Interview: Liz Roberts
One of the most important changes has been the inclusion of young women in Conference delegations
Liz Roberts worked for 45 years at the World Bureau in London. She was the Policies and Procedures manager and retired in 1999. Since then she has been working, mostly at home, on the World Bureau archives. With the help of her husband, she comes to the Bureau every five or six weeks to return the boxes of files she has sorted and to collect more to take home. She also answers many requests that the Bureau receives from Member Organizations and individuals. Liz participated in 11 World Conferences so she is one of the best persons to talk about this event and how it has evolved during WAGGGS’ history.
-What was your task at the different World Conferences that you attended?
It varied from Conference to Conference. At the early Conferences I worked as one of the secretaries in the World Bureau Office, at times being in charge of the office. At other Conferences I attended as Conference Secretary assisting the Conference Chairmen and Conference planning group.
-Has the World Conference always been WAGGGS’ main decision-making event?
Yes, it has always been like this. It determines the policies and standards of Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting throughout the world for the following three years. One of its duties is to approve applications from National Organizations for recognition as Full and Associate Membership.
Member Organizations are invited to submit items for the agenda. These are considered by the Conference Planning group and the Procedural group, which recommends their inclusion on the agenda.The World Board makes the final decision.
-What has changed over the years?
One thing that has changed over the years is the duration of the World Conference. It used to be about 14 days, but nowadays more women are working and can’t be away from home too long. Also with improved technology, work can be carried out more quickly than in the past.
One of the most important changes has been the inclusion of young women in Conference delegations. Communications have also changed completely. From manual, and then the electric typewriter, we now have computers, e-mail, fax and the Internet.
-Which Conference brings you the best memories?
I enjoyed all of them, but particularly the one held in Nyborg, Denmark, in 1993. It was the 30th anniversary of the previous Conference held in the same city in 1963. There was a reunion for those who had been present in 1963 and it was wonderful to meet up with old friends again. Queen Ingrid of Denmark, Princesses Benedikte and her sister, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (the latter two having been present in 1963) were also at the reunion.
In 1975 the World Conference was held in Sussex (UK). One day during the Conference, participants visited Kew Gardens, and then went by boat to the Tower of London to be greeted by the Beefeaters. Finally we went by coach to Buckingham Palace for a reception given by Her Majesty the Queen, with whom I had the privilege of talking to for several minutes. The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were also there, all three of them having been members of the Guide Movement.
-Do you have other good memories from the Conferences?
Most of the Conferences I attended included a ‘free’ day in the timetable. The hostess country arranged activities for participants to choose from. There was also usually a reception given either by the Royal family or a Government minister of the country concerned.
I have many wonderful memories but three come to my mind. My visit to the Acropolis in Greece in 1960 –my first time abroad- was a wonderful experience. In Tokyo (Japan) in 1966 there was a typhoon the day before the Conference started. It was the worst typhoon in the last 30 years and was quite frightening. Some of the hotel windows were blown out but, luckily, no participants were injured.
Also during the Japan Conference we visited the Sanyo factory where a wonderful meal had been laid on and on return to our coaches, we found a transistor radio on each seat!
Perhaps the most memorable memory of all was the visit, during the World Conference in Kenya in 1987, to Lord Baden-Powell’s grave. As each participant filed past, we placed a flower on it.
-Which World Conference was the most difficult one to organize?
Probably it was the one in Teheran (Iran) in 1978 because the country was facing an escalating cycle of violence that ended with the Iranian revolution in 1979.
Before and during the Conference, security was very tight. Also we didn’t get our supplies and Conference papers until the last minute. Sadly, social activities arranged by the hostess country were cancelled for security reasons.
There were also some organizational problems at the 1987 Conference in Kenya. All the Conference documents were stuck in Mombasa and did not arrive until the day before the Conference started!
-The World Conference is the policy-making body of WAGGGS. Which are the most difficult decisions ever taken?
I can’t say which are the most difficult decisions, but increasing the quota has never been popular. Also in 1983 it was regretfully decided to discontinue publishing WAGGGS’ quarterly journal ‘The Council fire’, for economic reasons.
-You worked at the World Bureau for 45 years. How do you think the organization has evolved?
As I have said previously, I think one of the most important changes has been the inclusion of young women, not only in Member Organizations’ delegations, but also in membership of the World Board. This did not always happen in the past and it is extremely important to have their different ideas and ways of working to complement those of older, more experienced people.
The number of staff members at the World Bureau has increased since I joined the Bureau in 1954. Then there were just nine of us, now there are more than 35. In 1958, the Bureau moved from 9 Palace Street, Victoria to 132 Ebury Street, Westminster, and then it its current premises in the Olave Centre in 1984.
From 26 Member Organizations in 1954, WAGGGS has grown to 144 in 2006. The Movement continues to grow even though it is competing with so many other activities for young people.
-What have you learnt from attending so many World Conferences?
I really enjoyed all the World Conferences and consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet with and talk to so many people from so many different countries. I visited countries that I would never have visited on holiday, and have made many friends in all parts of the world.
More about Liz
One of her favourite tasks at the Bureau was as staff liaison with Honorary Associates, with many of whom she stills corresponds. Honorary Associates were the idea of the World Chief Guide as a way of recognising service to WAGGGS.
She also enjoyed preparing for World Committee (as it was then called) meetings, and World Conferences. Liz, who is an Honorary Associate and a member of the Olave Baden-Powell Society, was awarded WAGGGS’ Bronze Medal in 2004.