Post on 16-Jul-2020
C.I.F. World NewsAutumn 2013
The Council of International Fellowship MagazineThe Council of International Fellowship Magazine
CIF International Conference
by CIF Turkey
The tale of the
30th
I
C.I.F.Page 2 W o r l d N e w s
A message from the World News Editor
New CIF President's MessageNew CIF President's Message
Dear CIF friends,
As we begin another academic year
Doing Good in the World is doing good for one's self! Have a great time!
I'd like to offer my best wishes to
all CIF members internationally. This will be a year of momentous changes
for our organization with the economic crisis facing all of us! We need to
think out of the box and start managing our losses and our problems in a
constructive way which will lead to a new era of success and prosperity.
We need to develop a new vision plan, expand ourselves to more
countries and offer a helping hand to all the needy.
Europe has been challenged greatly the last years and every day more
and more countries enter the circle of this “economic crisis” which leads
to a complete change in the way we think, act, react and see things. We
need to see “beyond” the four walls of our own house and start acting
maturely, methodically, seriously and with a structured program in order to revitalize our “dead” systems,
and bring the smile back to our faces.
In order to achieve this we need to join forces and fight for our rights, for our families, for our lives and not
to sit back and let OTHERS decide for US. We are born 'fighters' and we will die 'fighters'!
This year will be a learning year; it will be a time for real reflection and action. We need to create a solid
basis on which we will reconstruct our lives and protect our children and our youth. We have the responsibility
to improve today's situation and bring new bright ideas to
help our young people start their lives and start new families
which will live in a safe world. We owe this to our children and
it is our responsibility to help achieve this. Joining forces will
make us stronger and give us strength and hope to fight for
our rights and a better life full of laughter, love and peace.
CIF needs to be known all over the world and CIF
members should all try to offer their expertise and
knowledge to help young professionals to develop and acquire the necessary skills to become good
professionals and practitioners who will then offer a helping hand to the needy. Any small step is better than
no step at all and this will lead us to Peace! Peace within, peace with others, peace to the entire world. Only
then will we feel completed human beings.
From Maria Christopoulou,
Vice President CIF International,
Editor World News
This year will be a learning
year; it will be a time for
real reflection and action.
Dear CIF Friends,
I have the great honor to reach out to all of you as
the new president of CIF International. I want to thank
for your confidence in me to work for CIF in this
important position.
Thank you to the previous Executive Committee
(EC) and the three members who are leaving the EC:
Edna Bar On, Lollie Bailey-Nilsson, and Maria
Hierlinger-Gudat for their exceptional service to CIF.
Also, thank you to the other past presidents and
members who have carried the work of our
international association. I think of Henry Ollendorff
who built CIP and CIF, and I want to continue the work
of CIF in the spirit of the founder. For CIF France, I say
all the best to Nicole De Caqueray, who is still present
and continues to support CIF.
Mireille Boucher,
President CIF International
Thanks to CIF Turkey for this
e x c e l l e n t a n d i n t e r e s t i n g
Conference. It was really well
organized. CIF Turkey and all the
team took good care of us during
the meetings and the Conference. For their first
conference and their 20th anniversary it was a real
success.
We shall have the pleasure to continue positive
actions with the new Executive Committee. We are full
of energy and we want to offer to you our best effort to
promote CIF.
CIF entered my life in 1991 when I participated in the
first program in Scotland. I have been the president of
CIF France since 1996. I have regularly attended the
CIF Turkey won the Challenge of Encounters in a
Global World!
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 3
C.I.F.
Board of Directors (BD) meetings as the president of
CIF France, and it has been a real pleasure to share our
experiences with the other branch presidents and
members.
I know that CIF will take a more important place in
my life,and I am ready to work
with the new team: Maria
Christopoulou as the vice
president, David Scheele as
secretary, Gabi Kronberger as
treasurer, Michael Cronin and
R a b i a Ö z b a s D u r a k a s
members-at-large. We shall
continue to share the values of
CIF, we shall respect the rights of everyone. Solidarity
will be the basis of our work and our team.
We will meet this autumn to organize our work and
we will have the pleasure to meet representives of all
CIF branches in Zurich, August 2014. Thank you to
Elisabeth Fischbacher and CIF Switzerland for hosting
the next BD meeting.
We hope that CIF Sweden will host the next CIF
Conference in 2015. Thanks for their proposal, we know
it is a big but really interesting challenge they will
undertake.
We shall work to help to
create new Branches and we
hope to welcome the next
Board of Directors meeting.
Now with the new EC team,
we are ready to work for you
and we hope we will share
many new, important moments
in CIF International.
All the best,
Mireille Boucher, President CIF International
mirboucher@aol.com
We shall work to help
to create new Branches
and we hope to welcome
the next Board
of Directors meeting.
his was my first time attending the CIF
International Conference. My first
impression of CIF was “a world like a warm
family.” Several months before the
conference, it was difficult for me to attend all
programs due to my workplace. However, as I was
able to cut out some parts of my work, I changed
flights and purchased a new air-ticket so that I
could attend all the programs. Overcoming some
difficulties in my circumstances, the conference at
Ankara appeared to me a significant and wonderful
experience.
I joined a
workshop and made two presentations. The titles
of both were the same as
– correct meaning:
(Finding Solutions to Difficult Behavior of Elderly
Dementia Case). I brought up one problem
occurring at the nursing home for the elderly, which
seemed to be relevant to the term “conflict,”
mentioned in the context of the main topic of the
conference, “Threats and Opportunities.” The
problem is that the medical co-workers at an
elderly facility are apt to be placed in a stressful
situation with the residents suffering dementia or
Presentation at the Conference:
“Finding Solutions to
Difficult Behavior in Dementia”
other disorders. I have
considered how we could
avoid such conflicts and
successfully interact in
such cases. This was the main topic of my
presentation. Despite my poor talk, some of the
people from the universities showed interests in my
presentation. So I promised to send them a list of
references by e-mail afterwards. In addition, I felt
so happy to be told by a few persons about my talks
during our sightseeing inAnkara.
¯A warm and wonderful feeling with CIF members¯
First Conference, First ImpressionsFirst Conference, First Impressions
JapanBy Masako Aoki,
CIF Japan
Masako Aoki with CIF friends at Ankara Conference
Encounters
in a Global WorldEncounters
in a Global World
C.I.F.Page 4 W o r l d N e w s
Reunion with my friend from the Scotland
Exchange Program (PEP):
Meeting the President of CIF Scotland:
An unexpected wonderful occasion:
I could meet her again
after two years since our program in Scotland. She
is a very kind and wonderful Turkish lady. Though
she was very busy as a hosting CIF member,
fortunately I was invited to her family and we could
spend a wonderful occasion despite the limited
time. Even though we could not express our
feelings so perfectly in words, we had a warm and
friendly feeling for each other during the visit.
During
my participation to the PEP in Scotland I learned
that people prioritize the idea of welfare and
respect it. I think it changed my attitude towards
my life entirely. Remembering this, I felt so happy
to meet president, Anne Robertson, and my host
family.
I
purchased a German folk cloth at the Market of
Nations. It was a light cyan colored handmade one-
piece dress. When I found a little rip in the sleeve of
my Japanese cloth, I wanted to repair it before the
closing ceremony. However as there was no time, I
made up my mind to wear that German folk style
cloth and go. After the ceremony, several German
CIF members came around me and were pleased to
see me wearing the folk one-piece dress. One lady
was very delighted and said “So you are the one who
bought this dress? My grandmother made this one-
piece dress! It fits you perfectly fit as if she was
sewing it for you.”
Our work for the welfare of the people always
asks us to behave from the standpoint of the
vulnerable. Although it was my first time to attend
the CIF Conference, many of the people whom I met
were so warm and supportive of each other like a
family. Observing those persons, I felt it was the CIF
members who might have shown their
towards many clients at
their own various welfare fields.
“family-like
kindness and warmth”
Last June the 30 CIF Conference took place inTurkey in the city of Ankara. It was a week with an intenseagenda, not only because of the planned presentations,workshops and visits institutional academic activities,but also by the rich encounters with the other membersof the Cif.
