ORGANISATION MONDIALE POUR L´EDUCATION PRESCOLAIRE … · warming through photographs of icebergs and penguins. ... i. 18 articles from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Indonesia,

ORGANISATION MONDIALE POUR L´EDUCATION PRESCOLAIRE

WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL PARA LA EDUCACIÓN PREESCOLAR

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Minutes of the World Assembly held on Wednesday July 6 to Thursday July 7, 2011,

Block E Conference Centre, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong

Wednesday July 6, 2011

1. Opening session

A) Opening Remarks - World President

Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson welcomes members to the 2011 World Assembly in Hong Kong.

She acknowledges many national committees’ involvement on the Education for Sustainable

Development (ESD) project in the past year and urges for their continued participation in

projects of such scale. She introduces a new project called WASH (Water Sanitation and

Hygiene) from the Start and hopes to engage many of the national committees. Ingrid

Pramling Samuelsson reiterates the importance of such large scale projects on not just the

development of children’s rights but also, on policy implications. She particularly highlights

OMEP’s leading role in ESD. She seeks the continued presence of OMEP for the vulnerable.

She recognizes that there is growing awareness of the importance of the early years from

different sectors but the challenge of putting knowledge into practice and supporting the early

childhood education, including care and play remains. She thanks OMEP Hong Kong and the

Hong Kong Institute of Education for their organization of the World Assembly.

B) Report – World President

Ingrid Pramling Samuelson worked on the following in the last six months:

- Worked on communicating and interacting with people and other organisations, as well as

keeping up with any information from them;

- Offered support to members to get involved in different tasks;

- Hoped to initiate a few more working groups at this World Assembly

- Conferences and workshops visited by the World President

• January 2011, New York, United States: Met with OMEP members from Sweden and

the United States. In a school visit, she spoke to children on the topic of global

warming through photographs of icebergs and penguins. She was surprised to learn

that global warming was not discussed prevalently before.

• May 2011, Cotenou, Benin: Attended the African Regional Conference.

- Cooperation with UNICEF

• Met with Nurper Ulkuer, Director of the Early Childhood Development Unit

Initial talks about the WASH from the START project

OMEP urged to lead effort for universal program quality indicators

• OMEP is invited by UNICEF to join its global alliance for early education

- Cooperation with UNESCO

• Lobbies for a DECADE for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)

- International Journal of Early Childhood (IJEC)

• Eva Johansson is the Chief Editor of IJEC, with IJEC taken over by Springer.




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• OMEP held a seminar in 2010 to help people subscribe and write articles for submission

to the journal.

• 1 open issue:

i. 18 articles from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Indonesia, Kuwait,

Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey and U.S. were submitted and 10 were

selected.

ii. Members with interesting projects and research were encouraged to submit

through their respective National Committees.

• 1 special issue:

i. Research on children under three in 7 European countries was published;

• It is noted that Professor Nirmala Rao is an editor in the Asia Pacific Region;

• 1 special issue will come from Africa.

- New members to OMEP:

• Applications for Preparatory Committees were received. There will be new members to

OMEP.

- Ongoing challenges to be solved:

• How we will maintain all National Committees?

Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson recognizes that some committees are more active than

others.

• How we will get enough money for running OMEP?

• How we will expand the work of OMEP, not least internationally?

It is hoped that OMEP would be able to get more projects not only in the country, but

also between countries.

• How we will get national committees report to change?

Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson reminds all members to inform any changes on their

contact information.

Report accepted.

C) Opening Remarks – President and Chair Professor of Public Administration of Hong

Kong Institute of Education

Anthony welcomes all members to the World Assembly in Hong Kong and especially, in the

Hong Kong Institute of Education. He highlights the significance of the meeting with over

500 delegates from 28 OMEP national committees and over 200 early childhood educators

are represented from around the world. He commends on OMEP’s role in promoting and

defending the rights of children in early education and care around the world.

2. Roll Call and Appointment of Scrutineers

World Treasurer Maggie Koong informs about the voting system and checks the presence of

representatives. In total 39 countries are represented at the World Assembly.




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List of attendance

Delegates, Jul. 6 (25) (14 proxies);


Observers 35

Nom/Name/Appellido Nombre Pays/Country/Pais

+ proxy

Date/Fecha

06/07/11 07/07/11

Endurance Idenyi

Idenyi Malcolm (O)

Ikem Ugochikwue (O)

Benin

(Congo)

x x

Lady Pat. O. Okeke Selima Ekpo (O)

Lady Mary Obrokoye (O)

Tina Aronu (O)

Francisca Clunwe Olilceze (O)

Hon Juliet Pulu Zifawei (O)

Pat Okolie (O)

Beatrice Egbunwe (O)

Obianuju Sugochukwu (O)

Gladys Idogo (O)

Okou Ebele (O)

Mologe Victoria (O)

Tim Benaebi Eunice (O) Nsikak-Abasi Udofia (O)

Chio Okosi (O)

Nigeria x x

Dawn Butterworth Australia x x

Zhou Yin China x x

Hazel Lam Hong Kong x x

Toshiko Kaneda

Nobuko Kamigaichi (O)

Japan x x

Susan Benbow New Zeeland

(Ivory Coast)

x x

Hui Ling Chua

Audrey Lim (O)

Singapore x x

Lee, Soon Lye

Anna Cho (O)

South Korea x x

Udomluck Kulapichitr

Rathdow Phisalaphong(O)

Chiraphorn Munsettavith (O)

Thailand x x

Nikoletta Christodoulou Cyprus x x

Stig G. Lund

Jorgen Boelskov

Denmark

(Ghana)

x x

Lasse Lipponen

Pirjo Honkavaara (O)

Finland x x

Ruta Kanepeja Latvia x




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List of attendance



Observers 35

Nom/Name/Appellido Nombre Pays/Country/Pais

+ proxy

Date/Fecha

06/07/11 07/07/11

Elin Eriksen Ödegaard

Ida Marie Lysa (O)

Norway

(Czech Republic)

(Israel)

x x

Perruchon Danielle Gouin Lisbeth (O)

France x x

Antonio Ponces de Carvalho

Filonnena of a Moreina Silva

Portugal

(Spain)

x x

Ingrid Engdahl

Bo Saueuelsson (O)

Sweden

(Bulgaria)

(Iceland)

x x

Ulla Grob-Menges Switzerland

(Germany)

x x

Arif Yilmaz Turkey x x

Janet Morris

Maureen O’Hagan (O)

Hugh Morris (O)

Dorothy Sellech (O)

Imo Otoro (O)

Polly Bolshaw (O)

