Our Greek Member Association, the Hellenic Red Cross, Rescuers and Samaritans Corp organised the annual ILSE Board Meeting in the beautiful Achaia Beach Hotel in Patras, Greece from 12 until 14 May.

A fine opening ceremony was organised with the presence of the Vice President of the Hellenic Red Cross, the Mayors of Patras and Rio, a Member of the Parliament and a representative of the Church. On this occasion ILSE President Dr. Klaus Wilkens was awarded with the Silver Cross of the Hellenic Red Cross Medallion, the highest award for foreigners.

Our Greek Member Association, the Hellenic Red Cross, Rescuers and Samaritans Corp organised the annual ILSE Board Meeting in the beautiful Achaia Beach Hotel in Patras, Greece from 12 until 14 May.

A fine opening ceremony was organised with the presence of the Vice President of the Hellenic Red Cross, the Mayors of Patras and Rio, a Member of the Parliament and a representative of the Church. On this occasion ILSE President Dr. Klaus Wilkens was awarded with the Silver Cross of the Hellenic Red Cross Medallion, the highest award for foreigners.

19 of the 23 Board Members, the Chairmen of the Education and Development Aid Commission as well as observers from Greece, Spain and Serbia-Montenegro were present. Main topic on the agenda were decisions on applications of the Commission concerning i. a. examination conditions, disaster prevention, First Aid, Risk Assessment on European Beaches, sport and youth and a fundraising seminar.

The applications for the organisation of the European Championships for Juniors in Italy 2006 was approved. The application for the organisation of the European Championships 2007 in Spain was approved in principle, but there are some concerns of the inspector about the conditions of the venue, which have to be improved.

The contacts to EU could be improved by a cooperation with the DG Health and Consumer Protection with the presentation of the DLRG drowning statistic, which probably shall become the base for an EU statistic. Negotiations could be started for involving beach safety aspects in the Green Paper for the Maritime Policy.

Due to the resignation of Sports Commission Chairman Maria Teresa Paredes Fargas, the Sports Commission Member Bob Dekkers (Netherlands) was appointed as Chairman.
Marta Cuetos (Spain) was appointed Member to the Sports Commission. The Spanish President Mrs. Isabel Garcia Sanz was appointed co-opted Member to the ILSE Board.

During the closing ceremony the Austrian Board Member Walter Grimm was honoured with the ILS Knight in the Order of Lifesaving.

The Hellenic Red Cross, Rescuers and Samaritan Corp organised a very interesting side programme with visits to the Rio ” Antirio Brigde, the famous ACHAIA CLAUSS winery and liquor factory, a sight seeing tour through the modern and historic part of Patras, a reception by the Mayor in the Town Hall as well as a visit to an art exhibition, which the City of Patras has organised as the European Culture Capital 2006.

All participants enjoyed their time in Patras and the great hospitality of the Hellenic Red Cross, Rescuers and Samaritan Corps.