Letter to participants
January 30, 2007
Dear Friends,
Thank you for participating in the Rapaport International Diamond Conference.
This year’s conference will be very different from anything you have ever experienced. We will move well beyond the world of 47th street and the business of diamonds to West Africa and the lives, needs and challenges of artisanal diamond diggers. You will not hear speakers talk about the usual economic and marketing topics.
You will hear and participate in discussions and debates with leading NGO’s, government development experts and leaders of the diamond trade about ethical sourcing, corporate responsibility and what the diamond industry can and should do to help the poorest people in the world. We will confront the most difficult issues head on. You will leave this conference more knowledgeable about the most complex and difficult humanitarian issues challenging the diamond trade and civilized society.
Although we will be hearing from speakers, the mode of this conference will be discussion and debate. This is a working conference designed to achieve consensus among governments, NGO’s and the diamond trade. Frankly, you are participating in an historic event.
The conference will be held at New York Hilton Hotel, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, Trianon Ballroom – Third Floor.
In this letter you will find the following information attached: Schedule, Delegates, Agenda, Gallery exhibit, Additional Information, Follow up meeting and Contact details.
Yours Truly
Martin Rapaport
Gallery Exhibit:
A photo exhibit. “Faces - Sierra Leone – 2006.” will be open from 8:00 am through 4:30 pm.
Contacts:
Secretariat:
Sherri Hendricks - +1-702-893-9400
conference@diamonds.net
Jeff Miller +1-212-439-6190, Mordy Rapaport +1-917-922-0517 (day of conference)
media@diamonds.net
Rapaport New York Office
Davian +1-212-354-9100
Davian@diamonds.net