United Kingdom

(Poland)

x x

Ryzhova Natalia Russia x x

Gabriela Etchebehere Uruguay

(Argentina) (Chile)

x x

Domitilia Marques Brazil

(Panama)

x x

Judith T. Wagner

Blythe Hinitz (O)

Catherine Donahue (O)

Mary Jude Moffat (O)

Sung Ok Reina Park (O)

Erik Landgren (O)

Unites States of America x x

Adine Luc Haiti

(Canada)

x x

Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson World President x x

Maggie Koong World Treasurer x x

Victoria O. Bilewu Africa Vice President x x

Doreen Launder Asia Pacific Vice President x x

Milada Rabusicová Europe Vice President x x

María Aparecida Salmaze (represented

by Domitilia Maria Cavaco Marques)

Latin America Vice President x x

Madeleine Baillargeon North America & the Caribbean

Vice President

x x

Carol Darcy (O) USA (represented by

Judith T. Wagner)

Representative to UNICEF x x

Lisbeth Gouin Representative to UNESCO x x




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Dr. Marie Victoria Espinosa Peralta is represented by Domitilia Maria Cavaco Marques.

Carol Darcy, a representative to UNICEF is represented by OMEP U.S. Judith T. Wagner.

3. Adoption of Agenda

The agenda was accepted by a majority vote, although US OMEP suggested adding an item of

Film Festival to the agenda.

4. Minutes - Gothenburg 2010 World Assembly

The minutes are adopted. However, the issue of finance and the second phase of the ESD

project would be discussed in the 2011 World Assembly.

5. Presentation and Adoption of Reports

A) Presentation, Updates and Adoption of Reports from 2010, Regional Vice Presidents

Reports Asia Pacific Regional Vice President – Doreen Launder

Doreen reports on the themes emerged from 15 submitted annual reports:

• Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

i. Five countries participated in Phase II of ESD: Australia, People’s Republic of

China, Japan, People’s Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Singapore;

ii. Singapore is compiling a journal on ESD in Asia Pacific following the success of

the conference in 2009;

iii. Korea called their project “Children’s voices about the state of the earth and

sustainable development”;

iv. Indonesia advocated to create work for women in ECE and to raise money.

• Government Policy Development

i. People’s Republic of China: National plan for Medium and Long Term Education

Reform, including a nation-wide Action Plan for ECEC;

ii. Indonesia: Government funding allocated for developments of ECEC for low

income families, particularly in rural areas;

iii. Malaysia: Government funding for setting up ECE across a country and developing

more fun-learning curriculum;

iv. Thailand: Government participated in working groups on National Education

Indicators and Criteria for 2-5 year old programmes in December 2010

Doreen commends the visibility of OMEP at the government level and in policy

decisions.

Challenges and Advocacy:

i. Australia: Concerned about its National Early Years Learning Framework;

ii. New Zealand: Concerned with the reduction of government funding for qualified

teachers, parent fees, subsidies and professional development.

iii. Hong Kong: Concerned with advocating for the value of play and professional

development and to participate in the review of the Pre-primary Education

Voucher System.




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• Reports on quality – United Nations Convention on Rights of Child (UNCRoC):

Children’s right to play

i. Hong Kong: Assessment of factors which reduce free play;

ii. Japan: Publish books on children’s rights;

iii. Indonesia: Uses play to help tsunami afflicted children;

iv. Pakistan: Promotes the value of ECE and starts a “Right to Play” Project

• Exchanges between countries continue

i. Between Singapore and Korea;

ii. Between Hong Kong and People’s Republic of China;

iii. Between New Zealand and People’s Republic of China;

iv. Between Australia and Papua New Guinea

Report approved by all.

Reports Africa Regional Vice President – Victoria O. Bilewu

- Victoria O. Bilewu recognises the effort of each National Committee president within the

region for submitting their reports. Eight out of nine active National Committees

submitted their 2010 annual reports. She notes that OMEP must be involved in various

activities to promote the organization to governments, the public, parents and children.

- She visited the following countries to either re-activate or set up OMEP committees in the

region:

• Liberia;

• Ghana;

• Benin Republic;

• Ivory Coast

- Liberia was brought back as a functioning OMEP national committee after years of unrest

and civil war; Ghana, Benin Republic and Ivory Coast became National Committees

while Burkina Faso and Burundi became Preparatory Committees.

- Brief sharing from members in the region:

• Benin Republic

i. OMEP membership was accepted in Lagos, Nigeria in 2009. We have worked

on the registration and recognition of OMEP in Benin.

ii. Benin hosted an Africa Regional Conference this year. 130 participants attended.

• Nigeria

i. There are 16 OMEP state chapters and each of them carries out activities, such

as workshops for Nursery education e.g. “Learning to make Soft Toy”, “Music in

the Nursery School”, “Use of Flannel Graph Board in Teaching and How to

make it” etc.

ii. Newsletters are printed to educate parents, teachers and children and to inform

the public of OMEP activities and the OMEP International Conference.




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iii. Nigeria OMEP members were represented at the Africa Regional Conference at

Cotenou, Benin Republic with the theme “Children: Citizens in a Challenging

World – The African Experience”.

• Ghana

i. The former OMEP President of Ghana is now West Africa Co-ordinator of the

Decent Employment Programe; LOFTF, Denmark;

ii. The current President is Mrs Grace AMARTEIFIO and the Secretary is Mr.

Palham Oyiye.

iii. Ghana OMEP gained support from OMEP Denmark with toys, play materials,

books and furniture through the effort of Henny Hamershoej. The items were

distributed to children hospitals: Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Department of

Children and the Princess Marie Loius Children’s Hospital in Accra, Ghana;

iv. Design of website is pending.

- Victoria O. Bilewu reports that Kenya and Cameroon’s intention to join OMEP and

presents them as Preparatory Committees.

- Projects in the region:

• Network of African Toy Libraries:

i. One of the Toy Library Project sponsored by OMEP Canada, C.I.E.L.O.

(Coopération Internationale pour les Équilibres Locaux), UNESCO and AFA

was established at Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of Congo in April, 2011.

ii. Another one will be established in Ivory Coast. The toy library should have

been established in February 2011, but was delayed because of political stability.

• Mobile Toy Library:

i. Requires assistance to re-activate the mobile toy library.

• Training and Re-Training Programs for Early Childhood Educators:

i. Programs function very well in Accra, Ghana;

ii. UNESCO and IICBA (International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa) in

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have agreed to provide assistance in the area of Training

and Re-Training Programs for Early Childhood Educators.

- Victoria communicates regularly with countries via emails and phone. OMEP National

Committees and Preparatory Committees consist of Burkina Faso, Burundi, Benin

Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mauritius,

Nigeria. Countries to join OMEP include Cameroon, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone

and Uganda.

