Spending time with very special ladies
Door: Jeannette van Dongen
Blijf op de hoogte en volg YWCA NL
13 Oktober 2015 | Thailand, Bangkok
The congress of YWCA International started her second day with many speeches. Most impressive was the (pre-recorded) speech of Aung San Suu Kyi from the National League for democracy in Birma. To be spoken to by a powerful lady like her, gives all of the people participating in the congress spirit and energy towards the work of the YWCA. It also shows that even in very difficult circumstances women can stand for their rights and improve their situation.
Two candidates presented themselves for the position of treasurer, both have excellent papers for the job. The election of treasurer will take place on Tuesday. It will be difficult to choose.
During the break our hosts provided free foot massages for the participants. A painful, but very nice experience with Thai health culture. Our hosts must be complimented on their excellent and friendly work, we feel very welcome at the venue due to their work and the many volunteers that are making us all comfortable at this congress.
The general secretary presented the four year report 2012-2015. The amount of activities and training that has been provided at the national level is very impressive. The strategic framework 2016-2019 was also presented. The focus of YWCA will be strengthening Young Women and Girls’ Transformative Leadership, Realising Human Rights and Sustaining the YWCA Movement for the coming period. As many organizations the YWCA has seen a decline in (young) volunteers, and a new boost has to be given to get us back on track. It is a pleasure to see so many young women at this congress, they are our future.
In between the sessions at the plenary room it was possible to shop for nice presents as several countries had brought beautiful national gifts to sell. Sanne bought a beautiful shirt of blue cotton and black an white flowers from our Nigerian sisters. I bought a beautiful present for my little niece Evi. A rush was on the beautiful shawls and dresses form different countries.
The evening was ended with a very special occasion, a dinner with her Royal Highness Princes Soamsawali, also named Princess mother of the King’s First grandchild. It was impressive to see the protocol and the security measures. Before we entered the dinner ball room we got our bags checked and they even measured our temperature with a special device. This was a new experience for us all. ;) It was also really nice to see the friendliness of the Princess towards our president Deborah Thomas Austin. The dinner was accompanied by traditional dancing and modern music. We found it all a great honour to be so close to the Thai Royal family and supported in our work by the presence of the Princess.
A long day ended nicely, end tomorrow again a long day ahead with interesting workshops.
Jeannette van Dongen
President of Dutch YWCA
Two candidates presented themselves for the position of treasurer, both have excellent papers for the job. The election of treasurer will take place on Tuesday. It will be difficult to choose.
During the break our hosts provided free foot massages for the participants. A painful, but very nice experience with Thai health culture. Our hosts must be complimented on their excellent and friendly work, we feel very welcome at the venue due to their work and the many volunteers that are making us all comfortable at this congress.
The general secretary presented the four year report 2012-2015. The amount of activities and training that has been provided at the national level is very impressive. The strategic framework 2016-2019 was also presented. The focus of YWCA will be strengthening Young Women and Girls’ Transformative Leadership, Realising Human Rights and Sustaining the YWCA Movement for the coming period. As many organizations the YWCA has seen a decline in (young) volunteers, and a new boost has to be given to get us back on track. It is a pleasure to see so many young women at this congress, they are our future.
In between the sessions at the plenary room it was possible to shop for nice presents as several countries had brought beautiful national gifts to sell. Sanne bought a beautiful shirt of blue cotton and black an white flowers from our Nigerian sisters. I bought a beautiful present for my little niece Evi. A rush was on the beautiful shawls and dresses form different countries.
The evening was ended with a very special occasion, a dinner with her Royal Highness Princes Soamsawali, also named Princess mother of the King’s First grandchild. It was impressive to see the protocol and the security measures. Before we entered the dinner ball room we got our bags checked and they even measured our temperature with a special device. This was a new experience for us all. ;) It was also really nice to see the friendliness of the Princess towards our president Deborah Thomas Austin. The dinner was accompanied by traditional dancing and modern music. We found it all a great honour to be so close to the Thai Royal family and supported in our work by the presence of the Princess.
A long day ended nicely, end tomorrow again a long day ahead with interesting workshops.
Jeannette van Dongen
President of Dutch YWCA
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