A sense of humour still prevails...
                              at least in Madrid

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Switzerland  
European Union of Women – International Organisation

STOP PRESS
Following Britain's historic vote (23 June 2016) to leave the European Union the EUW national presidents' respond:
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Austria:  Sonja Steigelbauer
BREXIT is a disaster of long term consequences including a historical point of view! For the first time one member of EU has left. UK was the 2nd biggest economic trade market in EU. But it is even a bigger risk for UK, a risk to leave political and economical stability. Which way will UK go? The way of EFTA, of EWR or the Turkish? I am very sad for all the not successfully completed work, which my friends in UK have made to convince their citizens. 
I am very happy that UK section remains in our 17 nations EUW!

Czech Republic: Jana Spekhorstov
Brexit took many of us by surprise. It's not a good development and only the future will show what all of us have to handle. The British decided freely in the referendum to leave the EU and we have no choice than to accept their decision. We must continue to build the very best relationships with our British friends. Every change is also an opportunity, we seize this opportunity and make EU strong again.

Denmark: Eva Mollring
We regret the British decision about leaving the European Union. I hoped until the last moment that the decision would go out the other way round and it is a disappointment that less than two percent had been crucial.  On the other hand we are now certainly forced to explain the sense of European politics and especially the favours in a better way than before. Maybe this has been necessary for some time and we didn't notice it in the right way.  I think, every Britain who loves Europe will remain our partner!

Estonia: Kaie Josing
Result of the referendum in Great Britain was  a very bad  and sad news for the whole EU  -  a democratic union and every member state has the  right to step out.  We have to accept it but it is difficult, almost impossible to understand. Especially because the decision seems to be more emotional than based on reality.
From the very beginning the aim of EU has been  to keep peace in Europe and to be stronger acting together.   If Brexit is really going to happen, we lose a good friend. In Estonia we feel so.  Brexit referendum is a good, although too bitter, lesson to EU and politicians. Every politician should foresee the influence of their words and decisions.  As we say in Estonia: you should not eat soup when it is too hot.
Let UK have time to count once more all plusses and minuses of Brexit and EU and I see that there is possibility to change today's decision.

Malta: Marion Pace Asciak 
I would like to express on behalf of all MNPN members in Malta, our dismay and consternation on hearing that Brexit has won. It is really a sad day for all those who believe in solidarity and in the value of working together for a better world, based on democracy, freedom and social justice. The force of disintegregation is only a sign of individualism that in reality only leads to isolation and exclusion. 
 
Norway:Astrid Humborstad​
Norway is not a member of the EU and we know little of what is going on in the EU all the time. While many members of the EUW are part of the EU this organisation is open to all European countries, members or not of the EU.

Switzerland: Margrit Camenzind
I feel very unhappy and strange today. I am so sorry for the young generation but we have to accept this decision so hard and bitter. In my family we have three grandchildren and two nieces - Swiss /British - they feel very strange today to be Swiss / British, two isles in Europe! I do hope England can manage this situation to the best for their people and Europe in future. Kinds regards and all good wishes to our Britsh friends."

EUW International vice President: Margaret Hales (British Section) 
I am saddened and dismayed that the British people have taken such a decision. It goes against all the human instincts of working and cooperating together. Only as a family of European nations can we work peacefully to a common future, one of opportunity and equality.

EUW International vice President Aphrodite Bletas (Greek Section)
It is really a sad day for the European Integration. For all of us who believed in this ideal from its first steps, it is a huge way back. However I like to think positive and believe that our UK political  friends will treat  the referendum outcome with sensitivity and knowledge to serve in the best way their citizens' interests. At the same time let the British referendum be a lesson for the EU leaders that they govern people with feelings not bank accounts and therefore peoples' sensitivities must also be taken into account when ruling. Before it is too late for all of us; for Europe. 

International Executive

President:  Elisabeth Morin-Chartier MEP 
Vice Presidents:  Margaret Hales; Dr Barbel Stienkemper & Aphrodite Bletas
Treasurer:  Dr Sonja Steigelbauer Starrach
Vice-Treasurer: Irene Peer-Polzer 
WebMaster:  Leigh Mendelsohn


The International Executive is primarily responsible for the realisation of the aims of the EUW.  It consists of the president, vice presidents and treasurer plus the presidents of the national sections and the leaders of international commissions. It meets at least twice a year and elections are held every two years.

The International Council meets bi-annually and comprises the executive committee, three members of each national section, president and vice presidents of commissions, the EUW representatives at the Council of Europe and the United Nations’ special committees, plus the auditors.

The Commissions bring together professional women experienced in many different disciplines. Their brief is to study European and worldwide questions, taking into account the work of the Council of Europe, the European Union and the United Nations. The international commissions’ presidents and vice presidents are elected by the International Council every two years.

The Constitution Committee considers proposals for amendments to the constitution and to the standing orders for the commissions and finance.
President: Francoise Seme-Wallon, France

The European Women’s Association (EWA)’s board consists of five members of the EUW International Executive Committee. The five other board members are from the European Peoples Party (EPP), in the European Parliament, women’s section executive.

EUW AIMS
The EUW works for the strengthening of peace on the basis of justice and the free cooperation of peoples. It stands for the safeguarding of human dignity and freedom, the maintenance of Europe’s outstanding cultural heritage, and for social and economic progress while protecting the rights of the individual.
EUW maintains that these aims will only be realised by increasing the influence of women.

FUNDING
The work of EUW at international level is funded through the annual quota of the national sections as determined by the International Council.

The EUW funds women from poorer countries in membership to attend meetings as well as others not in membership to attend as observers. Over the years many women from countries in the former Soviet Union have benefitted as well as former Yugoslavia nations such Albania and Macedonia. This work is funded solely by donations from the national sections and individual members.

International Council  
will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, in June
2017

National Presidents 2016

Germany       Dr Eva Mollring

Austria           Dr Maria Fekter

France           Christiane Tricot

Spain             Elena Garcia Botin

Switzerland    Marianne
                       Rauber-Jaeggli

Sweden          Britt Tryding

Denmark         Eva Moller

United Kingdom   Margaret Turner

Norway            Astrid Humborstad

Poland             Barbara Malinowska

Greece             Katarina Papakosta

Estonia             Kaie Josing
 
Cyprus             Josephine Antoniov

Slovenia           Vesna Starman

Luxembourg     Karin Meyer

Malta                 Marion Pace                                                      Asciak. 

Czech              Jana  Spekhorstova    


NEXT :BOARD MEETING
25 November 2016  Paris,
at the French Senate (Palais du Luxembourg - 15, rue de Vaugirard - 75006 Paris)



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60 YEARS 1953 -2013