Europa Forum 2007
The 53rd Europa Forum fulfilled a long-standing ambition of Lions throughout Europe - to bring the Lions of the emerging eastern European countries firmly into the centre of the Lions' family.
And, in spite of daunting challenges - the lack of the massive funds required to host this event, and the relative inexperience of ionism in these young partners since our Association is something of a newcomer to Romania - the Lions of that beautiful country with a wonderful history but which is still redeveloping itself after years of communism, came up trumps to lay on a glittering, impeccably organised and elegant event. Whatever may have been early misgivings about how many would attend, the Lions of Europe flocked to Bucharest and made sure that their new partners knew how much their efforts were appreciated.
The Romanian Lions had, of course, some great advantages - their Forum Chairman, the charismatic Doctor Benedict Ancar, young, energetic, enthusiastic and eveywhere with his finger on the pulse, a slick and sophisticated organising committee, and, most importantly, the input and guidance of a Lion who knows every inch of the rocky path of Europa Forum planning and execution, PID Phil Nathan, Chairman of the 2006 Europa Forum in Bournemouth, and his henchman the other Philip, PCC Philip Goodier.
Bucharest, it is fair to say, is an unusual place, a marvellous city showing all too clearly how slow is the process of re-building a working democracy after years of communism a particularly stringent variety.
The streets and pavements leave a lot to be desired - the sight of immaculate Italian lady Lions negotiating the lengthy walks necessary to get anywhere in six-inch stilettos was a small cabaret in itself. The overhead electrical and telephone cabling system is reminiscent of a cat's cradle, but, miraculously, seems to work. The apparently unregulated taxi service could be described as interesting'. (The German LION magazine Editor feared she was being kidnapped when a scowling chain-smoking bandit whirled her, in a rattle trap of a machine with no seat belts, through a maze of back streets at terrifying speeds, only to deposit her, with a wide grin, exactly where she wanted to be and in record time...)
But the jewel in the crown was the location for Europa 2007- the Palace of Parliament, an astonishing vast cream-coloured confection perched high above the centre of the city and said to be the second largest building on earth after the Pentagon.
The Forum was held in one corner of this overwhelming structure - a small area of rooms, many the size of a football pitch and as high as a cathedral, with soaring arches, gold leaf, grand staircases, miles of fabulous carpeting, and chandeliers aplenty.
This monument to self-aggrandisement was constructed by the disgraced (and executed!) dictator Ceausescu, but is now being put to good use as the seat of the nation's Parliament. It provided a stunning background for the Forum, matched by the elegance of those attending and by the astonishing beauty of each and every one of the well educated young Romanians whom visitors encountered at every level, whether as part of the Forum staff or in hotels, restaurants or wherever the visitors ventured.
The programme of the Forum religiously followed format, with workshops, seminars and smaller individual meetings, all designed to examine where Lionism is in Europe at this time and to move it, albeit gently, along the path which leads to the future of 'We Serve' in Europe.
There was a seminar for 'First Timers' aiming to explain to them the purpose and history of the Forum; 'Youth Needs Partners' introduced the programmes which are in place among European Lions to create a bond between Lions and young people in need; the relationship between Lions and the United Nations was examined, outlining co-operative oroiects over the years since 1 945, when the UN Charter was signed, involving working with the World Health organisation, UNESCO and UNICEF among other non-governmental organisations (it was emphasised that Lions go nowhere near the political activities of the UN...)
Multiple District Secretaries had the chance to get together to share experiences and to co-ordinate the exchange of information in Europe, while Editors of the European editions of THE LION, in a lively meeting, discussed how we could mutually benefit each other (an example of the value of such interchange was the fact that, in spite of the work of Uons with UNICEF - see above - many of the Lionistic nations of Europe are unaware of the existence of the 'School-in-a-Box' and were intrigued, and anxious to take up this project)
Our own Lion jane Armitage, Chairman of the Young Ambassador Committee, was involved in the endorsement of the decision taken at the Bournemouh Europa Forum last year to roll out this project across Europe.
This session was high profile, with PID Phil Nathan in the chair, supported by Forum President Benedict, and with PCC Philip Goodier as Secretary.
PCC Geoff Leeder, assisted by Council Chairman Tinne Christensen of Denmark, led the Certified Guiding Lion workshop, which reviewed and assessed a programme which had been on the Forum website and completed by participants before attending. (The prize for successfully negotiating this challenge and the workshop was to receive a Certified Guiding Lion Certificate..) Secretary for this session was another visitor from MD1O5, PDG Louvain Allen.
Immediate Past International President jimmy Ross (a whole spectrum of International Presidents, past, present and future attended the Forum) was in the chair for an in-depth and well attended seminar on LCIF, its resources and grant programmes.
Lions within the Mediterranean area had the chance to meet and discuss matters particularly affecting their area, including the next Mediterranean Conference, to be held in Beirut in the spring, and the 2009 Conference, which is planned for Tunisia.
Seminars and workshops, including those on Twinning, on Leadership, which included a presentation by Lion Elliot Shubert of 105-A entitled 'Powerful Public Speaking: Lions Roar', on Lions Leadership for Leos, and on Youth Exchange, which was chaired by PCC Rod Weale of Tenerife, had participants on the run (many Europa sessions are, perforce, run simultaneously, leading to difficult choices..)
Lionism in action in Eastern Europe, 'with all its highs and lows, successes and failures' as it was headlined, examined this subject in the light, especially, of the large number of Lions attending from this newly emerging area of Lionism.
The Music Competition had its own challenges (but our entrant did very well) not least of which was the impossibility of getting a suitably-tuned piano up the endless stone steps and marble staircases of the Palace, the result being that the finals had to be held elsewhere and attendees were deprived of the chance to he the winner perform.
PID Howard Lee, ably assisted by PID Ernst Musil of Austria and PDG Max Mongia, chaired a brilliant review of the work of CSFII to date which also looked to the future and the expected successful conclusion of the Campaign at the end of this Lion istic year.
Past International President Frank Moore was an inspiring contributor to this session, as was PID Howard. Lion Kevin Cherep from International Headquarters, Director of the fundraising for the Campaign, reported, and a stunning video - available on disk from Oak Brook and which should be required viewing for every Lions Club - emphasised the reasons for, and the value ot this Campaign.
The Euro-African Committee, which seeks to deepen and stimulate Lions service in Africa, met in session, and a module on International Relations discussed the scope for international co-operation within Lions.
'What do you want from future Fora?' This session asked just that, with attendees discussing all aspects of Europa, organisation, workshops, seminars and costs. A report will inform plans for future Forums.
The Internet and the current state of development of the IT Portal for European Lions was discussed, with various Multiple District IT experts reporting on their experiences.
Ethics and Lion ism. This important workshop, with PID Phil Nathan in the chair along with Forum Chairman Benedict and with PCC Philip Goodier doing the reporting, took a close look at those core values of our Association.
The International President, Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya, held a meeting with his District Governors in Europe to discuss the local implementation of his 'Challenge to Change' programme. 'Change is inevitable and the rate of change in the future will be even faster than in the past' was his theme.
All participants had the opportunity to meet with President Mahendra at a plenary session in which he presented his vision of the Association.
All this heavy duty and exhausting business was leavened by social events - a welcome cocktail party, a gala dinner and a farewell party at which participants had the chance to dress up, meet and enjoy the 'fun and friendship' social side of being a European Lion.
The Lions of Romania and Forum President Ancar can relax in the glow of a difficult task well executed and the admiration of the Lions of Europe.
More about the Forum, and a look at the Resolutions considered and their results will be included in the next issue.