From BFWG the only attendees were Aisha Alshawaf, our CER and VP of UWE, Christel Moor and Jenny Morley both of whom have filled that role, as well as being past National Presidents. There were several members from both the Scots and Irish Federations.

AMUM, the Spanish Association, hosted an outdoor reception on Friday evening when it was a delight to see so many ‘old’ friends and to meet those who had worked hard to arrange the weekend. The venue, the roof top of the Obal hotel, where many attendees were staying, enabled us to see across a city park towards the sparkling sea while tasting local canapés and sipping drinks.

On Saturday we were taken to a Congress Centre owned by the local authority where our 12 nationalities were warmly welcomed by one of their representatives, and by the AMUM President. The topic was ‘Immigration in Europe: prostitution as a consequence’. We had a presentation from a young academic, including most moving talk from a young woman who had paid 7000 Euros to be brought from South America to Spain, for the promise of a good job, but which was in fact prostitution. She is lesbian. Eventually arrested by the police she expected deportation but local women had set up a refuge and she was taken there instead and rescued.

After a networking coffee break we returned for a workshop advisory session from a communications expert about how to target different generations for Membership. We then broke into pairs for a practical exercise, followed by feedback.

That evening the dinner was an opportunity to continue with friendly connections and was enlivened by girls dancing modern Flamenco. Our hostesses then danced with more traditional moves and others joined in. It was a very happy event!

Ronda was the destination for many on Sunday. The winding road took us up into the interior to this famous old Roman and Moorish city. Our guide took us around the old town including looking over the gorge. Following lunch, with free time, we could focus on looking at whatever most interested us. All the events help to cement friendships already made over the years and to make new ones as we look forward to a ‘Meet and Greet’ Belfast in April 2025.

Christel Moor and Jenny Morley

 Aisha Alshawaf adds:

The speaker who discussed combating human trafficking and the economic consequence of modern slavery shared with us the Palermo Protocol which defines the implication of human trafficking and human smuggling. Trafficking and prostitution are two sides of the same coin,95% of prostitutes are foreigners. What can we do? Raise awareness, no demand means no supply! it was a very hard-hitting talk from both ladies.