As she looks back on the numerous projects implemented during her biennium, SIE President Ulla Madsen recalls that she first mentioned her passion to improve the environment in her letter of motivation for the SIE position back in November 2010. The theme was then presented at the SIE Congress in Berlin in July 2013.
Why did I chose the environment as a theme? Because as Soroptimists, I believe our individual and collective responsibility as an organisation is to ensure sustainable development and to protect our planet. Working for a healthier environment is also in line with the various water themes of my predecessors. In past years, Soroptimists have proved to be highly creative in realising projects that serve their communities – by creating gardens, building sanitation facilities, drilling wells etc. But we must recognise that resources are scarce and not properly conserved. ‘Working for a healthy environment’ addresses the longer term issue and our engagement and responsibility as world citizens.
SI Club Wassenaar of the Netherlands brought clean water and sanitation to five villages in a rural area of Northern Tanzania.
Each and every project counts
I am very pleased how you received and understood the seriousness and necessity to help our planet to a cleaner and greener environment – especially for coming generations. We can be so very proud of all the projects Soroptimist clubs have been implementing during the last two years. It doesn’t matter if it is a small or big one because each and every project that makes the environment more healthy and sustainable counts. I have had the privilege to visit several environ- ment projects and environmental events, among other places in Rwanda, Benin, Portugal and Italy. When I attend the SI Future African Federation Meeting in Madagascar in March 2016, I will have the pleasure to visit the overall winner of the Best Practice Award 2015, the School Biogas Station project.
SI Club Ringsted in Denmark sold 2000 recyclable shopping bags to help minimise the burden on the environment.
The need to create a global policy
Women form a disproportionately large share of the poor in countries all over the world. Women in the rural areas of developing countries are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood, because it is usually their responsibility to secure water, food and energy for cooking and heating. The effects of climate change can lead to conflicts in which women and girls often are the victims of violence. Droughts, irregular rainfall and deforestation all make it harder for women to secure these resources.
The impacts of climate change have increased within the last two years and have also had an influence on areas that are normally not affected, for instance, by heavy rainfall that has caused terrible flooding and greater pollution.
Lamine Baba Cissé, chargé de mission au ministère de l’Education nationale
Women form a disproportionately large share of the poor in countries all over the world. Women in the rural areas of developing countries are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood, because it is usually their responsibility to secure water, food and energy for cooking and heating. The effects of climate change can lead to conflicts in which women and girls often are the victims of violence. Droughts, irregular rainfall and deforestation all make it harder for women to secure these resources.
Women form a disproportionately large share of the poor in countries all over the world. Women in the rural areas of developing countries are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood, because it is usually their responsibility to secure water, food and energy for cooking and heating. The effects of climate change can lead to conflicts in which women and girls often are the victims of violence. Droughts, irregular rainfall and deforestation all make it harder for women to secure these resources.
The project realised by SI Cotonou Doyen in Benin provides potable water for drinking and irrigation.
Gender equality is also linked
I hope everyone will remember that the biennium theme was perfectly in line with UNEP’s programme not only by addressing environmental issues, but also by demonstrating that gender equality for women and girls is indissolubly linked to a healthy sustainable environment. Going green is not just a choice, but an imperative. As Soroptimists and citizens of the world, I hope you will con- tinue to take responsibility in imple- menting good environmental projects because a sustainable and well-protected environment improves the lives of women and girls and facilitates access to education and empowerment.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and hard work. Your environmental projects have made a big difference for the lives of women and girls. Finally, Let’s talk, work and act green in our daily lives!
SI Caserta, Italy
Member since 1993
elisabetta.defranciscis@soroptimisteurope.orgMaria Elisabetta de Franciscis is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Sciences of the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II where she teaches Comparative Public Law, American Constitutional Law and Comparative Constitutional Law. She holds a Master Degree from the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II and a Master Degree and a Ph.D. from The University of Connecticut.
Investing in Education is the theme of her biennium with a special focus to narrowing the gap between women and STEM.
