File IS 20 Dakar

Résumé of the meeting of the Executive Council, Saturday 15 October 2005 in DAKAR (SENEGAL)

Present : Niels MIKKELSEN – Philip CHIRCOP – Amadou BA – Jean-Marie DURANT - Olafur KJARTANSSON – Farid BELOUAFI – Filippo DRAGO – Gérard VANHOVE - Ezzedine RIAHI – Peter HEIMER

Absent : Francis FERRUA – Debabrata RAY – Leticia CORTES FERREIRA – Skender ABAZI - Mikkel ANDERSEN – Fatma BEJI – Malika MAZZINE – Joaquim MOREIRA ALVES

I) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The agenda was accepted unanimously by the members present

II) APPOVAL OF THE REPORTS FROM THE MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT THE 18th CONGRESS IN PARIS

Four formal reports from the meetings of the Executive Council as well as the formal report from the Ordinary General Asssembly, from the Extraordinary General Assembly and from the Official meeting had been sent to the members of the Executive Council.

The reports were approved unanimously by the members present.

There was then a general discussion on the procedures to follow when writing the formal reports, their format and their distribution to the members.

The President proposed after this discussion that the report is written in total to be sent to all members of the executive council, who then have two weeks to comment on the report before it is distributed. A brief report will be made from the general report to be distributed to all members of the IFBDO. These reports will be placed on the IFBDO website as well.

 The synthesis of the discussion, which also became the decision taken, was:

-        A complete report will be written by the Secretary General in French

-        A resume of this report will be made in Frecnh and English (a translation in Spanish will be asked for by the interested parties)

-        To avoid unnecessary translations which take a lot of energy and are very burdensome.

III)           FINANCES

President mentioned the decision taken during the 18th Congress in Paris which was the acceptance of an agreement between the former Treasurer General and the new, Olafur KJARTANSSON, that the latter would take over the treasury at the end of fiscal year 2005.

He indicated the level of contributions for 2006, which have been fixed : It will be raised from 610 Euro to 690 Euro for member countries in a « normal » situation. He asks the Treasurer General to make the demands for contributions from the beginning of January 2006.

After this he brought to the attention of the Executive Council a demand from Brazil , which can only contribute to the level of 150 Euro because of actual economic difficulties.

The Secretary General noted that several countries have not paid their membership-fee in 2 or 3 years. In this matter he refers to the mission accepted by Malika MAZZINE to follow up on back-payment and payments owed by countries in Africa .

Filippo DRAGO proposed that a twinning policy is installed, the linking or partnership between the industrialized countries and the emerging countries in order to help them pay their membership fees.

He wished that a letter was sent to emerging countries to invite them to ask for help from industrialized countries to pays their membership fees, perhaps in the form of a request. He found it necessary to think of this partnership idea – not as a rule – but based on personal contacts between countries, before this is being applied. He suggested that this debate takes place during the General Assembly in Rome , where the presidents from the member associations will be present, and, accordingly, able to bring their contribution to the exchange of ideas.

The President remarked that all members of the WHO this year in WHA Resolution 58/13 have accepted to support the World Blood Donor Day as a priority.

ð Gerard VANHOVE, who is in charge of the search for funds with industry, made it clear, that the necessary basis for sponsoring is in its final stage. He insisted on the help needed from member associations in furnishing lists over Enterprises, which could be contacted. He also made clear, that his interventions are totally different from and independent of the search done by Mikkel ANDERSEN.

ð The President made reference to the establishment of a FIODS foundation, as mentioned in our Statutes, which shall be followed up in order to endow our movement with the necessary and indispensable funds to realize projects and other activities.

Philip CHIRCOP having accepted to follow up and take responsibility for this foundation proposed to share this task with Filippo DRAGO in order to study the subject and formality of this matter.

As a conclusion the President asked Philip CHIRCOP and Filippo DRAGO to act in this matter in cooperation with the Secretary General in order to establish as quickly as possible this Foundation, keeping open the possibility of establishing its seat outside Italy in case this country steps back from the project.

