MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 26 October 2002 in MALTA

 

REPORT

Present:

Pasquale COLAMARTINO, President

Ezzédine RIAHI, Francis FERRUA, Vice-Presidents

Niels MIKKELSEN, Secretary General

Robert LABADIE, Treasurer General

Farid BELOUAFI, Delegate from the African Continent

Jean-Marie DURANT, Assistant to the Secretary General

Gérard VANHOVE, Assistant to the Treasurer General

Peter HEIMER, Counselor to the President

Claude PIOTTON, Member of the Control Commission

Danièle PERAMEZZA, Member of the Control Commission

Luigi Carlo PETRO, Member of the Control Commission

 

Absent:

Debabrata RAY, Delegate from the Asian Continent

Marcia TEDESCO DALCCECO, Delegate from the South American Continent

Jean-Guy LORRAIN, Delegate from the North American Continent

Malika MAZZINE, Assistant to the Treasurer General

Georges SIMIGIATOS, with special mission to the Balkans

Joaquim MOREIRA ALVES, with special mission to the Portuguese speaking countries

Charlemagne DAMASE RYNCE-AGASSOUSSI, with special mission to Subsaharan Africa

 

The meting was opened at 10.30 by the president Pasquale COLAMARTINO, who wished all members present welcome, and presented the excuses from members, who for different reasons could not be present. This was an important Executive Council, and he underlined the importance of the work, which fall upon us as well as the complexity of the actions, which we should undertake to decide on the future of our Federation.

The participation of all, the constant consultation and the collective thinking should be the key word for our actions from now on in order to lead to the great work, which open for the future of the IFBDO.

I. Agreement on the agenda:

Then he asked the members of the Council for their approval of the agenda, which had been sent to them within the foreseen time limits. There was unanimous agreement from the members present.  

 

II. Proposed changes to the report from the General Assembly in Québec

The Secretary General, Niels MIKKELSEN then read the letter from the Association in MONACO, in which it asks for a correction to the report from the General Assembly in  QUEBEC, as it was omitted to mention that the Association had in fact been present at the European meeting in Geneva. Niels asked our Monaco friends to excuse this involuntary omission , which will be mentioned in the present report.

The letter sent from the former President Martin MANCENIDO FUERTES 15 July 2002 had been answered by President COLAMARTINO, especially concerning the point about the official languages used within our organization, for which there were, obviously, no intention to change, but quite the contrary, to expand by adding Arab at the moment for changes to the Statutes  

P. COLAMARTINO reminded with force that there had never existed – and there will never exist – in our Federation a feeling of hostility towards anybody or any delegation. The IFBDO needs all its components, all active forces and those of countries, which will adhere to it in order to work in the general interest of our great cause, which we defend, and which unite us. All energies are precious and indispensable.  

He wished wholeheartedly that Spain would re-find its place within the Federation quickly to keeps its rang and to contribute in this way to the actions and the life of the IFBDO. He asked for the viewpoint of the Executive Council. There was unanimous agreement to this from all present.  

Nevertheless, as for the calendar of meetings in 2003 it was decided at the General Assembly in Québec, that the next General Assembly should take place in MOROCCO. The members were in favor of sending a reduced delegation to the Colloquium in Saragoza in April 2003 in order to meet the representatives of  FENADOSE and to try to renew the liaisons with Spain for a return of that country into the instances of the IFBDO, while insisting on the ethics which we should observe and all apply strictly.

 

III- Finances

Robert LABADIE presented the finances, while commenting the result as of 31 August 2002, which show a decline of the expected income, that at longer term could harm the very functioning of the IFBDO. It is not the first time that he calls for alarm, but – with an annual loss of about 5.000 Euro - it is up to the Council rapidly to take the necessary measures in order to return to a normal functioning situation.  

Among the solutions would obviously be to look for sponsors, the pages in the FIODS Revue, but also to seek the systematic and regular payment of membership fees from all member countries, as one can see, that up to date only 11 countries are á jour with their payment for fiscal 2002.  