- OMEP Switzerland questions whether there is contact between Egypt and the region.

Victoria O. Bilewu confirms there is communication between Egypt and her.





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Reports Europe Regional Vice President – Milada Rabusicova

- Milada Rabusicova gives an overview of European membership of OMEP: 23 member

countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia,

Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Turkey).

- Ukraine is a preparatory committee and is expected to obtain a full-membership next year.

Croatia is ready to be accepted as a Preparatory Committee as she believes that Croatia

has submitted necessary documents. Serbia has also expressed interest in membership.

- OMEP’s active participation in the following:

• Conferences;

• Workshops;

• Training courses for kindergarten teachers, social workers who are working in nurseries

and so on;

• Activities (e.g. artistic competitions) for children;

• Consultancy and advisory on Early Childhood Education (ECE) policy. Some countries

are more active in communicating with policy makers and practitioners;

- Nearly all annual reports for 2010, including a report of Preparatory Committee from

Ukraine were received. Some statistics on the reports submitted are shown as follows:

i. 22 in English, 7 in French and 6 in Spanish;

ii. 5 of them in all three official languages – (Czech Republic, Norway, Poland,

Slovakia and Spain);

iii. 1 in two languages – Portugal

- Eight countries are participating in Phase II of the ESD Project, namely, Czech Republic,

France, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

- European Regional Conference: 8th

Pan-Hellenic Conference from May 6 to May 8 2011

in Nicosia, Cyprus with the theme “Perspectives on Creativity and Learning in Early

Childhood”. 17 countries participated.

- Newsletter: Six issues have been published since autumn 2007. Two latest issues focused

on different areas:

i. Autumn 2010 – Reflection on Gothenburg Assembly and Conferences and others;

ii. Spring 2011 – Reflection on European Regional Meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus.

She notes the importance of sharing information not only with OMEP members but also

with members of the countries. She highlights the need to work on visibility in Europe.

Report Approved by all.




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Reports Latin America Regional Vice President – María Aparecida Salmaze

(represented by Domitilia Maria Cavaco Marques)

- Domitilia Maria Cavaco Marques represents Maria Aparecida Salmaze due to her injury

from a car accident. Domitilia shows a video of Maria Aparecida Salmaze.

- Domitilia Maria Cavaco Marques reports on the activities in 2011:

• January 2010:

i. Attended the National Congress held by the Van Leer Foundation in Caracas,

Venezuela;

ii. Attended Congress on Interculturality. SEP/OEA in Puebla, Mexico;

• July 2010: Presented “Quality of Childhood Education”, organised by OEI in Panama;

• September 2010:

i. Attended a workshop on “Reflecting upon Chilean Preschool Education during

the centennial, and analysing it in the Bicentennial” in Santiago y La Serena,

Chile;

ii. Presented in the UNESCO World Congress in Moscow;

• The theme of “Lost Play in Preschools” was discussed in the OMEP World Congress in

Canada and Sweden 2010, which would be submitted as an OMEP Statement.

• Annual reports were received from the Latin America chapters. Reports would be

translated into OMEP’s official languages, English and Spanish.

• 1st OMEP Latin America Meeting in Buenos Aires

With chapters of Argentina, Brazil Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay;

- She advertises the OMEP 2012 conference in Campo Grande, Brazil.

• Details of the 28th OMEP World Congress 2012

i. Dates: July 17th

and 18th (World Assembly), July 19

th- 21

st, World Symposium

ii. Theme: Early Childhood in the 21st Century: Children’s Rights to Explore, Play,

Live and Learn about World Around Them

iii. Actions for 28th

OMEP World Congress 2012:

(a) Weekly meetings with the general committees to organise the event and

select sub-committees;

(b) Send invitations to potential lecturers;

(c) Webpage created for the events, http://www.omep.org.br/omep2012

- She reports the works done in countries of the region as follows:

- Report from the countries:

• Argentina

i. 3rd

International Early Childhood Education Conference on “Sciences and

Environmental Education. Teaching to understand the world and to live in a

sustainable way” was held.

ii. Participated in the EducaRed Portal in partnership with the Telefonica

Foundation of Argentina;

iii. Worked on PROYECTARnos Initiative in partnership with C&A Foundation;

iv. Worked on publications, website, newsletter and international relations;

v. Worked on Early Childhood Research Program and Creation of Public Policies

for Infancy Project.

• Bolivia

http://www.omep.org.br/omep2012




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i. Training workshops for scholars, students, educators and parents were

organised;

ii. Interviews during the radio show” Hilo y Aguja” (Thread and Needle),

belonging to the UNIR Foundation, broadcasted by Red Erbol national radio

station, on “Necessary skills for parents, students and educators to attain a

peaceful community culture in Bolivia”;

iii. Promoted Article 31 of the Children’s Bill of Rights, that recognises the child’s

right to rest and recreation, to games and leisure activity and to participate

freely in cultural life and in the arts.

• Brazil

i. Brazilian ECE Inter-Forum Movement was held;

ii. Activities were organised by OMEP Brazil on ESD:

(a) 3rd

Seminar of OMEP Brazil, Para in Ananindeua, on the theme of

“Childhood, Sustainability and Citizenship: Political and Pedagogical

Challenges”;

(b) 3rd State Meeting of ECE in Caxias, Maranhao, on the theme of “Childhood,

Sustainability and Citizenship: Political and Pedagogical Challenges”;

(c) 1st Forum on “Environmental Education as Public Policy: The Voice of

Future Generations”;

(d) Book published on “Education and Sustainability: Revealing Sights, and

Valuing Voices in ECE”

iii. Engaged families and communities in socio-educational activities for basic

social protection; highlighting dental and nutritional care, project spaces for

pregnant women; parenthood schools, IT, ballet, capoeira and the Young

Apprentice Programme.

• Colombia

i. Meeting and Seminar -Workshop on “Accident Prevention, First Aid and Sexual

Education in the First Infancy”was held;

ii. Workshop seminar on “The Reggio Emilia Approach, Experiences and

Socialization of the use and sustainability of the ecosystem” was held;

iii. Aided the infrastructure and quality of kindergartens according to national

policies;

iv. Worked with kindergartens on ESD-OMEP projects;

v. The Colombian Association of ECE ACDEP conducted the study and signed the

agreement with the “Land” based in Costa Rica;

vi. Reported on OMEP activities that took place in 2010, relating to the Rights of

the Child (UN), The Child’s Right to Play and the Declaration of Gothenburg

2010 on the Child’s Right to Play;

vii. Worked on ESD in ECE.

