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INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR CHILD WELFARE
PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
May, 2007
Dear Friends,
Since I last communicated with you, the Executive Committee of
IFCW has met together for its semi-annual face to face meeting in
New Delhi, India. For those of you who are new to IFCW, it is tradition
for the Executive Committee to meet in the country which will be
hosting this year’s upcoming WorldForum. Our meetings typically
last for two and half days covering various points of business for
the organization. As well, this mid year face to face meeting provides
a first hand opportunity to observe the venue for the upcoming WorldForum
and review all planning details with the hosting organization. The
meeting, which was held on March 6 and 7 in New Delhi and attended
by all but one member of the executive committee, was extremely
successful on both fronts.
The IFCW Fund
With the untimely death of our Past President, Rolando Quiros,
we started our meeting by honouring him and his extraordinary contribution
to our cause. It has been suggested by a number of our members that
we set up a memorial fund in Rolando’s honour to which individuals
and organizations might contribute to remember him. This original
concept was further developed in a proposal by Alan Davis, long
standing IFCW supporter and leader. Following discussion, the Executive
Committee concluded that an IFCW Fund be established to honour our
leaders and accept donations that can be used to enhance IFCW and
member capacity. I am pleased to advise you that the Mannerheim
League of Finland has provided a generous donation to mark the beginning
of this new fund and Rolando’s exceptional leadership over
the years.
Membership Fees
Membership invoices have been mailed to you for the current year
by our treasurer, Sharon Osborne from her office at 3300 NE 65th
Street, Seattle, Washington 98115, USA. To ensure receipt, these
have been forwarded by both email and regular mail. Please respond
by providing your payment for this year at your earliest convenience.
As previously stated, the membership dues are very reasonable given
the benefits of belonging to IFCW for you and your organization.
Overhead for IFCW is extremely low as a result of the extraordinary
volunteer effort of the executive and other key members of the IFCW.
Membership in IFCW provides you with a critical link to like minded
leaders and advocates for children and youth worldwide. It also
gives you a reduced rate for the upcoming WorldForum2007. Your dues
help to ensure we are properly connected and present at the United
Nations, both in New York and Geneva, and helps us to maintain and
develop ongoing communication with members worldwide through our
website and related avenues.
Plans for IFCW’s new membership exchange program are developing
under the leadership of our Vice President, Eeva Kuuskoski with
the assistance of other IFCW members. More detail on this front
will be forthcoming at our General Assembly meeting in August of
this year. Our links and representation with the United Nations
have been strengthened this year with the additional participation
of the following individuals: for New York, Elba Montalvo and Sharon
Osborne; for Geneva, Catriona Williams and Maarit Kuikka. By relying
on members of IFCW who are within close proximity of the two headquarters,
we are able to keep costs down and maximize representation. At its
March meeting the Executive Committee reviewed the Bylaws and rules
of procedure pertaining to the NGO Committee on UNICEF and also
committed to renewing IFCW’s membership and our participation
with this vital organization.
Website Management
Over the past several months, IFCW has been transferring the responsibility
for web site development and oversight to its local member, Deepalaya,
in India. The decision to centre this responsibility in India followed
a review of options and consideration of strategic planning and
related issues the previous year. The transfer took a while to effect
and has finally been completed. At our Executive Committee meeting
in Delhi, considerable time was devoted to a review of current and
future content, direction and technological options. To remain relevant
and connected to its membership worldwide, the internet and our
web presence was identified as a major priority by our membership.
Please visit our site at www.ifcw.org for a look at the current
content.
Preparation for WorldForum2007
The rest of our meeting was devoted to plans for the upcoming WorldForum
which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi, August 21 to 24,
2007. T.K. Mathew and his staff are to be commended for taking leadership
in spear heading this year’s event. A committee of local NGOs
in India and an international advisory committee have been working
closely with T.K., Deepalaya and its staff to ensure this year’s
meeting will be a success. Applications have been made to various
funding and government bodies to support the participation of members
from developing countries. For current information on this year’s
program, accommodation, funding opportunities as well as related
travel and tourism options, please go to the website at www.worldforum2007.org.
If you have not already done so, please register at the WorldForum
website and save the date.
Preliminary discussions with regard to WorldForum2008 have been
undertaken at the Executive Committee. Plans are underway with Deputy
Chair Catriona Williams and Children In Wales with a view to that
organization and country hosting at that time.
We want to hear from you
The IFCW exists to address the needs of it membership who have
devoted their mission to serving the needs of children and youth
worldwide. We strive to support you in that endeavour and welcome
any suggestions that you might have to improve in that regard. If
you have any suggestions, questions or comments or are interested
in becoming more involved in the work of IFCW, please feel free
to get to me at brivers@cltoronto.ca
I look forward to seeing you in New Delhi in August…..
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce Rivers
President
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