I had the pleasant opportunity of participating as anobserver in the meetings of the Board of Directors,where I could appreciate the applied mode of work toaddress the issues of interest, such as the regulation,development and challenges of the PEP in the variouscountries and the elections of new authorities in CIF
The various plenary sessions were very good, with aclear presentation of the issues and the possibility ofexchange with the participants.The Professor ofeconomics Ayse BUGRA made reference to the strongemphasis placed on philanthropy in the provision ofwelfare and social services in Turkey and how there arestill gender differences .
The professor Pinar UYANSEMERCI spoke about theprocess of migration in Turkey and the professor AyseGUNDUZ HOSGOR presented the question of ethnicencountering in modern Turkey. Each lecture was sopositive to think about the ethnic diversity and how thepossibility of strengthening the integration is possible.
A clear example of these possibilities was the peacepanel where members of the Parents Circle FamiliesForum, an Israeli and a Palestinian, showed us their work
thand project for ending violence and promoting peaceand reconciliation. With a preventive approach, therewas also a presentation of members of the BogaziciUniversity who have a project with Turkish, Greek andCypriot Youth, teaching them conflict resolution skills andhuman rights education.
There was also a very good offer of presentations andworkshops with a wide diversity of subjects, from Turkishcooking to social investigation issues.And so interestingwas the agency visits. I went with a group to the Bluehorse cafe where a NGO, carries on a cafe and a shop withpatients with mental disease in treatment.
And you will probably ask what has happened after 6pm?... There was the time for dinner and the social events...The CIF Turkeys 20 years celebration was great! And sowas the market of the nations and the farewell party!
It was my first CIF Conference and I enjoyed it somuch, it was extremely very well organized by the Turkishteam... congratulations for them! And I Feel the goodsensation that each ofus that are working for the CIF inour countries have the same goal of making encounterspossible in this global world.
S
Social Worker
CIF Argentina Vice President
usana García Peñaloza
Encounters in a Global WorldEncounters in a Global WorldArgentinaAnkara, Turkey June 2013
������
Conference
Taksim, Gezi and since then…
First of all, great compliments for all the members of CIF Turkey
who made it possible to have a wonderful conference-time this
year in Turkey, with high quality plenary sessions, interesting
workshops and excursions. And of course, with a very positive
attitude to CIF members from all over the world by the
members of CIF Turkey and all the students who were helping
them with such warm enthusiasm. In the evening we had the
possibility of encounter in a different way with good meals,
different festivities as the Market of the Nations and of course
the dancing-time, which is so characteristic for all the
Conferences of CIF International.
Many of us were emotionally touched by the Peace Project
2009/12/13, initiated by Mimmo Merola and represented by
two members from Israel and Palestine of the Bereaved
Families Forum. The movie and discussions later on impressed
us in different ways. It showed not only sadness but also
unexpected possibilities of how to continue your life in times of
great sadness and despair as a result of violence. And, how to
start a dialogue with people who seem at the other side of
experience and cultural values. In the context of learning the
conference showed us persuasively how to apply the
intervention in Israel/Palestine; how you have to and can
develop carefully, and again and again evaluating, a
professional method of intervention in extremely difficult
circumstances.
After the conference week we attended the post tour to
Istanbul. Normally a traditional excursion with visits to all the
historical highlights of this wonderful city where East meets
West since thousands of years. As we all know it was this time
another experience – Taksim Square and the Gezi Park were
words in the centre of the world news and our hotel was rather
close to both. So, first we visited the Gezi Park in a friendly
mood of protest and understanding, but in our last day in
Istanbul, the police came in action and the days after that, Gezi
Park was evacuated with violence.
������� ��������������Reflections on the CIF ConferenceReflections on the CIF Conference
S i n c e t h e c o n f e r e n c e
experience and our visit to
Istanbul, there were many
things happening in Turkey. We
saw a lot of it on TV and read
about it in newspapers and other magazines. At the same time
there are negative developments in the Arab world until today,
of course already during two years in Syria and also in other
countries, like Egypt. The 'Arab Spring' seems over, many people
are killed or in prison.
It makes me feel sad, concerned and modest. I reflected about it
and I tried to associate these developments with the theme of
the conference 'Encounters in a global world'. 'Encounter'
requires action from both sides. How do we manage that
process between people, between groups of people within and
between countries? Which values do we share?
I am looking for sources.
This year Stephane Hessel died at the age of 95. During the
Second World War he was active in the French resistance
movement, he was a prisoner in Buchenwald and as a young
diplomat he was engaged in the process when the United
Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in
1948. In Europe he was well known since he published his
booklet 'Time of outrage' (2010). I did read again the book of
Stephane Hessel 'Toutes comptes faits...ou presque' (in the
Dutch edition and free translation 'Believing in the unlikelyness',
2012).
In all his recently published books Stephane Hessel used and
repeated the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
And I simply read again the Article 1 of the Universal
Declaration:
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act
towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood
Values
� Stephane Hessel
By Max de Coole
CIF Netherlands
Netherlands
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 5
Protest at Taksim Square – Istanbul June 2013 A look inside the Sophia – Istanbul
C.I.F.Page 6 W o r l d N e w s
�
�
Epilogue
In Turkey lived in the 13e century Celaleddin Rumi, a wonderful
poet and mystic. He is still very popular in Eastern and Western
countries. Some words of him (translated by Nicholson):
Karen Armstrong did a lot of research in the main religious
systems in East and West, from the Jewish tradition to
Buddhism, from the Hellenistic point of view to Confucianism
and Taoism, from Christianity to Islam. One of her key-words is
compassion and she started a movement towards a worldwide
Charter of Compassion, with The Golden Rule as its ethical core.
I am conscious of the fact that an important thing we have to do
is, that we share our values again and again and we share them
not only within the CIF family but we have to participate in
hopeful worldwide institutes and movements like the United
Nations
I am not of the East nor of the West, nor of the land, nor of the
sea
I am not of Nature's mint, nor of the circling heavens
I have put duality away, I have seen that the two worlds are one;
One I seek, One I know, One I see, One I call
One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.
('they' and 'we' are not always successful, but let us
Rumi
Karen Armstrong
repeat with each other texts like mentioned above, and recite
them as mantras).
We must encounter each other, again and again –
There is a lot of work still to do.
Let us share and admire inspiring philosophers and poets, like
Rumi. And yes, we can participate in new hopeful initiatives like
the Charter of Compassion movement nowadays, as mentioned
before.
I realize again what happened during the conference with the
presentation of the hopeful Peace Project 2009/12/13 and
other examples of good interventions and the hopeful research
projects of Turkish social workers and Turkish scientists. At this
time we are preparing the CIF Exchange Program 2013 in many
countries, also in the Netherlands. Nine social workers from
eight countries (including Turkey) will be in the Netherlands in
November and will have a program with all aspects of human
and social problems in our country with examples of how to
handle it from the point of view of a social worker.
So I am still concerned and modest, and of course sometimes
very sad thinking of all the victims by force of arms in to many
countries and of all those persons who are in prison for political
reasons. But at the same time, reflecting about my state of mind,
I found a hopeful perspective.
Gezi Park Evacuated – Istanbul June 2013 Post-Conference Tour on the Bosphorus – Istanbul
efore the changes that took place at the 2013General Assembly in Turkey on Article 3 of the CIFStatutes, we presented ourselves as a “private,non-profit politically and religiously independentOrganization, which could work in collaboration
with other entities sharing the same philosophy,whose general goal was to promote internationalunderstanding and world peace through the exchange ofexperience for social workers, special educators, youthleaders and others in closely related fields.”
This, I think, is what we have essentially been doing forthe past 50 years. But the question was: is there space formore direct involvement? In my perspective, everything thatCIF stands for could and should possibly be extended to morecrucial issues that exist in our World – as did Henry Ollendorffwho started it all by initiating the process with the idea offacilitating the right post-war conditions, allowing the firstGerman group to enter the life of American families and
THE CIF PEACE PROJECT 2009 – 2013; JUST THE BEGINNING...?!THE CIF PEACE PROJECT 2009 – 2013; JUST THE BEGINNING...?!THE CIF PEACE PROJECT 2009 – 2013; JUST THE BEGINNING...?!
