Voting Day at Congress

I sit, humbled, in front of a dias of 12 extraordinary men and women. They represent the new Presidium, which are the 5 new Vice Presidents as elected by The Congress and the 5 Vice Presidents to which we owe our thanks for four years of hard work and dedicated service - along with current and re-elected President, Ferne Downey.

Collectively, there is at least 150 years of excellence in not only their own craft and artistry but also expert levels in their skills at negotiations, labour relations, steadfast leadership, determination and faith in the common good, and least of all dedication to the cause which is to raise the profile and to better the lives of artists as we know it. This list could go on - almost as long as their enduring stamina and dedication to the members, their families, colleagues both represented and future brothers and sisters who will enjoy the fruits of our collective hard work, under their leadership.

I am know honoured to call them colleauges and friends. I have a sense of relief and gratitude that I was able to ‘get in under the wire’ in meeting and working with the following list of Vice Presidents before they continue to make their individual marks on the world as they have been doing for the past 4 years in FIA on the Presidium, not to mention their prior and unwaivering contributions to FIA for years (some decades) prior. They are Jorge Bosso of Spain, Catherine Alméras of France, MiKael Waldroff of Denmark, John McGuire of the USA and Simon Burke of Australia.

Their successors have large shoes to fill, and having met and worked with them over the past week, I am confident they will pick up the reins and along with Mme President Ferne Downey, will aptly lead FIA and position the congress perfectly so that the aims and direction we have collectively decided will be graciously and successfully met.

We, the 21st Congress passed and adopted 27 motions that will further the madate of FIA and indeed, enrich and enhance the lives of performers around the world. We also heard and passed 6 emergency motions that will directly impact the lives of seriously endangered artists in their current and I am very sorry to say, extremely dire situations.

Directly following the conclusion of congress, the executive committee will convene in order to prioritise and discuss the very initial steps on how the resources of the congress should be allocated to meet and support these motions. Diversity, The Status of the Artist, Fair Working Conditions, Safety among Colleagues, hiring practices and major work around Intellectual Property are just some areas of focus of the Congress and the Executive Committee.

At the conclusion of the address to congress of the LGBT working group, one of their recommendations was to dispense with the LGBT working group in favour of merging with and moving forward with a more inclusive Global Diversity Working Group. This is not to suggest atht LGBT issues are not deserving of their own working group, but rather to welcome them and focus on these issues on a global scale, along with other global diversity issues - as, unfortunately, discrimintation is a global concern that we all need to address. Canadian Actors’ Equity members and its council have identified that Diversity and Inclusion is an area of major priority and are already moving build on and solidify a firm foundation to and to realize and substantiate our own set of tools and tangible resources from which we as an organization can grow an and become change agents!

I have demonstrated to several parties that this is an important area for Equity to be involved and I am pleased to report that Equity will indeed be on the Global Diversity Working Group.

This is all very exciting work! I can’t wait to get started.

VP on the move!

Stephen

Work on a Global Scale

The Congress opened yesterday (Hosted by FIA member union, SATED/SP), and one of the speakers, Michele Woods, Director of the Copyright Law Division of the World Intellectual Property Organization addressed concerns and progress made to The Beijing Treaty - an important (and very intricate) piece of legislation that is in the process of being introduced, negotiated and voted on by several countries in order to gain acceptance on a global scale.

Listening to Ms Woods speak on The Treaty and the subsequent panel discussion that ensued along with the discussions among my colleauges around the world makes it evident that there are so many important topics to discuss and about which to make resolutions. Of course, everyone wants to be paid for the work that they create. But let’s take one GIANT step back and think about something that (in my mind) is much more fundamental - Human Rights.