ð Strictly speaking, according to our present Statutes, the members of the Control Commission are not a part of the Executive Council. Nevertheless, it is up to us to assure the best possible communication with them in order to assure the permanent control of our financial situation.

The President does not want to continue the practice, where the report on the Treasurers annual rapport is made in the evening before the General Assembly. He asked the Treasurer General to establish the financial report sufficiently early, so that it can be sent quickly to the Control Commission, so that they have the time to make their eventual remarks within the prescribed time limits - that is before the end of March in the year after the fiscal year. It is up to the Secretary General to distribute, in numbers and text, the annual report and the necessary appendixes.

IV)           CURRENT MATTERS

The Secretary General informed the members of the Executive Council of the Ministerial Decree  N° 2000-472 of 15 Septembre 2005, taken by the Ministry of State of the Principality of Monaco relating to the approval of the “new Statutes for the association named “International Feeration of Blood Donor Organisations”

In conformity with the law, we still have to accomplish the last formality which consist in publication of this Decree in the Journal of MONACO (which a trimestrial Official Journal). The Secretary General takes this task upon himself.

ð The administrative secretariat now has its seat in PARIS , at 28 rue St. Lazare, in the offices of la Fédération Française pour le Don de Sang Bénévole.

Whenever possible, the archives are send to the seat in PARIS . Certain archives, which were stocked with VICO FRESCIA in ITALY , have been sent to PARIS at the expense of the IFBDO.

The President asks for the agreement by the Executive Council to elaborate a Convention to be made between the IFBDO and the FFDSB for the use, the location and expenses associated with the administrative seat in PARIS .

The amounts of the charges will be sent by FFDSB to the Treasurer General of the IFBDO, who will assure the payment. He will also reimburse the travel costs of the Secretary General.

To prepare for this discussion the Secretary General has had a meeting with the President of the FFDSB, about the elements to be included in this Convention. As a starting point it should be of the same nature as the agreement with the Danish association.

The President expressed his total satisfaction with the organization and conduct of the 18th Congress and will forward the gratitude of the Executive Council to the FFDSB.

  V)             PROGRAM OF WORK 2005-2008

The President briefly resumed the debates, which took place during the 18th Congres and which have gone into the adoption of the program. It was now up to the Executive Council to designate the Members who will be in charge of conducting in their manner the different projects, which make up the program.

1 – 1) profile of the IFBDO

ð We have – as a first step - the duty and the responsibility to make our Website active and to update it regularly: Jean-Marie, Gérard, Philip et Mikkel (IYC) are asked to take up this task. Filippo will assure the follow up on the information relating to blood.

ð It is equally necessary to assure a presentation on paper of our Federation . The project prepared by Philip CHIRCOP was distributed to each member of the Executive Council, who should send their eventual observations before the distribution of this document.

ð It is important that our Federation, within the possible limits, is represented in all meetings where blood donation is discussed (the WHO ; the ISBT etc.).  The English language is used in these organs, so our representatives should master this language perfectly.

Philip CHIRCOP will participate in the meeting foreseen in GREECE and Niels MIKKELSEN in the Global Consultations on Blood Safety in Thailand .

Otherwise, we will have our next Executive Council in Paris at the same time as the Conference EUROSAT’, which will allow for our greater participation in their work.

ð Filippo accepted to write articles on Blood Donation to be sent to newspaper editors.

1 – 2) member associations

We have the obligation to involve ourselves in the promotion of Voluntary Non-remunerated Blood Donation, in each of our respective regions. We should also help in the organization of new associations.

1 – 3) development of Donor Associations

A specific guide for the development of associations has already been produced by Niels

1 – 4) consultation with our group of Medical Counsellors

It is fundamental for the credibility of our movement that we continuously communicate with our Medical Counselors on all facts and medical and transfusional data. Filippo DRAGO is in charge of this matter.