• Ecuador

i. Sustainable development activities held in Manta, Manabi Province, with

extensive press coverage;

ii. Research on the cultural patterns that influence children’s play was conducted;

iii. Research relating to cultural diversity in the classroom and the proposal to

cultivate intercultural strategies with children were conducted;

iv. Took part in the OMEP ESD Project by interviewing children about the OMEP

2010 Logo;




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v. “Guardians of the Environmental Consciousness” Project was conducted in 12

educational institutions and day care centres, with children up to 8 years of age.

• El Salvador

i. “Guardians of the Environmental Consciousness” Project was conducted in 12

educational institutions and day care centres, with children up to 8 years of age.

ii. Enhanced environmental awareness among administrators, teachers, parents and

children from schools in the city of Manta, Manabi Province;

iii. Handbook for the management of the playroom “OMEP-Fundasil” was

created.

• Mexico

i. OMEP Mexico annual congress on the theme of “How to Encourage Thought

Processes in Children”. Over 350 attendees attended from all over the country;

ii. Seminar concerning children’s participation in sustainable education in

Culiacan, Sinaloa was held, attended by local family members and teachers;

iii. Took part in an investigation on sustainable education, in which children

expressed their views on keeping the planet clean;

iv. Seminars were held for parents and teachers in Veracruz and Queretaro on

children’s emotional intelligence and creativity.

• Nicaragua

i. There has been no activities relating to the ESD project, but the project is

continually promoted by OMEP;

ii. Proposed in the Forum of Human Education and Development (FEDH, the

network for national advocacy for education) to put forward a law on early

childhood;

iii. OMEP’s role has been instrumental in drafting the bill, and in promoting

discussion of this bill.

iv. Members of the Chapter attended meetings with national education

organisations;

v. Attended the International Symposium held in Iquitos, Peru on Programmes of

Integral Attention to Children aged from 0 to 3, within Amazonian Indigenous

Communities;

vi. Participated in the Bureau of Inclusive Education, with social NGOs focusing

on disabilities. Contributions were made in aiding Child Care Regulations

concerning children and young students with disabilities.

• Panama

i. Two seminars on the importance of the ECEC and its nature;

ii. Teachers and family members were dealt with directly within the sustainable

development projects;

iii. The Panama Ministry of Education was involved in the project

iv. The association of pre-school educators helped to implement interviews within

the schools;

• Paraguay

i. The Toy Library was set up in different neighbourhoods of Asuncion and near

cities on Bank Holidays;

• Peru

i. Educational seminars on current work approaches and methodological strategies

were held.




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ii. Trained teachers within the framework of action concerning the improvement of

education quality on a national scale;

iii. Activities concerning the current Municipalization of Education were

organised;

iv. Participated in the National Forum of Education for All organised by the state;

v. Met with the Minister of ECE

• Uruguay

i. Monthly plan update focusing on “Languages” – Lectures and workshops on

music, games, children’s literature and theatre were held;

ii. Refresher course was held for directors and coordinators;

iii. Meetings were held bi-monthly for directors and coordinators to share case

studies and create strategies to improve management, the link with families and

educational qualities;

iv. Board of Directors participated as special guests at various conferences;

v. Committee members and members of Congress got involved with OMEP

Argentina in June;

vi. October elections were held in Commission Directive to renew the authorities

and the new Commission began operating in November

Domitilia notes that Latin America OMEP Chapters have worked together through every

medium of communication. She plans on visiting all the Chapters who have not provided

reports but have held activities under the OMEP framework by the end of the year and on

re-establishing communication with these Chapters, namely, Venezuela, Cuba, Costa Rica

and Honduras.

Report Approved by all.

Reports North America and The Caribbean Regional Vice President – Madeleine

Baillargeon

- The region continues to develop and be active.

- There is regular and frequent communication with OMEP Haiti although there has been

difficulties due to the earthquake. Psychological support and seminars have been

organized for teachers to support them to welcome kids in class and to encourage them to

express their emotions.

- OMEP-USA recruited many young members and developed student chapters.

OMEP-USA has been asked to give examples and explain how to attract young members.

- Work continues in order to maintain contact and develop new committees, such as

Jamaica and Guadeloupe.

- OMEP-Canada is also linking with other members through the toy library projects in

Africa. (See report, #7 of the present minutes)




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B) Representatives with International Organizations

United Nations, Judith T. Wagner (on behalf of Carol Darcy)

- Judith reports on behalf Carol Darcy, Senior OMEP Liaison to the UNICEF. The New

York based team strives to keep early childhood in the forefront at UN and UNICEF.

UNICEF’s current focus: initiatives for the most vulnerable 20%, especially in rural

Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

With only 4 years left to achieve the MDG goals, Carol urges OMEP members to

Join UNICEF in focusing on the 20% most vulnerable.

Frequently visit the UN and UNICEF websites

Contact UNICEF Program Officers in our home countries, mentioning OMEP

and its work on behalf of the world’s children.

- Carol sent

- brochures on MDG in English and Spanish.

- Examples of handouts on MDG

-


UNESCO, Lisbeth Gouin

- Lisbeth introduces Micheline d’ Agostino who has taken part in the delegation since 2009.

She highlights that a link between the main objectives promoted by UNESCO and OMEP

has been established.

- UNESCO has been partnering with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that

represent social sciences, natural sciences, culture and so forth. Yet, the main subject is

education. The main objective is to provide education for all before 2015., realized by

four commissions: The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Commission on

Education for All, the Commission on Ethical Science and the Commission on

Eradication of Poverty in Africa.

• The Commission on Human Rights.

Research on the equality of people, racism, exclusion, discrimination, violence

against women and children, rape and war.

OMEP France participated actively in celebrating the 20th anniversary. More than

400 children attended.

• Commission on Education for All

To publish a report on Education and the World. In 2011, the theme of the report is

on Children in Conflict and War.

Lisbeth announces that the National Day of NGO will be on 5 December 2011.

In September 2010, the conference in Moscow confirmed that UNESCO encouraged

the protection of early childhood and equitable education, promoted general




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education by increasing the role of family primary education and privileged

education of women and girls.

France has already made some preposition. The themes are:

i. Train teachers, researchers, educators and families

ii. Create structures and improve ones that already exist;

iii. Think of sustainable development with children responsible for the environment

according to World Assembly 2010 in Gothenburg.

iv. Be able to reach the poorest, indigenous population in rural areas

• Commission on Ethical Science

Areas of focus:

i. Vulnerability

ii. Public Health

iii. Water – OMEP’s study showing how children respect environment through

understanding, action and responsibility, highlighting the importance of

education in the construction of the view of the world.

