International Conference in Cardiff and Bras in the Bay
The City of Cardiff was at its sparkling best when it proudly hosted the 75th annual conference of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI). With its recently opened new arcades and stores it was an extremely attractive venue for the 1,700 ladies who attended the conference from the 28 countries of SIGBI representing Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
Delegates met to discuss the business of the organisation, to take decisions on it’s future, and to listen to keynote speakers Chris Moon MBE, Ian Woodall and Christina Lamb, who each had inspiring and uplifting stories to tell. It was not all work, however, and delegates enjoyed some excellent evening entertainment with a Welsh flavour.
Members of Soroptimist International Newport and District were actively involved in the organisation and running of this very successful conference, and were also delighted to participate in the “Bras in the Bay” initiative. Second hand bras are valuable commodities, and British bras in particular are considered to be of very high quality. SIGBI has been working with Oxfam since 2007 in helping deprived women in Africa to obtain this item of underclothing. Through Oxfam’s Wastesaver textile recycling facility, British bras are sent to Senegal where the objective of the project is to create a social enterprise for the import and onward sale of second hand clothing. This project aims to be a model of ethical trading for the second hand clothing sector that could be replicated in the future.