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INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR CHILD WELFARE
San José, Costa Rica, January 3, 2005
Dear Colleagues:
Southern Asia.
One cannot remain passive on the face of a catastrophe like the
one just inflicted upon the peoples of Southern Asia by the quake
and the tsunamis.
IFCW cannot remain passive on the face of this
tragedy, either. On behalf of all members I have expressed to the
authorities of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand our most
sincere condolences for the loss of so many lives and our solidarity
with the efforts of reconstruction on the difficult days and months
ahead.
For a moment I thought of taking a more active role in relation
with the relief efforts, but then I realized that we do not have
in place, at present, the necessary infrastructure to be able to
handle such an effort and that to do so would be irresponsible on
our part. Each member, however, can (and I am sure many are doing
so already) provide assistance through his or her national or international
contacts. UNICEF, OXFAM, RED CROSS, etc., have all established special
funds to handle donations from organizations and individuals. I
am contacting our members in India and Indonesia to obtain updated
information about needs, so that each member organization can respond
within their possibilities to this urgent effort.
My special request to each one of you is that you do report back
to us information about the assistance you are providing, including
type and amount being allocated to this emergency, so that we can
quantify IFCW's member's efforts.
WorldForum 2005, Tallinn, Estonia
By now you should have received a small desk calendar with a reminder
of the dates of this year's WorldForum, which marks our "return
to Europe". I am encouraged by the response that I have received
from many members that were not able to attend the previous event
but that are making plans to be in Tallinn in September. Please
mark your agenda with the dates of WorldForum 2005 (September 19-23)
so that you do not miss this meeting with your peers and a chance
to learn about Europe's latest advances in relation to child welfare.
Infant Mortality: 0
During the last couple of decades Costa Rica has been able to
lower its infant mortality rate to figures similar to those shown
by developed nations. (10.2 deaths for each 1.000 live births) This
has been the result of an extended network of basic health posts,
introduction of potable water services to almost all the population
and a campaign to encourage mothers to avail themselves of pre-natal
care and to vaccinate all children. The case of Costa Rica has been
the subject of studies and numerous visits from health officers
of other developing nations.
As a curiosity that merits being mentioned, there is one "canton"
(a municipal district, of which there are 81 in Costa Rica) of the
Province of Alajuela that shows an infant mortality rate of "0"
for the past year. This accomplishment has been possible due to
the community's involvement in health-related issues and to the
support received from national authorities.
Perhaps IFCW should make an effort to recognize
and encourage these types of efforts by a person or a community.
Any suggestions?
Executive Committee .
For your convenience I am including with this letter an updated
version of the composition of the Executive Committee for 2005,
as well as the names and addresses of the persons that represent
IFCW in the United Nations. Please keep this document close at hand
for future reference.
For your information, this year's mid-term meeting of the Executive
Committee will take place in March, instead of the customary date
of early February. This is due to the fact that since this year
we are changing Treasurer we wish to be able to receive and study
the independent audit report for the year 2004 and for this we have
to provide some additional time for the auditors to finish their
work. The meeting will take place in Tallinn, Estonia to discuss
with our Estonian colleagues the details of WF 2005.
I close this letter with my best wishes for a New Year full of
accomplishments and personal health to each and every one of you.
Rolando Quirós F.
PRESIDENT
____________________________________________________________________
IFCW * P.O. Box 393-2010 * San José, Costa
Rica.
Tel: 506 228 6601 * Fax: 506 261 9238 * e-mail
: feilat@racsa.co.cr
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