The first panel discussion of The Congress spoke to Diversity and Inclusion. The members, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland - COO and General Counsel, SAG-AFTRA, USA, Katjja Holm - President, DSF, Denmark, Lisa Crazy, Brazilian Performer SATED/SP, and our own Arden R. Ryshpan, Equity, Canada and moderated by Simon Burke, Actor, Vice-president of FIA, Australia discussed such matters and how members perceive these issues and asked for ideas on how FIA can help to address and manage these issues. Of course, this is a large issue that is being discussed on a global scale in many industries.

Acting for Diversity is the main focus of The Congress in São Paulo, Brazil, where delegates from 150 unions will spend an intensive week of deliberations that will guide the work of the International Federation of Actors and set its main priorities for the next four years.

My head is full from the Working Group and Executive Committee (EC) meetings. Canada has a seat on the EC, which we share with our ACTRA and UDA colleagues.

The FIA North America Working Group (FIANA) was excited by Equity's work on the anti-harassment campaign which includes delivering a joint first day statement to members. They were also very impressed with our dance outreach campaign set to launch this fall. You can read Arden's report to the FIANA members here.

More later,

VP on the move!

Stephen

Bem vindo ao Brasil

I have landed safely in Brazil!

After having flown almost due South for 10 and a half hours, I would have thought that I had surpassed the South Pole and was on my way back up on the other side of the globe. Alas, I disembark the plane at approximately 11am - having flown through the night - and despite my truly haggard appearance, Brazilian Customs Officials were pleased enough with my Visa photo and granted me access to their beautiful country.

My new-found energy at finally being in São Paolo helped me to traverse the long corridors of Guarulhos International Airport to retrieve my luggage. Bags in hand, I walked toward what I thought were the final doors to exit the airport but instead, I walked into that beautiful waft of several blends of high end perfumes - mixed with hints of chocolate and booze. That’s right … DUTY FREE!

My astonishment at what I was looking at, along with my lack of sleep, is the reason that my abilities to properly photograph and accurately capture the scale of this Duty Free mall had escaped me. Those that know me will be laughing - knowing I felt as though I was in heaven.

Nope! Brazil!

Next stop - the hotel. Luckily the congress is held at the same hotel in which I am staying because I will already be late for the first meeting which is for the FIA North American and English Speaking Group.  And no, I won't be late on account of shopping at the Duty Free - believe it or not, I didn't buy a thing!

I have done my fair share of reading in efforts to study up on FIA, its governance, staff, the congress and its members. Wish me luck!

VP on the move!

Stephen

Packing for a Congress!

When the National Executive Director of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association asks you if you’re interested in attending the 21st World Congress of the International Federation of Actors - You say ‘Absolutely, what time does it start?’! - And then you ask questions later.

São Paolo, Brazil - September 22-25, 2016

Question:
I’m in the middle of rehearsals! How will I ever get the time off to attend?

Answer:
'After consulting with our colleagues, given the unique opportunity, I'm pleased to grant the release.’ - Sincerely, your boss. A sincere ‘Thank you!’ to the Canadian Opera Company, not only for allowing me to attend, but for recognizing the importance of this opportunity!

Question:
‘That’s right around the corner - what do I need to do to get ready?'

Answer:

• Apply for a Brazilian Visa
• Get many, many vaccinations
• Pay more attention to the Olympics and the Paralympics
• Realize that you’re going to São Paolo - not Rio de Janeiro
• Start packing

Question:
Oh yeah - What is FIA?

Answer:
The International Federation of Actors (FIA) is a global federation of performers’ trade unions, guilds and professional associations. Founded in 1952, it represents several hundreds of thousands of performers with some 90 member organizations in more than 60 countries around the world. FIA’s main purpose is to voice the professional interests of actors (in film, television, radio, digital media, theatre and live performance), broadcast professionals, dancers, singers, variety and circus artists and others.

Internationally, FIA works on any subject matter that may impact on the working lives of the professionals it represents. It advocates primarily to improve the working conditions and advance the economic and social rights of performers, but equally also to campaign for the value of the cultural and creative sector in which they work.

~More later, VP on the move!

Stephen