nouvelles de notre association - AAFI-AFICS, Geneva - UNOG

members have come along and we are delighted that its president, Anders Tholle has attended special
events and dropped in of a Wednesday. We have also welcomed some of the UN social workers and
have, occasionally, even had children and grand-children at these events.
Perhaps one of the reasons for the longevity of the Amicale is that nothing is required of the participants,
no commitment whatever, except perhaps to enjoy themselves. Newcomers are warmly welcomed and
soon involved in conversation. Ironically, I know many who have hesitated to come for fear of not
knowing anyone.
While the majority come to the Café simply to have lunch and a good chat, some may come out of a
sense of loneliness and a lack of satisfying social contacts. Others may come during a period of
adjustment to recent retirement, to the separation of a loved one or to recovery from illness.
A sense of solidarity
When the prolonged absence of a regular is noted, it is not unusual for word to go out, for a phone call to
be made and for visits to be put on spontaneously: a loosely knit social network which, hopefully, will
strengthen further with time.
During this decade, lasting friendships have been struck up. I have personally met quite a few people with
whom contacts are continued beyond just the Café gatherings.
There is clearly some sense of group identity and, with it, a certain feeling of solidarity. This is
encouraging to observe among UN retirees as little exists in the region to stimulate social participation,
particularly as one advances in age. Other activities in this direction include: AFICS with its social
counsellor support service and luncheons; the WHO get-togethers as well as its self-help group of retired
staff. And finally there are the Golden Group activities.
The continuing popularity of the Amicale, the WHO and the more recent Golden Group attest to the fact
that just one person, with the determination to bring about positive change, can make a difference in the
lives of others. The Amicale adventure has proven to be a most rewarding personal experience for me,
particularly, in the knowledge that it continues, after a decade, to be relevant and enjoyed by others.
Edward Sackstein
OF CABBAGES AND KINGS
OH MODERNITY! HOW I LOVE THEE.
Contrary to popular belief, I am devoted to modernity. I embrace new electronic devices with forwardlooking
fervour. I have a computer, a modem, a fax , a cordless telephone – and an intricate tangle of
wires, black and white, thick and thin, under my desk. As Shakespeare might have said, Oh what a
tangled web we weave, When first we practise to be modern. (You’ll have to forgive him; he obviously
couldn’t scan very well.)
Five years ago I changed my computer. Oh no, not because my old one wasn’t working perfectly but
because it was ‘old’ fashioned; like a spouse seeking a divorce, it was incompatible. Needless to say,
replacements were impossible, but that of course is par for the course.
First shock: the shop took my money, handed me a huge carton and waved good-bye.
When are you coming to instal it? I asked.
Don’t be silly, they said. The instructions are all in there. Good-bye.
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