There has to be given attention to the membershipfees, both for those of the actual year or for earlier lack of payment, from which some are starting to create problems. The new Statutes should allow for the capacity to pay membershipfees from the countries, which will adhere to the IFBDO  

As far as the overall balance for fiscal 2002 was concerned, Robert would present the accounts in such tables, that everyone clearly can read and understand the difficult situation, in which the IFBDO finds itself.  

On the other hand and in the actual situation, Robert could not present a budget for fiscal 2003, as he would take the risk reduce the capital in order to finance the foreseeable deficit between income and expenses.  

During the General Assembly in QUEBEC, the Control Commission could not give its views on the accounts, which could not be presented in the absence of Robert, who was ill.

Before addressing this situation, Claude PIOTON wanted to have explanations on the sums which were transferred to the Magreb countries and to South America. Was this a loan or a loss?  

E. RIAHI reminded that this was a decision taken by the General Assembly in 1998 in order to subsidize a Revue in the Arab language with a contribution of 10.000 Francs , which had effectively been spent in 2001. N. MIKKELSEN confirmed this decision, which also covered a transfer of 5.000 Francs to Latin America.  

C. PIOTTON, in name of the Control Commission and confronted with the irregular payment of membershipfees, which undermines the very future of the IFBDO, proposed three possibilities, which would be needed to be applied rapidly:

-                  Encourage the member-countries to pay their membership fees

-                  If no payments is made, the concerned countries should loose the right to vote, but keeps its status as a consultative member

-                  If there is lack of payment, the defaulting country can not be a candidate during a General Assembly of the IFBDO                                                                                                

 

After this had been sorted out, Claude read the report from the Control Commission

« The control commission has verified the accounts and evidence for fiscal year 2001, which could not be done in Québec, and has raised the following points:

The documents presented about the 10.000 French francs for a Magreb magazine demands an explication – should this be considered a loss or a loan ?

We have revealed that several active members of the IFBDO do not regularly pay their membershipfee, and this is a great problem, which will affect the future of the IFBDO in the coming years.

 

After explanations and changes needed, the accounts have been well kept – and we can give a favorable mention to the accept of the accounts for the fiscal year 2001 to the coming General Assembly. We thank the Treasurer General (applauds).

 

J.M. DURANT asked the Treasurer General about the transfer of membership payments from one year to another, which – from an accountant’s point of view - does not seem correct.

R. LABADIE answered that it is possible to transfer the incomes from one year to another.  

J.M. DURANT wished to know the procedures for obtaining the unpaid membershipfees ?

R. LABADIE favors direct consultations, which give much better results than sending a letter.  

R. LABADIE insisted that proposals for sponsoring are concretizised in fiscal 2002. He reminds that this is the reason that two assistant treasurers have been appointed.  

G. VANHOVE proposed precisely that a presentation of the IFBDO is written by the President, which could be sent to providers of transfusion equipment. There should be prepared a chart of prices for advertisements in the FIODS Revue. The Sponsoring Committee will be made up of Robert and Gérard on which it will fall to search all avenues to seek financing

 

IV- Membership status

N. MIKKELSEN reminded about the decision taken during the General Assembly in QUEBEC about the admittance of the Association named « Jeunesse de l’Union des Donneurs Volontaires Bénévoles du Sang », JUDVOBES, as the representative of CAMEROUN.

Another organization represented by M. Yusuf ADAMA was, more than 6 years ago, an associated member of the IFBDO for a three year period, but the status was not renewed, It has not since participated in meetings (except recently in Greece), it has not paid its membership fee, and it has not given sign of life for over 6 years.  

Discussing admittances, he had had recent discussions with the Frenchspeaking part of the Belgian Red Cross allowing for the hope, that the this country will again become involved in the IFBDO thanks to the young volunteers, which form a part of this association.  

We also have good reason to think, that LATVIA would soon adhere to the IFBDO

 

V- Statutes : Thuis important point will be discussed during the afternoon.

