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A New Quadrennial - A New International President
Aim for Women at the Peace Table
Soroptimist International's new President, Margaret Lobo made working for peace the theme of her inaugural speech at the closing ceremony of the 18th Convention in Glasgow.
"My sincere wish is that we will work towards peace by eliminating poverty - one of the main causes of unrest and war" she told fifteen hundred delegates and guests. She went on to say that the United Nations has pledged to reduce world poverty by half by 2015. SI has been a vibrant and enthusiastic organisation for 86 years and we can accept the challenge even though our membership numbers may not be at their best right now.
President Margaret congratulated SI Europe for their efforts towards peace.
Given the equal opportunities, women will be a powerful force for peace. Women are naturally disposed towards peace but women are rarely at a peace table. She urged members, "to be vigilant and monitor our governments to empower us to be part of the peace process."
The date of her inauguration of International President of SI was an auspicious coincidence as the 3d August was also the 58th anniversary of Soroptimism in Australia, with her club Perth being the first to be formed. The Inaugural Address is available on the Downloads page.
Turn Handbags into Handshakes
Earlier, Immediate Past President Lynn talked about Soroptimism as a beacon, "finely balanced to adapt to the winds of uncertainty." Success depends on the extent we can master the speed, complexity and uncertainly in which the world is changing and our own organisation faces change. Indeed, "the way we work in future may be subject to regular change."
Two dozen girl dancers from Darwen Vale High School in North West England where Lynn is Headteacher entertained the audience with a variety of modern and stage musical items.
A Very Special Thank You from Joan Lunt, International Convention Committee Chairman
My sincere thanks go to all of you that gave your time and effort to make the International Convention such a great success. Your contribution ensured that it was a great success and without you to help with the organisation it would not have run so smoothly.
To the delegates who responded in such a good humoured way, I thank you for your participation, friendliness and enthusiasm. Thank you for joining in the discussions and particulary making the ceremony of 'Women Stand for Peace' such a moving experience.
I hope you have all returned home refreshed and renewed, determined to put those ideas gained during the Convention into practice.
Thank you all for your help and service during a time that will be unforgettable to me.
