2008 SISWP Federation Conference

Chaing Rai

June 6-9 2008

A JOURNEY OF UNDERSTANDING

Introduction

The conference was a fantastic and rewarding experience for me. We arrived in two coaches from the airport, preceded by a security escort, to our conference head quarters at the Dusit Island Resort. We were welcomed by Hotel staff who presented us with Frangipani leis, fellow Soroptimists who had arrived on previous days including our Federation President Lorna Mead and a local Thai Musician Band. This made us feel very special. Over the three conference days we had the opportunity to hear many keynote speakers who focused mainly on developments in Thailand, Burma and Cambodia as well as participate as voters at the Business Meetings and attend National Meetings. I became aware that many organizations are working with us to improve the lives of women and girls in this part of Asia and that most of the programmes are concerned with Education and Health to prevent the trafficking of girls.

Day One – Friday 6th June

Lynn Ciurlionis, SI Dusit, Conference Chair opened the proceedings by welcoming all clubs and introduced fellow MC’s Valerie McKenzie and Gill Barrington. Then the arrival of the Official Party commenced which included our International President, Margaret Lobo and distinguished guests from local business and community programmes and keynote speakers. The flag bearers representing all the participating countries followed. Once flags were in place the Thai National Anthem was played followed by traditional Thai dancing performed by 9-12 year old students from a local dancing school.

The official opening of the conference was performed by the first distinguished guest speaker Mechai Viravaidya from the Population Development Association.

Federation President – Lorna Mead

Lorna welcomed everyone to Chaing Rai and gave reasons why SISWP had selected Thailand for the Conference. Firstly, because Asian clubs had become an integral part of the Federation and secondly, because it was close to our Federation Project – Hands Across the Border. She said that with only 12 countries it was small compared to other Federations but nevertheless was a great powerhouse. She continued by providing examples of ways the different countries promote soroptimism.

Australia	nearly 100 clubs displaying neutrality in political and religious matters within their projects.
Fiji	setting up projects despite facing many challenges especially political unrest.
Hong Kong	working through China to provide education for girls living in remote villages in the mountains.
Indonesia	despite having a small presence have excelled themselves in rebuilding Lamreh village post tsunami, providing houses, schools, roads and power costing $1.8 million US and leaving a continuing training schedule.
Malaysia	all clubs focusing on prevention of violence against women.
Mongolia	two clubs helping women to build their own houses.
New Zealand	20 clubs all working in harmony with the indigenous population.
Papua New Guinea	establishing the first ever safe refuge for abused women as part of the Halt Family Violence Project and ensuring continued education.
Singapore	a country working with a contrast of nations.
Samoa & Solomon Islands	addressing high illiteracy rate and health issues.
Thailand	three clubs working on numerous projects involving improved education and health to halt trafficking.

Keynote Speakers

1. Mechai Viravaidya introduced by Kay Drysdale

He founded PDA (Population Development Association) in 1974 to provide assistance for the rural poor by setting up family planning education for women. With the onset of the Aids epidemic its work changed to prevention. He set up the Cabbages and Condoms restaurants to provide funds for PDA work and education of young girls and boys in the area of hospitality. The Soroptimists became involved in his work through the S.I.A.M. (Soroptimist International Aids Mediation) Quadrennial Project in 1995.

He outlined the progress made since 1995. 300 villages have been set up to provide education and training skills in business matters as well as health care and environmental protection. This development should curtail and eventually prevent trafficking and break down barriers between victims of HIV aids and local communities.

He then explained how this set up worked:

1. Through institutional development where a village development committee is elected to plan and develop activities in partnership with other sponsors. This is a town planning activity after which the project is self assessed. Females account for 50% of representatives which include youth, middle aged and elders. i.e. Youth Government, Village Development Bank, Health and Education Committee and Council of Elders.
2. Through Environment Protection – every tree planted is equivalent to $145.
3. Through Economic Development – providing business skills by developing Barefoot MBA qualifications and village bank development. Access to credit for women must be a human right so by providing labour as collateral, working for a day doing jobs such as pig raising, curry paste mulching and tree planting, credit can be obtained and in turn put into money making projects. Money generated from this scheme is used as follows: 50% back into the village development, 50% into health care and education for children and the elderly.

