REPORT
1. AFUNPI hosted an evening reception at the International Centre Goa on 10th February 2019 for the participants of the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM). This provided an opportunity for them coming from different cities of India to meet and network, as well as meet the Guest of honour, Mr. Andres Castellanos del Corral, Former President and now President Emeritus of the Federation of Association of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) from New York, USA.
2. Secretary of AFUNPI welcomed all the participants and specially thanked Mr. Castellanos for making time to attend the meeting and coming all the way from New York. She also thanked Mrs. Joan Fernandes, Mr. Shyam Gangwani and Ms. Marie Lobo who provided excellent support in making arrangements for this meeting. This meeting would not have been possible without their support. It was disheartening to note that unfortunately and most unexpectedly, Ms. Marie Lobo was not with us due to her sudden demise a few months ago.
3. The AGM was started with the lighting of the traditional lamp by Mr. Castellanos and the office bearers of AFUNPI
Felicitation of Mr. Andres Castellanos del Corral
4. Andres was felicitated at the AGM in the traditional style of Karnataka by adoring him with the traditional Mysore turban, shawl and garland. President, AFUNPI narrated the contributions made by Mr. Andres while he was the President and currently being President Emeritus of FAFICS. His contribution in ensuring equitable participation of national associations in FAFICS was particularly noted. His 40 years of services in UN administration played a big role in the expansion of smooth functioning of FAFICS. In recognition of his contribution to the UN, the then Secretary General, Mr. Boutros Ghali made a special gesture of issuing a letter of appreciation to Mr. Andres. He comes from a family of musicians from Cuba and currently teaches in various American universities.
5. Andres appreciated the kind gesture bestowed by AFUNPI and thanked the Association for felicitating him at the AGM. He traced his connection with Goa, when he was just 11 years old through an NGO project to help children in Goa. UN represents Service which is indeed a noble interest, he said. Recalling his association with senior members AFUNPI, Mr. Janakiram, Dr. Ravi Iyengar and others in easing up with documentation required to initiate pension services for the retiree, he mentioned that AFUNPI was the first non-European association to join FAFICS.
Election of the President of the AGM
6. Shyam Gangwani was unanimously elected as the President of the 45th Annual General Body Meeting of AFUNPI to conduct the proceedings. Mr. Gangwani called upon the participants to focus discussions on what best services we can expect from AFUNPI by strengthening its current activities and financial resources.
Presentation of the AFUNPI Annual Report
7. AFUNPI Hon. President presented the annual report of activities during the year 2019. During the reporting period, Hon. President of the Association participated as a delegate of FAFICS at the UN Pension Board meeting held from 22 to 27 July 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. He narrated the discussions held at the meeting that included approval of the Board to expand the Office of Investment Management, estimated solvency of the Fund extends over thirty years and recommendation of Ms. Rosemarie McClean from Canada to be appointed as Chief Executive of Pension Administration. UNJSPF reported to the board about its enhanced efficiency in processing new cases by more than 75 per cent, which are now processed within 15 days. The Governance Working Group established by the Pension Board suggested keeping the number of representations to existing 33 members. At the Board meeting FAFICS representatives strongly contended to the proposal for direct election of UN retiree representatives of the Pension Board among the retirees and by the retirees.
8. Four members of AFUNPI participated in the FAFICS Council meeting held from 15 to 18 July 2019 in Vienna, Austria. They highlighted a few key issues affecting retirees during an interactive session with the senior staff of UNJSPF New York as well as of Geneva officials attending the Council meeting.
9. AFUNPI continued to hold its monthly meetings and organized special lectures on contemporary and relevant topics such as UN peace keeping, mental health, and age-related orthopaedic issues and others. The Association celebrated the UN Day at a special meeting held in Bangalore and the Vice-President - New Delhi participated in the UN Day hosted by the UN Resident Coordinator at New Delhi. AFUNPI continued to assist members in getting pension, missing CE forms, survivors and child benefit and guidance to the double track options.
10. Activities of AFUNPI were successful largely due to voluntary participation of and support by the members of the Association and the Executive Committee. Sponsorships of monthly meetings and voluntary contributions by the members have kept the financial situation stable.
Income and Expenditure Statement, Budget for 2020 and Planned Activities
11. Vice President-Bangalore, AFUNPI presented the statement of income and expenditure that was at Rs.19,01,777 for the year 2019. To provide financial stability, the Association continued to augment the term deposits and encouraged sponsorships, voluntary contributions and self-financing for participation at FAFICS meetings held outside India and annual general body meetings.
12. Vice President-New Delhi, AFUNPI proposed the planned budget of Rs.3,25,000 for the year 2020. The budget was for the following planned activities, the 45th AGM in Goa, participation in FAFICS meeting, monthly meetings of the Association, travel subsidy, honorarium and other support costs. The proposed activities and the budget were accepted by the participants of the meeting.
