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32 The Linguist Vol/56 No/3 2017 www.ciol.org.uk INSTITUTE MATTERS September STUDY WEEKEND 15-17 September Lübeck Starting and finishing with optional tours of Lübeck, this year's study weekend explores 'The Hanseatic League: Myth and reality'. The speakers are Dr Paul Richards, an eminent historian from King's Lynn, a trading post of the Hanseatic League; and German Society member Christopher Sholl, who will share his memories of Lübeck and the Hansa during the Cold War in an interactive session. To register, contact Jadwiga Bobrowska at J.Bobrowska@gmx.net. GER DIVISIONS & SOCIETIES CONTACT DETAILS bpg@ciol.org.uk Judith Ridgway id@ciol.org.uk Christine Pocock td@ciol.org.uk Nigel Goffe cambridgesociety @ciol.org.uk Leslie Ray germansociety@ciol .org.uk Stephanie Tarling hongkongsociety @ciol.org.uk Francis Lee lincolnshiresociety @ciol.org.uk Candia Hillier londonsociety@ciol .org.uk Rannheid Sharma midlands@ciol .org.uk Eleanor Bridgwood northwestsociety@ ciol.org.uk Katrin Hiietam scottishsociety@ ciol.org.uk Anne Withers spanishsociety@ ciol.org.uk Jean Boyd BPG ID TD CAM GER HK LINC LON NW SCOT SP MID UNOV, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNCITRAL… These were just a few of the acronyms with which members of the CIOL were regaled during the Business Professions and Government Division's 'Waltzing Through the UN' event in Birmingham on 18 February. The principal speaker was Rodney Mantle FCIL, who following a distinguished career in languages with the BBC and Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as in the education sector, is now much involved with the Richmond and Twickenham Branch of the United Nations Association (UNA). UNA functions as a 'critical friend' of the United Nations (UN), by offering support and constructive criticism, and by involvement in humanitarian issues both at home and overseas. Joining Rodney were Ravi Kumar and Gillian Briggs, respectively Chair and Joint Secretary of UNA Birmingham. They provided fascinating insights into their work and public meetings, provoking interest and lively discussion. Those who have wandered the streets of Vienna would have been delighted and fascinated by the principal presentation. Basing his talk on a UN study tour to Vienna in 2015, Rodney led delegates through 'tourist Vienna', 'modern Vienna', UNOV (the United Nations Office in Vienna) and the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe). Few of those present would have known that the Vienna International Centre (VIC) houses nine UN departments, each with their own specific objectives to make the world a better place. This 'virtual tour' of the VIC included the UNODC (UN Office on Drugs and Crime), which works with national governments to restrict or eliminate drug trafficking and associated crime, and the INCB (International Narcotic Control Board); UNIDO (UN International Development Organisation); UNCITRAL (UN Commission on International Trade Law); and UNOOSA (UN Office for Outer Space Affairs) – who would guess how many legitimate space objects are orbiting above us, not to mention the many thousands of items of space debris? The summary of their roles served as a testament to the humanitarian purposes of the UN which, though often unreported and unrecognised, work to make the world a better place. A summary paper relating to the use of linguists at the UN was circulated, with thanks to Rodney Mantle, Alison Garne and David Wardrop of Westminster UNA. After lunch, delegates had the opportunity to hear an inspiring update on CIOL developments from Jane Galbraith, Head of Membership, from which a lively discussion of Chartered Linguist status ensued. Networking opportunities during the day ensured that new contacts were made and new friendships forged – which must surely be in tune with the theme of 'universal understanding' at both CIOL and the UN. United we stand JUDITH RIDGWAY, CHAIR OF THE BPG DIVISION, GAINS SOME FASCINATING INSIGHTS INTO THE WORK OF THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE EVENT IN FEBRUARY HUMANITARIAN WORK: General debate of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York 2015 © SHUTTERSTOCK