Italyindividuals in 1956, with resultsthat don't need any furtherc o m m e n t s … i f y o u h a v epositively experienced CIF in anyway!
At our 2009 Conference in Finland we were reminded ofour purpose and the need to take more direct action in thepursuit of our general goal, because of the presence of a one-sided story in the Israeli-Palestinian issue. The site of the2011 Conference in Cyprus offered the opportunity tosponsor the participation of three Palestinian delegates, withthe active role of CIF Israel in the recruitment and thegenerous donations from various CIF members and friends.
To continue this significant experience, CIF Italiasustained the participation of one person from Israel and onefrom the Palestinian Territories in their 2012 Exchange
By Mimmo Merola,
CIF Italy
Program. The 2011 and 2012 experiences favored a betterinsight on the sort of internal conflict and the strong feelingswe are dealing with; not everyone is at the same stage ofprocessing those feelings and our CIF ExchangePrograms may not be totally prepared norappropriately equipped to manage the situationsthat can arise in the most effective and productiveway.
In the CIF Italia 2012 Exchange Program, whichproved to be essential for further development, theIsraeli and Palestinian participants had already gonethrough different processes, allowing them to betterdiscover and appreciate each other as people. Wethink that the Program merely, but significantly,strengthened their relationship; and this is what wefeel and hope they have mostly taken back home tocontinue to build on. Consequently, we believe thatCIF cannot carry on successfully by itself a trulyeffective Peace Project Program, but needs toconnect with someone who is working in managingthe internal/psychological conflict, in our case, ofIsraeli and Palestinian individuals.
The “someone” surfaced within the 2012 ItalianProgram: The Parents Circle – Families Forum: Two SidedStory; thus, thanks again to the notorious generosity of CIFpeople we were able to invite the two co-managers from theabove Forum to present their Project at the 2013 CIFConference in Turkey, Nir and Mazen (see them in the photo)who truly showed all those of us present their realistic,dramatic and hopeful answer to work for stability and peacein the area.
Another pertinent contribution at
and promote sharing, friendship andunderstanding among young people.
CIF Turkey also sponsored the participation of anArmenian social worker with whom I had a brief butmeaningful exchange and from whom I was able to perceive apositive experience.
What could have been more in line with the theme of
the Conference wasmade by The Peace Education and Research Center atBoðazici University presenting a preventive approach forPeace work, illustrating their Youth Project between Turkish,Greek and Cypriot youngsters in the attempt to break downprejudice
…
the Conference: Encounters in a Global World Threats andOpportunities for Social Workers and Human ServiceProfessionals?
We could say that the encounter has truly happened; thefuture of the CIF Peace Project has come out of isolation. Thenext step is up to us, here and now, if we believe in theexperience and want to be part of the next phase. CIF Italiawill continue to do its part; planning to recruit participantsfor the 2014 Professional Exchange Program (PEP) throughthe organizations mentioned above…we hope that otherCIFs will want to follow! A Peace Project Fund has beeninitiated and I hope it can be nurtured and used for furtherdevelopment. As the Exchange Programs are our mainactivity, I would endorse the possibility to support andencourage Branches with PEPs to adhere to the Project.
Let the discussion continue… in the awareness that wecan only offer a very small contribution to the cause of WorldPeace, but as Mother Teresa of Culcutta said, “We ourselvesfeel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But theocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
Others are merely the part of ourselves that we still don'tknow, peace is the condition and love the tool that can helpus discover the beauty we are missing, possibly contributingto “ Heal the World” a bit. Domenico Antonio (Mimmo)Merola, CIF Peace Project 2009/12/13…
Nir and Mazen of The Parents Circle – Families Forum:
Two Sided Story with Mimmo Merola (CIF Italy)
he experience of participating in the CIF (Council of International Fellowship) International Exchange Program is special.
Living with different host families during the exchange program is an extraordinary way to get to know the country`s
culture and people.
There is a promise on CIF International`s website that during the CIF
exchange program – “ Living with host families provides participants with an unique cultural experience that enriches
the understanding and tolerance of diversities and develops lasting cross-cultural friendships.” Indeed, this statement is certainly
true and all who have gone through the CIF exchange program, can confirm it.
During the program, the candidates represent their own country and culture, but also their own country`s social welfare
http://www.cifinternational.com/programs
Host Family Living- a unique tradition which raises questions- a unique tradition which raises questions
EstoniaKati Saira, CIF-Estonia
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 7
Host
Family
Living
C.I.F.Page 8 W o r l d N e w s
agency/institution and, ultimately, themselves. CIF exchange
program`s candidacy is a long process. It requires a
commitment to the profession, motivation and willingness to
contribute time (quite often vacation time) to professional self-
development while abroad. Candidates must meet certain
criteria and have to be flexible. Candidates are interviewed and
their motivation letter must explain what the reasons are to be
nominated for the program. Tolerance, open mindeness and
flexibility should characterize a successful CIF exchange
program candidate.
Having participated in two CIF exchange programs (CIF-
Norway in 2009 and CIF-Finland in 2013) and having talked to
many professional social welfare people from different
countires who have participated in the CIF exchange programs
all over the world, I want to express and share
my and other`s participants comments and
thoughts, on living with CIF host families.
The concept of CIF Host Family living is a
unique and excellent opportunity to examine
the culture of another country. Many
professional social welfare workers are
satisfied with the CIF exchange program`s
Host Family living. However, from time to
time questions have arisen and the
candidates are not always fully satisfied with
the Host Family living system. Before entering
the exchange program the candidate has
sometimes no idea where and with whom he
or she is going to live during the program.
I described above the criteria a successful
CIF exchange program candidate must fulfill.
But are there any criteria for Host Families? If so, what are the
criteria? Does every CIF exchange program branch have a
neutral and at the same time a responsible person, who
provides actual help and who is able to solve the problems in
relationships with the Host Family during the program?Is a Host
Family selected based on interviews? Does the CIF branch know
the family`s motivational reasons? Or, does the Host Family`s
real motivation appear when a candidate feels the pressure and
the demand to provide for the Host Family full service of free
lodging, transportation and guided tours in her/his home
country after the exchange program?
Is the CIF exchange program`s participant also aware
before entering the program that the Host Family is not
responsible to provide meals three times per day and that the
candidate is partially responsible for his/her food? To avoid
misunderstandings, it is important that each participant knows
how much the particular Host Family is ready to nourish the
participant and how much should the participant contribute
himself/herself (including buying own food).
The problem can be solved if the Host Family explains to the
participant in advance (via e-mail and/or telephone) that
according to the local CIF organization`s agreement the Family
provides food only to a certain extent and a contribution is
expected from the participant.
CIF organization must not forget that the exchange
program`s participants are dependent on the Host Family`s
shelter, food, emotional well-being and security. The
participants are literally dependent, and this dependence
should not be misused by the Host Families according to their
own interests, position and situation.
I have compiled the following questions and suggestions
according to my own experiences and talking to and reading of
many other CIF Host Family living experiences from all over the
world.
Every CIF organization must develop a Host Family
motivational package to demonstrate value to the Host Family
for volunteering (For example: joint picnics after the exchange
p r o g r a m , j o i n t f i e l d t r i p s a n d / o r f r e e
SPA/theater/cinema/concert/festival tickets after the CIF
exchange program).
Prevent the misunderstanding that the Host Families
“do the participant a personal favor”
p r o v i d i n g f r e e a c c o m m o d a t i o n ,
transportation and food, and that the
participant “should provide” the same level
of services to the Hosts after the end of the
exchange program.
Clarify that the hosting is not a
personal favor, but a favor for the CIF
organization and this should be respected
and valued by every CIF branch.
Every CIF organization should create a
post for a Host Family`s neutral key-person
(possibly two persons) whose main job tasks
and responsibilities are:
K n o w t h e H o s t Fa m i l i e s
motivations and main reasons why the family wishes to be a
Host. (CIF exchange program`s participants should not know
these motivations).
Be familiar with the Host Families family situation
changes (divorce, unemployment, work, family and health
problems, problems with the children, etc.)
Be able to solve problems related to the exchange
program Host Families living. A responsible and neutral CIF key-
person should be able to listen the arguments of both parties
and solve the problems during the program.
