Zonta Int. Chair of the Council of Europe  Karin Nordmeyer gave an interesting introduction into function and working methods of the parliament, added by Ambassador and Zontian of ZC Helsinki Irma Ertmann.

This part was followed by current affairs debate: the consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia, and statement by the former head of the international fact-finding mission on the conflict in Georgia, Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini.

“Working together for Biodiversity” was the main theme of the European Biodiversity Day.
This was the third part and third theme of our study tour, and we listened to interesting papers about it.

Afterwards we had an excellent lesson in medieval architecture by Z Claudia Baumbusch (ZC Pforzheim), who made a very good job by explaining the Strasbourg Cathedral and main points of the city. Altogether it was a wonderful and special day and a real successful study tour.

D. Stürz

During a little celebration, Vreni Knöpfel, our Pastpresident of Zonta Club Schaffhausen, handed over symbolical a cheque of swiss Francs 40’000.- to the manager of the Georg Fischer Foundation “Clean Water”, Dr. Roland Gröbli, for the construction of the ponds in the Sundarbans.

Healthy water can only be win from very deep ground. Still now many villages don’t have deep ponds. That’s why women and children have to walk each day many kilometers, to get water for her families. The Club Zonta of Schaffhausen had the goal, to spend for five villages one pond, for each decade of his existence one. Now this goal was exceeded very much, as a pleasure of all of us.

The campaign started at the end of March 2009 on the occasion of the international Day of Water with a stand on the Fronwagplatz in Schaffhausen. The Club Zonta of Schaffhausen sold clean Schaffhauser drinking water. The sale was very successful. At the birthday party last May the Club received many donations from other friendly Clubs of Zonta, as well as from other Schaffhauser Service Clubs. Our till could be filled up thanks to different contributions of companies of Schaffhausen as well of the proceeds of the Christmas concert of the Compagnia Rossini in Stein am Rhein. At the end of the campaign we counted the proud amount of 40’000 swiss francs.

This money will be send now to our partnership organization in the Sundarbans – the Foundation Mass Education - , who will give order to build the ponds and they will observe it. The Group Georg Fischer of Schaffhausen made already good experience with the water projects, so that we can be sure, that our money will be used 100 % to the right destination. Once again, many thanks for everybody, who supported us.