In spite of the continuation of lockdown, the last few weeks have been extremely busy for ACWW. Following our election to the UNESCO Liaison Committee for NGOs, ACWW was delighted to host a session entitled ‘The Role of Women in Global Citizenship’ as part of the UN’s Council for the Status of Women. This was held in March and should have been in New York, but naturally, had to take place online. The advantage of this, of course, was that many more people could ‘attend’ worldwide, including some from SEFWI.

Then last month a Special ACWW World Conference had to be convened online. Owing to the Covid restrictions and resultant travel complications over the next year at least, it was decided that the Triennial World Conference, due to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2022, must be delayed until 2023. However, our constitution states that Triennial Conferences should be no more than 42 months apart. Therefore a temporary amendment had to be passed extending this to 52 months. The Special World Conference took place over three days and voting was carried out via the website.

More locally we have some fund raising events planned.

• The ethically-themed FASHION SHOW in aid of ACWW funds, originally planned for July 1st, is now scheduled for October 14th. Two sessions will be on offer (afternoon & evening) and as well as commercial outlets showing their carefully-sourced stock, there will be ideas for ‘upcycling’ of previously worn garments. Look out for more details under “Events” or in SEFWI News.

• Unfortunately the ACWW International Lunch with Magdie de Kock, ACWW World President as the main speaker has had to be postponed indefinitely. Magdie was to have been in the UK at the ACWW European area conference but this has now been postponed for a year.

• And we have a spectacular secret planned for the end of the year.

Meanwhile, one way that we can help is by donating items for recycling, as we have done for the past couple of years. Now almost anything is acceptable: -

• Small electrical items (mobiles, tablets, sat-navs., games consoles)
• Cameras & photographic equipment
• Jewellery & watches (even broken)
• Coins & Notes (UK & foreign)
• Stamps (UK & foreign)

These can be taken to any of our WI collectors

• IPSWICH: Moira Hammond (01473 659482)
• MENDLESHAM: Anita Scruby (01449 766902)
• STOKE ASH: Dilys Sewell (01449 782978)
• WOODBRIDGE: Maureen Staines (01394 384194)
• EARL SOHAM: Wendy Heath (01728 564201)
• WICKHAM MARKET: Paula Scanlon (01728747785)
• WENHASTON: Jill Daines (01502 478016)
• BECCLES: Hilda Jackson (01502 7143970)

However, if you find that you, or your own institute, have a considerable amount yourself (i.e. weighing in excess of 10 kg.), it can be collected direct from you by a courier. In this case, simply ask Moira (on 01473 659482) to arrange this.