ANCD honoured with IFNGO Presidency - 20 July 2009
The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) has been honoured by the unanimous election of its Executive Member, Mr Garth Popple, as President-elect of the International Federation of Non-Government Organisations (IFNGO) at the recent meeting in Brunei Darussalam.
As part of Mr Popple becoming IFNGO President from November 2011, the ANCD will be responsible for hosting the 24th IFNGO World Conference in Malaysia. The conference will be in November 2011 and will also mark the 30th anniversary of the IFNGO which began in Kuala Lumpur in 1981.
The IFNGO comprises Non-Government Organisations all over the world engaged in addressing substance misuse and has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as well as formal links to a range of international bodies including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), UNESCO, WHO and ASEAN.
In accepting the position of President-elect, Mr Popple thanked all the members for their strong support for the ANCD but in particular the Hon Secretary of the IFNGO, Dato Mustapha Ma and former IFNGO President, and now 1st Vice President, Mr Nuno Jorge for their assistance and advice over many years to the ANCD.
Mr Popple stated: "I am both humbled and honoured by this election to the Presidency of such an internationally renowned body like the IFNGO. It will be my goal to significantly increase IFNGO membership and encourage drug and alcohol organisations to participate in this important international conference. The NGO sector often provides the backbone of prevention, treatment and support services on drug and alcohol issues and this is our chance to also ensure that we have a real opportunity to put our views on policy and practice on the international stage. I will also be working closely with the IFNGO Secretary and Board to strengthen the links of the IFNGO with other key NGO bodies and international organisations. I have worked my entire career in the NGO sector and I am a passionate advocate and promoter of our role in working with governments to ensure our voice is heard. I also wish to thank the ANCD for their tremendous ongoing support of the NGO sector and for their selection of me as the ANCD representative at the IFNGO"
Chairman of the ANCD, Dr John Herron said: “This is a very proud achievement for Garth and the ANCD but more importantly it is a real opportunity for Australian NGOs working in drug and alcohol issues to join with their colleagues from around the world to influence global policy and programs.”
The ANCD will be assisted by IFNGO founding member PEMADAM Malaysia in the organisation of the 24th IFNGO World Conference and will be disseminating further details for NGOs to consider both joining the IFNGO and attending the 24th World Conference.
The ANCD is the principal advisory body to Government on drug and alcohol issues and includes a range of experts from health, law enforcement, treatment, education, research and NGO sectors.
20th July 2009
For further information, please contact:
Dr John Herron (ANCD Chairman) 0407 604 302
Mr Garth Popple (ANCD Executive) 0419 319 121
Mr Gino Vumbaca (ANCD Executive Director) 0408 244 552
