Volume 2, July 2006 - EHC

Volume 2, July 2006Besides the World CongressA report of the WFH’s Global NMO Training 2006For a couple of years now,the Global NMO Trainingsorganized by the WFH presentone of the most importantevents related to hemophiliaadvocacy, educationand social networking on aninternational basis – surpassedmaybe only by the WFHWorld Congress. This year’sTraining, held during threedays prior to the WorldCongress in Vancouver,Canada, was exceptional inmore than one sense: With approximately 110participants from 80 countries it was one of thelargest educational events in the history of theWFH; for the first time workshops and trainingsessions were especially adapted to the diverseneeds of NMOs situated in emerging or establishedcountries; and in addition to that a specialfocus was set on the promotion of youth leadership.Day one of the Training started with somegroup dynamic activities to increase contacts betweenall participants and to help bridging culturaland linguistic gaps. Following to that participantsheard the introductory talks by ExecutiveDirector Miklos Fulop about the WFH’s accomplishmentsin the last 10 years, as well as the presentationof the WFH’s Strategic Plan 2006-2010by President Mark Skinner. The afternoon saw thegathering of a youth meeting where some 30NMO youth delegates from all over the worldused the possibility to share their experiences,ideas and future plans. Minutes and results of themeeting, which concluded in a very positive andmotivating way, were later on presented to theplenary assembly.On the second day members of establishedNMOs learnt about volunteer recruitment. “It isessential for an NMO to have a strategy to recruitand retain volunteers inorder to remain strong andcapable of lobbying forsustained care,” stated theworkshop’s facilitatorsMarion Stolte and HélèneBourgaize, both long-timemembers of the CanadianHemophilia Society.Volunteership recruitmentis of special importance toNMOs based in establishedcountries as the motivationto become involved in one’snational hemophilia organization might eventuallybe decreasing due to better conditions ofcare and supply in these countries.Later in the afternoon the plenary assisted inan interactive workshop held by Brian O’Mahony,former WFH President, on the evaluation andselection of treatment products.Rob Cristie, WFH Vice President, Finance, facilitateda workshop about fundraising for establishedNMOs on the last day of the Training. Sincenearly all NMOs are more or less dependent onraising additional financial support for maintainingtheir activities, gaining knowledge abouthow to campaign in this field is a constant processof learning and testing. The Participants sharedtheir fundraising experience and examinedstrategies to increase fundraising success.A festive banquet topped off the last evening ofthree days of discussing, sharing knowledge andmaking friends and gave everybody the chance toenjoy themselves during a couple of drinks or onthe dancefloor. In the opinion of most participantsbuilding social contacts and sharing ideason a casual level was at least as inspiring andimportant as acquiring new information duringthe talks and workshops.Text: Thomas Schindl/ Foto: David Pouliot11