de Indias

Yesterday arrived at Cartagena de Indias all the Masonic international delegations attending the 11th edition of the Masonic World Conference. After the accreditation process, all members were invited to attend the official "welcome cocktail" held at the Cartagena Hilton Hotel, Simon Bolivar Grand Salon. The event ended early after 8 p.m. (Colombia's time zone).

Began arriving in Colombia the official delegations of the 11th edition of the World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges

Thursday, May 12, 2011

During the day began to arrive in Colombia the official delegations of the 11th edition of the World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges. At this time the delegations are arriving from around the world. The delegations are received at the Rafael Núñez International Airport by the Brothers Masons of Colombia. At this time, there are recorded 31 degrees Celsius, the sky is partly cloudy and tonight is likely to have short rains.

Rafael Núñez International Airport

The event will attend various Grand Masters from Colombia, United States, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Romania, Russia, Brazil and also from countries in Africa and Asia. Romania will be represented by the Grand Master Radu Bălănescu, as head of the Romanian delegation.

Following recent events that shape society and humanity in general, the theme for this year is "Freemasonry and Human Development."

The Masonic World Conference began in Cartagena de Indias

With the main theme, "FREEMASONRY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, started today the XI World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges. Freemasons are concerned about the globalized conditions in which humanity now lives with no future in many regions of the world, and they have focused mainly on Human Development.

The great event is attended by representatives of the Grand Lodges around the world: England, France, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan, Cyprus, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Baja California (Mexico), Paraguay, several Grand Lodges from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Dominican Rep., USA, Canada etc.

During this assembly, MWGM Raúl Gómez Mariscal will take advantage and he will make an invitation to the meeting that the IMC will held in Tijuana the next November, previous the Assembly to be held in Brazil in 2012.

Hilton Hotel will host the World Conference in Cartagena

With a strategic location overlooking the sea, the Cartagena Hilton Hotel has 341 rooms and is located at the widest point of the peninsula The Little Lake, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Just 10 minutes from the ancient walled city, the Hilton features an exquisite combination of flavors of the Caribbean and Spanish heritage.

From May 7th to 10th, 2010, Illustrious Brother Thomas Jackson paid a visit to the East of Cartagena de Indias, in his dignity as Executive Secretary of the World Conference, to inspect and evaluate the event organizers of the conference. He also visited the hotel chosen by the Grand Lodge.

Host Grand Master's message of the XI World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges

Dear Brethren,

Our beloved institution has special characteristics, for its history, the fraternal way it has developed all Lodge's work and the relentless practice of our customs. - In assuming leadership of the Serene Grand Lodge in this new period, I expressed my Brethren the desire to implement a government program based on three themes: Unity - Development and Spirituality.

We must strengthen the Unit, working permanently for strengthen fraternal ties between the Brothers and their families through family integration as well as recreation, involving training for our sisters and nephews, with illustrative talks on topics of general interest and in benefit of the families. Also we will institutionalize the "Masonic Gatherings" where are debated Masonic topics and of general interest, in the last Friday of each month, coordinated by a group of Brothers of various Lodges and sponsored by our Grand Lodge, constituted a Masonic meeting place.

In parallel, all Worshipful Master's visits should be encouraged between the Lodges, for a greater understanding of the activity of each and facilitate the exchange of experiences.

In the first meeting of our Worshipful Masters held on August 7th, 2010, we took the first step in implementing a new administrative model of development based on strategic planning, for which, with the support of an interdisciplinary group of Brothers we have done an exercise to define the vision, mission, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, extracting from it the most suitable strategies for a minimum of ten-year horizon. We already make a call to all Masons of Serene National Grand Lodge of Colombia to participate in these shifts.

We have also committed to encourage the spirituality by running a work on behalf of the School of Masonic Education "Aranza Carlos Castro"and the ILEC, with courses for trainees and colleagues, seminars and conferences for all active members and contributors of all Lodges, with the aim of raising the level of knowledge on the history of Freemasonry, Masonic Symbolism, Masonic ritual, Secularism and culture in general on esoteric subjects.

I want to thank all the Brothers based in Grand Lodge for their unanimous support for my election and the support of our Worshipful Masters, which forces me to persevere in order to maintain peace and harmony in the East, under the protection of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

Ildefonso Baldiris Silva

Serene Grand Master

National Grand Lodge of Colombia

at Cartagena de Indias

Official video of the XI World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges

History of the National Grand Lodge of Colombia at Cartagena de Indias

On April 9th, 1833, a group of distinguished gentlemen from the city of Cartagena de Indias, founded a Masonic Body within the landmarks of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, under the title of Grand Orient and Supreme Council Neo Granadino, which time worked under the name of Supreme Council of 33º Degree for Colombia. This Power proceeded to found Masonic Craft Lodges in Colombia and other Latin American countries. Subsequently, and under the fact that it was operation within the regularity of the Constitutions of 1786, the Grand Orient of France was offered the charter on June 18th, 1851. This was the only authority that ruled Masonry in Colombia until 1920.

On November 12th, 1911 with the occasion of celebrating the First Centennial of the State Independence of Cartagena de Indias from Spanish Nation, the Confederate Supreme Council of 33º Degree Neo Granadino, now Colombian, called for a Masonic National Congress to address issues related to the progress of the Order. From the deliberations of the Congress, appeared a project to establish Grand Lodges in the territory of the Republic of Colombia, and to the Supreme Council of 33º Degree, since its foundation assumed the supreme authority of the Symbolism, touched issuing the Legislative Act that was marked with number 3 but not taken effect.

On May 26th, 1918, was convened by the Supreme Council a Masonic Assembly of the Grand Orient, consisting of Lodges and Regular Chambers of the Obedience, and this Assembly submitted a draft amending the particular Constitution of the Grand Orient Neo Granadino now Colombian, which could form the basis for the installation of a Serene Grand Lodge, based in Cartagena de Indias, East Capital, which was the supreme authority of Symbolic Masonry in the entire nation.

Source: NGLC at Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias - host of the XI World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges

Cartagena de Indias (Cartagena of the Indies or Cartagena of the West Indies, in English) is a large Caribbean beach resort city on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region of and capital of Bolívar Department.

The city had a population of 892,545 as of the 2005 census making it the fifth-largest city in Colombia and giving the Cartagena urban area the status of fifth largest urban area in Colombia. Cartagena is a centre of economic activity in the Caribbean, as well a popular tourist destination.

Activity and development of the Cartagena region is dated back to 4000 B.C. around Cartagena Bay. The city itself was founded June 1st, 1533 and named after Cartagena, Spain. Cartagena served a key role in the development of the region during the Spanish eras and secured a hold as a center of political and economic activity due to the presence of royalty and wealthy viceroys. In 1984, Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.