Page 15 - BPW-UK ANNUAL REVIEW 2023-2024

PRESIDENT’S REPORT (CONT.)

Chernihiv has been relatively safe since the in-
vaders left; they occupied Chernihiv for six weeks before
retreating. But this does not stop the air raid warnings
as drone and missiles still wreak havoc in Ukraine. I will
of course update members when the van arrives in Cher-
nihiv. It was a pleasure to be able to have a meeting
with the UK Ambassador to Bulgaria and explain more
about what we are doing. This was a valuable connec-
tion, and one that appreciated the value of the help we
are giving.

I continue to be a member of the BPW Europe
Merchandise Task Force, and I was asked to join the BPW
International Task Force against Sexual Exploitation and
Trafficking, chaired by Kelly Tallon-Franklin from BPW
Canada. After the initial training, I have now become the
Vice-Chair of this Task Force. The work we are doing
Left: Amelie LeClercq,
does make a difference, and I saw this myself when I at-
UK Ambassador to Bulgaria Dr Rob Dixon,
Jo Kinsey tended the BPW UK NI International Lunch, where Wom-
en’s Aid NI brought along some of the women that have
survived such treatment. They are truly inspirational, and I would like to applaud them all,
and those from Women’s Aid NI who showed how much they care.

This year I have visited the SYNE area, and we had a good debate on the issues of the
day over lunch in York. Ros Horsley kindly asked me to the lunch in Manchester, and I have
visited SEW and Northern Ireland for events.

I have hosted some international visitors from BPW at my home in Bristol and estab-
lished good links for future co-operation between us. The exchange of ideas and knowledge is
always welcome, and I am always happy to attend events that the areas host during the year.
Each month I write in the newsletter to tell you the members about the day-to-day matters of
BPW UK, and I hope you find this of interest. Moving forward more of this information will be
available on the new BPW UK website ( https://bpwuk.org.uk ) and I would ask you all to have
a look at this. This is an important window into our work, and a vital tool in attracting new
members. I would like to thank VP MM Jackie Franklin and the Working Group for the many
hours spent getting this to the high standard we can now present.

Finally, I hope to see as many of you as possible at our Conference 2024 ‘Women Flying
High’ in Bristol.

The future is bright. Please share the good things we are doing as a Federation, after
all, it is the reason we all work together.

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