Over 1000 home economists from 57 countries around the world gathered in Lucerne, Switzerland to mark the start of the 100 th celebration of IFHE at the XXI World Congress. Twenty-six IFHE-US members served as Council Delegates. The participants were welcomed to Lucerne by Dr. Lucrezia Meier-Schatz, a representative of the Swiss government. In her address, she confirmed the importance of families and households from a political point of view stating “we will invite the political parties and policy makers to include home economics in the GDP (Gross Domestic Product).”

A new book on the history of IFHE was launched on the opening day. The book, authored by Margaret Arcus, commemorates the work of the last 100years. The book and a DVD may be purchased from the IFHE website (http://www.ifhe.org).

Each day the plenary sessions were invigorating and informative. On Tuesday the sessions focused on the need to take sustainable steps for the future. IFHE and the Department of Education and Science, Ireland introduced an e-book entitled Global Sustainable Development: a challenge for consumer citizens. The e-book contains 90 papers from every region of the world selected by the IFHE Consumer Issues and Family Resource Management Program Committee.

On Tuesday evening, participants were given a unique opportunity to visit Swiss families in and around Lucerne. The event gave participants the opportunity to experience a taste of true Swiss culture.

The Council met for two sessions during which numerous reports and announcements were presented. Several motions were entertained including the creation of electronic archives, on-line at the IFHE website. South Korea was approved for the site of the 2016 Congress. Delegates from Australia enthusiastically invited all to come to Melbourne for the 2012 Congress. The date for the next Council meeting is July 18-23, 2010 at St. Angela’s College in Sligo, Ireland. The three focal areas will be sustainability, globalization, and interculturalism. The 2009 Annual IFHE Leadership Meeting will be held in April in Kingston, Jamaica. All IFHE members who want to be actively involved in the future of home economics are encouraged to attend.

Respectfully submitted by:

Sally M. McCombie 8- 29-08