Delegates return from conference in Alaska

“We went to Anchorage with a purpose and we more than succeeded.”
That’s how Jeannette Cawston, co-ordinator of the 11th-annual World Health Organization conference here next May, summed up local delegates’ trip to the 10th-annual one in Alaska last week.
“We had a hugh profile with them. It was great,” she enthused Tuesday. She had arrived, along with 11 other district delegates, back here late last week–some on Thursday, others Friday.
“All of our delegates received great responses. They were so well-received, I was proud to have them represent the district,” added Cawston, who was involved in setting up the conference, and went to Anchorage on May 12–a week ahead of most other delegates.
Cawston said the conference was first and foremost a necessary learning experience.
“As a co-ordinator, it was important to learn how WHO wants things run,” she remarked. “I also learned the great need to have a great network of volunteers to make it succeed.”
Conference chair Doug Anderson agreed it was clear volunteers are key to organizing the conference here. “The main thing I realized was the absolute strength of our community. On the world’s stage, we can stand up there with anyone,” he said.
“There some front-line people who do amazing things every day. I don’t think there’s a better community in the world,” he added.
Other delegates attending from here included Bob Jeffrey (Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition), Mike Bird and Doug Langtry (Abitibi-Consolidated), Chief Jim Leonard (Rainy River First Nation), Eugene McPherson (Couchiching First Nation), Geoff Gillon and Telford Advent (Rainy River Future Development Corp.), Carol Ewacha (seniors’ coalition rep), OPP S/Sgt. Hugh Dennis, and local firefighter Greg Allan.
While some delegates were there to observe, others gave presentations on playground safety, the Safe Communities Incentive Program (SCIP), community planning, and reducing injury when seniors fall.
Allan spoke on the “RiskWatch” program which has been taught in district elementary schools for the past two years.
“I think the program sold itself,” he said. “It’s good and that’s why we try to tell people about it. It gives teachers the information they need.
“Plus, it takes a number of issues and puts them under an umbrella.
“The Asians showed a huge interest in the program. And the States, the eastern seaboard, were interested in the gun safety part of it,” Allan added.
“There were a few questions, like, ‘Why use an American program?’” he admitted. “We do it because it works, and it goes along with the Ontario curriculum requirements.”
Delegates from South Korea and Vietnam even approached Allan to come to their countries and talk. “But it’s a matter of funding. If they were to send me a ticket, I’d be glad to do it,” he remarked.
Still, Allan gave them information as to how they could purchase “RiskWatch” information binders to implement their own programs.
“I think it was very productive in the sense we made contacts from all over the world,” noted S/Sgt. Dennis. “I think we’re going to see lots of the people from the conference come to ours next year because of the group that went over.”
“I was able to make a presentation about the local DARE program, which was well-received,” he added. “I also talked about the impaired driving simulator which was the result of working with the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition.”
Cawston noted the response from many of the 160 delegates on hand, from countries ranging from Norway to Japan, was indicative of the growing drawing power of next year’s conference.
“In our meeting with the steering committee, we met with Dr. Leif Svenstrom [WHO head rep for Safe Communities] and he thinks already that with the excitement generated by this, all the countries [at this conference] will be represented at our conference,” she enthused.
The district-wide conference, slated May 7-9, 2002, is expected to draw about 500 people from around the world. The fifth National Safe Communities conference also is coinciding with the WHO one here.
And the only “downside” of the trip to Alaska?
“I didn’t get in much sightseeing. But I didn’t mind. I was there to do some work,” remarked Cawston.
In related news, the WHO office here (located at 414 Scott St.) will hold a grand opening in mid-June.
It will feature an all-day open house to give people another chance to see what goes behind the organization of the event, with hopes of them getting involved.