VOL. 65, NO. 2 Mars – March 2006 - AAFI-AFICS, Geneva - UNOG

NEWS FROM OTHER ASSOCIATIONSAnnual AssembliesWhereas the AAFI-AFICS’ annual General Assemblies take place in the early spring, in March or April, otherassociations have other habits and schedules. We have received reports from some of them:Former ITU Staff Members’ Section, GenevaThe Section held its last “Annual Meeting” on 28 October 2005. The Bureau has so named it in order toavoid an excessive appearance of formality. In their remarks on this meeting in an editorial, written by JeanBalfroid and Françoise Sala for the Section‘s January 2006 “Bulletin”, it is stated: “The aim of this meeting,conducted in a extremely friendly spirit, is to draw up a picture of current activities. These consist for themost part in finding opportunities to get together, either for planned outings, or for cultural events or ‘last butnot least’ around a friendly meal.”And the Section had organized plenty of such activities in 2005, a six-day excursion to Tuscany in Italy and afour-day roundtrip to the old historic cantons and lakes of Switzerland, as well as shorter outings toChampéry in Valais and to the Lake of Bienne. An autumn lunch at Ferney-Voltaire’s “Le Pirate” and acocktail after the annual meeting topped it all up for 2005.On a more serious tone, the Bureau of the Section reported on the increasing difficulties for access of itsmembers and their dependants to the international organizations in Geneva. This is due to the securitymeasures, which the organizations have had to take. It has caused concern among retired ITU colleagues.While it will be possible for a former official to go through a more or less fastidious security clearance andreceive a badge giving access to UN premises, this privilege does not extend to spouses or survivors offormer staff. And access by car to the MEC, SAFI and the Pension Fund’s office at the Palais des Nationshas practically become impossible. The Section will now seek the help of the ITU Staff Union and StaffCouncil in order to find a solution to these problems.A new Bureau was elected at the end of last year. Jean Balfroid continues as President, with EddyAugsburger as Vice-President. The Section has a new website at http//life.itu.ch/retraites/ (Bulletin of theFormer ITU Staff Members’ Section).AFSM-WHO, GENEVAThe Association of former Staff Members of the WHO held its General Assembly on 20 October 2005. 85members participated. Suzanne Cherney was elected Chair of the Assembly and Roger Fontana introducedhis Report of the President. The Treasurer presented the Financial report for the biennium ended on 31December 2004. She mentioned that there had been a drop in the level of contributions from members aswell as in income from investments, however, there had been an excess of income over expenditure.Rosemary Bell suggested that in view of the healthy state of the balance sheet, donations be made by theAssociation to help victims of the recent disasters in Asia and South America. This was unanimously agreed.The high point of this Assembly was the participation by WHO’s Director-General, Dr Lee Jong-wook. In hisaddress Dr Lee noted that among the familiar faces in the assembly were a number of newly-retired staff andcommented that, had destiny not decided otherwise, he himself would have been one of them. Dr Leeconsidered that retirees were still an integral part of the Institution linked by their friendship with serving staffand their interest in the work of the organization. He paid tribute to those who had built the institution, suchas Dr Halfdan Mahler, whose portrait, and those of the other Directors-General, had, at his instigation beenbrought out of the library to more prominent positions in the conference rooms. He welcomed anycontribution that the retirees could make to building a healthier future. The Assembly co-opted Dr Lee as anhonorary member of the Association.28