By Frauke R-H

It was indeed a weekend of Bridges to Loving, Learning, Sharing and Caring, this Regional Meeting of Region 5, hosted by the AWC of Düsseldorf. Paulette Fagen, President of the AWCD, the Planning Committee and the members of AWCD presented an excellent and unforgettable meeting from start to finish. The compact program with highly valuable information, the presentations with heartwarming depth of concern and often very personal messages, the pleasure of joy for eyes and ears at the concert during the German-American Day Celebration at the Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum, followed by a ‘feel-right-at-home’ potluck supper – all displayed the true sense of FAWCO spirit.

There was 100% attendance of Region 5 clubs with Düsseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg, the Taunus and Vienna present; with 17 official delegates, 70 AWC Düsseldorf members and 7 additional presenters. The meeting, at the Landhaus Milser, opened with greetings from Paulette Fagen, AWCD President, and the AWCD Honorary President Gail Knowles speaking of her current role as wife of the U.S. Consul General and her work as former Deputy Director, Family Liaison Office, U.S. Dept. of State, encouraging the AWCs to invite the local members of the Consulate Family Liaisons to their club work.

Kirsten Dierolf, M.A. PCC, worked with the delegates on “Solution Focused Conflict Resolution,” with practical samples and group work on “Techniques for Creating a Positive Atmosphere,” which is essential in volunteer organizations with high fluctuation. The discussion at the FAWCO Representatives meeting showed the similarity of concerns, problems and new trends all clubs experience. Key points were the growing disenchantment of German-American relationship. Arline Coward, FAWCO President, joined the meeting and suggested to improve work in Community Services, which could lead to inviting German guests to club functions and/or offering discussions on every day activities and life of Americans, such directing the attention to people instead of politics. Also the offer of “Junior Membership” to the club will draw attention and involvement (influence?) in the work of AWCs. The club reports on projects, philanthropic efforts and (fun) events displayed the enthusiasm and dedication to the local communities and to the FAWCO connection. All clubs will provide photos showing their activities as input to a Region 5 report at the 2005 FAWCO Conference in Birmingham, UK, March 17-21. Also, each club will discuss their possible support for the FAWCO Interim Conference in Berlin 2006. Angelika McLaren, President AWC Berlin, presented the latest plan and the areas where Berlin needs help.

A key topic of the Regional FAWCO Conference was “First Aid, First Response”. Karin Samorra, Women’s Health Care Manager Central Europe, presented the latest technology and experience with GE’s Healthcare systems. Together with the Diagnostisches Brustzentrum (Women’s Health Care Center) in Göttingen, the methods and analysis of current or possible future breast cancer diagnoses have greatly improved and sound encouraging. Please see www.gehealthcare.com for more information. Dr. med. Dietrich Baumgart, director of Preventicum – Institute für Früherkennung (Institute for Early Detection), Essen, presented the new allround examination of the entire body, i.e. brain, heart, breast, colon, etc., for early detection of possible danger of i.e. Alzheimer, Cancer, Osteomalacia, Arteriosclerosis, etc. Instead of using X-ray, the institute used MRI technology, thus preventing high body impact and reducing time for the examination results. The institute incorporates key specialists of the individual medical fields and practices true teamwork, saving the patient many visits to different doctor’s offices. “Dealing with and surviving cancer, for patients, their families and friends” was the topic of a very personal report by Joachim von Fircks, husband of (and English translator for) Annette Rexroth von Fircks, author of two best-selling inspirational books on her experience as a breast cancer patient. The speaker offered a touching view of the reaction to a partner’s fate, going from “disconnected” functioning to slow personal acceptance of the so-needed joint fight for survival. The earlier lack of showing fear and hopelessness changed through the insight given in the book, and both partners could communicate on a true basis and support each other. Frans Timmermanns, Co-Founder and VP from NAN, spoke about fairly young knowledge of Anaphylaxis, the severe allergic reaction involving the respiratory tract and on recognizing the symptoms. Please see www.foodallergy.org. Susan van Alsenoy, FAWCO Educational Support Chair, spoke about new perspectives on learning styles and learning disabilities: LD standing for dyslexia, dyspraxia, and attention of deficit-hyperactive disorders. How Susan got involved in FAWCO and FAWCO’s support of LD is best described in her comment: “The ‘fever’ (FAWCO) caught me at the 1983 Brussels Conference when I heard much talk of women and work and none of women and home. At that time clubs seemed to do little or nothing to support their mothers with young children, and being one at the time, I conducted a survey of the clubs and wrote Preschoolers Abroad. Being a member of a dual-nationality marriage, I then went on to a survey and report on that group of members. When our daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in the 7th grade, my interest in helping her lead to the creation of the Educational Support Committee and the work I have done for it. FAWCO provides an excellent platform for addressing individual interests that have implications for all members.” Please see www.fawco.org and look for the Educational Support Committee, or http://studentswholearn.fawco.org, for further exploration of this topic.

At the reception in the home of Consul General George Knowles and his wife Gail Knowles, Frauke R-H from the AWC of Hamburg introduced the project “Hope through Education”. The AWCH supports Amnesty for Women by funding special language courses. Amnesty for Women (AfW) works to combat sex trafficking of women. It seeks to empower women through counseling and education sessions. AfW’s staff goes onto the streets to get in contact with migrants trapped in their current environment of illegal work in sex trade or unhappy marriages. Low education, no language skills, financial dependencies, and illegal status – all are reasons why migrated and trafficked women cannot find a way out of their traps. AfW provides counseling in family and health issues, mostly in native languages such as Tai, Russian, Spanish, and Polish, and helps with legal support. AfW offers tailored language courses in German and English to help women integrate quickly into German life and empowers these women to build their own way out of their misery.

One of the two social highlights of this excellent FAWCO meeting was the opportunity to attend the 18th German-American Day at the Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum Duisburg, which the German-American Friends Niederrhein and the AWC Düsseldorf jointly planned. Peer Steinbrueck, Minister President of North-Rhine Westphalia, said in his greetings: “America was the theme this year of the culture festival of the state. This night is one of many events to this subject. Over centuries the emigrants formed the picture of America in Germany, the land of hope and opportunities and a chance for all in need and subject of persecution. After World War II American soldiers freed Germany, and up to now the ‘American way of life’ is fascinating. Occasional irritations and political disagreements will not chance the friendship between our countries. Especially the exchange programs and friendship activities supported by your two clubs are of high importance.” Three artists from the United States integrated German traditions of music and poetry with modern interpretation and compositions – unforgettable moments.

The second event was the 45th anniversary of the AWC Düsseldorf, celebrated with a luncheon with many special guests, including, for example, Mary Brown, AWCD Past President, traveling from Pittsburg, PA. Arline Coward, FAWCO President, addressed the attendees with a summary of FAWCO’s work and the mystery and spirit of FAWCO, so well known to all who have been involved in the FAWCO connection and individual activities.

Thanks again to the team in Düsseldorf.

Frauke R-H, AWC Hamburg
Coordinator Region 5
October 2004