   Through economic development positive partnerships occur between banks and the community – generating loans and raising income so reducing discrimination.

4. Through Health Care – the project promotes basic rules of hygiene by providing toothbrushes, school lunches and balanced meals to primary school children in the southern states of Thailand where 90% of them have health problems.
5. Through Education – each village must set aside 30% of profits for scholarships and school fees. Computer Based Technical Learning Centers train trainers and they then charge to provide training so creating a business. Also centers teach cloth weaving, sewing and business skills. (DVD available on this project).

2. Mary Buchanan introduced by Barbara Phillips

Dr Buchanan is a Soroptimist from Engalnd who was International Liaison responsible for Quadrennial Project SIAM 1995 – 2000 and has worked with Khun Mechai.

Her presentation reviewed the Project from its early beginnings in 1993 to the present day.

In 1974 Thailands population growth was 3% and so it was important to introduce family planning programmes. Today the growth has reduced to 0.6%. Dr Buchanan gave reasons why the Chaing Rai province with 1.3 million people, 1600+ villages had the highest AIDS infection rate. The main reason was rural to urban migration in which human trafficking played an important part. Girls were sent away by their parents to obtain money and help their families. The employers paid good money to their parents so this practice became very common and popular. As unprotected sex was the norm HIV became rife and passed on from lorry drivers to their wives and children. Aids babies were abandoned. The Government sought to address the problem by raising awareness of AIDS and temple hospices established to deal with AIDS victims, because AIDS victims were ostracized by local communities, gradually intervention measures were put into place to reduce financial pressure to parents and provide scholarships for girls at risk of being trafficked. New skills were taught to help the girls gain economic independence.

In 1993 the Doi Lan South District was formed. This was further extended through the SIAM Quadrennial Project funded by SIGBI and UK Lottery grand initially and supported by the four year donation from Soroptimists worldwide.

SIAM Project

Main target group are girls between 12 and 25 years of age, community leaders and senior members. It was publicized through a Mobile Information Dissemination Team travelling throughout the province.

To date the projects education development is as follows:

• 1475 Schools
• 292 Comprehensive Colleges
• 217 Vocational Colleges
• 116 Senior High Schools
• 58 Junior High Schools

As a result of these developments, village bank committees have been set up and business skills enhanced through selling products. Girls can make money to support themselves and greatly reduce the rise of being trafficked to the cities.

Dr Buchanan concluded that this has been a most successful project and one which is continuing to help these girls who are at risk. She then introduced some of the scholarship girls and invited them to talk about their experiences in the project and their hopes for the future.

3. Dr. Jean D’Cunha was introduced by Eileen Mitchell

Dr. Jean D’Cunha is the Regional Programme Director of UNIFEM East and South East Asia and whose research and presentations on gender sensitive trafficking have greatly influenced government action in India.

Her theme was changing consciousness and practice: boys and men as partners in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. She believes the boys and girls should participate equally in equal opportunities discussion to enrich communities in their understanding of the issues, and that equality can only be achieved through equal access to opportunities, resources and benefits. In this way women can become empowered to see themselves as people with human rights and understanding what rights are violated and what mechanisms exist to gain relevant information.

More women should participate in government and take an active part in crucial decisions. She outlined some positives which have emerged in recent years – formation of Council of the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Ratification of International Human Rights State Committees, all promoting gender equality. She stated that even though there are more upwardly mobile women today, statistics show that of the total world population, for every one man, two women are illiterate; Southern Asia has the highest number of maternal deaths; more women than men have health issues, of all people living in poverty 70% are women; one in three women suffer abuse or violence or are forced into sex.

Although worldwide legislation has increased to aid gender equality it is not implemented effectively. She stressed the need to work with men to address issues of gender equality including those concerning gays, feminine orientated men and house husbands. She believes that role models lead to wholesome families and that this would be achieved through celebrating men and boys as part of the solution to violence, tapping into their sense of responsibility and peer pressure, creating space where both sexes can talk freely about masculinity and femininity, addressing multiple needs and encouraging men to work together with women and other disadvantaged groups.