Ask for the feedback from the participants (written
and/or oral) about the living conditions and emotional
environment in the Host Family at the beginning of the program,
during the program and after the program.
Give each participant the opportunity to communicate (via
e-mail and/or telephone) with the Host Families before the start
of the program.
1.
2.
3.
How well does the CIF know the CIF Host Families, the
coordinators and their motives?
Is CIF aware of the Host Family`s
readiness to provide the hosting?
Do CIF exchange program participants received
enough information and opportunity to honestly
communicate (via e-mail and/or telephone) with the Host
Families before the start of the program?
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-
-
-
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Host Family Living - Questions and Suggestions:
Regarding Kati Saira's article on host
family living;
As one of the most important component of a typical CIF
International Professional Exchange Program (PEP), Host Family
Manual (HFM) has been developed for National Branches (NB) to
provide a general guideline when hosting someone participating
in a CIF International PEP. It has been sent to NBs and also the
updated version takes place in the e-forum. The manual is for NBs
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 9
Thanks to CIF ITALIA, every year my family and I host
people from various areas – everything to learn and
deepen our English, and meet different cultures.
In September 2012 we hosted an Israeli woman, her
name is Ofra. She is a very nice person!
In the beginning I was shy, but with time I started
speaking more and later we had a true and deep
connection. We talked about work, family, free time
and also about the particular history of Israel.
Several days later, I went out with Ofra to show her the
city: especially the second largest ancient Roman
amphitheater, but only for a short time because she was
busy with the programme.
Despite her hard work she could always smile and bring
harmony with her beautiful personality.
In English I'm not very good, but we managed to
understand each other.
It wasn't easy to speak English, but she helped me a lot.
SPECIAL DAYS WITH CIF ITALIASPECIAL DAYS WITH CIF ITALIA
The following article is a synthesis of the reports on the CIF Hellas Professional
Exchange Program (PEP) 2013, written by Bendikte Lende, Social Worker from Norway
and Rosiane Pinheiro Palheta, Social Worker from Brazil edited by Catherine Psarouli,
member in charge of CIF Hellas PEP.
The experience of having participated in CIF Hellas PEP 12-29 of May 2013 was surprisingly enriching professional
and unforgettable. The organizing team, as all the Greeks, was an amazingly friendly group and they took care of the
participants from the beginning to the end of the program.
During the program we got to know social workers from around the world(Turkey, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Brazil
and of course Greece). When we hear the name of these countries we can't help but smile and think about the days we
spent together with the other participants in Greece.
We did a lot of field visits, and though the program was a little bit tiring, was extremely necessary to have an
understanding of the functioning of the social policy in Greece and one of the main reasons we were there. The visits
were enriched with the participation of all who contributed to issues shared among all.
We experienced Greece from the angle of social work, and we have to say that there is no doubt thatit widened our
horizons regarding social work. We have learned that wherever you are in the world, there is someone there trying to
make a difference. And even though Greece is going through a difficult time, the people are doing their best to help
An and Professional ExperienceEnriching Unforgettable
Hellas
I would like to relive those moments again in the future!
Hugs,
Giuseppina Longobardi
P.S. Ofra is the one embracing me, next to her there's
Mohammed, then my father Peppe, my mom Laura and my
sister Carolina.
to give to the host families before the program starts. It is also
acknowledged that each NB will have priorities and
preferences that pertain to their own country/culture. It is their
responsibility to clarify such issues relating specifically to their
own exchange programme and amend the manual
accordingly.
In the HFM, it is asserted that, before their arrival PEP
participants are informed by the programme coordinator
about the programme, accommodation and host families. Host
families are encouraged to contact the participant before their
arrival as well. During the participant's stay, actual family life
continues. Host families are asked to provide breakfast and
dinner, participant is responsible for her/his own lunch. An
awareness and respect for cultural behaviours is essential in
order to fully understand and respond appropriately to
participants' needs. Contact telephone numbers of
programme coordinators should be available both to host
families and to participants in case any issues arise during the
program, to provide actual help.
Besides updating NBs with the HFM before they carry out
their programs, issues regarding Host Family living could
further be discussed in the upcoming BD meeting in 2014, in
Zurich.
Rabia Özbas Durak
CIF International PEP Coordinator
C.I.F.Page 10 W o r l d N e w s
individualists.
This is also reflected in
how people spend free time.
Greeks enjoy the company of
friends, but the Estonians engage in individual
achievements. For example, while a Greek sits with
friends in a taverna and enjoying good food, an Estonian
will probably do sport or make gardening work. I think the
Greeks are better able to enjoy life. In Greece I learned to
be more easygoing, freer and happier.
Greeks seem to have an important sense of
belonging; they value the interaction and pleasant
feelings experienced by others, especially being together.
I experienced this in the Open Psychology Center. A visit
to this institution was for me the most interesting and
those in need. We never imagined that there would be
so many volunteers, and this was impressive. We had the
chance to learn about the problems and issues that mark
the lives of people in Greece.
We also did a lot of cultural events as sightseeing,
participated in Greek concerts, invited to private dinner,
parties, to taverns, to cafes, and we had the chance to see
different parts of their country.
At all times we felt embraced and well received in the
host country. Living with a host family was very
important because we felt welcome and at home with
wonderful people with whom certainly we will always
keep in touch.
We want to suggest that they should include among
agency visits, a visit to the school of social work and
perhaps some course hours in social work to understand
the operation and process of social work training in
Greece. We believe it would be very enriching for all the
participants.
To everyone involved in this program we say,
“Congratulations and always continue with this because
the exchange of experiences among participants and
institutions certainly enriches not only the profession,
but the expansion of knowledge between countries.”
C.I.F.
CIF Hellas PEP 2013 group photosI participated in the Greek CIF program because I
wanted to see how the welfare system works in a
different culture from Estonia. For me it is exciting to see
the differences, to better understand our place in the
world and expand my understanding of life.
I knew previously that the Greeks are open, friendly
and kind, but I was surprised at their great hospitality –
noticing the needs of others and willingness to share
their resources. I experienced the program organizers
commitment to the program participants feeling well.
I was very amazed by the fact that many institutions
we visited work with a lot of volunteers. At some
institutions there were more volunteers than the
workers. For example, one church organization has 160
employees and 4,000 volunteers. There are few
volunteers in Estonia. I think the Greeks are willing to be a
volunteer, because they are more oriented to the
collective well-being, and Estonians are more
Greece and EstoniaGreece and Estonia
– Comparing
Social Services
– Comparing
Social Services
By Jane Kants, CIF Estonia, Social Worker, Psychologist
Estonia
useful because I realized that people with mental health
problems are often associated with loneliness and a lack
of social skills. I was surprised that the main working
method was group work, regardless of the patients'
problems. Usually Estonian psychologists do individual
therapy and they use group work only for certain cases.
The Greek Open Psychology Center offers patients the
opportunity to belong somewhere; they create a
community where patients can learn to cope better with
others. The Center provides the opportunity to belong to
a community, when it is not possible in real life.
I noticed that in Greece the common people and
social workers take responsibility for solving the
problems of others. The Greeks are sensitive to others
problems; they live more by heart, compared to
Estonians. Social workers are dedicated and work long
hours, but that is not enough, because the leaders and
the politicians do not take responsibility. For example,
one local government pays every month big rent, but
they do not give any money for social programs. I noticed
that most of the welfare work is made by the NGO and
private institutions, but the state system is weak.
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 11
It seems to me that Greece has good laws, but no one
is responsible if the laws are enforced or how they work.
In Estonia the state officer takes more responsibility and
control; the laws are enforced. Estonia has a strong
welfare system. Social workers must follow certain rules
and guidelines. Sometimes the rules are too rigid, and it
interferes with people helping. It seemed to me that the
child protection worker in Greece tries to solve the
problem of the child as possible. In Estonia, the child
protection worker must solve the child`s problem. If this
is not possible, then the worker must collect a lot of
material, in order to prove to the court that is necessary,
to take away parental rights and put the child in a
children's home or foster family.
