As we welcome our members from all over the world to our 68th IOGT International World Congress later this year, it will be for the first time ever in our more than 160-year history that we’ll be in Asia – more precisely in Cha Am, Thailand.
A truly historic event that the hosts IOGT Thailand and Stop Drink Network are really looking forward to.
68th World Congress, 26-31 October 2014, Thailand
The topic will be: “Alcohol in All Policies – IOGT International 68th World Congress 2014”.
We are many who were touched and inspired by Thai delegates inviting the IOGT family to their home country and the next World Congress at our last World Congress in 2010, in Fredrikstad, Norway. Back then it felt very far away. Now, it will soon be time to read through the congress material, pack the bags, mount the planes and gather in Thailand.
26 October to 31st October are the dates for this year’s most exciting week.
During the last decades we have become more and more aware of Asia, its long and rich history and also the possibilities for development in the continent. For many Europeans, especially Scandinavians, Thailand has been a popular destination for beautiful and exciting vacation trips. Uncountable backpackers, families and pensioners have found their ways to the ocean, mountains, big cities and rural villages, food and adventures of different kinds.
Magic of Thailand #HeartDriven
Thailand, especially the northern part, has long been associated with opium and other narcotic substances. Our IOGT work had been launched in the early 1980s with alternative approaches to the traditional opium production.
Today, we appreciate Thailand’s global leadership in Global Health advocacy, especially in alcohol and tobacco policy. Thailand has put in place of the best alcohol policies in the world. But all these developments are being challenged by the growing aggressive global alcohol industry in Asia that has identified countries like Thailand as emerging markets, with so many people living free from alcohol.
What is it, in this context, that IOGT International’s 68th World Congress can offer?
We will enjoy a combination of congressional session with seminars and workshops, as well as other kinds of stimulating and inspiring meetings to give every participants a good sense of the breadth and the depth of our worldwide, heart-driven work towards life set free.
And of course we will immerse ourselves in the Thai culture and traditions.
Teera, of Stop Drink Network
Thanks to a close and trusting cooperation with our member organisations, networks of researchers as well as national and global agencies we can promise every participant a week filled with know-how, laughter, overwhelming experiences, inspiring meetings, the joys of democracy in action, community and memories for life.
I am so much looking forward!
For all those reasons, I invite you and encourage you to join hundreds of people and book one or more weeks in Thailand this autumn and participate in our World Congress. And, of course, you are most welcome to bring your family along.
See you in Thailand #LifeSetFree Together
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For more information:
The official invitation to the World Congress: Invitation congress 2014_english
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