Mrs. Yvonne Ismail-Urfer, is the first
Swiss President of the UNWG, thus taking
her into the Galleries of «The First Swiss
Woman» in the Collection of Musée de l’histoire
at Assens in the canton of Vaud. The
UNWG started 35 years ago with a membership
of about 30. Presently the UNWG has
about 550 members from 120 Nations.
Is the membership of the UNWG limited
to UN spouses only?
Membership priority is indeed given to members
of the UN and other international organizations.
However, 10% of our membership are «associate members», meaning they have
been recommended by Guild members and
are able to offer their skills and time to
UNWG activities. All UNWG members work
strictly on a voluntary base including our
bookkeepers/treasurers. Our books are completely
transparent and open to all interested
parties
How does one become an ‘associate member’?
One way of connecting to the Guild is by
attending our monthly coffee morning, every
first Tuesday of the month from 9:30 to 11:00
at the ILO. At the coffee morning information
is given about the UNWG activities such as
language courses, arts and craft, health
courses, sport as well as computer courses
and other current events. This is also an
opportunity to meet other members whilst
enjoying some special food sponsored by
members from different missions. Apart from
offering activities and courses, the Guild’s
biggest event is the Annual Bazaar in
the Palais des Nations.
At the 2004 bazaar, UN representative said,
that ‘this event is the day of hope and a ray of
light for the UN in the midst of the struggles
and problems it is faced with.’
Aside from the bazaar, what other events
does the UNWG organize?
We organize a variety of fundraising events
each year from cultural events to the (sponsored)
Children’s Walk on the grounds of the
UN. We are also planning another fundraising
project involving children and young people
entering their own ‘musical’ compositions
and songs, the best of which will be cut onto
a CD and sold by the UNWG. In addition we
have an Annual Luncheon and invite a guest
speaker, who supports a children’s project.
What exactly happens to the funds
generated by the UNWG?
All the money raised through fundraising
events is used to support children and young
people in need or at risk all around the world.
These projects are proposed by our members
and are directly supervised by them. We are
trying very hard not to pour money into a bottomless
hole. This is one of the reasons why
we carefully considered whether we should
sponsor and/or assist victims of the Tsunami
disaster. I personally saw and met the people
involved in working with children and youth
projects in the Tsunami affected areas in
Thailand. After much consideration, the
UNWG decided to get involved and I am
happy to report that we have recently
received the news that two schools in some
of the small and forgotten villages are operating
again, thanks to the help of our Guild.
Should non-members be interested in our
projects, we can be contacted at the Villa
office from 9:30 to 12:00pm daily. We also
regularly display Guild project information at
UNWG Art Exhibitions in WIPO and the UN
as well as at our Kiosk, which is next to the
UN Library.
We have some very committed members and
friends of the UNWG who help us move
towards our goal of having a good and constructive
time together here in Geneva. The
UNWG is well organized thanks to the expertise
and dedication of our members who offer
their time, skills and knowledge.
United Nations Women’s Guild Bazaar
2005. An interview with the 2005 Bazaar
Chairwoman, Mrs. Ludmila Aleinik.
Mrs. Ludmilla Aleinik, is the wife of the
Belarusian Ambassador to the UN and has
kindly undertaken the important role of
bazaar chairwoman for 2005.
Mrs. Aleinik, you have volunteered
to accept one of the greatest challenges
the UNWG has to offer, being the bazaar
chairperson. What were your
considerations when you accepted this
position?
I was approached by a number of UNWG
members, including previous chairs. I was
given a lot of advice, encouragement and support,
hence I felt confident that the demands
and the responsibilities of this important role
would be rewarding. I am particularly grateful
for the continued and constructive
response from the general membership. I
would also like to acknowledge the special
assistance from Mr. R.De Stickere (Chief of
Security),
Mr. S. Ordzhonikidze (Director General,
UNOG), BMW Diplomatic Sales and TAG
Heuer SA for their invaluable sponsorship.
The bazaar is the biggest annual
fundraising event in the UNWG calendar.
How long does it take to organize this
event?