It seems to me that one of the reasons of the crisis in
Greece is that politicians and state officers are not
responsible for what they do. Ordinary people become
involved in problem solving, but it is not so effective if the
state does not have good system, strategy and plans. I
think that Estonians should be more flexible and Greece
more systematic, then both countries are more balanced.
n April 2013 two social workers from Scandinavia,
one from Finland and one from Norway, met in Israel.
The reason which brought these two women
together, who have never met before, was a CIF
exchange program. Here are some thoughts about that three
week period spend in beautiful Israel.
Because of the timing we were able to take part of
Holocaust Memorial Day, Remembrance Day, and the
Independence Day. All these events were really emotional
and gave us a deep experience about the history and culture
of Israel. The culture and the Jewish history and the religion is
seen everywhere you go, it is like the past and the present are
shaking hands all the time.
We were expecting to see and listen to the voices of
Israelis and Palestinians social workers and different agencies.
It was a pity that we only got to know the Israeli side. But
except from that we can say that all the visits we made and all
the people we met were totally overwhelming.
The plan was actually not to write about the Israel /
Palestine conflict, but it seems impossible not to touch this
subject. We where a bit surprised about the one sided victim
focus perspective from the Israeli people. It makes it
impossible to discus the subject, because most Israelis really
only focus on themselves as victims in the situation and
defenders of the state and not as subjects with actions in the
conflict. And it also seems that the further away from areas
with the bombings people live, the more anxiety they are. We
don´t have any good solutions for this, just observations that
C.I.F.Page 12 W o r l d N e w s
make us wonder…
We would like to point out few agencies / visits such
as the Glickman Center i.e. Violence Prevention Center &
Women's shelter in Tel Aviv, “On the Couch” group
treatment session in Jerusalem and the urban kibbutz in
Sderot, where we also heard about the “Other Voice.”
We will always remember that at the same time we were
in the Glickman Center the Ministry of Social Affairs
happened to pop in too. Nevertheless can't we forget
about a short, unexpected meeting with famous singer
David D'or in Jerusalem.
One of the reasons why CIF were founded in the first
place was to encourage social workers from different
countries to get together with the goal that the horrors
of the Second World War would never happen again. As
a social worker you have a moral and ethical duty to
explore the surrounding society, question its practices
but also reveal all the practices that have been shown
and proved to be good ones. By taking part of this
exchange program we managed to fulfil, maybe just a
little bit, CIF's original goal. We managed to increase our
professional knowledge and also expand the way of
thinking. Life is not just black and white; it also has some
shades of grey. Living with host families gives you much
better picture about the Israeli way of living than living in
hotels. Maybe the most valuable conversations we had
were in host families.
Overall those three weeks spent in Israel were an era
in our lives we will never forget. It is touching to realize
how much effort the voluntary members of CIF Israel are
putting on in this program. Being able to see many places
and meeting different people in Israel were the essence
of the program. It is difficult to put in words all that we
experienced so until we meet again: Shalom Y'all!
**Written by Kaisa, Finland and Linda, Norway
Contact Persons for Countries without a Branch OfficeAzerbaijan
Brazil
Luxemburg
Madagascar
Ms.Fatima Azizova
and
-
-
+ Marilda de Rezende,
Praça Benedito Calixto, 186 ap. 85
05406-040, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Phone: +55-11-3088-8406
E-mail:
José Pereira de Souse
QI 27 Bloco 10, Apt 611
71060 270 Guará II, Brasilia DF Brazil
Phone: +055 61 3567 9295
E-mail:
- Ms. Anne Botzem; 33, rue Jean Bertels;
L-1230 Luxemburg
E-mail:
Mr. Theodoric Rajaonary, Block 15,
porte 5, 67 ha North West, 101 Antananarivo,
Madagascar
Phone: +261- 20-22 28799 (office); +261- 20-24 525
azizova.fatima@gmail.com
marilda.regende@uol.com.br
josw.angical@hotmail.com
anne.botzem@ltc.lu
86 (home); +261-3311-246 27 (mobile)
E-mail:
Mr. Abdel-Aziz El Boudiri, 390 Hay Kawtar,
Route Taza, Oujda 60040, Morocco
Email:
- Ms. Tajreen Midhat
Email:
Dr. Mohammed Alami, P.O. Box 19762,
East Jerusalem, Israel
Mobile: +972 52 72 555 20
Email: Skype: mdalami
Ms. Maria José Sánchez Tera, Spain
E-mail:
Ms. Ya-Chuan Hsu c/o Taiwan Association of
Social Workers, 6F., No 2, Sec. 1, Zhongshan N. Rd.
Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City 10441 Taiwan
Phone: +886-2-23711714*10 (work); Fax: +886-2-
23712881
E-mail:
-
-
-
-
theo.doric2525@yahoo.com
elboudiri@hotmail.com
tajreen.midhat@hotmail.com
mdalami@gmail.com
mjtera@gmail.com
eliza@tasw.org.tw
Morocco
Pakistan
Palestine
Spain
Taiwan
Status 31 October 2013/mc
30th CIF International Conference
by CIF Turkey
30th CIF International Conference
by CIF Turkey
The tale of the
30th CIF International Conference
by CIF Turkey
'Encounters in a Global World:Threats and Opportunities for Social Workers
and Human Service Professionals'3-8 June, 2013 Ankara, Turkey-
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 13
t has been 3 months since the 30th CIF
International Conference was organized by
CIF Turkey. As the organizing team, we would
like to have a short overview of the
conference process in general.
Actually, the journey of the 30th CIF
International Conference started in 2011 in
Cyprus Conference; as it was clear that CIF Turkey
would be the next organizer!
As an enthusiastic branch, who is willing to
organize a good conference, we started to think
about the organization of the teams and the
conference process soon after. In need of
brainstorming, lots of questions popped up at the
beginning. 'What would be the conference theme?', 'What
should be the first step?', 'How many subcommittees
needed?', 'How would we form the committees?', 'Do we
have enough people to organize this huge conference?'
and many more… Over time, besides finding answers to
above questions, we would discover that all together we
were through a journey, exploring ourselves as a team,
realizing our strengths and weaknesses, and learning from
each.
As there were only a few members of CIF Turkey who
attended previous CIF conferences, in need of an
enlightening source, we first translated the 'Conference
Guidelines' into Turkish to be able to comprehend better
and not to miss any specific details. Through the
organization process, it was the main source whenever we
were in need of clarification. Just after, the theme
'Encounters' emerged. The first grand meeting was held in
Ankara and we 'officially' started the organization process
in January 2012. After that, five more grand conference
organization meetings were held, either in Ankara or
Istanbul with all members across Turkey. Eight committees
were formed in total: Academic Planning Committee,
Social and Cultural Committee, Financial Committee, Youth
and Volunteers Committee, International Relations
Committee, Agency Visits Planning Committee, Logistics
Committee and Public Relations and Media Committee.
After the organization schema was clarified, local
meetings were held, lots of e-mails and workload followed.
C.I.F.Page 14 W o r l d N e w s
vulnerable groups are given service by the new Ministry
of Family and Social Policies, however depending on not
citizenship rights perspective but due to the
'religious/charity' logic.
Project. The
panel was enriched by the contribution of Bogaziçi
University Peace Education, Application and Research
Center. Members of the center, Fatos Erkman, Nur Bekata,
Maggie Pinar, Gamze Sart and Jennifer Sertel, presented
their annual workshop and
Professor Pýnar Uyan Semerci, in her speech entitled
'Turkey, A Country of Migration: Social Reflections and
Related Social Political Issues', gave us quite much
theoretical knowledge on different kinds of migrations,
then describing Turkish migration story in a historical
manner. After examining the current situation, she talked
about the ongoing processes of migration, different
socially disadvantaged groups that are affected by
migration, public policies against social problems arose
from poverty and other social exclusion issues.
The most con
and the importance
of primordial ties in Turkish society, in her speech entitled
'Encountering of Different Ethnic Groups in Turkey:
Reflection to Social Policy'. One of the most important
results she explored from her researches is that
intermarriages are very low between Turkish and Kurdish
citizens than it is supposed to be.