Proposal for innovative AFUNPI Actions Considering Resources and Open Discussions
13. Participants thoroughly discussed and shared their ideas and proposals to strengthen the financial stability and initiate new activities that would enhance the visibility and appreciation of AFUNPI and its services. The conclusions and recommendations of the AGM are given below:
a. Recognizing that donations from some members are not sustainable in long term, it was important to seek voluntarily contributions all members annually. A minimum fixed amount would be decided at the Executive Committee meeting. A suggestion for Rs.2000/- as annual contribution was made at the meeting. It was further said that the Association should continue to encourage members to voluntary donate funds for its activities and operational costs.
b. Study and initiate developmental activities in line with the United Nations in selected areas such as health, environment, social and other sectors to enhance visibility and promote appreciation of the Association. In this regard, knowledge and experiences of the members of Association could be harnessed. A suggestion was made to include in the website a brief synopsis of expertise and experiences of Association members, who are interested to be involved in the developments activities.
c. To promote and strengthen financial status and activities of the Association, develop working modalities and define responsibilities of members of the Executive Committee. This would help in effective delivery and expansion of member services. Association, inter alia, could consider providing advisory services with regard to new and emerging requirements by Cigna, the current health service provider, to process the claims and hospitalization.
d. Explore the current legal requirement for the operations and activities of the Association, including registration with appropriate government authorities and take suitable actions.
e. Initiate and pursue actions to enrol existing UN staff members as well as those who are scheduled to retire during the calendar year, e.g. by sharing Association member services and interacting with them. Also, motivate new retirees to enrol as members of AFUNPI.
Elections of AFUNPI President and Executive Committee
14. The AGM while appreciating contributions made by the President and all members of the Executive Committee, agreed to continue Mr. M. Seenappa as the President and retain the existing members for the year 2020 and 2021, viz. Mr. S. Janakiram as President (Emeritus), Mr .R.P. Agrawal and Mr. N. Srinivasan as Vice Presidents, Mrs. Magdalene Chand as Secretary, Mrs. Sreelakshmi Gururaja, Mrs. Sharadamaniswamy Rao, Mrs. Minnie Mathew and Mr. Pradeep Kumar as Members. The meeting also agreed to expand the Committee with the induction of Mr. Manohar R. Mariswamy as Treasurer and Ms. Girija Devi as a member to the Executive Committee.
Remarks by the Guest of honour and President of the AGM
15. Andres Castellanos del Corral, mentioned his association with and the contributions of senior members of AFUNPI in starting and nurturing the Association, which is holding its 45th Annual General Body meeting in Goa. He particularly mentioned the role of Mr. Janakiram, Mr. Narasimhan, Mr. Ravi Iyengar and Mr. Monteiro, Mr. Kulkarni and others. Their persistence representations and follow up made at FAFICS and the Pension Board has resulted in easing and speeding up of processing the pension claims of the retirees. A major challenge then faced was with regard to the type of documentations to be provided to the UNJSPF to prove the birth and marriage of the retiree. This was particularly challenging in the Indian context, where registration of births and marriage were either non-existent or not practiced.
16. He brought to the attention of the AGM about the new attempts that are being made to remove representation of FAFICS at the Pension Board and to introduce direct elections to elect representatives among and by the retirees. As of now 63 national associations are affiliated to FAFICS with a cumulative 20,000 members. Mr. Andres suggested AFUNPI to take up the matter of restitution of remaining5% that the UNJSPF is holding on since 1982 to the respective eligible members. This aspect can be raised at the next FAFICS Council.
17. President of the AGM noted with appreciation the activities carried out during the year 2019. He emphasized on further streamlining of responsibilities and accountability within the Association. Need based and effective delivery of member services is a way forward to keep the Association relevant to the members. Such approach would also incentivize the members to make regular financial contributions to the Association. He thanked all the participants for their active participation and contribution to the successful conclusion of the meeting.
18. The meeting was concluded by paying respect to the deceased 14 members of the Association since March 2018 by observing one minute of silence. The Association shared grief of the family members based in Bangalore by visiting their homes and paid last respects to the departed members. Secretary read out a poignant note from one of our members, Rita Bhatia, based in Delhi, who could not be present at the AGM. Rita wrote about the wonderful person that Ms Marie Lobo was and how painful it was to learn of her demise. The deceased members are: Mr. Amir Ali, Mr. R. Dwarkinath, Mr. Syed Fareeduddin, Mr. Ravi & Shanta Iyengar, Mr. Kirpal T. Singh, Ms Marie Lobo, Mr. J.S. Nanda, Mr. Nasim Ahmed, Mr. Pandarinathan, Mr. Konchady Shenoy, Mr. L. Shivalingappa, Mr. Shantilal D. Vasa, Mr. B.N. Yugandhar and Mr. Arcot Ramachandran