In July 2010, Daniele, representing OMEP collaborated with UNESCO in organizing

a day about the benefits of water to humanity for children aged five to six.

• Commission on Eradication of Poverty in Africa

The theme for the commission is “Learn in Africa”, represented by Madeleine

To conclude, OMEP has been reinforcing its place with UNESCO and NGOs.


6. Presentation of 2010 OMEP Annual Report, Doreen Launder

Doreen notes that some countries report in either 2 or 3 of the official languages of OMEP.

She encourages members to report in 3 official languages.

i. Reporting Framework in 2010

ii. Main Activities in 2010;

iii. United Nations, Rights of the Child – Children’s Right to Play;

iv. Report on the Regions ESD activities;

v. Report on the proposed activities for 2011;

vi. Membership – Statistics, Leadership and Structures of OMEP committees

25% of reports use the above structure. She requests countries to use this framework

to report to UNICEF and UNESCO.

• Big Themes

i. \Children’s Right to Play




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ii. ESD Phase II

iii. Networking, conferences, symposia, workshops and professional development;

iv. Research;

v. Consultancy and advocacy;

vi. Membership

She highlights the high percentage of submissions. Only 10% did not report. Some

reports only contained a list of what has been done and excluded the outcome of

activities, which is crucial. The World President also urges the members to report in

accordance with the framework.

7. Information about:

A) The Toy Library Project, Madeleine Baillargeon

- The project has 2 phases

• Phase 1: Install toy library in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo);

• Phase 2: Create a network of African toy libraries

- Progress of Phase 1

• Winter 2009: Writing of project

• Summer 2009: Partner’s agreement and OMEP approval, fund-raising

• Fall 2009: Fund-raising goals achieved

• Winter 2010: Training mission in Congo postponed twice

• Spring 2010: Looked for another local NGO partner

• Fall 2010: Agreement with AFA, mission under preparation

• February 2011: Opening of Library

• April 2011: Follow-up mission by OMEP-Canada representative

• Partners of phase 1:

i. OMEP – Canada;

ii. C.I.E.L.O. (Cooperation Internationale pour les Equilibres Locaux), France;

iii. AFA (Association pour la famille), DRC

- Progress of Phase 2

• Objectives: Mutual support and professional growth

• Delay due to post-election situation in Ivory Coast;

• Ivory Coast asked C.I.E.L.O for the installation of a toy library;

• Prepare to receive a team of C.I.E.L.O. who will conduct the training in summer 2011;

• OMEP – Canada and C.I.E.L.O are planning the toy librarians meeting to be held in

Ivory Coast in fall 2011.

• In total, there are 5 African countries and 7 toy libraries participating in the project. The

toy librarians will present their problems and work together. The rest will be done

through email and internet.

• Partners of the project:

i. OMEP – Canada;

ii. C.I.E.L.O. (Cooperation Internationale pour les Equilibres Locaux), France;

iii. OMEP – Ivory Coast

- Madeleine is happy with the progress. UNESCO covered the trip fees. Victoria O. Bilewu

recognizes the success of Ivory Coast, which was a preparatory committee when the




16

project was first initiated in 2009. Despite financial difficulties, Ivory Coast managed to

find financial support. Ivory Coast is now participating and hosting Phase II.

- Madeleine also shares the project as her personal objective, in which there was a call for a

discussion on children in Africa in Norway in 2006. Members may learn more about the

project during the poster session, at 12:30pm on 9 July 2011at Pavilion B, D-LP of the

Institute, Code: AB0021.

B) Haiti Donations, Madeleine Baillargeon

- Madeleine reports on the following priorities, expressed by OMEP-Haiti:

i. Psychological Support

Offered through workshops, conferences and interviews on May 2010 with the

support of Claire Foch, psychotherapist.

ii. Repair and Construction

OMEP-Haiti wished to support the library of the Normal School of ECE teachers,

completely destroyed by the earthquake. OMEP agreed to dedicate the rest of the

money raised for Haiti to equipment and material for the new library. Progress for

reconstruction was slowed down due to instability after the quake, so the building

is not constructed yet. Madeleine tried to put Haiti in contact with other

organisations for support. When the library building will be ready to receive

equipment and materials, the money will be sent.

C) ESD World Project Part II, Ingrid Engdahl and Milada Rabusicova

- Ingrid reports the status of the project, covering both Part I and II. The aims of the project

as follows:

• To enhance the awareness of ESD for OMEP members, young children and early

childhood education at large;

• Part I Child Interviews: To collect information about young children’s thoughts,

comments and understanding of ESD, using OMEP 2010 Congress logo.Part II: To

implement ESD together with the children in ECE practices and to collect

information and further understand young children’s ideas and actions within ESD.

• Participation:

28 countries participated in the projects and some of them “()” submitted their

summary reports as follows.

i. Africa: (Cameroon), (Ivory Coast), Nigeria;

ii. Asia Pacific: (China), (Hong Kong), (Korea), (New Zealand), (Singapore),

Pakistan, Sri Lanka;

iii. Europe: (Czech Republic), (Denmark), (France), (Norway), (Poland), (Russia),

(Slovak Republic), (Sweden), (Turkey), (United Kingdom);

iv. Latin America: (Brazil), (Colombia), (Ecuador), (Mexico), (Panama), Argentina,

Chile;

v. North America and the Caribbean: Canada




17

• Phase I consists of the comparison of child interviews. Phase II consists of Inspirational

Starting Points.Seven “R” words, include Respect, Reflect, Rethink, Reuse, Reduce,

Recycle and Redistribute were finalized in the World Assembly in 2010.

• How to continue?

i. Rich data from the reports;

ii. 28 participating countries in all regions;

iii. Good examples from North and South, from urban to rural, from preschools,

others institutions and homes;

iv. Make them available for OMEP members by linking to OMEP International

Sites;

v. Booklets – online publications

- Recapitulation of ESD

• To enhance the awareness of ESD among OMEP members, young children and ECE

• To reorient education in order to contribute to a sustainable future for the present and

future generations;

• To recognise the dependence of humanity on a healthy biosphere.

- Milada invites members to a symposium on ESD on 8 July 2011 (Friday), at 16:00 to

17:30.

D) Earthquake Appeal, Japan, Toshiko Kaneda

- Kaneda expresses her sincere gratitude to countries which offered assistance, relief

donations and message of support to Japan

- The Asia Pacific Region in Japan, in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary Events of

OMEP Japan Committee was cancelled.