 

      Full Powers

To avoid the repetition of the situation which occurred during the General Assembly in Quebec with an uncontrolled avalance of uncontrolled full powers, N. MIKKELSEN proposed the establishment of a simple accreditation document signed by the country which gives full powers to another country to represent it during a General Assembly – a document which should be sent to the Secretary General  

Farid BELOUAFI remarked that such full power is already inscribed in the Statues of the Magreb Federation and is already applied. On this subject he is still awaiting the answer from the Secretary General about the presence of Madame SUAMI Kahina in Quebec, which was not mandated to represent Algeria.  

Francis FERRUA, on the subject of new admission, expressed the French position, that a selection should be made on the basis of ethics and not from the financial capacity.

N. MIKKELSEN assured Francis that this will be treated in the framework of the new Statutes.

 

Cooperation with other international organizations:

a) The Council of Europe.

Each European member of the IFBDO must transmit a report to the Secretary General about the activity taking place in their countries to be collected and sent to the Council of Europe, so that we can keep our consultative status in this Instance.  

b)The World Health Organization

The WHO is hosting the Global Consultations on Blood Safety in November 2002. It proposes a World Blood Donors Day for June 14 in cooperation with the Red Cross Federation and the IFBDO. Should this be accepted by us ?  

N. MIKKELSEN was mandated to participate in the Global Consultations in November; he will meet with the representatives from this organization to study a common agreement on a common date.

 

c) Project for a European Directive

P. COLAMARTINO made the point on the status of the Directive on Quality and Safety of Blood Products. In a recent meeting with Mr. NISTICO, it was disclosed, that the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers are agreeing on a compromise, which integrate the amendments of the European Parliament with three small amendments. The final text is now being studied by the Jurist-Linguists. We have, accordingly, good reasons to believe, that this Directive encompasses the ethical principles, which we have defended and supported  

We should, accordingly, congratulate ourselves for the important actions, which have been taken by the IFBDO and which have had as an effect to make the European Parliament aware of the strong wishes of the Donor Associations, especially concerning the matter of non-remunerated blood donation  

d) The International Society for Blood Transfusion

N. MIKKELSEN had participated in the work of the ISBT Congress in VANCOUVER in August of 2002. He had been able to note the interest of doctors for Blood Donation and of and the full partnership of blood donors  

G. VANHOVE signaled, that during a recent meeting in which the French federation has been invited Professeur Ph. ROUGER had announced the creation of a European Network of Transfusion Medical Staff , which has 6000 members. The ISBT right now has less than 1000.  

e) The European School of Transfusion Medicine

N. MIKKELSEN supported that the IFBDO continues its collaboration with The European School of Transfusion Medicine (ESTM) as it facilitates relations especially with East European countries, where we are not represented. He wished, however, that another member of the executive council replaced him in this task, which demands a lot of work      

An international presentation – the annual report.

In order to assure in a rational fashion general information to all members of the IFBDO, but also in order to present a “visit card” from our Movement, it has been proposed to publish a small book called “Annual Report”, which replaces the FIODS Revue and in which one would find a report about activities, the accounts, the plans for major meetings, decisions made by the General Assembly, the Statutes and the Rules of Procedures. This annual report may contain, as it has been decided, pages reserved to sponsors.  

P. COLAMARTINO proposed to give this responsibility to Nicola d’ADAMO, and, in advance, to establish a complete budget for this achievement  

International Forum of Young Donors

J.M. DURANT presented the first draft for the organization of the Third International Young Donors Forum, which will take place from 21 to 25 August 2003 in POITIERS. There is capacity for 150 participants, so the maximum number of participants from each country is set to 10, as it is of great importance that the largest possible number of countries could be represented .  

A detailed and complete program will be sent as soon as possible to all member countries. But already now, one of the themes taken up by the FFDSB concerns “fostering” a participant in the Forum by a French Association. another being the responsibility of the Committee of young French persons, who had already participated in the Forum in DENMARK.  