1 – 5) Administrative activities

All the changes of addresses and contactpoints of our associations should be sent within the shortest delays possible to the Secretary General so that he is able to update the addresses.

1 – 6) modalities for the secretariat in PARIS

This question is treated by Niels and Jean-Marie.

1 – 7) travels

With regard to the limited financial means of the IFBDO, we should do the outmost to limit our travels and, if possible, have them paid by outsiders.

1 – 8) visas

To make a universal guide would be pure Utopia in this period, where we see a major incline in illegal  immigration.

1 – 9) Internal communication of the Executive Council

ð The Executive Council should, at any moment, be able to take decisions urgently, or when it is felt necessary. It is, accordingly, necessary that each member can communicate by electronic mail.

ð All meeting reports should be sent to the Secretary General as soon as possible, so that he can present it on our website.

The president found it urgent to reactivate our website, otherwise it will little after little loose its attractiveness. He proposed that Jean Marie become the webmaster and work at its development with Gérard and Philip.

2 – 1) amelioration of the financial situation of the IFBDO

This will be one of the principal fields of work for this three year period. The search for funds concerns all members of the Executive Council who will act in partnership with the Treasurer General.

2 – 2) membership payments

We are awaiting the report, which shall be made by Malika MAZZINE.

2 – 3) budget and accounting

The budget for 2006 will, in its first lecture, be sent on the Internet to the Members of the Executive Council by the Treasurer General. The members will make their eventual remarks or observations by e-mail as quickly a possible.

ð The assets of the IFBDO as well as the stock of MIS medals are under the responsability of the Treasurer General.

Concerning the medals the President asked that the member associations shall be consulted to collect their view on the eventual production of new medals. Actually the medals are sold for a price of 50 Euros each. He found the the 50th anniversary medals magnificient and wished to buy some of them from the FFDSB for use of the IFBDO. Jean-Marie would send him the price.

ð The funds collected by the International Youth Committee (IYC) has reached about 7.000 Euro. As mentioned in the Statutes and the Rules of Procedure this sum will be included in the accounts of the IFBDO as well as the expenses of the IYC.

2 – 4) sponsoring operations.

Gérard VANHOVE continues his search in spite of all the numerous difficulties he meets in order to obtain useful addresses..

2 – 5) FIODS Foundation

Philip CHIRCOP takes over to pursue the accomplishment of this project.

2 – 6) International Merit for Blood (MIS)

A copy of the formula for information by the concerned member Association will be sent to all member associations.

3 – 1) Future activities of the IFBDO

The President accentuated the necessity to set in place regional conferences, where the costs and difficulties with travels will be lower and more affordable for a larger number of participants. We shall also strive to favor local initiatives for the promotion of Voluntary Non-remunerated Blood Donation.

3 – 2) seminars on information and exchange of information

All information on seminars shall be published on the web.

3 – 3) Annual General Assemblies

The formula for candidatures to organise the General Assemblies can be obtained from the Secretary General. It is already clear, that the next General Assembly will take place in ROME in April 2006. We await proposals to host the General Assemblies in 2007 and 2008

3 – 4) Regional Conferences

The useful information should be sent to the Secretary General as early as possible

3 – 5) Continental Conferences

The useful information should be sent to the Secretary General as early as possible

3 – 6) Youth Forum

After the great success of the Forum, which took place in Tallinn in Estonia , we have programmed a Forum in CARTHAGE in TUNISIA in 2006, and another in GREECE in 2007.

3 – 7) International Youth Committee

The Group becomes larger forum to forum, which make us hopeful, that a larger group of young people from the member countries will be present in 2006.

4 – 1) Cooperation with other International Organizations

Our cooperation with the WHO should be continued: Niels would for the moment assume the contacts, but wished to associate other members of the Executive Council.

4 – 2) The World Blood Donor Day

The active contribution of the IFBDO at the side of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the WHO and the ISBT should be pursued.