- She reports on the severe damages of kindergartens and acknowledges the strong sense of

duty and responsibility of early childhood professionals who have kept casualties and

injuries to a minimum. Regular preparations and drills are implemented to cultivate

children’s consciousness of disasters.

- She distributes papers to members to write down their wishes and blessings to the

Japanese.

8. Members Announcements and Questions:

A. WASH from the Start Project, Judith T. Wagner

- Inspired by Rosslyne Waiyigo Kiragu’s water purification work with pre-schoolers in

Kenya presented in Goteborg in 2010, Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson, Judith Wagner, and

Carole Darcy met with Nurper Ulkuer, chief of UNICEF’s Child Development Unit in

New York in January 2011. During this meeting, OMEP agreed to develop a proposal to

adapt UNICEF’s WASH in Schools projects for use in early childhood settings. The

project would be called WASH from the Start and the proposal would be for pilot projects

with possibilities for scaling up.

Progress to date: Judith Wagner, John Siraj Blatchford, and Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson

submitted a preliminary proposal to UNICEF in early May 2011. The proposal received an

immediate positive response.

John Blatchford from UK represented early childhood at the World Summit “Call to

Action for WASH in Schools” in The Hague.




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• Early June 2011: “Call to Action Report” includes Key Message 3 about the importance

of WASH for children between 0-8, referencing WASH from the START.

• June 2011: Gothenburg Environment Centre agrees to support Task Force initiatives;

- The WASH in Schools website is www.washinschools.com. The site includes

educational and advocacy materials about water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Judith made the following motions:

1. World OMEP create a WASH from the START Task Force, with primary focus on

curriculum development for teachers educators, teachers and children;

2. National Committees investigate WASH activities in their home countries and contact

WASH in Schools coordinators

3. National Committees support WASH related projects, like Global Handwashing Day,

October 15 and add WASH links to their websites;

4. World OMEP leaders continue to pursue funding possibilities with UNICEF.

Approved by all

B. Additional Proposal from OMEP USA, Judith T. Wagner

- (1) Motion: All OMEP National Presidents and boards ask OMEP members and other

interested in the rights and wellbeing of young children to encourage their country’s

leaders (presidents, prime minister, ambassadors, royalty, etc. to do the followings:

• Acknowledge the Omnibus Resolution on Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

in Early Childhood and;

• Advocate for the United Nations to declare a Decade of Early Childhood

World President supplements that this would be reported in next annual report and she

will also write a short, convincing letter stating the agreement of country members in

support of the motion. The letter will also be translated into official languages.

Approved by all.

- (2) Motion: World President writes a letter on behalf of World OMEP to Nurper Ulkuer,

Chief of Early Childhood Development (ECD) at UNICEF, stating OMEP’s support for

and willingness to participate in an initiative to form a Global Alliance of Early Childhood

Organizations.

Approved by all.

C. Film Festival

- OMEP US will run a Film Festival at the National Association for the Education of

Young Children Conference in November 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Members are

requested to submit their short documentary/animation films to be screened at the film

festival. Flyers were distributed. Information available at www.omep-usa.org.

- World President shares her experience in the film festival last year and encourages

members to join.

10. Regional Meetings

Regional Meetings are held in the afternoon of 6 July 2011.

http://www.washinschools.com/




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11. Reports from the Regional Meetings

- Ingrid Pramling says the reports from the Regional Meetings are cancelled and opens the

floor to members for discussion to all members

Europe Region, Milada Rabusicova

- Members discussed how each National Committees are able to work closely with their

own national governments, especially on investing in ECE. Denmark will draft a letter to

the European Commission on behalf of OMEP.

North America and Caribbean Region, Madeleine Baillargeon

- Members discussed the collaboration between National Committees on ongoing projects

and WASH. The collaboration has already been on the way with the Haiti Committee and

one of the African members.

12. Working Groups:

There are working groups on different aspects as follows:

- Research in ESD;

- Development Work – focusing on WASH;

- Training Session;

13. Reports – Working Groups and Discussion

A. Research in ESD, Ingrid Engdahl and Milada Rabusicova - Ingrid reports that all of the countries presented would like ESD to be a continued project.

Members raised the concern of making information more accessible to other members and

committees..

- Some countries express that the ESD project can continue with two phases:

• Child interviews Local projects: To draw out some good examples from the projects

- Countries also raise an in-service training for people at different levels;

- OMEP should continue with explaining the, three pillars of ESD – Environmental, Social

and Economic as it may not be recognized by all teachers. It is suggested that OMEP

should come up with a booklet with good examples as there are different interpretations

and understanding of the 7 “R” words by teachers. Milada reports that the positive

feedback on the first phase from participants. The methodology and contents are easy to

follow. Phase 2: It is more difficult because some members have mentioned that it needs

to involve more teachers.

- For Phase 3: More attention may need to be paid to methodology and topic orientation.

- Ingrid adds that the project has led to a heavy workload for teachers. Some members

express that their governments promote3”Rs” (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) more

than ESD.

- A letter explaining the next steps of ESD would be sent in fall 2011 to national project

leaders and presidents..

- Madeleine quotes the example of OMEP Canada in linking Government programmes and

curriculum with ESD. Ingrid suggests writing another article on OMEP’s rationale in ESD

as a vision.




20

B. Development Work – WASH, Judith T. Wagner

- About 20 people attended the first meeting of the WASH Task Force, with good

representation of different countries. Participants were in favour of OMEP’s leading role

in WASH from the START project. Meeting summary:

• Each National Committee should identify one person as project coordinator, who will

gather and submit information about existing WASH in Schools and other water,

sanitation, and hygiene projects in the country.

• encourage OMEP involvement in WASH projects;

• Gather and submit WASH-related songs, stories, posters, etc. currently used in the

country. A goal would be for OMEP to compile good WASH ideas from around

the world and make them available to others.

• To create a data-base about what children already know about safe water, sanitation, and

hygiene, especially handwashing. World President will find an open-ended image

similar to the one used for the ESD project. This will be used for interviews similar

to the ESD project.

• Each member country would do the best to promote awareness of the global

handwashing day on October 15, 2011By November 15, 2011, World President

would like to have brief reports on what has been done on handwashing day from all

country members;

• World President will continue to communicate with Nurper Ulkuer at UNICEF about the

WASH from the Start project and OMEP’s initial focus on handwashing.

• Theme of project: We need to be sensitive to different cultures and ’different countries’

access to water.

• It would be a good place to begin with teacher educators.

C. Training Session, Victoria O. Bilewu and Doreen Lauder

- All members agree that the National Committees should go hand in hand with the OMEP

World Constitution and adapt it to own National Committees.

