IFRC Global Management meeting Geneva 27 Feb to 2 March 2012

 GMM - GENEVA. 27th FEB - 1st MARCH 2012 

Since decrentralisation and the set up of Zones, many of us have not been to Geneva since the last GMM in 2006. However, we do have very productive  annual meetings at zone level and relevant technical meeting there too. Travelling to our global headquarters in Geneva is a pilgrimage of special significance and a number of us were greeted by the stunning view of the Alps as we flew in to Geneva, and the next day, warmly greeted by the Secretary General, below.

Secretary General Bekele Gelata welcomes all 104 heads of country, regions, zones and his Geneva team. For the first time since 2006, IFRC leaders from around the world gathered in Geneva. This meeting was  an important opportunity to demonstrate the IFRC’s commitment to shared, coordinated leadership, sustained focus on Strategy 2020 and a willingness for even our most senior managers to learn and grow. The meeting also offered an opportunity for managers at all levels to open important lines of two-way communication with their respective teams, before, during and after the events take place.

 

The whole group. Photo: IFRC Geneva.

Eric Michel-Sellier and Anne Le Clerc enjoy a moment being away from the domineering Anglophiles.

Francois Le Goff and Lorraine Mangwiro. Thanks to Francoise for her excellent organisation.

                                             Bekele welcoming us to the meeting.

                                   The senior managers field questions from the audience.

Juan Saenz Beltran  did a brilliant job facilitating the meeting. Thanks Juan.

Bekele was everywhere trying to give individual attention to each member of  his huge field team and this we greatly appreciated.

Near the IFRC was this sign, indicating we have a new Zone. An extension of the Europe Zone?

                                                        Words of wisdom from senior managers

Yasuo Tanaka get across a point in group work with Peter Iseli and Shafiquuzaman Rabbani looking on.

Oforbuike Nwobodo (right) and Bob McKerrow

Group work in the plenary sessions

                          Ebrahim and Bekele both former directors of the Africa department.

They're a dying breed but I loved joining them at the break as they seems to be a talented bunch and good for a deep and meaningful discussions.

                                                         Aurelia Balpe and Simon Missiri

Going to our Geneva headquarters is a pilgrimage and I enjoy viewing the Nobel Prize certificate the League of RCRCS received in 1963 and viewing rare items in the bibliothèque.

                                              Young Turks, Bhupi and Alexander

                                                                    Break out groups

                     Matthias Schmale leads a group discussion with Udaya Regmi and Ann Le Clerc.

              Engineer Azmat Ulla using charm and logic to get his point across in group work.

Walking to and from the IFRC Headquarters was enjoyable and we enjoyed superb weather and splendid views of the Jura. Everyone walked or bused in line with our organisations policies to reduce our carbon footprint, and reduce our waistlines. (NCD programmes)

                                                      Our man in Tokyo, Bjorn Eder

                                             Bekele speaking to the full group

Tenna Mengistu on left and Getachew Ta’a on right

          Bekele summing up and farewelling the group at the conclusion of a very successful GMM.

The Cafe du Soleil or otherwise known as the University of Humanitarian Affairs was visited most evenings by sentimentalists. See  article for more information. Next door, the Cafe de Commerce was equally well visited.

A group enjoying the company of Federation visitors while they eat their fondue at the Cafe du Soleil.

Between the two meetings, I took time on Sunday to cross the border into France and climb up the
Saleve to get this amazing view of Lake Geneva, the Rhone and the Jura.

An Asia Pacific Zone  meeting was held before the GMM and here are a few photos.

All heads of country and regional delegations joined members of the zone in KL for a two day A & P meeting before the main GMM in Geneva.


Martine Zoethoutmaar, Al Panico, Siddharth Chatterjee and Susanna Cunningham at the Asia and Pacific meeting.

                                                      Sofia Stoimenova and Martin Faller.

                                               Al, Martine and Jagan shining for the camera.

 
                                Jagan and the rest of the team listen attentively to the session on resilience.

Footnote: Please send me any photos you may have for posting. Photos above were taken on a mobile phone which does not have a flash, so I apologise for the lighting is some photos.