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by Nancy Carfrae, Union of International Associations, UIA
Share knowledge. For over 100 years the UIA has been working to promote and facilitate the work of international associations. Since 2007 the UIA Associations Round Tables have given associations an opportunity to learn through networking and through practice.
This year again international associations – professional societies, service organizations, interest groups, charities, and all other types, active in all fields of human endeavour – are invited to send representatives to the UIA Round Tables to meet other international associations, to share experience and knowledge, and to gain practical skills and tools.
Round Table – Asia
For the second time the UIA Associations Round Table comes to Asia, on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 October in Seoul at The Plaza Hotel with the support of the Korea Tourism Organization and its partners.
Round Table – Europe
The 8th UIA Associations Round Table in Europe will be in Dublin, on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 November in the Minerva Hall of the Royal Dublin Society with the support of Meet In Ireland and its partners.
The registration fee for associations is, once again, deliberately low (65 US dollars for Round Table – Asia and 40 euros for Round Table – Europe) to make it easier even for smaller associations to attend. We thank our many sponsors for making this possible. In the same spirit, we have chosen to move the Round Tables each year to make it possible for different associations to attend locally.
Both Round Tables start in the morning with an exploration of the host city. In the afternoon we meet at the Round Table venue for presentations and discussions on the challenges and opportunities common to associations, however diverse their size and interests.
Cyril Ritchie, President of CoNGO - the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, leads an interactive session on “What do international organizations contribute to society? What stops them from contributing? What will they contribute in the future?” Greta Kotler, Chief Global Development Officer of ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, follows with a workshop on “Membership: recruiting, retaining, engaging, communicating”.
The first day ends in style with a gala dinner, giving delegates the opportunity to continue the discussions started in the afternoon sessions.
The second day begins with a panel of association representatives, each addressing a different challenge and telling how his or her association met it. Topics include: the importance of regional associations, and the challenges of creating one; running an association with a high-turnover of board members; the next international congress is in your country and you’re in charge; and (re)defining an association to meet changing needs.
We close the Round Tables with presentations on the practical questions of finding resources and using them efficiently. At Round Table – Asia Jack Sim, Founder and Director of the World Toilet Organization, will take the floor here, and at Round Table – Europe we will welcome Dr. Dragana Avramov, expert for the European Commission, Council of Europe and the United Nations.
The Round Tables close with a lunch for all the delegates. Delegates may also choose to carry on with one of the optional excursions.
For more information about both UIA Associations Round Tables, please visit roundtable.uia.org.