On November 10-13, GCIV had the honor of hosting Dr. Maria Beleza, Vice President of the Portuguese Parliament and former Minister of Health. Dr. Beleza came to Atlanta in preparation for her new career as President of the Sommer-Champalimaud Foundation. The foundation was created earlier this year when Portuguese millionaire Antonio Champalimaud bequeathed its formation in his will. Dr. Beleza and newly-appointed Board Member, Mr. Joao Silveira Botelho, came to the United States to learn about the operations of successful foundations, especially those in the health and medical research fields. The new Portuguese foundation will have a focus on ophthalmology research since Mr. Champalimaud became blind later in life.

administrators. First, they visited the Emory Eye Center and met with an Ophthalmology Research Administator with whom they discussed the operations of medical research and current eye conditions and diseases being investigated. Next, they met with staff at the CDC Foundation and explored operations of a foundation that primarily funds medical research.

Subsequently, Dr. Beleza and Mr. Botelho met with staff at the American Cancer Society where they had the opportunity to learn about the structure of the organization, how it maintains its funding, and how and it sponsors research. Then they met with the President of the Robert F. Woodruff Foundation to speak about the operations of the foundation and the administration of their health and human service grants. Finally, they met with the Director of Community Partnerships at the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. Here they discussed the Community Foundation's experience in administering health grants.

The creation of the Sommer-Champalimaud Foundation is an exciting new chapter in the development of Portuguese civil society. We hope that the contacts made in Atlanta will help the very capable Dr. Beleza and Mr. Botelho establish this incredible new organization.