SI Zug, Switzerland
Member since 1995
renata@casarena.chRenata Trottmann Probst founded her own consulting firm in 2008. Her firm provides legal advice to an international clientele in matters related to real estate. Renata has over 20 years of professional experience working in international banks, including 10 years at UBS AG in Zurich. At UBS, Renata held various executive positions, including serving as Head of the Management Office of Global Private Banking. Prior to this,
Renata was in charge of Human Resources for Continental Europe at the Investment Banking Division of UBS. Before joining UBS, she worked for a smaller bank where she was responsible for all non-banking transaction areas of the business, such as Legal, Human Resources, and Office Management. Renata holds a Master’s degree in Law from Bern University, Switzerland, and a Master of Laws from the Institute of Comparative Law at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She further developed her leadership and management skills through Senior Executive Programmes at Columbia University in New York and Steinbeis University in Berlin. Renata is Soroptimist International of Europe’s President Elect for the 2015-2017 biennium. As such,
Renata is responsible for supporting the President of SIE and for overseeing the development of two Strategic Goals, Programme and Advocacy. She also acts as Chair of the Peace Prize committee. As President Elect of SIE, Renata is also a voting member of Soroptimist International.
SI Kastrup-Taarnby, Denmark
Member since 1992
ulla.madsen@soroptimisteurope.orgUlla Madsen, SIE President 2013-2015, works as the Head of Efficiency improvement and Rationalization in Denmark for Svenska Handelsbanken, one of the largest banks in the Nordic countries and one of the strongest banks in Europe. Previously, she worked as a Senior Advisor and Risk Manager in Handelsbanken and held leadership positions in branch management for Forstaedernes Bank Limited. Ulla holds a Master’s degree in Management and a Bachelor’s of Commerce in Organisation and Marketing.
During President Maria Elisabetta’s Biennium, Ulla will manage the Action Fund. She is a voting member of Soroptimist International.
SI Harstad, Norway
Member since 2004
sigrid.ag@outlook.comSigrid Ag holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and economics and a master’s degree in strategy and leadership. Her current employer is the world’s northernmost university – UiT, the Arctic University of Norway where she heads the international office. She has served as a national expert on the harmonization of European higher education for nine years. She has also worked for Esso Exploration in Stavanger Norway and the European Commission in Luxembourg.
She has served two bienniums as the SI Norway 1st Vice President and Union President respectively. She is also a board member of the largest umbrella organization for women’s organizations in Norway, Forum for Women and Development representing 650 000 members. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research has recently appointed her as a deputy member on the board of the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education, SIU from 2015-2019.
As Vice President, Sigrid focuses on Advocacy, developing SIE’s lobbying activities with various organisations such as the UN, coordinating the organisation’s role as a Global Voice for Women
I Etiler, Turkey
Member since 1988
emineperdem@gmail.comEmine Erdem has a degree in Law and a Master’s in ‘Organization and Business Administration’ from the University of Istanbul. A lawyer by profession, she is a member of the Board of Directors of Erdem Holding since 1985, and serves as a chamber counsel of Turkish Airlines since 1990. In 1988, she co-founded SI Club of Etiler in Istanbul. Successively serving as secretary, president and board member at the club level, she was elected as the President of SI Turkey for the biennium of 2008-2010. Having served as the Governor of SI Turkey from 2010 to 2012, she became the Assistant Programme Director of SIE between 2013-2015. At the international level, she worked as the Chair of the 20th SI Convention (2015) in Istanbul. Emine is actively involved in several civil society initiatives in Turkey for the economic, political and educational empowerment of women.
As Vice President working in the Extension group, Emine is responsible for membership development in Africa.
Right at the heart of the watery and green landscape of the province of North Holland you will find the magnificent golf course Burg Golf Purmerend. This 45-hole course offers golfers tranquillity and space, not to mention plenty of golfing fun.
The Dutch Union celebrates its 80th anniver- sary on the eve of the Congress. They are the oldest Union in the European Federation and would like to share this occasion with all participants. We will celebrate with a concert performed by Combattimento Consort Amsterdam, while you can enjoy a drink and snacks. Water will be the musical theme of the concert. This unique and specially organized event will be a perfect intro- duction to the Congress.
Come and join us for a real Dutch welcome evening for all, where people can meet and mix in an atmosphere of friendship and hospitality. You will be taken to venues in and around Ams- terdam where Soroptimist clubs from all over the Netherlands will be waiting to greet you with food, entertainment and, of course, fun and friendship.
We offer the possibility of a unique stay in the city centre of Amsterdam on board of big comfortable (sailing) vessels. The location of the specially composed fleet of hotel ships is near Javaeiland, within walking distance of the Congress location and Amsterdam’s big attractions. Please make your reservations directly with Naupar, using the reservation form enclosed in the final announcement or via our website.