N. MIKKELSEN was happy about the progress with this Forum. He asked that the organizers base themselves on the final report from the Forum in Kliplev in order to assure a logical pursuit of the themes proposed. As for payment, he suggested a global price including housing, meals etc. The “fostering” seemed to be an excellent idea, as some countries will have certain financial difficulties in sending a participant to this Forum.  

IFBDO Committee of young volunteers

P. COLAMARTINO proposed to constitute rapidly a committee of young people within the IFBDO and, afterwards, to designate some young people the responsibility to work on major themes. Each country should pay for the financial costs relating to the travels of the young delegates from its country.  

IFBDO-site on the Internet.

N. MIKKELSEN raised the issue of the necessary improvements to the IFBDO Internet site in order to adopt it to today’s technical level, but also to make it more attractive and accordingly more accessible to a greater number of Internauts. It should under no circumstances be confidential or disappear slowly  

Suspension of the session from 13h00 to 15h00.

 

Colloquium of the countries from the Mediterranean countries

The Colloquium of the countries from the Mediterranean countries favorises and allows for dialogue and indispensable exchanges between African and Europe. It should be continued, but there must be designated a responsible person, (not the Secretary General) which can develop a precise and detailed planning totally independent from any other meeting. There was unanimous agreement to this

 

The Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The federation has asked the IFBDO to co-sponsor a recruitment seminar in Beijing, China in October 2003 – a proposal, which has been accepted by our Asian delegate.

P. COLARMATINO will take part in this seminar, but will go on non-IFBDO funds. Unanimous agreement to this from the members present.  

VI- Presentation of the presidents programme of action.

The new strategical choices approved by the General Assembly in Québec changed radically the perspective for development of our Federation . Its international dimension is increasing as well as its engagement in the cooperation program for development, which forces us to increase the organizational and financial capacities of the IFBDO.  

In this perspective P. COLAMARTINO had elaborated a project which contains ideas, which should be put into reality gradually to allow the political development and activities by the IFBDO in the coming years. This objective, as we all realize, will demand some time before it is totally realized – delays which will be more or less long in function of the disposable incomes and the internal organization of the IFBDO.

The general strategy to follow in the short and medium term:

·       reinforcement of our internal organization by direct participation of the national and local organizations

·       Bringing into place a financial policy, searching for European public funds, but also from funds administrated at the national level by the member countries

But, also on the long term

-      Extension of the internal organization , in light of the size of the funds from European public     sources and from Member States

-          

To obtain this , we must work on our fundamental actions

 in the short run :

-      approbation of the Presidents project,

-      accept the responsibility and participation of the countries for the general effort to  support   the proposed programmes

-       activation of circulation of information between the Secretary General and the Continental delegates and vice versa,

-       necessary international coordination for developing the executive phase of the presented project

-       approbation of the program by the General Assembly in Morocco in 2003

          

in the medium term :

Define the formal agreements between the IFBDO and the National Organizations in order to

      -             reinforce the continental delegations,

-                  individual running of the decentralized offices

-                  designation of the members of Commissions and of national reference persons

-                  nomination of experts and of consultants,

-                  implementing the financial policy of the IFBDO

-                  implementing the projects,

-                  choose the seat of the IFBDO

 

in the long term :

-         creation of a plan for their central organization of the IFBDO with one of the countries of the           European Union

-         creation of an IFBDO Foundation in order to obtain the necessary financing for its actions

-          

P. COLAMARTINO then defined the responsibilities which fall on the President, the Vice-presidents the Secretary General , the Treasurer General , on the Continental delegations and on the Control Commission  

The development policy of the IFBDO will center on :

-           Social policy and Health,

-           Cooperation and development policy,

-           Human resources policy,

-           External relations and communication policy,

-           Financial policy

 

To end his presentation, P. COLAMARTINO recognized, that even if this program is complex, it should be implemented in a progressive fashion and with the cooperation of all.  

He then shared with the Members of the Executive Council the demarches he had already undertaken in the search for financing of the IFBDO.

