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27. To be more perceptible AAFI-AFICS has revised the presentation of the brochure
and the membership application form. A working Group composed of Carol
Cosgrove-Sacks, Gerald Walzer, Samuel Mbele-Mbong and Abdoulaye Diallo, has
drawn up, in close cooperation with the Committee, the proposed new documents.

28. The membership fee for life members only of sister Associations is CHF 150 instead
of CHF 300 to attract more members and ensure that AFICS is better able to
optimize its defense of the interests of retirees, while encouraging them to join the
association of their organization. The life membership fee for those who join only
AFICS remains at CHF 400.

29. Coordination with the retiree associations of local Specialized Agencies has made it
possible to hand simultaneously to departing staff the documents concerning
membership of their association and of AFICS.

iii. Obtaining a better representation of retirees on the
management committees of the health insurance
schemes

30. UNSMIS (UNOG, HCR, WMO)

a. Two representatives of retired members have a status of observer on the
Executive Committee of the Staff Mutual Insurance Society. A full
representation of retired members on the Committee is still not recognised
officially although this is the case in most UN-system schemes. The observer
status depends on a decision of the Committee which can be questioned at
each new mandate. The United Nations, despite the many conventions for
which it is a depository, has difficulties in recognizing the situation of its own
retirees.

b. Giovanni Pizzini is the new Executive Secretary since 1 January 2020, while
Mrs Jane Warmin was appointed interim deputy chief. In 2019, with more
regular meetings, it has been possible to increase the reimbursement ceilings
for long-term care. This information was contained in our February 2020
Bulletin.

c. The Bureau of AAFI-AFICS has established regular contact with the new
Executive Secretary to deal with the problems raised by our members.

d. The UNSMIS reception area which was situated in 26-1 (above SAFI) has
moved to offices S-033 and S-035 (near to the Palais des Nations medical
service) and is open from 10h00 to 16h00 from Monday to Friday. The UNOG
Administration has decided to group most of its services (Pension Fund, cartes
de légitimation, etc.) in this area until the reconstruction work is completed. It
is regrettable that this information was not communicated to retirees either by
a circular letter or on the INTERNET. Since access to the Palais is more and
more laborious and complicated for retirees, especially those with problems of

AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 80 No. 1, 2021-05 39