On Friday April 22nd, The 450 participants present at the World Assembly 2016 in Jesolo elected a new Chair. He is the first Emmaus international Chair in the history of the Movement to come from a developing country.
Patrick Atohoun, community leader of Emmaus Pahou in Benin, has been chosen as president of Emmaus International. In a solemn and moving ceremony, the previous president Jean Rousseau passed the Abbé Pierre's walking stick, symbol for humility and support, to the new president, who reminded those present to “work together” while promising to “listen and amplify the voice of each region.”
Participants also elected a new “Wise Person’s Committee,” which serves for four years. The following people were elected: Koudbi Koala, from Emmaus Benebnooma, in Burkina Faso, for the region of Africa; Luis Tenderini, from Emmaus Recife, in Brazil, for the region of the Americas; Oswald Quintal, from Emmaus Kudumbam, in India, for the region of Asia; and Birgitta Göranson-Iliste, from Emmaus Svalorna, in Sweden, for the region of Europe.
