1st European Conference of Reflexology

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

September 16 - 18th, 1994

 

Organising Committee:

 

Mo Usher - Conference Chairman
Anneke van 't Wout - Continental Liaison
Cecily Mills - local arrangements
Ted Eggs - general assistant

 

Report of the organisers:

The venue for the first conference was Henderson Hall, part of Newcastle University.
207 Delegates from several European countries attended, from Portugal, Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland, England, Sweden, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and Greece. 

The theme was "The year of the Family" and the keynote address was given by the well-known obstetrician dr. Michel Odent. Another obstetrician, drs. Gowri Motha, described her recent study of how reflexology can help in pregnancy. Nicola Hall talked about reflexology for women. Hugh Rooney from Scotland gave a presentation on "caring for the elderly" and Martina Barrett from Ireland explored how reflexology can help in relationships. 

Even though the theme was The year of the Family, the subjects were diverse. Hazel Goodwin talked about the validation of reflexology, Gudrun Weinmann from France talked very movingly about her own experience with cancer and Alfredo Esposito from Italy gave a very entertaining presentation on "Reflexology in relation to the Laws of Tao". The Danish contribution covered the new frontiers in Helle Johannesen's "The hologram approach to reflexology"

History also played its part in "a step back in time" presented by Rena Stravelaki from Greece and we were very privileged to have the oldest zone therapist in the world, Douglas Craig from Scotland, now in his 90th year, talk about zone therapy in the 1930s. 

Well known author, Hanne Marquardt gave a stimulating presentation and Tony Porter from the U.K. explored "Alternative reflexology techniques" illustrated by many slides.

Threaded through the whole conference, representatives from all over Europe gave reports on what was happening with reflexology in their respective countries and on Sunday, papers on research were presented on various aspects of reflexology within the national health service, in relation to birth, to the hands and how research has been conducted in Denmark.

The conference ended with a European Forum at which delegates had been invited to put forward questions to an international panel. Representing differing European perspectives, their answers demonstrated the unity in diversity which was the principal aim of the conference.

The days started holistically with morning exercises and meditation and ended less holistically in the wee small hours with lots of chat and Newcastle Brown Ale! 

The delegates were welcomed to the city by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle at a civic reception in their honour and, on the Saturday evening, a Northumbrian candlelit dinner was followed by a Ceilidh at which everyone danced together in reels, resting only briefly to listen to the Northumbrian pipes and harp. For three days the delegates networked, shared, laughed, were inspired and enjoyed being together.

Throughout the conference, little touches like live piano music had been added to make the whole experience as enjoyable and even local school children had been involved to make individual flags for each delegate with a written message of welcome in their own language.

A candle had been lit at the beginning of the conference to dedicate the three days to unity and sharing. It had come from a village in Switzerland where their patron Saint, fondly known as Bruder Klaus, had lived and died. He had been a catalyst in the unification of Switzerland. T he candle was also lit at the close and will be rekindled to mark the start of the next European conference.

The closing ceremony included a local custom known as first footing, re-enacted for the presentations to each speaker, which included a lump of coal, salt and a coin. This signified warmth, food and wealth to ensure the recipient would not be cold, hungry or poor till the next conference! 

The conference was an outstanding success as the delegates comments proved. Perhaps the greatest success of all was to have been inspired by the contributions both the individuals and the organisations were making to promote reflexology in Europe and we departed eager to meet again in two years time at the next European conference.

Following the first European conference of reflexology, there was a short meeting of some of the representatives of the organisations who had attended. Unfortunately, not all could attend due to long journeys and connections. The main function of the meeting was to look at the way ahead for Reflexology in Europe following a vote by the attending delegates for a future conference.

It was considered that it would be unwise to have the conference the same year as the ICR conference. It was therefore agreed that the next one should be in 1996. The representatives from Holland and Denmark expressed interest in bidding to host the 1996 conference. Following discussions it was felt there should be no commitment to have a European conference every two years, at this stage.

It was hoped that the next meeting of all the European Reflexology organisations could take place in Brussels in June,1995. An idea for a conference for the schools of reflexology was also put forward, but this was not explored in detail, due to pressure of time. The meeting was an historic occasion as never before had so many organisations of Europe come together