News Archive

President’s Greeting 2018

(first published February 2018)

Dear fellow SIETAR Europa members and friends,

It is a great honour to have been appointed to the role of President of SIETAR Europa.  Over the years I have benefitted greatly from the insights, perspectives and knowledge gained from interactions with SIETAR members and enjoyed socialising, exchanging ideas and making friends at SIETAR events around the world. I am happy therefore to do whatever I can to further the aims of an organisation which plays such an important role in building better understanding across cultures.

I want to thank Dr. Pari Namazie, as she steps down as President, for leading SIETAR Europa with such skill, dedication and charm to overcome the challenges faced and to strengthen the organisation we see today. I will endeavour to continue her excellent work, though she is a hard act to follow! I am also grateful to Linda Vignac for undertaking to stay on as Treasurer until after the next AGM, and to Hanneke Brakenhoff for taking on the role of Vice-President. Their experience and expertise will be invaluable. I look forward to continuing to work with SIETAR Europa’s Board. Over the past two years it has been a pleasure working with this pan-European group in my role as SIETAR UK president. During this time (unlike some other British institutions!)  there has been a deepening of the UK’s ties to Europe, with all the different perspectives, creativity and fun which that brings.

Mark Twain famously said, ‘Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.’ This may not always be the case, but SIETAR Europa plays an important role in promoting the values of openness, tolerance, inclusion and a real appreciation of diversity. In today’s globalised, yet turbulent world, intercultural skills are more valuable than ever before, whatever your field or profession. I will be working closely with SIETAR Europa’s board and consulting with members to explore ways that we can expand our role and impact in this area for the benefit of the organisation and the wider community and look forward to connecting with many of you at our events or through our activities.

Joyce Jenkins
President SIETAR Europa