SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

I have now completed the first year of my presidency of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, which I assumed at the conference in Zurich last October. I will relinquish the position at the next conference in Boston (1-3 September 2000) and take on the position of Past President for the following two years.

I will not pretend that it is an easy position to hold for it is a very cumbersome organisation within which to work. Being on the board of any international organisation with member societies in twenty-three different countries always brings difficulties. However, in our case, we have no paid executive officer whose work it is to administer day to day affairs. We are a board of ten volunteers, some of whom do not have English as their first language. That can present problems in understanding the finer details of proposals and cause frustration on all sides. It also impedes progress immensely, leaving member societies to wonder what it is that we do.

Slow progress is then exacerbated by the fact that we do not have the same advantage as societies which meet each month; allowing proposals to be examined thoroughly and everyone given the opportunity for a voice in decision making. We all know that discussions can be lengthy and may need to be brought back to the next meeting. Imagine doing that via email!

In the past slow progress was not a major problem, but with the advent of the internet and email the speed of communication is causing added pressure for volunteers with busy personal lives to lead. However it does mean that we will be able to network on voluntary euthanasia issues throughout the world, with the more remote countries no longer feeling so isolated.

It is a morale booster to hear of events which may lead to the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia in another country. On the other hand it can be disheartening to be continually banging our heads against the wall of religious and political intransigence. The latest good news would seem to be coming from the Belgian parliament, which, like the Dutch parliament, is currently debating a bill. So watch out for details.

In an attempt to enhance relationships between the societies, I proposed to the board at the 1996 Melbourne Conference that we appeal to member societies for donations to fund the appointment of a Development Officer. This again made slow progress for the reasons I have already outlined, but we are now getting close to our goal.

Last month we placed an advertisement on certain web sites and in the newsletter of the World Federation and received over thirty expressions of interest. Some of the applicants are of a high calibre, with proven 'track records' and work ethics. We are seeking someone to work from home, and in any country, because the internet now allows this to be undertaken quite successfully. As English is the official language of the World Federation the successful candidate must have excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of other languages would be a bonus. The contract will be initially for one year.

The first voluntary euthanasia society was formed in England in 1935. With the advent of the Second World War, and then coming to terms with the horrors of the Holocaust, the matter was put to one side until the 1970s. In 1976 the President of the Japanese Society called an international meeting of existing right to die societies. Only UK, NZ and Australia refer to themselves as voluntary euthanasia societies. Some members can aim no higher than to successfully devise a 'living will'; something we now take for granted in South Australia.

The World Federation of Right to Die Societies was founded at the third international conference hosted by the UK Society. A resolution was unanimously adopted that the Federation should work to promote co-operation and liaison between voluntary euthanasia and right to die societies; as well as the dissemination of information and educational material concerning voluntary euthanasia and right to die issues. Guidance in understanding legislation, court judgements and other matters likely to be of interest to societies was to be an additional role. A further resolution adopted unanimously was that all voluntary euthanasia and right to die societies be invited to affiliate with the Federation.

The World Federation was formed to also promote international conferences on death and dying, and respond to requests for assistance in the foundation of similar societies, in those countries without them.

From that small beginning has grown an organisation which is represented in twenty one countries. The World Federation Conference held in Zurich (10-13 October 1998) was attended by delegates from eighteen countries.

The reports from these societies how that there has been a paradigm shift in thinking world wide, supporting change to the present law. This support has grown markedly since the World Federation of Right to Die Societies was established in 1980. I am looking forward to the 20th anniversary conference to be held in Boston (1-3 Sep 2000) which will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Hemlock Society formed by Derek Humphry.
 
 

World Federation and SAVES President Mary Gallnor anticipates that by the time her granddaughter Rose is 18 years, we will be able to choose voluntary euthanasia if we wish.