Educational investigates facilities, services and options for overseas and host country students.

The Students Who Learn Differently webpage offers extensive information for LD learners, their families, and their educational professionals with information translated into many different languages.

Another aspect of educational support is Bilingualism which deals with language development.

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Effects of Conflict Committee is dedicated to bringing attention to the tragic and lasting consequences of war and armed conflict, especially to women and children. These ongoing conflicts are creating an overwhelming number of refugees and extreme hardship for people either displaced within their own countries or who have had to floee to neighboring countries. There are serious refugee problems now in Darfur, in the Palestinian Territories and in Iraq. The committee also focuses on the effects of landmines and cluster bombs in civilian populations in the aftermath of war.

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Environment Task Force seeks to inform members about the global environmental issues that confront the planet, such as air, soil and water pollution, species extinction, energy efficiency, conservation and waste reduction, and the major issues of global climate change. The task force seeks to promote informed action within FAWCO, at both global and local levels, to help carbon sequestration, particularly through tree planting and reforestation.

Contact the Environment Task Force Co-chairs

Health Issues Task Force provides up-to-date, well-founded and researched information regarding issues and topics related to women's health and ageing so that informed health decisions can be made.

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Jann Mitchell

Substance Abuse Task Force provides information about the abuse of drugs and alcohol, helping members to recognize symptoms of substance abuse and understand the physiological and emotional factors involved.

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This Task Force will address life, and its particular issues as we grow older, as a work in progress as we pass through one phase to another. It will take a holistic approach to help us safeguard and nurture our body, as well as enrich our mind and spirit. There will be articles and reports, based on solid research by the committee and others, suggested books to read, favorite quotations, and FAWCO member contributions. The spectrum of information covered will also include practical information and resources, such as caring for loved ones from a distance, elder abuse, and issues related to facing the final passage, for ourselves and family members. Also included will be related legal considerations and documents, and information regarding US Social Security benefits. Life is an exciting journey of discovery filled with improvisations; so, too, will be the content of the Task Force pages. Follow the link to contact us and share your knowledge and requests for specific information.

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From Left --> Right at the Zürich Lake in Switzerland

Tam Thompson-Steckel, Ali Weihofen, Kelly Fitzgerald

Kelly Fitzgerald, PhD

Kelly is currently a Guest Scientist at the University of Zürich, Center for Gerontology, where she is responsible for developing and conducting research related to how health care practitioners can better improve their response to their older clients in the event of a major disaster such as a flood or earthquake. Prior to moving to Switzerland she was the Network Coordinator at Swansea University in Wales for OPAN Cymru (Older People and Ageing Research and Development Network Wales). Kelly received her Masters of Public Administration from Georgia State University and her MS and PhD in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts Boston.  Kelly has several years of experience in disaster research. Examples include her PhD dissertation that focused on disaster preparedness of nursing homes in Massachusetts and two studies she conducted for the Public Health Agency of Canada looking at the roles and responsibilities of health practitioners of older adults in emergency management. Kelly also has hands on disaster experience volunteering as an American Red Cross disaster team leader during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons in the USA (including Hurricane Katrina) and the 2006 and 2007 flooding in New England.

Tam Thompson-Steckel

Tam has a BS degree and did graduate work in Expressive Therapies at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.  She worked in nursing homes for many years and was responsible for developing and implementing art and music therapy programs for residents as well as other activities.  She is a mother of three children.  Throughout her children's school years she became a seasoned school volunteer in the classroom and in the art, music, and drama programs.  Several years ago she became a certified YogaKids teacher and developed and taught after school classes to children grades K-12, Girl Scouts, and the over 60 years old members at the local YMCA.

Ali Weihofen, LCSW, MPH

Alison (Ali) Weihofen is relatively new to Switzerland, AWCZ, and FAWCO. She moved to Zürich in November of 2009 to be with her Swiss husband. Previously, she was Director of Business Development for Northeast Health Services, Inc, a group of mental health clinics in Massachusetts. She is a licensed certified social worker (LCSW) and also has a master’s in public health (MPH). Ali has a special interest in the aging population and spent three years working at the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University. Her hobbies include yoga, sewing and reading.

The Sharing Cultures Committee supports FAWCO Member Clubs in their efforts to promote mutual understanding and awareness of customs, cultural differences, and local environments in order to bridge the gaps that exist between nations and different populations. The committee welcomes FAWCO Member Club programs or activities that help Club members, their families, and/or the local community learn from one another.

Contact the Sharing Cultures Committee Co-chair

• Helpful Links
• Reading List
• Day in your City

Conference Reports:

• Report to 2010 FAWCO Conference in Boston, MA - March 2010