The 'Peace Panel' was one of the most important
components of the conference. As we all know, one of the
main results of encounters is conflict; unfortunately
besides the attempts for reconciliation also have the same
history. The project (and the process) started by CIF Italy
(mainly Mimmo Merola) was presented. Representatives
from Palestine and Israel, Nir Oren and Mazen Faraj shared
their experiences of Peace and Reconciliation
the interesting findings on
troversial issue resulted from encounters
is ethnicity problems. Professor Ayºe Gündüz Hoºgör, one
of the pioneer sociologists who carry out researches on
inter ethnicity marriages, firstly focused on the social and
cultural ties that keep society together
After online registration process started, direct contact
and one-to-one interaction with participants motivated
and stirred up the team much more! Each time new
questions arised, new solutions were tried to be found,
website updated, World News texts prepared! We got
support from previous CIF conference organizer friends
whenever we needed!
hen we were ready at the airport to welcome EC
members to the conference venue, Ankara Büyük Anadolu
Hotel. EC meeting was held on 30th and 31st May, 2013.
Followed by BD meeting on 1st, 2nd and 3rd June
afternoon, during which the agenda was quite busy an
afa Dernek, CIF Turkey
Honorary president Nüket Atalay and CIF president Edna
Bar-On, cheerful 'Sevda-Cenap and Music Foundation'
Women Chorus left their mark on the welcoming
ceremony! Thus, the 30th CIF International Conference
themed 'Encounters in a Gl
We are very glad to have so positive feedbacks by the
conference participants regarding the keynote speakers
and plenary sessions. Professor Ayse Bugra, in her speech
entitled 'Social Policy Change and the Current Problems of
Social Welfare Provision in Turkey', gave us a general
outlook of social security system in Turkey. She talked
about its beginning, main characteristics and changes of
the system in a historical perspective. Focusing on the
current functioning of the social policy institutions, she
pointed out people out of formal employment sector, that
is, people dependent on social assistance; special needy
groups like elderly and/or disabled and also all other
Time flied fast and it was already the end of May-2013
w
d
many critical topics were discussed and decisions were
taken.
The majority of conference participants had arrived
before the Opening Ceremony of the first day of the
conference, 3rd June, 2013. After the welcoming speeches
of CIF Turkey president Must
obal World: Threats and
Opportunities for Social Workers and Human Service
Professionals' officially started!
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 15
buses, the next stop was Ankara Castle. This part of the
tour was quite challenging for attendees due to some
organizational problems and we would like to thank all
participants for their patience and understanding!
We realized that time passed amazingly fast when it
was already 7th June, the last day of the conference! A
short BD meeting for new EC elections and conference
summary panel followed by the General Assembly, during
which the critical voting process for the amended statutes
was carried out. After the Old & New EC Meeting, Closing
Ceremony started and following 'The Joy of Life' Dance
Ensemble show, farewell speeches with very nice
feedbacks regarding the conference pursued.
8th June, Saturday morning was the farewell time.
Some participants headed either through Cappadocia,
Ephesus and Istanbul post-tours, or self-organized Turkey
trips, or directly back home.
For CIF Turkey team, it was such an enriching week of
togetherness full of sharing and exchanging, in every
activity. Either during Market of Nations evening or while
the group photo is taken, there was full of energy reflecting
CIF spirit which made us enjoy every moment despite the
workload. On the side, a very important component of the
Conflict Resolution Skills Building for
Turkish, Greek and Cypriot Youth.
Besides the keynotes and plenary sessions,
interesting workshops and oral presentations
were held on 'Diversities, Identities, Isolation,
Inclusion, Discrimination, Crisis Intervention,
Therapeutic Use of Farming Purposes,
Encounters with Disasters, Conflicts, Children
In Conflict Environment, Refugees, Dementia,
Disabilities, Schizophrenia, Sexual Behaviour
Issues, Conflict Resolution Skills, Interviewing
Techniques, Communication, Family Violence,
LGBTQA, Hate Crimes, Human Trafficking,
Adoption and Foster Care, Bilingualism and
Reminiscence. There were two workshops, not academic,
but cultural, which attracted much attention: Turkish
Cuisine and Marbling!
The special occasion of CIF Turkey was the 20th
Anniversary celebrated on 4th June, Tuesday evening.
One of the founding members of CIF Turkey, Seyma
Dogramaci had a short speech referring the year 1993, the
birth date of CIF Turkey. All together we sliced the
anniversary cake, sang birthday songs and besides
celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1963 CIP group
with small presents. It was such a special time for CIF
Turkey to celebrate the 20th anniversary with the whole
CIF family! Ankara University Engineering Faculty Folk
Dance Group had a short show illustrating various regions'
dance practices of Turkey, after that, wine and music
followed.
On 6th June, Thursday morning, 17 different social
work related agencies were visited by the participants. In
general, we got positive feedback that the agency visits
were in congruent with the conference theme, diverse and
interesting. Following the lunch in Anitpark, Ankara
sightseeing tour started with a visit to Anitkabir. After a
glance to the new town and old town with sightseeing
C.I.F.Page 16 W o r l d N e w s
person to person respect and international
understanding for peace, CIF family was in the context of
discussing a simultaneously actualizing social process,
sharing with us their worries and excitement.
We all had chance to read each feedback provided and
would like to thank you all for genuinely asserting your
pleasure, satisfaction and warmly expressed criticisms.
CIF Turkey team is honored to be the hosting branch of
the 30th CIF International Conference, hosting around 180
CIF friends from 27 different countries. Thank you to the
whole CIF family for being our guests in Turkey. As the
whole team, we're looking forward to coming together with
you in future gatherings and conferences.
CIF Turkey Team
use of web and electronic communication was not yet born.
Nowadays and thanks to the new technology, the wholeworld has become a small village and people can chat and talkjust like they are sitting at home, ”Encounters in a global world”CIF conference theme in Ankara June 2013 reflects this.
Since my participation in the USA CIP Programs 87/88, I hadthe chance to attend the CIF international conference held inParis 1991 and got to know the objectives and the principles ofCIF International, and starting from 1992 Moroccan firstparticipants started joining annually CIF exchanges programmesin France. Since then 25 participants from different parts of thecountry have taken part in CIF France up to 2013. We are fullymotivated from now on to acquire more members and peopleworking in the social field and in educational institutions andencourage professionals to apply for the CIF/CIPExchangePrograms.
The language required in France is French and most-if notall- Moroccan social workers and youth leaders can only speakFrench beside the mother language Arabic. It had been verydifficult for the Moroccan CIF participants to be gatheredbecause of different reason BUT the idea to create a CIF branchin Morocco has always interested everybody but seemed to me
A REPORT ON CIF CONFERENCE
organization team, the young volunteers from
different universities and departments; most of whom are
future social workers, made the team much stronger and
eligible to share the workload and enjoy the whole process
more. We thanked them, also listened and got their
feedbacks and glad to hear they enjoyed the conference,
happy to join and be part of an international setting. After
all, besides they express their will to engage in
intercultural settings more in the future, they assert they
were highly professionally motivated, as well.
An important experience during the conference week,
was the accompanying Gezi protests and the police
intervention in whole Turkey. As a group of social workers
and related areas professionals, coming together to
contribute to bridging and appreciating differences,
Warm greetings to all of you and to all CIF-friends in
different countries
Having taken part in the CIP one year programme in twoaffiliate of the USA: Denver (DIP) Colorado and Philadelphia(IPX) Pennsylvania during 1987/88 when I was a young socialleader working for a non NGO having as objective, theeducation, coverage and the social integration of physicallyhandicapped children and teenagers in Morocco. Thisexperience in the US had changed my life completely and it wasa very interesting and fruitful training on the cultural,professional and also on the personal levels... Starting frommeeting hundreds of participants from all over the worldsharing the same hotel in New York city on arrival andWashington DC on departure I remember that all participantswere allowed to visiting UN building, famous universities andeven congress .In Philadelphia, I remember Goldarisa Ryce,former USA foreign human services administration, had made aspecial visit to CIP participants under the supervisor of WinnieLanoix (IPX Executive Director) and during the CIF conference inAnkara, I was very sorry to hear from CIP President Ms LisaPurdy that Winnie passed away.(God bless her soul). In Denverthere were 11 participants and 22 in Philadelphia.unfortunately in the years of the eighties of last century, the
CIF France friends in Ankara Market of nations (Moroccan items)
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 17
Aziz & Maria / dinner farewell party
Executive committee & Board
of Directors members Ankara
Voting at BD meetings in Ankara.. Photo of some CIF members Ankara
Turkish CIF Team conference entertainment
The 7 main themes were: Diversity and IdentityDiscrimination - Conflicts and Violence - Hate CrimesReconciliation - Internet Abuse - Human Trafficking andRefugees
One of the best presentations I was fascinated by was thepeace panel and the contribution of one Palestinian and oneIsraeli, both from different background, who work together ontheir peace project to end violence and promote peace andreconciliation.