A rendez-vous with the Cabinet secretary of Président Romano PRODI is foreseen soon; by the way, the Rapporteur NISTICO has agreed to present a programme for the promotion of Blood Donation based on the Ethics, but also with the support from actions in favor of Blood Donation. A rendez-vous is equally foreseen with the fonctionaires of the Parliament which are in charge of examining and approving the projects, and they have already been informed about ours.  

Otherwise, we will have the possibility to transmit our situation through the FIVOL system, from which agreement has already been obtained by the responsible Italian foundation.

And there are other partners to be sought.  

France, by way of the de J-M DURANT in his quality as Administrator of the Fédération Nationale du Bénévolat Associatif (FNBA) may also be able to give us an appreciable help.  

P. COLAMARTINO asked for the advice of the Council on the presented programme and the operational methodology to put into place. There was unanimous agreement from the members present.  

J.M. DURANT thanked the President for this clear and detailed program and then reminded about the proposal from France to host the Seat of the IFBDO within the offices of the FFDSB, once it can take over the offices at the Institut National de Transfusion Sanguine.  

R. LABADIE was also satisfied with the presented programme ; he wished it all success. He was also happy about the new presence of the newly arrived to responsible positions.  

F. BELOUAFI joined this position, especially since he is persuaded that this proposed plan will bring many good things to Africa, which for him is new in the IFBDO concept.  

P. COLAMARTINO found it necessary that a Conference with the presidents of organizations from the different member countries to debate the presented programme and to seek support for this

Each continental Delegation shall take upon it to discuss this program to allow for its adoptioin at the 2003 General Assembly in Morocco.  

Pause from 16h15to 16h50.

 

VII- Planning of meetings

-          Colloqium in SARAGOZA in April 2003. A limited delegation will go to Spain

    (COLAMARTINO – MIKKELSEN – DURANT - FERRUA)

-          Executive Council and General Assembly in May 2003 in MAROCCO

-          Executive Council in October 2003. French candidature – possibly in Corsica – which will be       forwarded as soon as possible. (11 October 2003 as a tentative date)

-          General Assembly in 2004 – possibly 17 April in Malta (an invitation has been presented)

 

VIII- Assemblée Générale au MAROC

F. BELOUAFI  presented the excuses for her absence from Malika, who has been kept in Morocco for professional reasons.

Farid could not – at this point – give the exact place, where the General Assembly will take place as a decision will only be taken on November 15, after appointment of the Health Minister

Nevertheless, this Assembly will take place from 23rd to 25th May, preceded the 22 May by the meeting  of the Executive Council  

This meting will be elevated by the presence of his Majesty the King of Morocco  

As a point of information, Farid indicated, that the meeting of the Magreb Federation took place 22, 23 et 24 July in TUNISIA, where it was decided to organize a Forum of the African Blood Donors Association in May 2003 in Monastir, financed by Libya.  

IX- Host countries for the General Assembly in 2004.

(After the session our friends from Malta have proposed themselves to organize this General Assembly, possibly on April 17, 2004.)  

X- MIS- medals.

P. COLAMARTINO had received five packages from Spain in which he found i. a. the stock of Medals, but that he not yet had time count them. There were certainly also histories of the medals distributed already.  

N. MIKKELSEN had received 5 proposals for distribution of Medals, but emphasized, that the corresponding medals will only be distributed when the demanding Association has paid the Treasurer General for the medals.  

R. LABADIE indicated that the present value of the Medals is about 3.000 Euros.

The Council agreed, acting as Order of the MIS, that only countries, which have paid their membership fee can have access to the distribution of medals.  

P. COLAMARTINO proposed, that the foreseen procedures for distribution of medals are re-enacted:. Proposal for attribution of the MIS from member Associations shall be sent to the Secretary General, which presents the proposals to the order. When the Order has granted a medal, the SG informs the member Association, which pays the Treasurer General for the Medals. He then makes out the Diploma and sends the Diploma and the Medals to the Member Association.

