Lögberg-Heimskringla - 22.04.1988, Blaðsíða 5

LÖGBERG CENTENNIAL YEÁR, FÖSTUDAGUR 22. APRÍL 1988-5
World conference on tourism
In a letter received from Heimir
Hannesson of Reykjavik, Iceland, he
advises the confirmation of his ap-
pointment to present a paper on be-
half of the Northern European Na-
tions at a world conference sched-
uled to take place in Vancouver next
fall. The theme of the conference is,
"Tourism a Path to Peace."
He included a news clipping from
During the spring of 1916 a group
of Icelandic women met at the home
of Mrs. J. B. Skaftason on Maryland
St., to meet with Mrs. Colin H.
Campbell and be informed about the
Imperial Order of the Daughters of
the Empire. World War I had been
raging nigh onto two years in Europe.
Many of our Icelandic sons had en-
listed voluntarily with the Canadian
Armed Forces and were involved in
combat. It was a concern, that many
of the next of kin were finding it
difficult to make ends meet, and
casualties were beginning to mount.
It was for this reason, that leading
Icelandic women under the direction
The Timinn, a daily newspaper pub-
lished in Reykjavik, Iceland. The fol-
lowing is a direct translation of this
article.
"Tourism a path to peace," is the
theme of the first conference which
addresses itself towards tourism as a
worldwide all nations subject. This
conference will be helql ,in Vancou-
ver, Canada this fall. Representatives
of Mrs. J. B. Skaftason, were motivat-
ed into doing something to alleviate
the circumstances of families whose
husband and father were in the ac-
tive wartime forces. Mrs. Campbell
informed them about the Imperial
Order of the Daughters of the Em-
pire. They unanimously decided to
form a Chapter of the I.O.D.E. and
name it after Jón Sigurðsson, the
great Patriarch, Liberator and Presi-
dent of Iceland during the latter part
of the Nineteenth Century.
With that they carried out a yeo-
man's task and brought comfort to
the families and next of kin, to those
whose father and son were locked in
knowledgeable in tourism and for-
eign affairs from around the world
will be in attendance.
Three subject matters will be first
and foremost on the agenda of the
conference. To begin with, national,
cultural and economic matters,
which have the greatest impact in
connection with international policy
will be dealt with. In other words, the
deadly combat on the battlefields of
Europe. In the fall of l'U6 Mrs.
Skaftason went overseas to England
while her husband Captain Skaftason
was serving in the armed forces.
There she remained until the end of
the war, visiting and bringing com-
fort to the wounded Icelandic soldiers
recovering in hospitals. Her home
was an open house to the Icelandic
soldiers during those difficult years.
Under her stewardship as Regent of
the Chapter, the well-known Her-
manna Bók or Soldier's Book was
published, listing the names with a
brief historical sketch and picture of
every Icelander serving in the Cana-
dian and American Armed Forces
during World War I. She continued
to serve the chapter for many years.
Her daughter Mrs. Johanna Wilson
followed in her mother's footsteps
and served for many years as Regent
and is still a very active member.
At a recent luncheon held in the
new Betelstadur complex on Sargent
Ave. at Erin St. by the Jón Sigurðs-
son Chapter, Mrs. Wilson presented
to Mr. Maurice Eyolfson president of
the Betel Foundation, with the Grand
Piano the Chapter had purchased and
installed at Betelstadur for use and
enjoyment of the tenants. The piano
was purchased with funds set aside
originally to be used in the building
of an Icelandic Memorial Hall dedi-
cated to the veterans of both World
Wars. This project never materialized
and the Chapter decided to use the
funds for the piona recently present-
ed to Betelstadur.
The Chapter continues to be active
with several annual functions, in-
cluding a ceremony each June 17th
in recognition of Iceland's Indepen-
dence Day, including their son and
liberator Jón Sigurðsson.
many influences affecting national
policies, which have an impact on
tourism matters and their implemen-
tation will be given priority, includ-
ing those matters of a similar nature
which come to the forefront, con-
cerning nations of the world and
their differences will be considered.
Many lecturers from around the
world have been invited to partake
in the conference, to deliver their
message from the podium and to
otherwise take part in the confer-
ence, which relates to the subject
matter in hand, including liaison be-
tween nations, foreign relationships,
educational and cultural matters.
An Icelander has been officially in-
vited to take part in the conference.
He is Heimir Hannesson, former ad-
ministrator of tourism and for two
years, Vice-President of the Europe-
an tourism association. He will
present to the conference the cooper-
ation between the countries of the
north and the historical aspect of
tourism development and the inter-
national aspect.
Heimir is the only delegate from
the Scandinavian countries who has
been invited to participate in this
manner. In the proposed agenda, one
can discern various known givern-
ment figures which have been invit-
ed to attend the conference. Amongst
them is Carter, former president of
the United States and Gro Harlem
Brundtland, Prime Minister of
Norway.
Consideration is being given to
awards for the best presentation by
delegates from within each country.
If these awards materialize, further
information will be made available.
(End of translation).
Heimir Hannesson has been here
on at least two previous occasions.
He has been an active participant as
a member of the liaison committee
appointed by the Government of
Iceland to maintain contact with
Western Icelanders. The Govern-
ment of Iceland through this commit-
tee has been generous to Lögberg-
Heimskringla over the years. In this
respect we owe Heimir Hannesson
a sincere appreciation along with
other past and present members of
the committee together with the
Government of Iceland.
Einar Arnason
Recent chapter
Names unavailable at press time.
Early chapter
Back row: Mrs. F. D. Wright, Mrs. H. G. Nicholson, Mrs. B. S. Ben-
son, Mrs. P. S. Palsson, Mrs. E. A. Isfeld, Mrs. G. F. Jonasson, Miss
Vala Jonasson, Mrs. P. J. Swertson.
Middle row: Mrs. O. Cain, Mrs. G. P. Paulson, Mrs. J. S. Gillis, Mrs.
J. B. Shaptason, Mrs. H. F. Danielson, Mrs. T. E. Thorsteinson, Mrs.
L. E. Summers, Mrs. O. Stephensson.
Front row: Mrs. Price, Mrs. K. J. Autmann, Mrs. E. Hanson, Mrs. F.
Jonsson, Mrs. B.J. Brandson, Mrs. R. Petursson, Mrs. G. Jonsson , Mrs.
J. F. Kristjanson.
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Jón Sigurðsson chapter IODE