Delegate's Report Archive

January, 2007

Last fall I report in the area Newsletter about the "World Service Meeting" the following is reprinted from the 2006 Holliday issue of Box 459. it is a report on the 19th World Service meeting held in Malahide., Ireland in October 2006. It is great reading and gives us an idea of what is happening in Alcoholics Anonymous throughout the world.

"Reprinted from Box 4-5-9 (Holliday Issue 2006, page numbers 7&8)

'Anonymous But Not Invisible' Is Theme of World Service Meeting

Delegates to the 19th World Service Meeting (WSM), held in Malahide, Ireland, were greeted by John R., chairman of that country's general service board: "It is my great privilege to wish you a traditional céad míle fáilte-one-hundred- thousand welcomes!"

Noting that the theme of the WSM was "Anonymous, But Not Invisible," John offered his view that it "could not be more opportune in terms of dealing with the kinds of problems that arise in this fast-changing world." Though "the essence of the A.A. message-the idea of one alcoholic sharing experience, strength and hope with another- must never change," he said, "A.A. members may want to reexamine the ways in which the initial approach to the newcomer is made. In order for the message of A.A. to exist without borders, languages, race or religion, it must not be perceived as a threat to an individual's cultural identity and should focus solely on the alcoholic's powerlessness over alcohol."

Marylou C., delegate from French-speaking Europe, who stepped in at the last minute to read the keynote address for Boris S. who was taken ill, presented some of the nitty-gritty aspects of anonymity, which she referred to in her talk as "real humility at work." Moreover, she continued, "we have at our disposal the right tools to benefit from the considerable help offered by the media, the Class A [nonalcoholic] trustees, A.A. literature and the action of each of us to foster the visibility of A.A.- with the single aim of carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers."

Held Oct. 15-19 at the Grand Hotel in Malahide, the WSM attracted 54 delegates from 34 countries and zones (German-speaking Europe, for instance, accounts for three countries). The four-day meeting was filled with presentations and workshops in which the participating countries shared challenges and solutions, renewed old friendships and made new ones. Some of the topics under discussion included literature distribution, communication and service structures; there also were workshops on how to carry the A.A. message into developing countries, where alcoholism is rampant. The main sessions were conducted in English, with simultaneous translations in Spanish and Japanese.

Numerous presenters emphasized the need for countries to help one another develop their A.A. groups and service structures. Several spoke of A.A. unity, service and anonymity. Said Luiz M. of Brazil: "In service we can make use of the various media accessible to alcoholics all over the world, but the principle of anonymity as the basis of all our Traditions is more than ever necessary, so that personalities don't overwhelm the primary objective of A.A." And New Zealander Val K. shared that "unity is when we put principles before personalities. Unity is in recovery and service. Unity is what binds us together in this Fellowship and will save us from ourselves." Speaking on country-to-country sponsorship, the trustee-at-large/Canada Murray McI. noted the "growing number of nations around the world in which A.A. general service structures have come of age-and are now providing the initial 'push' for the newly emerging service structures in neighboring countries. Within our own Americas zone, we have the examples of Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, who are all growing in this [sponsorship] role."

Cuban delegate Plácido C. reported progress as the result of sponsorship by Mexico, which "has made possible the accomplishments of the past 13 years." And Trevor H., of Australia, said his country's sponsorship "has given some very strong results, especially in its effect on Thailand, where A.A. has grown and visible results from service work are increasing the size of the Fellowship even further."

Several countries reported celebrations of their countries' A.A. anniversaries. Among them, Japan celebrated 30 years last year in the city of Fukuoka. India has hailed the onset of its golden jubilee (50 years) with festivities that will culminate in its first international convention in November 2007. Ireland is marking its diamond jubilee (60 years). South Africa also celebrated its diamond jubilee in October, noted delegate Leon G. And two years ago Poland marked its 30th anniversary. "There were many grateful alcoholics from Poland and other countries as well," said delegate Jacek C., "4,000 in all."

Speaking on "The Future of A.A.-Our Responsibility," Francisco R. of Colombia said that in his country some 4 million people, or about 10 percent of the population, are affected by alcoholism. "Meanwhile," he noted, "there are approximately 13,000 A.A. members. While we have succeeded in having a single focus at all levels of our service structure, we are having a difficult time economically." Last year, Francisco said, "we had a budget deficit," and even though there was emphasis placed on individual and group birthday contributions, "it was not enough." This past May "we had to encourage a nationwide contribution effort to save our general service office."

Reporting from Ukraine, where A.A. was started in 1989, Andrey P. said there are now "more than 60 registered groups functioning actively in different cities and towns, and three intergroups, in Kiev, Lutsk and Lvov." During the last two years, he added, "realization of the concept of service has been improving immensely. It gives us hope for the further development of A.A. in Ukraine." On the last day of the WSM, Hjordis H. of Iceland talked about "The Future of A.A." If members "manage to be responsible, adhere to the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, and remember that fashions come and go, but the A.A. message stays the same, then A.A. will face a good future."

Since its beginnings in 1969, the WSM has served as a Forum for the sharing of experience and ideas on ways to Carry the AA message. The event alternates biannually Between New York City and other locations around the Globe. The next WSM will be held Oct. 25-29, 2008 in New York with the theme "Service-Graditude in Action."