In fact, our Movement started this day 10 years ago and it is absolutely essential to plan for the future 5 years. To do this, we need a volunteer who will accept to take over the running of the web page relating to the World Blood Donor Day. Peter HEIMER suggested that we seek a webmaster among the young members of the IYC who, with the Secretary General, could advantageously manage such a site.

4 – 3) The Council of Europe

The IFBDO has a consultative Status with the Council of Europe. Niels has already had contacts with representatives of the Council, who have accepted the participation of IFBDO-representatives in STRASBOURG when dealing with questions relating to Blood Safety. Niels and Francis (the European Delegate) will do this work together.

4 – 4) The European Union

The idea of an early meeting with the new Commissioner from the European Union was considered a necessity.

4 – 5) The BLOOD’MED programme

The last draft of the programme, which Pasquale had sent to the Secretary General, does not vary compared to the preceding edition. The Secretary General is in charge of following this matter with Pasquale in the hope that it shall materialize.

4 – 6) ROTARY clubs

Olafur will take care of the liaisons and useful contacts with the Rotary Clubs. On the question of cooperation with the LIONS’CLUB, the Executive Council does not judge it wise to envisage a cooperation, as they seem to be in direct competition with ROTARY.

4 – 7) Patients Organizations

Contacts between the IFBDO and Patients Organizations shall be assured, as patients are the last part of the transfusional chain. Their pertinent advice can also interest us. Philip and Malika, who have competences in this domain, are designated to assure these contacts.

4 – 8) The Organization for African Unity

Farid, the African Continental Delegate, is designated to assure this mission.

The President then gave the general work program to the Executive Council for approval, which it did unanimously.

VI)           EUROPEAN REGIONAL PROJECTS

ð Relations with the European Parliament and with the Commission will be followed by Niels and Francis.

ð Institution of a European Network for the promotion of Non-remunerated Voluntary Blood Donation:  EURO BLOOD and BLOOD’NET will be followed by Jean-Marie and Pasquale.

ð Organization of a meeting on NVBD and thalassemia in the Mediterranean zone at the occasion of the  Mediterranean Olympic Games in 2009 will be followed by Philip.

ð Cooperation with the European Union is under the charge of the European continental delegate, Francis. As a starting point he will have to proceed with an in-depth examination of the latest Directives from September 2005.

ð Development of new Associations in Europe is a matter covered by Francis and Skender.

  VII)         AFRICA REGIONAL PROJECTS

ð Regional seminars. No planning had been made so far.

ð Cooperation with the African Union is followed by Farid.

ð Development of new associations in Africa . A first meeting is foreseen in June 2006 in CASABLANCA .

  VIII)      OUR OTHER PARTNERS

ð Cooperation with the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

Peter HEIMER informed about a colloquium in CHILI from 20 to 24 March 2006 . He hoped for the implication of the IFBDO in this colloquium, where there will be a strong participation of regional associations.

Niels supported this approach and underlined the very good relations existing between the IFBDO and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. He indicated, in this context, the participation of young people, belonging to the Red Cross, in the Youth Forum, which was held in ESTONIA and who came from SINGAPORE , FINLAND and WALES .

ð Cooperation with the WHO

Niels remarked that this cooperation is not at the same level as with the Red Cross. It is certain that the absence of sufficient funds does not allow the WHO to engage itself sufficiently in the domain of blood donation. From this fact our relations become variable and complicated. But we should strive to support them on the long run. For this reason, Niels thought that we should be present during the Global Consultations to be held in BANGKOK in November, like each year, as very good contacts and relations exist in this kind of conferences.

Filippo DRAGO suggested that besides the President of the IFBDO other Members of the Executive Council should be able to participate. This formula also allowed the spreading of information more rapidly and more efficiently between the members of the Executive Council and the Presidents of the national associations who, some of them, regretted lack of information.

Niels pronounced himself as in favor of extending the participation to other members of the Executive Council. As for the conference in BANGKOK , however, only one participant is allowed from each participating association.