She then described the Hotline Foundation in Thailand, a programme for men to raise their awareness of gender issues and to give advice and the Cambodia Men’s Network, a community awareness raising programme on domestic violence, monitoring and reporting incidents.

4. International Presidents Address – Margaret Lobo was introduced by Chris Paton

Margaret began by congratulating everyone on their achievements and outlined some of the developments taken place since she became a Soroptimist 33 years ago. She mentioned the first Quadrennial Project 1975-79 (Maldives Project), the first Presidents Appeal in 1982 and that since 1993 all projects have been war related i.e. Limbs for Life, Project Independence – women survivors of war and Project Sierra. She then talked about her visit to Sierra Leone in February, how the project is providing catering courses, tie and dye skills, uniform sewing, all making women more independent and developing business skills at the same time. Freetown, the capital, has a centre where boys and girls have been rescued from trafficking and are learning skills to improve their lives. Also everywhere in the capital there are signs which say Keep the State Aids Free.

She then talked about her President’s Appeal – Restoring Dignity. At Adis Ababa Hospital 95% of girls can be cured by ensuring they have a cesarean, the other 5% who cannot get medical cure and cannot marry can go to the Desta Mender Village where the Soroptimist Int. support them, provide them with a home and an education to achieve some independence.

To date $200,000 has been raised, $30,000 from SISWP. She concluded her presentation by examining the future of SI and recommended the following:

Increased membership; quality membership and retention of membership; recognition as a focus for women; consultation with Governments and Authorities; working towards one focus; reporting correctly using the database, using Programme Focus to select projects and working together for women and girls to make this a success.

5. Helen Hutchins was introduced by Maggie Mitchell

Helen is the Project Co-ordinator of Hands Across the Border. She began by introducing fellow workers within the project: Lynn Ciurlionis, SI Dusit and Sokoeun Suom and his wife Sorephea Ley from the SI Office of Phnom Pehn Cambodia.

She then outlined the location of the project and updated us on its progress. The project is located as Sampovloun, three hours NE of Bangkok by road and is supported by the Thai Army and Cambodia officials, making it accessible for SI helpers. Sampouloun Village is fairly isolated and poor transport causes problems.

1. The School has 2 x 3 hr classes per day for 1600 pupils. To date the classrooms have been painted, pumps and water pipes installed and toilets built. School supplies and sports facilities have been provided, water filters installed in each classroom and toilets are being cleaned daily. The teachers are provided with clothes and food. This project is developing self-esteem through education. Four teachers have been trained by H.A.B. with the assistance of the Australian Education Training Programme and more places have been offered. Computers and DVD’s will be installed soon.
2. The Hospital – to date there have been 40 deliveries in the Maternity Unit, water filters provided in wards, wards have been painted and a newly trained doctor is in residence. Bangkok hospital has donated some equipment.
3. Role of SI Office in Phnom Penh – to establish partnerships. Sokoeun has translated the SI Constitution and registered the office as an NGO with him and his wife Sorephea as Directors. He reports on the progress of the project.

Helen continued to present what she sees as the main focus of the Project for the next two years. It hopes to provide skills by using Doctors and Nurses to identify potential leaders in students; develop Year 9 status in schools; provide equal opportunity for girls in Higher Education; improve transport and pathways; refurbish the operating theatre; review and provide equipment; teach the benefits of using toilets and clean water safely; add more wells and toilets and continue to collect demographic information.

She outlined the goals of the project which are:

• Employ Bi-lingual Co-ordinator;
• Improve publicity through a website;
• Amass $60,000 over two years to cover the budget;
• Increase volunteer teamwork – 14 Soroptimists are going out as a group to assist.

The Director of H.A.B. Sokoeun gave a brief presentation. He outlined that the NGO will develop Cambodia by degrees. At present his is focusing on gender training, internet connection, providing courses on Fashion Design, Petro Chemical Engineering and Teaching. He said that in Cambodia, volunteers for the project include 10 local people and three Australian businesses. His department works closely with the Soroptimists through Hands Across the Border.

