Theme for 2022 to 2026: Go and Bear Fruit – Fruit that will last

WFMUCW Global online event was held from 9th to 14th August 2022. Held every five years, the event gathers women from more than 70 nations, including around 80 official World, Area and Unit delegates. It is open for all members who wish to attend at their own expense because they value the opportunity to meet with their Federation sisters from other parts of the world.

It was planned that Switzerland would host our 14th World Assembly, but instead it was held online due to the global pandemic.

I missed the opportunity to mingle face to face in my first time attending the World Assembly as the delegate for New Zealand however there was time to connect throughout the week in breakout sessions.

Preparation started weeks before the actual meeting when we registered as a voting delegate or an attendee. This allowed the World Officers time to send reading material to voting delegates in preparation for discussion and voting before the assembly started. It prepared us for voting for the new World Officers for 2022 to 2026, amendments to Constitutions and Bylaws, endorsing reports from World and Area Officers, and affirming the new Area Presidents and Vice-Presidents.

I was in awe of the great around the clock effort the World Officers put into ensuring the Assembly was a success. Our World President Alison Judd was from England so daily meetings started at 10:30am (UK time) and continued until mid-afternoon. This translated to 9:00pm – 1.00am (NZT). We could then go into workshops available on YouTube for those people unable to continue to observe or participate due to time zone differences.

I would like to acknowledge our World Officers for making the 14th World Assembly a virtual success. It was a great first time experience and I loved it – these ladies were in office for six years due to the pandemic and it is a proud feeling knowing we had two beautiful women who were from our New Zealand Unit that served in the last World Executive. I acknowledge we had great women from our unit that also served on the World Executive team in the past but these women are not only from New Zealand unit but they are from the Mafutaga Tamaita’i Sinoti Samoa (MTSSEMNS) District. Well done World Secretary Itamua Mataiva Robertson (served six years) and World Treasurer Leu Pupulu (served 11 years). You have both made us proud of your work and dedication to the role: we give glory to our Heavenly Father for he is the redeemer of all greatness.

On Sunday 14 August 2022 we were fortunate to witness the commissioning of the new World Officers, Area Presidents and Area Vice Presidents. The New Zealand Unit should be proud in knowing our South Pacific Area President for 2022 to 2026 is our very own Olive Tanielu. We wish Olive and her team all the best. Please keep them in our prayers during their term.

I also acknowledge Janice Walters-Auva’a, our current Helen Kim Scholarship recipient 2022 - 2026 and Sharlene Malaeimi for being awarded and completing the Bossey Scholarship.

I pray that when the next World Assembly gathers we all get to travel and support more of our members. Aotearoa, New Zealand does great things.