- Doreen supplements that all National Committees contribute to the aims and objectives of

the World OMEP website. All of us must be tolerant to those aims and objectives agreed

and promote them. Limited tenure of the official positions stated in the World

Constitution must be observed by all members. 3 years per tenure and 6 years for 2

tenures in total are the maximum limit for those in the official capacity of OMEP.

- We have a responsibility to put forward new delegates for our national and regional

committees and to find new active persons for OMEP.

- The contact list of each National Committee should not only contain the contact

information of the President, but also 3 or 4 members of the committee.

14. Future Meetings

A. 2012 World Assembly and Conference

- Domitilia introduces the OMEP World Assembly and World Symposium in Campo

Grande, Brazil 17 - 21 July 2012. The theme of the conference is “Early Childhood in the

XXI Century” The Children’s Right to Live, Play, Explore and Learn about the World

Around Them”.




21

B. 2013 World Assembly and Conference

- OMEP China National Committee wasre-elected in November 2010. The committee has

set the goal of holding OMEP World Assembly and Conference in next five years,

probably in Shanghai or Beijing and support is drawn from members.

- World President and members support OMEP China to hold World Assembly and

Conference in 2013. Further details would be submitted to the World Assembly in 2012.

15. World Treasurer's Report, Maggie Koong

The income for the period was USD 42,998.44 and the expenditure was USD 34,828.95

(including 2009 VP Expenses USD 4,700). This represents a surplus of USD 8,169.49,

mainly due to the membership fees, World Conference in Sweden in 2010 and from the

International Journal of Early Childhood due to the partnership with a new publisher,

Springer. On December 31, 2010, we had the following foreign currencies in our Hong

Kong account:

USD 36,245,

EUR 23,877,

CAD 912,

CHF 13,981

It is believed that the income for OMEP is promising as there are 800 participants in Hong

Kong.

Membership fees – In 2010 the income from membership fees was USD 24,019.76, which

is USD 838.24 slightly less than the dues collected in 2009.

Pin Sales – The income from the sales of pins was USD 977.03.

International Journal and Copyright - We received USD 8,878.40 from the International

Journal of Early Childhood (IJEC) and recognized IJEC as a growing source of income

for OMEP.

World Congress – The income received in 2010 World Congress was USD 9,120.

Bank Interest – The interest received in 2010 was USD 3.25.

The major expenditure in 2010 is shown in the following:

President’s Account – The President received the customary payment of USD 18,000,

covering translation, secretariat support and travelling expenses.

Executive Committee Expenses – The expenses were USD 9,933.74 in 2010 (for VPs to

Sweden Conference) and additional USD 4,700 expenses recorded in 2009. Presently, the

executive meeting takes place via Skype on a monthly basis. Since two ExCo members

did not attend the Nigeria meeting the expense is lower. Each VP will receive USD 200 to

cover their office expenses. Since there is only one annual meeting per year that ExCo




22

members now attend, this has allowed us to keep the total ExCo costs to a minimum for

the year.

Website Costs – There is no charges for website maintenance as the maintenance is

conducted by the University of Gothenburg.

NGO dues – These refer to contributions made to maintain our NGO membership status

with UNICEF and amounted to USD 100 for the year.

OMEP Sales – Books and Pins – USD 1,674.40.

Bank Charges – USD 420.81.

Emergency Relief Account:

2010:

China Relief Funds – The donations with a total of USD 6,356.39 – were given in full to

China.

Haiti Relief Fund - Donations for Haiti were received from Iceland (EUR 560.51), Ireland

(EUR 500), China (USD 4,385), Korea (USD 1,912), USA (USD 3,125), New Zealand (USD

180), Poland (USD 290), Ivory Coast (EUR 53.3), Hong Kong (USD 500), France (USD

3583) and Canada (CAD 2,067.94 + CAD 3,823 for psychological support) for a total of USD

17,760. The UK also donated GBP 250 in 2011. Total amount of the donation is:

USD 13,975,00,

EUR 1,113.81,

CAD 2,067.94,

GBP 250.00

The donations received from Haiti (USD 14,185, EUR 1,113.81 and CAD 2,067.94) will be

disbursed in 2011.

OMEP Haiti representative extends her thanks to every country that supported Haiti

OMEP USA representative says children’s voice should be taken seriously as more than half

amount of the donation is raised by children.

OMEP UK suggests that children are acknowledged for their donations and are given

confirmation on the distribution of their donations through photographs. Maggie notes that

she will liaise with the donating and receiving countries to make sure photographs are sent.

2011:

Japan Earthquake Fund – Donations for Japan were received in 2011 from Iceland (USD

1,279.78), UK (USD 417.02), Sweden (USD 1,600), Hong Kong (USD 500), Canada (USD

50), Thailand (USD 200), USA (USD 11,100), China (USD 2,000). Total amount of the

donation is:

USD 16,946,

HKD 200




23

OMEP Japan representative expresses her gratitude and appreciation on behalf of her own

National Committees to countries which donate to Japan and the future of children.

Maggie observes that there are countries intending to donate to Japan and she notes that the

donation to Japan is just at the beginning because the appeal from Japan has just been for a

month.

OMEP USA representative reports that USD 10,500 has been raised by the first children

Chapter formed right after the earthquake in one day out of USD 11,100 raised for Japan.

Observations:

• The income from membership fees is relatively stable due to efforts put by every

National Committees;

• The committees have contributed to the Haiti Relief Fund (c. USD 17,760 to date);

• Sisterhood Scheme: There have not feedback yet;

• Introduction to Regional Conference Fees: USD 5 per participant in order to contribute

to the sisterhood scheme. This has been endorsed at the last World Assembly.

World Treasurer’s Report 2010 approved unanimously.

- Maggie projects the budget for 2012 and proposes that the item “Regional Conference” at

the projected amount of $2,000 as it has been endorsed at World Assembly in Sweden last

year.

- According to the experience last year, the absence of members and considerable amount

received from the publisher, OMEP Switzerland proposes the projected income for

Member Fees and Springer, $24,000 and 7,000 respectively, in order to make the budget

more realistic.

Draft Result

2011 (5 Jul)

Draft Budget

2012

INCOME

Members $16,191.50 $24,000.00

World Congress $0.00 $3,000.00

Regional Conference $0.00 $2,000.00

Springer $5,418.69 $7,000.00

Others (OMEP Sales - Pins) $0.00 $500.00

Bank interest $0.00 $0.00

Total $21,610.19 $36,500.00




24

Draft Result

2011 (5 Jul)

Draft Budget

2012

EXPENSES

President $6,000.00 $18,000.00

VP Expenses $0.00 $13,000.00

OMEP Representation in

Conference/Meeting

$0.00 $2,000.00

NGO-Dues for UNICEF $0.00 $100.00

Others (OMEP Sales - Books &

Pins)

$0.00 $0.00

Bank Charges $0.00 $400.00

Total $6,000.00 $33,500.00

Profit/ Deficit $15,610.19 $3,000.00

The budget for 2012 was approved unanimously.