SISWP 30th Anniversary Celebration

As part of this Pearl Anniversary a selected chronological order of club charters and their achievements was presented by President Elect Leigh Ellwood-Brown, starting from the first club to be chartered SI Sydney in 1937 to the latest one, SI Lakota Fiji chartered this year. This was followed by the cutting of the anniversary cake.

Friendship Night

This consisted of local Thai food and entertainment provided by local Thai dancers and musicians. A good night was had by all even though the venue had to be changed at the last minute due to inclement weather. The flower decorations and food carvings were quite spectacular. Attention to detail was excellent.

Day Two – Saturday 7th June

1. SIPD Dawn Marie Lemonds was introduced by Jenny Hughes

This presentation focused on new programme directions for the Programme Focus International.

She outlined that Soroptimists are the “on the ground workers” throughout the world and that they have represented our organization on boards such as UNESCO, Human Rights, UN Crime Task Force etc. The main aim of Programmes is to improve communication; share good practice and get ideas for setting up projects by providing websites and databases. She stressed that teamwork is essential for success. She outlined UN focus work 2007-2008; Climate Change, Food For the World, Human Trafficking and Financing for Gender Equality and that Soroptimists do have a voice here and can learn from the other organizations.

Following Dawn Marie Lemonds, Jenny Hughes briefly explained how International fits in with the Federation role by using skype, data bases, span, and articles for International Soroptimist.

Then Margaret Cook, our UN Representative, explained how through attending relevant meetings, updates on relevant projects and materials could be obtained. She said that for the next UN meeting in Paris in December 2008, she will have a folder showing delegates what Soroptimists have done addressing this issue.

Funds Raised for Quadrennial Projects

Examples were given: Project Punjab $277,154 US and Restoring Dignity $200,000 US

Margaret stressed the importance of sharing information e.g. at start of the data base there were 35 projects on Human Trafficking, now there are 135.

After these presentations of Programmes the delegates, proxies and attendees of the Conference had a brief opportunity to do group work where we shared one of our clubs projects with another by discussing; research – the driving force behind the choice; measurement – how successful was it, what did we learn; and international focus – where.

To conclude Dawn Marie stressed the need to promote International Projects to the outside world through press releases and publicity. As clubs we need to be clear on where we are now and how do we fund raise. She said that a Project is a planned event that needs rationale and measurement of success. It is also an activity e.g. a one off fundraiser to launch a project or to disseminate an existing project to the local community. She said the next UN meeting in Paris marks the 60th Anniversary of Human Rights focus and the topics for discussion will be; HIV Aids; Carers (related to men) and how much money governments are allocating to them; Human Trafficking; Poverty; Gender Financing.

2. Barbara Boston – Training and Development Convener for SISWP

They gave a brief outline on Advocacy – awareness and Protocols. She gave advice on how to go about advocacy effectively by thorough planning and commitment by members and whole communities before addressing a specific issue or national Government. She stressed that persistence pays off, campaigns are useful and must be carefully planned with set deadlines and progress checked to enable forward planning.

3. Doreen Todd – Extension Convener for SISWP

They stated that Clubs showed recruits for skills, expertise and commitment and that prospective members need to be aware of what is expected of them within our organization. She named the three clubs nominated for the Extension Award – Port Hedland, Joondalup and Mongolia and presented a special Pearl anniversary Region Best Practice Award to SI Fiji

4. Christine Johnstone, Michelle Jansen and Ralda Furzin – Launch of new SISWP Website

Christine outlined the methods of using the website a. Public Access Area which will include information on SI Events, Images, National – Region – Club websites and public download b. SI Member Area will contain contact information, expertise, images, members download area etc. She explained that club secretaries could update on line members positions after AGM and new members after payment. A tour of the website was shown to the audience. She explained a password will be needed and that the President, Secretary and Treasurer will have the right to update on the site.

