The Executive Counsel Meeting (EXCO) was held at the ILO headquarter building in Geneva from 24th to 26th of May. The participating countries were Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zeeland, Portugal, South Africa, Swiss, England, U.S.A., Greece and Hong Kong. On the first day of the meeting the new Secretary General, Mr. Vincent Faber, made an inaugural speech. Then the reports and discussions regarding annual activity and fiscal report of ISS headquarter, activity reports of each participating countries, increase and development of new members, strengthening of network and discussion were made. On the second day cerebrating 80th anniversary of ISS foundation, open forum, dealing with children without protection of biological parents and women and minors moving across borders, were held and exchanged opinions actively together with almost 100 participants of general public. After that at the 80th anniversary ceremony President Mr. Frank and the guests of honor made speech, and then a charity harp concert by Ms. Chizuko Ikeda from Japan was given. On the third day participants discussed about how they should convince Japanese government to ratify the Hague Convention. And ISSJ was requested to make effort it. Hague International Conference consists of 61 countries, 32 countries out of them ratified, 9 countries signed and 5 countries agreed, but Japan has not shown any reaction for it. Therefore, ISSJ expressed its appreciation for this backup by ISS network. Also celebrating 80th anniversary of ISS, new logo mark was laid out.
ISS Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting
The 3rd ISS Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting was held in Seoul, Korea from May 31 to June 2. Social Welfare Society of Korea, correspondent of ISS, hosted the meeting, and Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and Korea participated. After the recent activity reports of each country were made, Japanese branch reported the protection of children, and Australian branch reported human trafficking. The participants discussed about the protection of the women and the children across the borders, especially relating to the issue of human trafficking and child labor, the participants discussed about how to act for them as well as searching approaches to such problems. On the 2nd day participants visited the baby homes and the children institutions operated by Social Welfare Society of Korea. As a single mother is not recognized in the Korean society yet, many children are released for adoption overseas. It is said that Korean government releases children for adoption only to three countries such as U.S.A, Canada and Sweden. Then participants visited the border between North Korea, and saw the tunnel dug by North Korea, so they realized the tragedy of one country divided into two. On the 3rd day it was discussed about the increase of the correspondents, strengthening network and the way of human resource development in Asia-Pacific Region such as Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Papua New Guinea. As the visit to Cambodia was already arranged, ISSJ promised to research the future correspondent institution in Cambodia.
Thank
you very much for your great support to the 48th ISSJ Charity Cinema on June
18. Many people participated the Charity Cinema and it ended successfully.
Contributions, which were made by the participants of the Cinema, were Y2,957,288
including bazaar contributions and coin donation. ISSJ really appreciated
it. ISSJ will use these contributions for children's welfare across the border.
