| History CHRONOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF ECRS/EUD 1985 - The road towards setting up the European Community Regional Secretariat of WFD Ad-hoc meeting of National Associations of the Deaf based in the European Economic Community, held in London on 6-7 March 1985, under the auspices of WFD and partly funded by the European Economic Community. The meeting was arranged by the British Deaf Association. Delegates present: For WFD: Dr. C. Magarotto For Belgium: Mr M. Hayard For Germany: Mr W. Czempin For France: Mr A. Saint-Antonin For Greece: Mr J. Christodoulakos For Ireland: Ms H. Saunders For Italy: Mr M. Marcioni For the Netherlands: Mr J. Wesemann For Portugal: Mr D. Brito e Cunha For United Kingdom: Mr J. Young Apologies were received from the Danish Deaf Association. In addition, representatives from the Breakthrough Trust, Sign Language and spoken language interpreters, and members of staff of he British Deaf Association were in attendance. Purpose of the meeting: "[A]s the purpose of the meeting was to bring about the means for national associations of the deaf of the EEC to work together at implementing joint projects, thus achieving a kind of political unity unknown, as yet, within the hearing world. Political pressure of united national associations of the deaf could assist in overcoming the barriers that exist in many countries. This would ensure that the deaf became true European citizens with the same rights and functions as other citizens."
Mr Saint-Antonin, France, proposed and the meeting resolved that: The delegates of the different national associations of the deaf in the European Economic Community, meeting in London on March 6th 1985, having heard various contributions to discussions and statements: - propose the setting up of a Regional Secretariat for the EEC as provided under Article 15 of the Statutes of the WFD. The Greek delegate proposed and the meeting resolved that: The Chairman of the British Deaf Association be elected as acting Chairman (pro tempore) of the Steering Committee until the next meeting of the national organisations of the deaf based in Europe. The meeting elected: Mr Czempin (Germany), Mr Marcioni (Italy), Mr Wesemann (Netherlands) Steering Committee meetings: First meeting of the Steering Committee on 7 March 1985 in London. Present: Mr. J. Young (Chairman), Mr W. Czempin, Mr Marcioni and Mr J. Wesemann. Also in attendance: Dr C. Magarotto and Mr A. Verney. The meeting dealt with certain practical matters and agreed on the next meeting date. Second meeting of the Steering Committee on 29-30 March 1985 in Rome. Present: Mr. J. Young (Chairman), Mr W. Czempin, Mr Marcioni and Mr J. Wesemann. Also in attendance: Dr C. Magarotto, Mr. V. Rescigno and Mr A. Verney. The steering committee agreed on the wording for an application to form a WFD regional secretariat: "The delegates of the national associations for the deaf in the European Economic Community, met in London on March 6 1985, and having heard various contributions to discussions and statements resolve to make application to the Bureau of the WFD to establish a Regional Secretariat for the EEC as provided under Article 15 of the Statutes of the WFD. The national associations for the deaf in the EEC hereby make application to the Bureau of the WFD to establish a Regional Secretariat for the EEC as provided under Article 15 of the Statutes of the WFD. The national associations of the deaf in the EEC agree to bear the responsibility for any financial costs involved in the setting up and running of the Regional Secretariat. The national associations of the deaf in the EEC agree to appoint a Regional Director and to inform the Bureau of the WFD as to this person's name when appointed. The national associations of the deaf in the EEC agree to inform the Bureau of the WFD as to the address and country of the Regional Secretariat." It was further agreed that this proposal be sent to all national associations of the deaf in the EEC, and if no objections were received within a week of posting, the proposal would be sent to the WFD for consideration at its next Bureau meeting.
With regard to the application for a WFD Regional secretariat: it was reported that the WFD had accepted the application. With regard to the Conference in September 1985: it was agreed to hold the conference on 18, 19 and 20 September 1985. The conference must have a quorum of 60%, i.e. 7 countries should be represented. A new steering committee is to be elected. The new committee should have 5 voting members (a president and 4 members) and 1 secretary (non-voting) to deal with correspondence and financial queries. Committee members should remain in office for 4 years to ensure continuity. The Associations were to be asked if they could supply a secretary to take over the BDA secretary. It was stressed that the Chairperson and not the Secretary should be the speaker. The recommendation was made that the statutes should state that the Chairperson should always be a deaf person. Fourth meeting of the Steering Committee on 18 September 1985. To prepare the conference scheduled on 19-20 September 1985.
Delegates present: For EEC Commission: Mr P. Daunt For WFD: Dr. C. Magarotto For Denmark: Mr K. Søndergaard For Germany: Mr W. Czempin For France: Mr A. Saint-Antonin For Greece: Mr J. Christodoulakos For Ireland: Ms H. Saunders For Italy: Mr M. Marcioni For the Netherlands: Mr J. Wesemann For Portugal: Mr J. Bettencourt For Spain Mr D. Brito e Cunha (from Portugal, but would represent Spain - Mr F. Peydro from the Spanish Deaf Association had sent apologies) For United Kingdom: Mr J. Young (In total 11 countries! 12 countries were at that time member of the European Economic Community. Luxembourg was not present as that time no contact could be established with Deaf people in Luxembourg). In addition, Sign Language and spoken language interpreters, and administration staff from the EEC Regional Secretariat of the WFD were also in attendance. Apologies were received from Mr Peter Sutherland, EEC Commissioner. But Mr P. Daunt read a personal message from Mr P. Sutherland to the delegates: "It is a great pleasure to welcome the European Secretariat of the World Federation of the Deaf to their first full meeting here in Brussels, and I congratulate the organisers on this valuable initiative. I attach considerable importance to this new possibility for collaboration and exchange between deaf people at European level, and to the improved opportunity for the Commission to exchange information and ideas with the representatives of the leading Deaf Associations. I wish you every success with your work and look forward to a fruitful cooperation between the Commission and your secretariat in the future." To highlight the importance of the meeting, the EEC Commission issued a press release. From the minutes of the meeting: The delegates were told that each national association within the EEC and also a member of the WFD was automatically a member of the ERS. There was no membership fee. The association responsible for the administration work of the ERS is also responsible for the day-to-day operational costs. This did not include the expenses for meetings and seminars. It was generally accepted that the first priority of the ERS was co-ordination and distribution of information to all associations. Secondly, although, each association was automatically a member of the ERS, a letter requesting a voluntary contribution towards the running costs of the ERS should be sent out to each member association. EEC Regional Secretariat Committee elected on 19 September 1985 in Brussels - first meeting in Dublin, Ireland on 14-15 November 1985: Mr J. YOUNG, Director
ECRS Membership 1989
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