Accordingly the stock of medals and the Computer file containing the diploma shall be forwarded to the Treasurer General.  

R. LABADIE added, that payment of medals entails a rapid delivery to the concerned member organization  

N. MIKKELSEN wished to receive the administrative documents, which were in the packets with the medals, as he did not, when he took over the post as Secretary General, receive any files what so ever.  

The 3 proposals from Italy was then examined and received favorable approval by the Executive Council acting as Order of the MIS:

-         Francesco COGNOME DI LORENZO

-         Bénito BISSOLI

-         Piéro MERLO

The medals will be sent after payment of 150 €.

 

The Secretary General reminded that at the meeting in Léon a proposal from Morocco for a medal to Dr Bechamsi was accepted, at was a proposal from Denmark concerning a medal for Ms Edith Kromann Larsen  

XI- Other Questions

- F. BELOUAFI was surprised not to have received an answer from the Secretary General on his fax from 20 June 2002 , where he proposed Dr.  MOUHSSINE EL ALAOUI Azzedine Edouard as Medical Counselor to the IFBDO  

N. MIKKELSEN answered that Dr. MOUHSSINE EL ALAOUI already is to be found at the Internet site of the IFBDO as medical counselor from Morocco.  

P. COLAMARTINO asked the Executive Council to accept to receive the President of AVIS who has an information and a proposal concerning the Social Forum which will take place in PORTO ALEGRE (Brazil) and which will assemble all Non-governmental organizations. This could be an important occasion for the IFBDO to present the evidence and value of a Ethical Blood Donation  

F. BELOUAFI regretted that the Council was placed in front of a “fait accompli” ; it would have been more correct to have been informed beforehand. He considers that this new practice will allow for analogous interventions from other countries which wishes to do so.  

The President of AVIS thanked the Members of the Executive Council to have allowed him to present this project for an International Seminar based on the theme: BLOOD IS NOT FOR SALE, IT IS GIVEN!”:  

«The World Health Organization (WHO) in its report on the lack of blood and blood derivatives in the world and its safety, proves a dramatic situation that necessitates urgent interventions on the part of International and National governmental Authorities, with the support and cooperation of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) to solve this problem.  

Each year,, millions of lives are saved due to blood transfusions. Unfortunately, in the major part of the developing countries, people still die due to a lack of blood and blood derivatives, as – in particular – for anti-hemophiliac factors.  

This situation especially hits women , especially in connection with the impossibility to treat transfusional complications in connections with births; children that die from grave anemia and that can not be treated; people hurt my trauma and, especially, those who are poor and disadvantaged.  

It is, for example, estimated that each yea it would be possible to avoid 150.000 deaths in the world due to complications with pregnancies if a sufficient quantity of blood was available.  

Each year, 75 000 000 units of blood are distributed globally in the largest part of the world population living in countries with low or medium level of development. 60 % off the world supply of blood is produced in countries with a high level of development.

    The analysis of the availability of blood calculated in relation with the population     

     reveals, that 83% of the world population has access to only 40% of the blood totally

     available.

The ratio between population and the number of donations is at least 20 times higher between de developed countries and the developing  

The problem with the high demographic development could force the countries of the Southern part of the world to give blood against retribution with the risks of contamination and become – for reasons in insufficient safety – a real chain of transmission of infections  

But in the Southern part of the world there is a lack of non-remunerated blood for treatment of local patients. This situation could attract the multinational  industrial interests of the country, or even worse, the large criminal transfusional organizations.  

Our answer should be that of a great voluntary cooperation organized from the North to the South of the world in order to deter each initiative to privatize and commercialize exploration of blood, to counteract whatever hypothesis for privatization of the collection of blood and Donor administration other than the oces practiced by the associations which work for the voluntary, non-remunerated, regular, anonymous and responsible donation. Also to confirm that the public and associative role of the blood sector is the one, which guarantees all citizens – without distinction – the right to benefit from blood at the time of need.  