As we were at Casablanca international airport and Ataturkairport in Istanbul, we found out that “Moroccan Royal Air” and“Turkish Airways” have the same weekly itinerary of taking offand landing both directions like bananas' which is a true feelingof friendship and trade vision and no visa needed between thetwo countries. Arriving in Ankara from Istanbul on Saturday 1stof June very early morning, we felt welcomed by CIF Turkey andgot transported to BUYUK ANADOLU HOTEL.
That the proposed next general meeting ofestablishing a CIF Moroccan branch is going to have thepresence of at least 5 members if not 25 former participants
That our exchange programmes can begin hostingfrom 2 to 4 candidates and gradually develop in the best way wecan within our own resources and culture.
That a partnership is concluded between CIF Franceand CIF Morocco according to CIF statutes
That CIF Morocco can organise its first internationalconference in Marrakech late twenties
And finally we hope that CIF Morocco will have a longand rich life with active members in the North of the Africancontinent.
My hopes for the near future are:
Kind regards from
Aziz ELBoudiri.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Palestinian statement Israeli statement
that nobody wanted to take to undertake this task and beresponsible and devoted to CIF duties; in this perspective Ihave been the coordinating contact person of CIF Internationaland continued to act as a CIF CP in Morocco till the foundationof CIF branch, with commitment.
It is my pleasure to say that it has been very encouraging tosee the CIF France cooperating in this level and we areexpecting the visit of Mireille Boucherin 2014, (a well knownwoman of CIF France in Morocco) hoping to start a countrybranch. My participation in the CIF conference in Turkey gaveme a great opportunity to see old and new friends from aroundthe world.... and Maria and I are very grateful to CIF ExecutiveCommittee members and above all the President of CIFInternational Edna Baron and the Treasurer of CIF InternationalMaria GUDAT who have become close friends, for inviting us tobe part of Board of Directors group meetings discussions onSaturday and Sunday before the conference opening ceremonyon Monday third of June; first as CIF members and second asobservers without having the right to vote at BD decisions butallowed to do so at the general assembly, according to the CIFInternational Statutes.
I would also deeply express my thanks for being granted to
attend the conference and its unforgettable event in Ankaraand Istanbul.
Talking about the CIF conference programmes in Ankara, Iwould say that all the Main topics of the conference had beenvery interesting and we had the opportunity to discover howsocial services run and how social workers carry out theirprofessional activities in Turkey which is more than a bridgebetween continents.
C.I.F.Page 18 W o r l d N e w s
300
National Branches and CIPUSANational Branches and CIPUSA September 2013September 2013
NETHERLANDS:
NORWAY:
RUSSIA:
SCOTLAND (UK) :
SLOVENIA:
SWEDEN:
SWITZERLAND:
TURKEY:
UNITED STATES:
CIP/USA:
President: Ms. Mieke Weeda; Email: mieke.weeda@gmail.com;
Jagersdreef 142, 3972 XH Driebergen-Rijsenburg, The Netherlands : Phone: +31
343 520986 : E-mail: Website:
President: Ms. Signe Skare; Address: P. B. 7015 St. Olavsplass, 0130
Oslo, Norway; Phone: +47 950-12874 ;E-mail: . E-mail:
website:
President: Ms. Galina Kurganova; 190008, Saint Petersburg, mailbox
177, Russia; Phone: +7 812 714 05 86; Mobile +7 911 919 99 70: Phone/Fax
+7 812 713 1425; E-mail:
President: Ms. Anne Robertson ; 3 Main Street Almondbank
Perth, PH1 3NJ, Scotland phone : +44 (0)1738 583073 E-mail :
President: Ms. Tatjana Prašnikar;Steletova cesta 9, 1241 Kamnik:
Phone: 051 330 167;
(President) Mr. Jan Igefjord) c/o CIF-Sweden, Karlbergsvägen 80 nb
Ög, SE-113 35 Stockholm, Sweden Home adresse : Odensjö 20, 555 92
Jönköping, Sweden ; Home Phone : + 46 36 66474: E-mail:
Website: :
President: Ms. Elisabeth Fischbacher Schrobiltgen: Kronengasse
11, 5400 Baden, Switzerland Phone: ++41 (0)56 210 30 35 (home);: E-mail:
President: Mr. Mustafa Dernek;Strazburg C. No. 43 Maltepe - Ankara,
Turkey: Phone: + 90 532 435 68 86; . Fax +90 312 229 63 14 E-mail:
: Website:
President;Ms. Carolyn Sutton; Address:1245 Sugar Creek
Lane, Paris IL, 61944, USA; Phone: + 217 251 1522; E-mail:
President & CEO: Ms. Lisa Purdy Council of International Programs
USA; Address:100 North Main St., Suite #309, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022, OH
44113, USA; Phone: +440 247 1088 Fax: +440 247 1490; E-mail:
:
info@cif-netherlands.org www.cif-
netherlands.org
si.ska@online.no
cifnorway@yahoo.no www.cifnorway.com
cifrussia@mail.ru
anne.robertson@cifscotland.org.uk
tatjana.prasnikar@gmail.com
info@cif-
sweden.org www.cif-sweden.org
fischbacher@cif-switzerland.ch
cifturkey@cifturkey.org www.cifturkey.org
csutton@joink.com
lisapurdy@cipusa.org www.cipusa.org
AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND:
ARGENTINA:
AUSTRALIA:
AUSTRIA:
CAMEROON:
CYPRUS:
CZECH REPUBLIC:
ESTONIA:
FINLAND:
FRANCE:
GERMANY:
GREECE:
ISRAEL:
ITALY:
JAPAN:
KENYA:
KYRGYZSTAN:
LATVIA:
LITHUANIA:
NEPAL:
INDIA:
President: Ms. Sue Ross Address: 12 Ridge Valley
Drive, Browns Bay, North Shore 0630, New Zealand:Home Phone: 0064-9-
4783269 Mobile: 0064 212167392. E-mail: ;
: Secretary Glenys Roper. Website:
President:Ms. Silvia Nutter: Address: Araoz 2091 5 A C.P. 1425;
Buenos Aires, Argentina; Phone: +54-11-49833 E-mail:
President: Ms. Denise Grieshaber:Address: PO Box 6305, Halifax
Street, SA 5000, Australia; Phone: +61 8 8440 6774 (work); E-mail:
Fax: +61 8 8440 6840 Website:
President:Ms. Judith Lamatsch: Address: Bennogasse 8/17; A-1080,
Vienna, Phone: +43 1 408 39 98 E-mail: Website:
President: Mr. Kalle Albert Masango: P.O Box 525, Kumba,
Cameroon Phone: +237-77-623217; E-mail:
President: Dr. Maria Christopoulou; 14 Megalou Alexandrou Street,
2121 Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus tel: 0035722 879888 Mob: 0035799660809
fax: 0035722 871932 e-mail:
President: Ms. Marketa Skalicka: Address: Voskovcova
1130/34, 152 00 Praha 5. Czech Republic: Phone:+ 420 2 414 41364 (h-
Prague), +420 40 6262363 (h-Pardubice), +420 2 248 26860 (work); +420
603 354 796 (mobile) E-mail:
President: Mr. Raul Kivi Official e-mail: :
President's e-mail addresses: Mobile phone: +372 56 62
8865: Official mailing address: Ilvese 34-4, 80037 Pärnu, ESTONIA: Website:
,
President: Mr. Leo Heikkilä: Address: CIF Finland, PB 152, 00531
Helsinki, Finland: E-mail: :
Phone-Mobile: +358 50 5748351:E-mail: Website:
President: Ms. Mireille Boucher: Address: c/o Marie Thérèse Martin,
CIF France, 99, rue Germain Baujard, 18400 Saint Florent sur Cher, France:
Phone/Fax: + 33 248 55 66 45 E-mail: iffrance@orange.fr
Website:
President: Ms. Inge Bierbrauer: Address: Sommerbergstrasse 4A,
34123 Kassel, Germany;: Phone:+ 49 561 525 582 E-mail:
Website:
President: Ms.Elisavet Bakagianni,elisavetb@gmail.com: Address: 60
Saradaporou st, 15562 Athens, Greece; Phone: +30-210-6461665 E-mail:
Website:
President: Dr. Edna Bar-on; 4 Achimeir Str., Tel-Aviv 69126, Israel;
Phone/Fax: 972 3 642 1204 ; E-mail: ;
;
President: Mr. Mimmo Merola Via Latina n° 63, 81055 S. Maria C. V.