He wished that information about all these meetings was given on our Internet site, including the invitations to meetings which involve blood donation and recruitment of new donors.

ð Cooperation with ROTARY

Niels demands the Treasurer General to make an overview o four needs to be given to them

ð Presentation of a model legislation on blood donation.

Noting that there exist several legislations Niels made clear that that we should bring our attention to those legislations, which were the most favorable, making sure that the legal framework was respected. Afterwards we should try to cooperate with the transfusion specialists in such a way that our interventions are identical and coherent, respecting of course the actual national practices which correspond perfectly to the expectations of the concerned blood donors

Olafur made it clear, that he is at the moment in the process of examining the different texts, which he knows of. When he has made a synthesis of this, he will communicate this to us.

ð Development of new associations in Latin America and Asia .

This is under study.

IX)           THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH COMITTEE (IYC)

ð The Youth Forum in August 2005 in TALLIN in ESTONIA

About fifty participants representing 12 countries have worked over three days on several themes, which were integrated in two levels, a level for beginners and a more advanced level for the earlier participants

It was an excellent forum which allow us to hope for a good future in the continuation of the permanent work of the IFBDO. Several very good ways had been made for the development of “youth structures”.

The report had been made in English language and will be translated into French and Spanish by young volunteers.

ð Integration of the young people in the work program.

Niels estimated it to be necessary, a priority and very important that we associate the young people with the work program. Both for the extra amount of ideas they can give to our joint thinking, but also in order to assure progressively the necessary transition to stabilize our federation in the future.

ð The IYC Rules of Procedure

A discussion took place about the use of only one language by the International Youth Committee, this being English. After the interventions a part of the Executive Council pronounced itself in favor of the use of the languages spelled out in the Rules of Procedure for the IFBDO.

The Rules of Procedure for the Youth Committee will be set to a vote during the Extraordinary General Assembly in ROME in April 2006.

ð Integration of the funds and the accounts of the IYC in the budget of the IFBDO. This has already been decided.

X)              ACTUAL SUBJECTS

ð New demands for membership

The Secretary General published the official demand for membership from an association in CAMEROON . As this demand had not been put to the discussion in the African Continental Group, it could not be examined without the preliminary examination.

Otherwise, the IFBDO had received the informed about a new demand for membership from an Association of young donors from SAO TOME and PRINCIPE . The dossier will be discussed after reception.

The Secretary General informed that as a result of the work at the IFBDO Congress in PARIS , and as a result of the decision taken there, he had sent a confirmation letter of membership to the associations from   GUINEA , MAURITIUS , TAMIL NADU, BOLIVIA , DJIBOUTI , PAKISTAN , FAEROE ISLANDS and LATVIA .

Finally he informed that in letter dated 1 September 2005 , the Association of Volunteers for Blood donation from QUEBEC had confirmed its withdrawal from the instances of the IFBDO.

XI)           PLANNING OF MEETINGS

ð The next General Assembly will be in ROME (ITALY),  6, 7 and 8 April 2006

ð Executive Council in PARIS

It could take place in the Autumn of 2006 at the same period as the EURO SAT’.

ð Youth Forum

It will take place from 17 to 20 August 2006 in CARTHAGE (TUNISIA).

Ezzedine RIAHI is in charge of communicating to the Secretary General all the elements and precisions applying to the organization of this Forum.

XII)         ELECTIONS 2006

No discussion.

XIII)       MIS MEDALS

One demand had been placed by the Tunisian Association o the table of the Executive Council, which pronounced itself favorably to this demand.

XIV)       OTHER QUESTIONS

Filippo DRAGO made an introduction to a projects involving discussions of the Group of Medical Advisors.

Gérard VANHOVE made a presentation of several projects for the introductory page and presentation of the FIODS Website. Among the three proposals present for accept, the Members of the Executive Council gave one project a favorable note.

The Secretary General  

Jean-Marie DURANT