Minutes (final revised 30/01/24)
AEJ General Assembly, Vlore, Albania, October 26, 2023
15.00- 18.00 Regina Hotel
Minutes (revised 30/01/24)
AEJ General Assembly, Vlore, Albania, October 26, 2023
15.00- 18.00 Regina Hotel
1) Reports of Board and Special Representatives, debate. Reports in part delayed, sent out electronically and posted (Jan 2024) on AEJ website.
2) Annual report of Audit Committee, debate. Chairman David Worsfold: accounts to date had been examined and found to be in order. A replacement was only needed for Luigi Cobisi, former Treasurer, on the committee. Irina Nedeva, President of the Bulgarian Section, was proposed and elected unanimously.
3) Budget for 2024, fixing annual fees. Treasurer Pat Humphreys said all members had received budget and fee proposals which were sent to all delegates in advance. He summarised that the fees structure for 2023 had worked well in boosting membership, and proposed the same again i.e. 8 € per head if paid by end of May 2024, 12 € if afterwards. No objections.
4) Election of extra members of the Conciliation and Arbitration Committee and of the audit committee. Agreed that a replacement was only needed for Luigi Cobisi, nominated to the Audit Committee in his absence at GA in Eretria, 2022; but declined. Irina Nedeva, President of the Bulgarian Section, was proposed and elected unanimously to the Audit Committee.
5) Proposal by Austrian Section for a voluntary code of conduct for Sections. Hon. President Otmar Lahodynsky argued that such a Code would provide for the eventuality of a Section deciding, for example, to support Putin and reject EU sanctions. This would amount to a break with European values, and should result in expulsion of that Section. Roberto Sciarrone (now- Austrian) member had previously drafted a detailed draft Code and explained why he felt it was necessary. The Bulgarian Section said it already had internal regulations following these guidelines. President Saia said she feared the proposed Code risked provoking splits in AEJ. Lively prior objections, notably by Italian and Slovak Sections. No vote taken, but agreement that issue should be further discussed.
6) Proposal by the Greek Section for encouraging young journalists. Unanimously accepted.
7) 2024 Congress: discussion of possible venues, timing, themes, and financing. “Best Practices for AEJ Congresses.pdf” circulated to all members. No substantial debate or proposals.
See also: AEJ Congress, Albania