Work on a Global Scale

The Congress opened yesterday (Hosted by FIA member union, SATED/SP), and one of the speakers, Michele Woods, Director of the Copyright Law Division of the World Intellectual Property Organization addressed concerns and progress made to The Beijing Treaty - an important (and very intricate) piece of legislation that is in the process of being introduced, negotiated and voted on by several countries in order to gain acceptance on a global scale.

Listening to Ms Woods speak on The Treaty and the subsequent panel discussion that ensued along with the discussions among my colleauges around the world makes it evident that there are so many important topics to discuss and about which to make resolutions. Of course, everyone wants to be paid for the work that they create. But let’s take one GIANT step back and think about something that (in my mind) is much more fundamental - Human Rights.

The first panel discussion of The Congress spoke to Diversity and Inclusion. The members, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland - COO and General Counsel, SAG-AFTRA, USA, Katjja Holm - President, DSF, Denmark, Lisa Crazy, Brazilian Performer SATED/SP, and our own Arden R. Ryshpan, Equity, Canada and moderated by Simon Burke, Actor, Vice-president of FIA, Australia discussed such matters and how members perceive these issues and asked for ideas on how FIA can help to address and manage these issues. Of course, this is a large issue that is being discussed on a global scale in many industries.

Acting for Diversity is the main focus of The Congress in São Paulo, Brazil, where delegates from 150 unions will spend an intensive week of deliberations that will guide the work of the International Federation of Actors and set its main priorities for the next four years.

My head is full from the Working Group and Executive Committee (EC) meetings. Canada has a seat on the EC, which we share with our ACTRA and UDA colleagues.

The FIA North America Working Group (FIANA) was excited by Equity's work on the anti-harassment campaign which includes delivering a joint first day statement to members. They were also very impressed with our dance outreach campaign set to launch this fall. You can read Arden's report to the FIANA members here.

More later,

VP on the move!

Stephen