The Jaycee World Congress in Manila

Title

Language

English

Source

The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XXVI (No. 3) March 1950

Year

1950

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

The Jaycee World Congress in Manila As this issue of the Journal goes to press, the Fifth World Congress of the Junior Chamber of Commerce International, being held in Manila from March 1 to March 8, has not yet run its full course, but it is already a demonstrated fact that the Con gress here, attended by some 75 dele gates from 10 different nations, as well as by the members of the 22 Philippine chapters, will be recorded as a great success. The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philip pines, which shared with the American Embassy the honor of tendering a reception to the Jaycees, joined all Manila in welcoming the visitors and in congratulating the local body on its able management of this truly important affair. The Junior Chamber of Commerce movement, inau gurated in St. Louis in 1915, during the First World War, may be regarded as one of the most significant and hopeful developments in the field of free economic enterprise and in the field of Democracy itself. The movement spread very rapidly in the United States and in 1920 a national organization was established with a membership of around 300,000. It then spread to other countries and in 19(16, immediately after the Second World War, the International was established at the first world congress held in Panama City. Since then world congresses have been held each year,—successively in Dallas, Rio de Janeiro, Brussels, and now in Manila, though the local organization is only two years old. The most remarkable thing about this movement among the younger businessmen is the fact that it is highly idealistic and that emphasis is laid not on the narrower interests of business, but on the deep democratic interests which underlie a free economy. The Jaycee “Creed” reveals this clearly. It declares— (1) That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations; . (2) That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise; (3) That government should be of laws and not of men; (4) That earth’s great treasure lies in human personalities; (5) That service to humanity is the best work of life. The Manila Congress is dedicated to “The preserva tion of world peace and the democratic way of life”. Plans are being studied to counteract the growth of communism and there is also a movement under way to secure the out lawing of the manufacture of uranium and hydrogen bombs. There are other plans to aid in the implementation of President Truman’s “Point Four”, in assistance to “dis placed persons” who are technicians, in the exchange of scholars and professors, and in various social and welfare movements, including the prevention of juvenile delin quency. Youth, strength, enthusiasm, civic spirit, worldmindedness,—these are the sterling and inherent qualities which the Jaycees naturally draw upon, and these should take them to great achievement. We are pleased to record here that Mr. Ramon V. del Rosario, President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of the Philip pines, was unanimously elected President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce International, succeeding Mr. Theo Staar, of Bel gium. He was nominated for the office by Mr. Clifford D. Cooper, President of the United States national organization, and Mr. Hubert Harvey of Australia and Mr. William Fuller of Canada seconded the nomination. The Philippine delegation abstained from voting. Two other members of the Manila body were elect ed to International offices: Mr. Joaquin Gonzalez as SecretaryGeneral and Mr. Roberto Villanueva as Vice-President for Asia. Mr. del Rosario is General Manager of the International Busi ness Machines Corporation of the Philippines which is an active member of the American Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Villanueva is General Manager of the Manila Chronicle and Mr. Gonzalez is a member of the Law firm, McClure, Salas, and Gonzalez. Mr. William Fuller (Canada) was elected Vice-President of the International organization; Mr. Al Cahill (America), VicePresident for North America; Mr. Hubert Harvey (Australia), Vice-President for Oceania; and Mr. Paul Moreau (Belgium), Vice-President for Europe. Upon the election last month of Mr. Sy En as President of the Philippine Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, following the retirement of Mr. Alfonso Z. Messrs. Sycip, who occupied this position for many Sy En and years, Mr. Paul Wood, President of the Sycip American Chamber, wrote these two gentle men as follows: “Dear Mr. Sy: "Although we will miss seeing our good friend, Mr. Alfonso Z. Sycip, as often as has been our pleasure in the past, we are very happy to learn of your election to the Presidency of the Philippine Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, I wish to extend to you our greetings and best wishes and to assure you of our full intent to continue the close cooperative association with you and the Philippine Chinese Chamber. “Dear Mr. Sycip: “On behalf of the American Chamber of Commerce, may I extend to you our congratulations on your election as Honorary President of the Philippine Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and express also at this time our appreciation of the understanding and generous co operation we always received from you in business and civic matters during the many years you headed the Chinese Chamber as its Preident, which covered the entire life of our Chamber up to the present? “We join the members of your own community in saying of your long and active and able leadership, ‘Well done’, and trust that as Honorary President of your Chamber, we may all still expect a conti nuation of your public-spirited interest in Philippine affairs. “THE tremendous productive capacity of the United States continued to ship more t^n one the world’s exports and it imported over one-tenth of the world’s goods for its own ne s... “America’s vast economic present and future potential, the immense power to produce, particular secret formula. Producing more goods and services through the use of machme-pow P with a freely operating competitive capitalistic economy, has made this program possi e. Exporter. 97

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