| Letter
from the
President
 The UNICA Committee met from May 19 to 21, 2005
in Nyon (Switzerland) at the invitation of Fred Graber, the officer
in charge of "Friends of UNICA". The meeting was held parallel to a get-together
of the Friends and gave an opportunity to have interesting discussions and
friendly social events.
Here is a summary of the issues discussed:
We are pleased to announce that the transfer of the accounts held by the
late treasurer, Achim Stampehl, to the new one, Thomas Kraeuchi, has
been completed. Mr. Kraeuchi was elected at the previous Committee meeting.
We offer best wishes to our new "chancellor of the UNICA exchequer" as he
begins his term of office.
Jef van Gompel reported on preparations for the UNICA 2005 Congress
in Blankenberge and told us that there were at that moment some 150 registered
participants. We can reasonably expect this number to go on rising to above
200. The jury for the UNICA Film Competition consists of people from the
following countries: Belgium (2 people), Croatia, Poland, Great Britain,
Finland (possibly Switzerland) and Austria. It was decided not to organise
audience voting on films this year. Have you registered yet for the event?
It is now high time to do so and Blankenberge is looking forward to seeing
you for the UNICA 2005 Congress!
The experience of recent years has shown that the Committee should start
making preparations for the 2006 UNICA Congress in Korea at least one year
in advance. This is absolutely necessary because bookings for flights and
hotel should be finalised much earlier than when the congress is held in
Europe. About 200 people have already registered on a provisional basis and
it is now time to finalise registration. Hotel rooms have already been reserved
in Korea and the booking of flights should be done in August / September.
However, we will make arrangements to allow latecomers to register. Participation
in the UNICA Congress in Korea will undoubtedly be an extraordinary experience
as we will be steeped in an environment and culture which is unfamiliar to
most of us. Information and registration forms are available from Max
Hänsli, Kuerbergstrasse 30, CH 8049 Zurich. Another way to go to
Korea is by joining the "Train to Korea" project originated by Franz
Schlager. Those interested in this project can also register via Max
Hänsli (address below).
Plans for UNICA 2007 in Slovakia are well-advanced. The Committee will hold
a meeting in Slovakia before the end of the year. You will have more information
right after that meeting.
The question of UNICA 2008 in Tunisia was also raised during the meeting.
We have been told about the venue selected and we hope to have soon more
detailed information about the organisation soon.
Various countries / federations are willing to join UNICA but it is often
difficult to keep up contacts, explore and follow up on any opening and
application.
Changing the name of UNICA will again be on the agenda of the General meeting
in Blankenberge and the Committee hope that their proposal will be accepted.
The problem is that any possible substitute expression is interpreted in
different ways in various countries. For this reason, the Committee - after
a near-unanimous vote - decided to avoid any adjective. The proposal, which
the committee adopted by 8 votes to 1, is:
UNICA UNION INTERNATIONALE DU CINÉMA
Thus nothing has basically changed in the name except dropping the adjective
"non professionnel". The Committee hope that they have found a happy medium.
We would be pleased to have this proposal adopted by your federation.
Thank you,
Sincerely yours
Max Hänsli (CHE), UNICA President
 Thomas
Kräuchi introduces himself
Ladies and gentlemen
As you probably know, our UNICA Treasurer Hans-Joachim Stampehl met his untimely
death last October. Herr Stampehl had spared no effort in the organisation
of the UNICA 2004 Congress in Germany as well as being in charge of the UNICA
Treasury.
At the Committee meeting in November 2004, the UNICA Committee asked me to
take charge of the UNICA Treasury. As a regular participant in all the events
organised by UNICA since 1981 and also as the Committee member in charge
of technical issues for UNICA, I am familiar with all UNICA matters. This
proposal, however, took me rather by surprise, especially as I was also asked
to remain in charge of technical issues. It is now up to the General meeting
at the UNICA Congress in Belgium to consider confirming my taking over the
office of UNICA Treasurer.
You probably know me from UNICA events but are perhaps not so well informed
about my occupation. With some colleagues I created a company manufacturing
and marketing machines for the automatic cutting of straps for professional
use. Our customers are, inter alia, companies in the automotive industry,
the biomedical sector (in particular filtering of blood products, orthopaedics,
phlebology), and to factories manufacturing belts and straps of all kinds
- in fact all firms needing that line of products. The technology applied
is based on ultrasound for the cutting and bonding of materials. Most of
our customers are in Europe and in the Middle East. My leisure activities
include accountancy work for several associations and I am the president
of a riding club.
Many thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have questions or you need
clarification so that I can respond immediately. My preferred languages are
German and English.
Faithfully yours
Thomas Kräuchi (CHE), UNICA Treasurer
E-Mail: <kraeuchi@rcm.ch>, Fax
(Home): +41 44 340 29 00, Phone (Home): +41 44 341 61 69, Fax (Business):
+41 43 817 28 35, Phone (Business) +41 43 817 28 34 |