To organize the bazaar takes the whole
year. Once the fundraising cycle is completed
and final distribution of funds
from the previous bazaar is allocated to
deprived children and youth projects
around the world, we start planning for
the next bazaar – so it is an ongoing
activity.
This year's Bazaar Brochure front cover has been
designed by Emilie Tobin Chung.
About the artist…
Emilie is 8 years old. She likes to draw and help
children
less fortunate
than herself. Previously,
her artwork has
appeared in Toyota Motor
North America’s annual calendar,
‘Celebrating Diversity’. Emilie’s design has
been reproduced
into notecards. All profits from
the sale of her notecards
will
be donated to
the UNWG which provides over 300,00 CHF
to 70+ projects
in 30 countries, assisting
disadvantaged and
impoverished children.
How is the Bazaar Committee formed/elected?
The bazaar committee involves people who are capable of working in
responsible positions from the bazaar chairperson, the co-chairperson, the
UNWG president, the vice -president project chairperson, the treasurer and
co-treasurer, the lottery team, two members responsible for the national
stalls, two for the restaurant stalls, and two for the guild stalls. On the
more technical side, a further two volunteers are required in each sector
such as supplies, security coordinator, technical advisor, publicity, cash
donations, special events advisor, and most importantly the recording secretary.
Each of these roles requires teamwork of 3 to 10 people if not more.
This guarantees continuity in case of illness, travel, transfer etc.
If one would like to help in organizing the Bazaar, how does one
get involved?
Being a UNWG function, one has to be a member or associate member of
the UNWG. Once a member, one has the opportunity to volunteer for any
position by approaching the UNWG Nominating Committee and indicate
preferences. It is however, preferred that experienced UNWG members are
selected as it is important to know some of the membership as well as be
familiar with the dynamics and structures of the Guild.
The 2004 UNWG Bazaar involved over 60 missions displaying and
selling national arts and crafts as well as specialty food stalls
with different flavors of the world, and of course, the Guild’s
own brick-a-brac and handicraft stalls. It seemed that half the
world was under one roof, many smiling faces and a great variety
of music, languages, flavors and visions. These are just some
impressions from a visitor’s perspective but what impressions
would you share with us from an organizer’s point of view?
It is vital to recruit experienced UNWG members with expertise in various
skills. Once we have our bazaar committee together the months to follow
are filled with analysis and formulation of sub-committees, security issues,
rules, regulations, lottery format, prizes, collecting goods for bric-a-brac,
books, and negotiating with Missions and the media. During this time,
teams plan strategies and work together enjoying the creativity of having
lots of fun and fellowship. It is uplifting to see everybody working together
towards one main goal despite cultural differences and backgrounds. It is
admirable to see what the volunteers in the UNWG are able to achieve and
I feel very honored to be part of it.
In planning any large-scale event, there will always be problems
or obstacles. Do you anticipate any problem areas or difficulties
during the organizational stages of the 2005 Bazaar?
Of course, every organization experiences problems. As Mrs. Ismail-Urfer (UNWG President) says, “without problems there are no challenges
and challenges are the spice of development in living and learning”.
Some of our anticipated problems are meeting deadlines, illness,
transfers and career demands. Generally, these are the normal problems
one would have in a voluntary based work environment.
The 2005 Lottery (drawn at the bazaar before closing) promises
to be one of the best ever.
Yes, each year, our lottery contributes almost a third of the funds
raised for our UNWG projects around the world. The major prize this
year is a BMW, thanks to the generosity of BMW Diplomatic Sales. Our
second lottery prize comes from TAG Heuer SA. Loyal and committed
sponsors have generously donated many other prizes (over 100) and
without their help the bazaar would never be such a success.
What is your message to the UN and International Organizations
in Geneva?
Please support our lottery. Our members and volunteers will be selling
lottery tickets in all the international organizations’ offices during the
early weeks (of November) leading up to the bazaar, so please look
out for them at your work places during the lunch period.We look forward
to seeing you at the bazaar on Tuesday the 22nd November from
9:00-16:00 and thank you in anticipation of your support.
