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Report on social activities International Congress

St Kitts and Nevis

November 2024

As well as the business sessions Congress offered many opportunities to net-
work and to meet and make new friends during breaks and at formal social events.
There were three formal events across the course of the Congress: a reception at
the Governor General of St Kitts and Nevis, Dame Marcella Liburd’s residence, and
two dinners: the Gala Dinner and the Farewell Dinner.

It will come as no surprise that there was a lot of networking with other
members during the Congress. A lovely way to break the ice with others was the
exchange of small tokens. Metal badges were a popular choice with some very im-
aginative designs that related to the country they represented. BPW UK delegates
shared our signature yellow pens with other delegates which was a practical choice
and it was great to see other delegates across the room using them as the congress
progressed. Some country delegates dressed in similar outfits or colour schemes
which made them stand out in the crowd.

For me the highlight of the formal events was the reception at the Governor
General’s residence. The first female Governor General of St Kitts and Nevis, Dame
Marcella Liburd, was appointed by the King in 2023. Her official residence is Gov-
ernment House, situated in Basseterre, the main town of the island and is built in
the typical colonial style of the 1800’s. After a short tour through the house, we en-
tered the garden where the reception took place. There we were entertained by a
number of bands and mardi-gras entertainers as well as enjoying delicious local
dishes. The Jonny cakes were a great hit!

The Gala Dinner took place in the congress hotel and was a very enjoyable
meal. The Governor General joined us for that event, the highlight of which was the
presentation of Immediate Past President, Amani Asfour’s Power to Make a Differ-
ence awards. BPW UK, and, in particular, our president Jo, was recognised through
an Advocacy award for the Van for Ukraine project.
As the name suggests the final event of congress was the Farewell Dinner.
This was a buffet style meal outside on the hotel terrace to celebrate the completion
of congress business and to welcome the new International Executive. It was a very
light-hearted event with a live band, performance of native traditional acts by some
delegates and lots of dancing, concluding with a young BPW raffle to raise funds for
young members to attend future international events.

All in all it was the social interactions that enabled us to get to know our fel-
low delegates and to learn more about their activities.

Ruth Galwey
NI Regional Co-ordinator