5. Extra Presentation – Pap Smear Project and Good Samaritan Hospital – Solomon Islands.

This was a joint project between SI Lombardy in Italy and the Lions Club, The speaker had visited the islands and identified that many women in their 40’s were dying of cervical cancer. Her dream was to establish a project to eradicate the problem. Today this dream has become a reality.

6. Dame Carol Kidu, Minister for Community Development in PNG

They gave a presentation concerning strategies to improve access to gender equality in developing countries. Her chief credentials were being the only female MP out of 109 members in PNG and being the recipient of the Pacific Person of the Year Award 2007. She described PNG as a land of complex challenges, the culture still conservative and patriarchal that favors men in all aspects. She said that in some Pacific areas women are worse off now than before and that she is now working on a new situational Analysis on women and children to try and address the issue. Female candidates for Parliament have increased from 4 to 104 but have not been elected. She believed that change could only happen if communities own their future and are involved in government decisions. She said that self-employment empowers women to go forward. Soroptimists can assist by : Ownership of Issue – Partnership to Address Issues- Empowering – Networking.

In PNG a team has been established to put this into place – the MADCAT (Make A Difference as Change Agent Team.

7. SI Programme in Northern Thailand

1. Buakhao White Lotus Foundation – Catherine Nickburte. Catherine gave a history of the project and described its main features. It was created in Geneva Switzerland in 1993 as a rescue and rehabilitation programme for children who had been trafficked in N Thailand and Burma. It is similar to the SIAM project of 1995 outlined earlier. To date, 150 girls have been protected from trafficking, taken care of, educated and had their health monitored. Most of the funds raised come from having a regular Thai market in Switzerland, selling hand made goods from the Buakhas project. The foundation has offered apprenticeships in pig farming, honey making and textiles at the Child Protection Centre.
   Brochure available on this project.
2. SI Bangkok have provided dormitories in some of the schools in N. Thailand so that pupils did not have to walk 3 to 3 hours to school and assist with more effective study.

Business Meeting

1. Outcome of Elections and Motions

Elections

• President Elect – Yvonne Simpson
• Programme Director – Jenny Hughes
• Treasurer – une Kenni
• Convener Extension – Lynn Curlionis
• Convener Constitution – Anousha
• Convener Finance – Carolyn Hudson
• Convener Publicity – Audrey McCallum
• Convener Leadership and Training – Barbara Boston
• Co-ordinator Economic and Social Development – Janet Askern
• Co-ordinator Human Rights and Status of Women – Berenice Ritchie
• Co-ordinator Environment – Robyn Cain
• Co-ordinator International Goodwill and Understanding – Jenny Van Driel
• Co-ordinator Health – Esther Bryan
• Co-ordinator Education – Theresa Lyford
• Assistant Programme Directors – Robyn Cain and Isla Winarto
• Australian National Rep – Margaret Smith
• Project 5-0 – Helena Cheuh

Motions

As listed at May’s Club Business Meeting – 125 Delegates and Proxies representing 12 countries were present. 83 votes gave 2/3 majority on motion voting.

1. carried
2. lost
3. carried
4. carried
5. carried
6. carried
7. carried
8. carried
9. lost
10. carried after motion was reworded
11. carried after motion was reworded
12. carried
13. carried
14. withdrawn
15. carried after motion was reworded
16. carried
17. carried
18. lost
19. lost
20. carried

2. General Business

Elaine Moffat from the Strategic Planning Group presented a vision for 2021. She said that at present there are 92,000 members worldwide and that since the International Convention in Glasgow the Strategic Planning Board have been working to unify members through purposes of mission, visions, values and competencies. All our projects should reflect this. The SPB are recommending for the period 2011 to 2121, a tightening of our focus by concentrating on empowering women and girls through projects which reflect gender equality, especially through education. She reminded members that the SI website has a copy of a slide show showing some of our projects.

Carolyn Hudson – Finance Convener stated that accounts will be sent to clubs in the next two weeks. She gave out the following figures.

