International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare

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The ICSW is an international umbrella organisation dedicated to the practical implementation of ILO Seafarers welfare Convention 163 and Recommendation 173.

The International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare The International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare (ICSW) is an international umbrella organisation dedicated to the implementation of the ILO Instruments on Seafarers' Welfare (Convention 163 and Recommendation 173) The ICSW was established in 1976 for the purpose of bringing together organisations operating in the field of seafarers' welfare. The ICSW provides a forum for the exchange of information on, and the co-ordination of, projects related to the provision of welfare services for seafarers. In 1992 the International Sports Committee for Seafarers (ISS) was incorporated within the ICSW as a sub-committee. Co-ordinating and arranging sporting activities for seafarers on a global scale, the ISS is chaired by the Norwegian Government Seamen’s Service and includes the ITF, ICMA and Swedish Government Seamen’s Service. In 1995 the ITF Seafarers' Trust provided financial assistance to enable the ICSW to set up an independent secretariat for the purpose of implementing its objectives. The three-year period of ITF funding expired in March 1999, when the ICSW moved to a membership fee paying structure. Co-incident with this financial re-structuring, the organisation moved to smaller premises at 11 Lancaster Mews, London, and the previous Executive Secretary (Mr. Ake Selander) and his assistant (Ms. Rachel Bridgeman) retired. Lieutenant Commander Andrew Elliott Royal Navy (retired) assumed the mantle of secretary The ICSW comprises 22 members from the following groups:  International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF),  The International Shipping Federation (ISF),  The International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA),  Governmental maritime welfare agencies,  Other international welfare agencies, and  Such other agencies engaged in seafarers’ welfare activities as may be decided by the Committee. A board of directors known as the Presidium, whose six members represent the groups listed above, manages the ICSW. Additionally, the ILO and ITF Seafarers’ trust attend all Presidium and Committee meetings as observers. The ICSW achieves its objectives through:  Seminars on the implementation of the ILO instruments – historically in Tokyo, Latvia, Chile, and Novorossiysk  Quarterly Newsletter – comprising articles of interest to all involved in seafarers’ welfare, gathered from multiple sources. This publication is also reproduced in the ICSW Web Site  World Wide Web – covering sports, issues news and projects. Recently completely re-designed and updated.  Projects Ongoing and completed projects include: a. International Sports of the Seven Seas  Run by NGSS  Sports Weeks  International Leagues  Annual Magazine b. 'In Search of Good Health'  Video & Information Pack  Distributed to Centres & Ships c. ICSW Guidelines on Seafarers’ Welfare Convention No. 163 and Recommendation 173 d. Information Technology Project 2000 – A Survey of IT Resources at Seafarers’ Welfare Centres World-wide. Projects currently underway include:  International Directory of Port welfare Services – 350 ports world wide with up to 92 data entries per port. Completion date – September 2000.  Inexpensive ship to shore communications for seafarers - ongoing  Promotion of seafarers' health &hygiene onboard ship – an ongoing project to allow seafarers to take greater responsibility for certain aspect of their own health and hygiene whilst at sea. This project involves liaison with a number of organisations in the field of maritime and occupational health.  National Seminars on the Implementation on the ILO Instruments – in future seminars will be organised on a three to five year ‘rolling’ programme, with venue and topics being determined by those working directly in the field of seafarers’ welfare. Any organisation, centre etc. may submit a proposal for an ICSW seminar for consideration and possible inclusion in the programme. It is anticipated that a greater number of smaller ‘sub-regional’ seminars will be held at a frequency of approximately two per year, involving all local organisations and bodies involved in the welfare of seafarers. Follow up work programmes and objectives will be developed at each seminar to leave a lasting tangible benefit in the region. This project is ongoing. Future projects under consideration include:  Maritime English Programme – ‘in principle’ approval given for ICSW participation at the Presidium meeting of 6 March 2000.  Consultancy work on the financing & operation of Seafarers' Centres.  Briefing pack for ship visitors  Twinning of Seafarers' Centres The ICSW’s current short-term goals are:  To make the new funding structure work (largely achieved)  The completion of existing projects  Investigating new projects and the means to fund them  To expand the membership  Construct and maintain a database of cases of Abandoned Seafarers. Further information on the ICSW and its activities may be obtained from: Mr. Andrew Elliott The Secretary International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare 11 Lancaster Mews London, W2 3QE United Kingdom Tel: (+44) 020 7 402 1554 Fax: (+44) 020 7 402 1522 E-mail: a.elliott@icsw.org.uk Website: http://www.seafarerswelfare.org

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