This will be a great moment for exchanges and world awareness to the subject of voluntary blood donation , to world selfsufficiency, to security and safety of blood transfusion ».(applauds).  

This Forum will be in BRAZIL in Porto Alègre from 23 to 28 January 2003.

This Seminar will take place on 25 January  from 14h00 to 18h30.  

The organizers : AVIS in collaboration avec ABVS (Brazil) AMDS (Morocco), FIODS, the Association from CALCUTTA (India) and the WHO.

 

Les rapporteurs :

Marcia DALCCECO (ABVS) – Malika MASSINE (AMDS) – Débabrata RAY (India)

Andréa TIEGHI (AVIS) – Prof. Dalton CHAMONE (Université Hémotologie SAO PAULO) – José Luiz DUROIO (Word Forum of Alternatives Italie-Brésil).

 

Discussions about the project for new Statutes  

N. MIKKELSEN made a brief reminder about the decisions made in QUEBEC, especially the one consisting of the sending before 26 October 2002, proposals about the Statutes from the member Associations:  

Up to now, only Italy, France and Denmark had sent proposals.

We now had to proceed. In accordance with the Statutes, a Rapporteur designated by the Executive Council should take over the presentation of the proposed changes to the Statutes during the Extraordinary General Assembly in 2003.  

F. FERRUA proposed the establishment of a small working group, made up of persons, not members of the Executive Council to prepare proposals to be presented to the General Assembly.  

C. PIOTTON thought that it was decided during the General Assembly in QUEBEC, to set up a commission with a representative from each country, which should make a project to be presented to the vote of the General Assembly.  

R. LABADIE did not like this proposal, as he reminded much time and work had been done both in Geneva and in Québec. A document had been presented, it was the fruit of this work –and we could then, by a simple basic discussion – agree on a final text to be presented to the General Assembly  

N. MIKKELSEN indicated that the decision taken during the Congress in QUEBEC was not the one , presented by C. PIOTON.  

G. VANHOVE, to help ease the situation and to be effective proposed to collect the complementary proposals from C. PIOTTON and R. LABADIE; in fact the modifications to the Statutes proposed were minor. The changes concerned primarily the Rules of Procedures and should, accordingly, pose less basic problems.  

R. LABADIE added, that he had only a few minor corrections to certain articles.

C. PIOTTON, said, that the SWISS proposal were some additional point proposed by Aimé CANTIN in a document to be given to the Executive Council. The main goal is to reach a consensus to present a proposal to the General Assembly, which will receive a majority approval  

P. COLAMARTINO wanted to be very clear on the political aspects of the Statutes presented to the Executive Council. For him it was not acceptable, in regard to the work falling on the IFBDO, to have a proposal for Statutes corresponding to a larger associations such as the Red Cross.  

The IFBDO is a more modest organization, and in the transitory phase, where we find ourselves, there is no interest and no utility in implementing a general change of the actual Statutes. A simple adaptation should be enough. When the ideas have evolved, we could envisage to proceed to more radical changes. In fact, this is more a substantial problem than an informal operation.  

N. MIKKELSEN reminded the Council that we have no assurance that the actual Statutes have been deposited in Monaco. But, in fact, the Statutes have not been an obstacle for the present IFBDO activities, so small changes should be enough to adapt them to the actual context.  

Finally, The Executive Council accepted the proposal made by G. VANHOVE to make a synthesis of the element communicated by SWITZERLAND and to remit to the Executive Council the adapted project for the Statutes. The Executive Council designated him as Rapporteur on this project for the Statutes, which he shall present and comment during the General Assembly in Morocco. All present agreed unanimously.  

Before ending the session President COLAMARTINO thanked all the members for their active participation in the work of the Council, for the thoughtfulness of their interventions, for their discipline which had facilitated the very interesting debates, which had taken place, but also allowed for the handling of all items foreseen on the agenda. 

He wished everyone a safe return.

 

The session ended at 18h45.

 

Jean-Marie DURANT                                                           Niels MIKKELSEN

            Assistant Secretary General                                                       Secretary General