(Ce), Italy Website: Phone and Fax: +39(0)823-798631;
E-mail: ;
President :Mr. Kazutoshi Takeuchi;Karashidane House, 75 Higashide-cho
;Kanshuji ; Yamashina-ku ; Kyoto, Japan 607-8216 Phone : +81-075 574-2800
;Fax : =81-075-574-0025 E-mail : ; Website :
President: Mr. Ronald Miller Mbehelo); Peruman House, 2nd Floor
Mburu Gichua Road::P.O. Box 10450-20100, Nakuru, Kenya Phone:+ 254 051
2212595; Mobile : 254 0721 357 168 E-mail:
President: Ms. Gulasel Nogoibaeva ; 200 Ahunbaeva str., Apt.
30, Bishkek 720038, Kyrgyz Republic. Mobile Phone: +996 555 771 105 671 ;
E-mail:
President: Ms. Ieva Antonsone; Lâèplçða street 59-19, Riga LV -1011,
Latvia ; Phone: +371 6701 2269 (work) ; +371 2940 3885 (mobile); Fax :
+371 670 12341 ; E-mail:
President:Ms.Diana Stankaitiene; Taikos pr. 76, LT-93200 Klaipeda,
Lithuania. Phone: +370 6844 6127; E-Mail: :
Fax : +41 (0) 56 210 30 36
President: Mr. Krishna Acharya: Address: P.O.Box No 8975, EPC; 6004
Kathamandu, Nepal: E-mail :
Phone: + 977-1-4783666 or + 977-1-4782111
President:Ms. Iva Athavia: A/6, 1st floor, Daruwala Housing Society, Dr.
D.B. Marg. Bombay Central; Mumbai-400008, INDIA
E-mail: : Phone:Mobile +919323780047
E-mail:
miskross@hotmail.com
cifanz@yahoo.com.nz www.cifanz.org.nz
cif2010argentina@gmail.com;
info@cifaustralia.org cifaustralia.org
cifaustria@yahoo.com
www.cifaustria.at
cifcam@yahoo.com
kdg@cytanet.com.cy
skalicka.marketa@volny.cz
mail@cifestonia.info
raul.kivi@lv.parnu.ee
www.cifestonia.info
leo.heikkila@welho.com info@ciffinland.org
www.ciffinland.org
mirboucher@aol.com www.cif-france.org
Info@cif-
germany.de www.cif-germany.de
cifhellas@cifhellas.org www.cifhellas.org
baroned@013.net.il
andedna.baron@cifinternational.com www.cif.org.il
www.cifitalia.it
mimmo@thelanguagecentre.it cifitalia@cifitalia.it
cifjapan08@gmail.com
http://cif-japan.papnet.jp
kenyacif@ymail.com
gulasel2004@yandex.ru
ciflatvia@gmail.com
cif.lietuva@gmail.com
cif.nepal2010@gmail.comor;
kirshna533@hotmail.com;
www.
ivathavia_17@yahoo.co.in
cif_india@yahoo.co.in
C.I.F. W o r l d N e w s Page 19
CondolencesCIF leadership has been notified of the recent
sudden death of Mr Marthen Mponda and his
wife's death one week later. This news comes
from Ignus Kalongola. Our sympathy goes out
to our Tanzania colleagues.
��������Good News from CIF USAFrom Carolyn Sutton, president CIF USA
We the CIF-USA have developed a website and it is up and
running! Our address is simply cif-usa.com. You may log on
by using . Go online and see what you
think for starters. We plan to add a resource page for news
from our members.We want to share our news to
encourage others to discover great opportunities through
CIF and develop world-wide friendships as we all have done.
www.cif-usa.com
As we go to press, the newly elected Executive CommitteeMember at Large representatives have accepted the following
responsibilities:Michael Cronin Development of new branches and maintain
the contact persons list.Rabia Õzbas Durak Professional Exchange Program (PEP)
coordinator, with special focus getting young people involved
in exchanges.
C.I.F.Page 20 W o r l d N e w s
We're on the Web!
www.cifinternational.com
In this Issue:In this Issue: read
This issue of CIF NEWS was designed and printed in Cyprus
by Gregory Hadjimichalakis, e-mail: hadjimichalakis@yahoo.gr
Message from the Editor
Presidents Message
30th CIF Conference
Countries «Talk»
Exchange Programs 2013
National Branches
2
2
3
13
18
19
The energy and enthusiasm for CIF on the part of my
partners on the 2013 election committee Agneta Björklund
(CIF Sweden), Suzanne Schorro (CIF Switzerland) and all those
CIF members from the Board of Directors (BD) and Branches
who supported the process by identifying and encouraging
potential candidates, made for a successful election this year!
Once again we met our goal of identifying qualified candidates
for each position prior to the beginning of the 2013
Conference in Ankara. And as a bonus, there were multiple
candidates for the member-at-large positions.
We said goodbye to those leaving the EC Edna Bar On
(Israel), Lollie Bailey-Nilsson (Sweden) and Maria Hierlinger-
Gudat (Germany), with our gratitude for their years spent
leading and moving the organization forward through
sometimes tedious discussions, steps forward and backward
to meet stated
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE: Michael Cronin, CIF USA (continuing),
Already this new EC leadership team prepares to take
charge of their responsibilities. In October, they met in France
at the home of newly elected president, Mireille Boucher, to
implement the transition and plans to move CIF International
Rabia Özbas Durak, CIF Turkey (new)
goals, solving serious problems while
maintaining their belief in achieving the values and mission of
CIF.
Congratulations to your new Executive Committee,
elected at the June 2013 BD meetingin Ankara, Turkey a good
mixture of new and continuing leaders who will serve in their
positions until the 2015 election as follows:
Mireille Boucher, CIF France (new)
Maria Christopoulou, CIF Cyprus
(continuing)
David Scheele, CIF The Netherlands (new)
Maria Gabi Kronberger, CIF Austria (continuing in
new position)
PRESIDENT:
VICE PRESIDENT:
SECRETARY:
TREASURER:
New and ContinuingMembers Electedto Executive Committee Team
New and ContinuingMembers Electedto Executive Committee Team
By Jane Ollendorff, Election Committee
New and ContinuingMembers Electedto Executive Committee Team
New and ContinuingMembers Electedto Executive Committee Team
into the future.
Two years in the life of CIF passes quickly, so we must
begin the 2015 election process today to consider our leaders
of the future. Even now, two years before the next
election,we know that we will need to fill openings of those
who cannot continue their position or on the EC, according to
our statutes (no more than four years in one position, and no
more than eight consecutive years on the EC). Maria
Christopoulou, our current vice president will have served
eight years on the EC and Michael Cronin, will have served
four years as member-at-large by 2015. Michael will be
eligible to continue on the EC in a new position.
The newly appointed Election Committee Suzanne
Schorro (CIF Switzerland) schorros@gmail.com and
ValterParve (CIF Estonia) valter@pc.ut.ee join me, Jane
Ollendorff (CIF USA) jane.franko@charter.net, to welcome
your suggestions of qualified candidates for the future. Let us
know your interest, thoughts and preferences by confidential
e-mail at any time during the next two years.
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