pensions - AAFI-AFICS, Geneva - UNOG

truckload, the description of a photo in our colour supplement sadly out of touch with the final layout of thepublication, as well as – last but not least – the inversion of two paragraphs (p.37) in Aamir Ali’s article on Ag(e)ing.Having thus established her lack of knowledge, experience and wisdom, as opposed to the wealth of these in“older people” discussed in that article, the Editor wonders whether she is still young or perennially foolish. Shedoes, however, apologise most sincerely.25 July 2002 Marie-Claire SéguretLunch on 25 June 2002Only 70 people came to the “Summer” lunch. The others were maybe overcome by the current heatwave, theirurgent obligations as grandparents or, more probably, the attraction of watching the World Cup football matchbetween Germany and South Korea. However, this low attendance was more than compensated by the quality ofthose who were present and more especially our guests of honour, Ambassador Francis Nordmann, PermanentRepresentative of Switzerland to the United Nations Office at Geneva, who spoke to us of the recent adherence ofSwitzerland to the United Nations Organization, and Mr George Saddler, President of FAFICS, as well as MrVladimir Petrovsky, participating in an AAFI-AFICS lunch for the first time as a member of the Association.Once again Edy Michaud, joined after coffee by Pierre Bernheim, entertained us with a selection of melodiesfamiliar to all those present.WheelchairWe would like to remind our members that AAFI-AFICS has a wheelchair available on loan for short periods. Thewheelchair is intended more particularly for those of our members who have difficulties in moving around but wouldlike to participate in some of our activities, such as the Annual General Assembly or the periodic lunches.Members who wish to borrow the wheelchair should telephone Chantal Mannaert, our social counsellor, on hermobile telephone +41 (0)76 397 5089.Chantal is available on the same number to provide counselling and information on social services tomembers of AAFI-AFICS.NEWS OF THE FEDERATIONHIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2002 FAFICS COUNCILFAFICS held its 31 st Council at the FAO Headquarters from 4 to 8 July 2002, at the invitation of the Former FAOStaff and other UN Staff Association (FFOA). The Council was presided over by George Saddler, President ofFAFICS. 15 member Association were represented by 26 delegates. The AAFI-AFICS representatives were DavidCohen, Jean Hanus and Anders Tholle.PensionsAs usual, the Council devoted about half of its entire session to pension-related agenda items. A major issuebecame the continuing plight of UN pensioners in the former USSR, Ukrainian and Byelorussian SSR. Despiterecent efforts by the UN Secretary-General, there is still no acceptable solution to this serious problem. TheCouncil was well aware of the serious situation and financial distress of former UN staff from the USSR et al, and itexpressed its full support for these pensioners who should receive the UN pension entitlements which they hadearned and to which they contributed in their UN service.20