Working Account / General Funds – $1 million, mainly capitation fees:
Federation Account Donations – $195,000
Projects – $113,000
Paid Out – $164,000

Day Three – Sunday 8th June

1. National Meetings

The morning began with national meetings, Australia and New Zealand individually and smaller countries grouped together. The SI Australia meeting was led by our National Rep Janice Lee. She outlined our finance position, $9930.35 in the bank and thanked all clubs for responding to various surveys. She welcomed Margaret Smith from SI Canberra as the new National Rep. Margaret then continued to address our meeting. She is avidly looking for people with expertise on submissions to assist her with lobbying. She stressed it was important to lobby on issues through other organizations e.g. N.C.W. and that our National website will provide sample letters with striplines. Referring to insurance, the Regions will have a supply of cards for travel insurance for members travelling on SI business. She said the nominations for the next National Rep will be out in November. She shared an excellent piece of news – that the Thai Parliament had passed an Act making Trafficking illegal and that she will be sending a congratulations letter to the Government on our behalf.

Referring to projects, our SI Rep asked clubs to consider countries with no resources or skills to move forward.

2. Working Towards Gender Equity – Are We There Yet? How Much Further To Go?

A forum discussion with Nhean Sochetra, Vanessa Griffen and Dame Carol Kidu, chaired by Robyn Cain.

1. Vanessa Griffen presented some facts which showed we have a long way to go. These are as follows:
   • Economically, women are the poorest of poor and not represented in many Parliaments – the main decision making bodies. Worldwide only 30% of MP’s are women with New Zealand at 32.2% being the greatest, followed by Afghanistan 27.3%. In Asia, Thailand has 10.6%, Cambodia 9.8%, Malaysia 9.1%.
   • Violence against women is the greatest barrier to gender equality.
   • Discrimination is common in many cultures and what needs to happen is a removal of these barriers and creation of support and acknowledgement of the demand of equality.
   • Literacy for women is a major indicator of equality and from this flows progress.
   • Discriminatory laws need to be abolished.
   • Provision needs to be made to support economic empowerment by providing credit facilities.
   • Land rights and inheritance rights need to be changed to ensure women have equal rights with men.
   • Health – equal access to health and related services needs to be in place.
     
     Certain commitments have been made through Millennium Goals i.e. Eradication of Hunger, Provision of Primary Education, Child Mortality Reduction, HIV Programmes, improved Medical Facilities and Maternal Health. We need to work towards their implementation by having national plans of action in place to examine review and monitor these goals.
     
     She went on to say that trafficking is a direct result of gender inequalities and that in Asia women are in a worse position despite economic growth. She concluded that the way forward is to revisit the Millennium Goals, check on dates for each one and be aware that Governments are obliged to commit.
2. Nhean Sochetru – Director of Gender Equity Department, Minister of Women’s Affairs – Kingdom of Cambodia.

   Nhean gave a brief overview of events in Cambodia. She began by saying that women are over represented in informal economies but receive little recognition in government. They have a low literacy rate and increased economic migration has increased trafficking and sexual exploitation. Poor health and HIV aids are rife.

   Although education has seen an improved enrolment rate this has been mainly from higher income groups. Drop out rates for girls are high, violence is widespread and tolerated and there is little support provided to ease this problem. Although the number of women in politics is improving. It is still low as it is in executive and judicial areas. She explained that mechanisms have been set up now to address these issues e.g. establishment of Ministry of Women’s Affairs, national Council of Women, Technical Working Groups on Gender and an Action and Planning Group supporting gender mainstreaming. She hoped these mechanisms would cultivate a national commitment towards gender equality. The next stage is to gain empowerment for women. Recently the Cambodian Government has prevented foreigners from marrying Cambodian women.

3. Dr Jane Edwards – Project Co-ordinator and Chief Medical Officer for the Haven Medical Programme

She gave a presentation about the plight of Burmese refugees and how this programme is going some way to help these people. Firstly, a DVD was shown. She began her talk by defining that a refugee is a displaced person living outside their country. Most of them live in countries closest to their home country. In East Burma 1 million people have been displaced, most of them living in refugee camps in Thailand. At present there are nine official camps with up to 50,000 people often segregated into ethnic groups. Dr. Edwards then presented a case study of a thirty nine year old Burmese lady who fled Burma when she was 11 years old to Thailand. During her stay in Thailand genocide has been rife in Burma. She has moved to three different camps, she is from the Karen tribe and feels isolated. She has three children who go to school in the camp where she helps to teach. There are constant problems with lack of medical facilities and staff. People do not get treated unless they are dying. She is now registered with the UN but her future looks dim as the plight of refugees is a complicated issue. Countries tend to prefer skilled people so she will have to wait.

