The General Assembly of the International Federation for Culture and Leisure (FISAIC) was held in Athens from 6 – 7 October 2018. The meeting was opened by Deputy President General Kurt Neuwirth.
The welcome speech was addressed by the chairpersons of the Greek Railways Cultural Education Centre.
The General Assembly approved the new President General Mr Philippe Rouche. Mr Rouche works at French national association UAICF as Secretary General. In addition, Mr Kurt Neuwirth (AT) was re-elected as the Deputy President General, Mr Jan Niemann (DK) was re-elected as Secretary General and Mr Pedro Neuenschwander (CH) was re-elected as the Treasurer. The position of Vice-President was approved to Greece rather than France.
Based on the proposal of the Croatian national association, the General Assembly discussed and approved English as the official language.
The Task Force Communication addressed findings and proposals on how to make FISAIC more visible in today’s world.
The General Assembly approved new FISAIC members from Spain and the Netherlands.
Mr Roman Štěrba, Coordinator of the Technical Commissions, addressed the current developments within the individual technical categories: Music, Photos, Films & Videos, Bridges, Choir, Art, Folklore, Railway Heritage & Railway Models, Esperanto (IFEF), Philately (CIP) and Radio Amateurs (FIRAC).
The General Assembly approved the 2017 Accounts, the 2017 Annual Report, and the Auditor’s Report. The budgets proposed for both 2019 and 2020 were approved.
Reports from individual national associations brought many innovative and inspiring activities for the community.
Based on the proposal of the Bureau, the Czech national association OSŽ was presented the “Venus of Arles” award. Former President General Mr Guy Gieres (LU) was made an honorary member. The medals of honour were awarded to Mr Pedro Neuenschwander (CH), Mr.Emile Lutgen (LU), Mr Serge Dechet (FR), Mr Michel Guinan (FR) and Mr Stanisław Bartniczak (PL).
FISAIC is the Federation of Railway Personal for Culture and Leisure. FISAIC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UIC on 1 December 2016. FISAIC aims to promote and support the cultural activities of railway personal of all nations in their leisure time, to establish relations among the creative railway personal of the national associations and unions in order to organise cultural events and contribute to the development of cultural motivation and activities. The international FISAIC cultural organisation was founded in Strasbourg in 1952 under the motto “one for each other and not against each other”.
(Source: SZDC)
