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BETWEEN THE LINES Mrs. Keith Hiepleh President Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario Dear W.l. Members: I have completed my first annual visit to the 14 Area Conventions. It has been a pleasure for me to be able to meet and talk with Women's Institute members from the various areas of our magnificent province. The Conventions have had good attendance from the Branches and Districts and it is evident that interest in our organization remains high throughout the province. 1 have been very pleased to see various age levels attending the Conventions. During the last week in September, I had the opportunity to attend the ACWW Open Day and Council Meeting in England. ACWW Life, and Contributing Members from around the world had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Ziny Westebring-Muller, ACWW President, at Kensington Town Hall, London, England on Open Day, September 22nd. The keynote Open Day speaker, Professor Richard Jolly. Director. Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, chose as his topic, “North-South Dialogue”. He stressed the fact that these are not ordinary times. The 80’s will be particularly hard on women in the developing counâ€" tries, with malnutrition increasing. Income in 23 African countries is now lower than in 1970. He cited the causes for the decline as being national and international mismanage- ment, and corruption. Continuing disruption of warfare adds to the problem. In order to help correct the situation a change in attitudes is needed and much is to be gained in dialogue. We must realize we are a world community and international change is required. Simple justice and human compassion demand a response from us. In many countries significant changes have taken place due to non- governmental organizations. His concluding statement was, “Without vision the people will perish" (familiar to all W.i. members). Immediately following the conclusion of Open Day, coaches arrived at Kensington Town Hall to transport more than 200 delegates to the University of Sussex for the ACWW Council Meeting, which concluded September 25th. Traffic was heavy and slow moving in London, but the journey through the countryside was pleasant and relaxing. Upon arrival at the University, I was greatly impressed with the appearance of the campus. The buildings were nestled among huge stately trees and the immaculate green rolling lawns added to the dignity and beauty of the campus. Four thousand students attend this University, which is located seven kilometres from Brighton, a famous seaside town on the English Channel. ACWW delegates stayed in single study bedrooms in halls of residence known as Park Houses. All meals were 4 served in the Refectory Cafeteria. Council and committee meetings were held in the nearby Arts Theatres._ Two films were shown on two separate occasmns so that all delegates could have an opportunity to view them. The first film entitled, “CHANGE” enabled delegates to see how various projects can benefit families financially in developing countries. In addition to handicrafts expanding women‘s income. the women in Ghana have a prototype Palm Oil press, to extract oil from their own trees, and then use the oil for soap making. The increase in family income has improved the living standards in their homes and centriâ€" buted to happy, healthier children. The film “JOURNEY FOR SURVIVAL" was very deâ€" pressing. It showed the endless search for water by women in various parts of the world. Daily, thousands of women walk many miles in search of water for their basic needs_ Often when the water supply was reached it was found to be badly polluted. Since this polluted water was the only source of water available to the searchers. thousands of people and their livestock are forced to drink it. Diseases such as cholera. malaria, typhoid and hepatitis can result. In other areas of the world where abundant supplies of water can be found only six feet from the surface of the earth, disappointment can again face the searcher, because this water Can be salty. The Pacific areas are noted for salty water. More than half the men, women and children living to-day have no ready access to clean drinking water, and fewer still, have no facilities for sanitary waste disposal. ACWW has recognized the suffering, caused by lack of water and poor sanitation, and at the September 1981 Coun» cil Meeting, a new project was launched. Project, UCA 71, covers Water and Sanitation, and is sponsored by UNESCO and ACWW. It is hoped that this new project will receive strong financial support around the world. 1981 marks the beginning of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, a worldwide coâ€" operative effort to provide "clean water and adequate saniâ€" tation for all by the year 1990". In addition to ensuring safe drinking water for all, there is a great need for conservation of water. Dumping of industrial waste into water supplies is a detriment and adds to the pollution of water. Each of us must help to keep available water free from contamination. Many persons living in Ontario are fortunate to have a safe supply of water for personal use. Only about oneâ€"fifth of the world‘s population has water on tap. Nature's cycle needs to be preserved. One way to help preserve this cycle is to plant two trees when one tree is cut down, Reforestation is needed now. There is great interest by ACWW members for an indepth study into the cultures, customs and geography of Canada. Many societies are planning to have representation at the forthcoming 1983 Triennial Conference in Canada at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, June 19-30. This beautiful campus covers 1,000 acres and features bo- tanical and Japanese gardens. Visitors to British Columbia will be able to view the blue Pacific Ocean and the snow capped Rocky Mountains. This unique setting will be most impressive. It is a great honor for Federated Women‘s Institutes of Ontario to share with other Constituent Societies in Canada in hosting the 17th Triennial Confer- ence of The Associated Country Women of the World. flaw/27 x0 ,j/référb