UNESCO Project:

- The income from UNESCO should be USD 20,000, but there has been a transfer of USD

25,399.11, USD 5,399.11.Such extra amount would probably be returned to UNESCO.

USD 10,000 has been released for Toy Library Project. Hence, the balance is now USD

15,399.11.

Children’s Fund:

- Maggie raises the establishment of Children’s Fund in response to emergency appeals, not

limited to natural disaster. OMEP should think of fundraising ideas for the fund to be used

when in need. Letters have been sent out to seek opinions from member countries on

fundraising ideas.

- Madeleine reports that the National Committee of Ivory Coast submitted a project through

the fund. As suggested by Maggie, money should be available in the fund, but application

criteria are required. OMEP has been asked by Ivory Coast to support part of the project

in preschool education centre. The plan is to establish a home for mother and children

before 2016, aiming at single-mothers or mothers in difficulty Ivory Coast asked for USD

1819 for the 1st Phase of the project, covering the establishment of classes and sanitary

block. Ultimately, there will be 3 classes, with a structure similar to kindergartens. The

class will start off with a mixed-age group, which may eventually bell be separated into 3

classes.

Maggie reports that there is $2000 accumulated in the Children’s Fund.




25

Issues to discuss:

i. Some OMEP country representatives, including Portugal, Switzerland, UK,

Australia, Denmark, raise an issue on whether some countries are still permitted to

exercise their voting rights according to Article 5.1 (2) of OMEP Constitution if

country members fail to abide by the obligations referred to in the Articles of

Association for a period of 3 years. (2006 version OMEP Constitution) Members

should comply with the OMEP Constitution. Particularly, OMEP Switzerland says

Israel, Panama and Haiti have not paid their annual fees for 3 years and according

to the Constitution they have no right to vote automatically.

ii. OMEP Portugal notes the difficulties of some country members in attending the

assembly due to travelling expenses. A letter should be sent urging for compliance

and the consequences of ignoring the letter.

OMEP Haiti’s membership dues have been exempted due to her appeal last year.

Ingrid Pramling and Maggie note they may consider changing the constitution in the

future. However, OMEP Switzerland and OMEP Australia express that members should

comply with the Constitution.. OMEP Denmark also expresses that the sudden appearance

of dormant/inactive members, can hinder those who are active. Compliance and the

change of Constitution are two different issues which should not be intertwined. It is

recognized that the World Treasurer is free to negotiate with country members who have

not paid and to confirm on each country’s level of commitment.

Ingrid Pramling suggests the Assembly look into the Constitution next year.

The executive meeting they have decided to write letters to those countries which did not

pay by asking them what they can pay and by reminding them of the 3-year threshold. The

objective of sending letters is to find out whether those countries intend to continue their

participation in OMEP.

Ultimately, Canada, Haiti, Israel and Panama still have the right to vote.

USD 1819 for Ivory Coast project approved unanimously.

Ingrid Pramling supplements that Ivory Coast has to report on how they use the amount

for the project.

Regarding the Children’s Fund, one country member suggests the operation of the gift

shops and many countries bring their handcrafts for sale and there has been a considerable

amount received. This would be an excellent way to enrich the fund and use this fund to

support various projects which would be coming up in future. However, OMEP

Switzerland representative responds that the possibility of such idea is for the OMEP

World Assembly and Conference to decide and to look into it. It also depends on the

organizer of the World Assembly and Conference and rules locally, for instance in

Australia and Hong Kong, selling is not allowed.




26

16. Membership

Maggie says that the Executive Committee will send letters to country members who have not

paid their membership fees as a kind of gesture to see whether such members are still

interested in and committed to OMEP before revoking their membership.

A. New Preparatory Committees

Africa Region:

Cameroon AND Kenya: Victoria O. Bilewu recommends the Assembly to vote in favour of

Cameroon and Kenya. Both countries have sent in Constitutions and Letters of Interest in

joining OMEP. Particularly, there are 20 members of Kenya for the Preparatory Committee.

Approved.

Europe Region:

Croatia: Milada, Rabusicová recommends the Assembly to vote in favour of Croatia. Croatia

submitted the Constitution and letter of Interest and Approved.

Remaining Country Seeking for Status of Preparatory Committee:

Italy: OMEP Portugal representative seeks the status of Italy. No information has been

received. Concentration should be put on countries showing interest in OMEP.

B. Elections

Regional Vice President for North America and the Caribbean

Nominated Judith T. Wagner

Proposed by OMEP Canada with approval of its Executive Members: Judith T. Wagner

The Assembly unanimously voted in her favour.

Regional Vice President for Africa

Ingrid Pramling announces that there are two candidates nominated for the election to the

Regional Vice President for Africa.

Two candidates are:

1. Endurance Idenyi, Benin;

2. Abimbola Are, Nigeria

OMEP Nigeria representative voices there are complex problems within the region for the

election and requests for deferral of the election until problems are solved and matters are in

order. OMEP Benin representative and candidate, Endurance Idenyi boycotts the election and

leaves the Assembly.

Ingrid Pramling urges the OMEP Nigerian candidate to present herself, including intention to

be the Regional Vice President for Africa.

Members of the Assembly voice out that the boycotting is not a democratic way for this

election. Each candidate should be given an opportunity to present themselves for the vice

presidency of the region.

Ingrid Pramling announces that the election should proceed.




27

Nominated Abimbola Are, Nigeria

Abimbola Are presents her contributions in ECE in the region. M

The Assembly conducts a voting for two candidates, namely, Endurance Idenyi and Abimbola

Are. The results are as follows:

Endurance Idenyi 6

Abimbola Are 15

Abstain 12

Invalid 2

Total vote 35

The Assembly approves Abimbola Are as the next Regional Vice President for Africa with 15

votes. Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson announces the election has been conducted in a legal and

valid manner.

Honorary Member

Lasse Lipponen, Finland nominates Pirjo Honkavaara. Pirjo serves as the secretary for

OMEP Finland Chapter and is highly respected in ECE for over 30 years.

The Assembly votes in her favour with majority votes.

17. World Assembly Closing

Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson gives her vote of thanks to the Regional Vice President of North

America and Caribbean and the Regional Vice President for Africa, for their hard work and

support for OMEP.

She closes The World Assembly.




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Documents

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