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Madrid EAM kicks off challenging debates

The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain. And so it was as we arrived in Madrid, writes Alan Thornton of MGI Watson Buckle.
It did not stay that way very long and the sun was soon shining again on that fair city. Some 80 MGIers from 25 countries congregated for the European Annual Meeting and it was good to see so many old friends.

The meeting kicked off with brief reports from:

• Andrew Grout              MGI Chair
• Arthur Baguley            MGI International Committee Chair
• Goffredo Caverni         MGI European Coordinating Committee Chair
• Hans Haag                  MGI European Coordinating Committee Deputy Chair
• Bogoljub Aleksic          Eastern European Circle Activities
• Hans Klein                   German Speaking Circle Activities
• Erik Emilsson              Nordic Circle Activities
• Nico Hansen               Latin Circle Activities.

I was becoming a little worried that I had nothing prepared and my turn was obviously looming.

The rest of the first day was taken up by a session to consider the way forward, facilitated by Phillip Brown and Alan Hodgart who many will remember from Vienna.

The seven breakout groups enjoyed lively discussion, despite the fact that there was much agreement. The overall message to emerge is that we need to redouble our efforts at grass roots level, except in August when Spain and Italy are closed.

Friday saw the introduction of Clive Mieville, the new executive director for MGI Europe. Based in France, the multilingual Clive brings much relevant experience not least from his involvement with Mackrell.

The serious business of the day was a session on the EU 8th Directive, which was very ably presented by Hilde Blomme. Opinion was divided but the balance seemed to lean towards MGI being deemed to be a network unless it changes the way it operates.

We were then treated to an inspirational talk by Jose Naranjo, who crossed Greenland in record time using just a sledge and a kite!

The main core of the conference remains networking and the splendid venues and vittles organised by Manuel’s team provided the ideal ambience.

Thanks to the various members on the conference, I shall be taking away a distinct feeling that there is much cross border work to be had if we just keep talking to each other – especially in the early hours. I shall also be taking away a bottle of tequila and a cuddly rat.