Situations at the camps are pretty grim – there is insufficient water, food allowance consists of rice and salt, there are insufficient toilets and those in existence are unhygienic, most jobs or tasks at the camps are female orientated – carers, teacher assistants, gardeners so men do not usually work.

4. Sr Joan Evans – Urban Poverty in Bangkok – Slums Mission

She explained that the aim of the Slums Mission is to assist children today to help themselves tomorrow. She showed us pictures of living conditions in the slums, people living alongside canals and near expressways. Her mission provides a Food and Fares programme which include rice, fish, eggs, fish sauce and oil. The programme was developed to encourage children to attend school and keep them there everyday. It provides books, transport costs, lunch and uniforms. At present 500 children are involved and five students have graduated from Technical High School and two gone to University.

800 bht buys two uniforms, shoes and a school bag.

5. Berenice Ritchie – Project Co-ordinator – Project 5-0.

She outlined the organizations involved, the work and projects which are in place. It started in 1980 and involved BPW, ICW, Zonta, SI, IFUW. In SISWP the following are examples of projects in hand.

• Samoa – Treadle machines, uniforms, house items and cooking facilities have been provided at St. Mary’s Catholic School.
• PNG – A learning Centre has been set up managed by SI Lae.
• Thailand – houses and tuk tuks replaced at a fishing village close to Phuket post the tsunami.
• In Australia, the main focus of Project 5-0 is to raise its awareness and work co-operatively in advocacy.

6. Chris Knight – Project Sierra Co-ordinator

She provided us with an overview of the project – Hope and Homes for Children. Started by Mark and Caroline Cook to help children orphaned by the war. She said there will be a study tour in 2009 to see the projects development. The target is to raise $1 million US. To date $90,000 has been raised.
More information on this project can be provided by SI Helena.

7. Best Practice Awards for SISWP

• International Award for Extension – SI Port Hedland
• International Award for Economic and Social Development – SI Bangkok – Cross Stitch Programme
• International Award for Education – SI Geelong – Year 10 Mentor Seminar
• International Award for Environment – SI New Plymouth – Tiny Trees
• International Award for Health – SI Torrens – Arranges Bibi Maternal Packs.
• International Award for Human Rights and Status of Women – SI Fremantle – Women’s Legal Referral Service
• International Award for International Goodwill and Understanding – SI Pine Rivers – Russian Orphanage Art Works.

SI Jakarta received a special award for rebuilding Lamreh Village.

Helen Hutchins received a special award for Hands Across the Border involvement.

Dr. Jane Zimmerman received an Honorary Life Membership.

8. On Line Reporting System was explained by Robyn Cain.

9. Leigh Ellwood Brown – Federation President 2008 – 2010

She gave a short talk concentrating on the Millennium Development Goals and suggested members Google the Development Goals to get more information on each one:

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal Primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Control HIV Aids

She stressed the importance of leadership development within our clubs and communities by ensuring we have a professional knowledge and skill base group. She stated clubs need to concentrate on increasing membership as SISWP has lost 30% of its members. She concluded by inviting us all to the next SISWP Conference on the Gold Coast in April 2010.

The formalities of the Conference were concluded by President Lorna Mead and this was followed by the flag ceremony. The Gala dinner in the evening was indeed a grand affair, classical music, exquisite ice carvings and decorations, Thai dancing and of course a tasty banquet. A good evening was had by all. During the proceedings out going officers handed over to their successors.

Overall a fantastic experience for a first timer.

It was a pleasure and honor to represent SI Helena at this prestigious Conference of Clubs and I hope my Report will reflect the themes and activities covered over the three-day event.

Krystyna Kerr
President 2008