FENASSEC'S INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES - 2003

FENASSEC’s participation in International Meetings

1994 - PSI* International Convention - Orlando - USA
1995 - PSI* International Convention - Seattle - USA
1996 - PSI* International Convention - Des Moines - USA
1996 - FENAS National Convention - Madrid - Spain
1997 - 3rd International Summit - Cape Town - South Africa
1997 - PSI* International Convention - Buffalo - USA
1997 - FIAS Interamerican Convention - Montevideo - Uruguay
1997 - ASSEMO National Convention - Maputo - Mozambique
1998 - FIAS Meeting - San Jose -Costa Rica

FENASSEC was invited to participate of the formation of two associations : in Angola and in Gabon - 1998

International Events sponsored by FENASSEC

FENASSEC decided to gather many International Associations of Secretaries in Brazil to discuss about the development of the secretarial profession to face the globalization. In November 1993 FENASSEC held the 1st International Symposium in Manaus - AM to promote a better understanding of the common issues among all the professionals in the world and also the differences in the diversified cultures. The conclusions of this first symposium were confirmed in a second symposium two years later in Manaus - November 1995. These conclusions can be summarized in one sentence : "All over the world, we share the same problems, face the same challenges and fight to accomplish the same objectives!"

Things in common

In the marketplace:

- Lack of a career and salary plan
- Lack of a job description
- Lack of criteria to hire the professional
- No recognition of the profession

Image of the Profession

- Age and sex discrimination
- Low percentage of men in the profession

Involvement with the professional associations

- Little participation in the secretarial associations

Differences

1. Professional Education very diversified, different educational systems.

2. Only Brazil, Spain have a specific legislation for the profession: In Brazil the profession is regulated by law # 7377/9261 (Sept. 85/Jan.96).

3. Code of Ethics : Only Brazil, Spain, South Africa and USA have a Code of Ethics specific for the profession.

4. Diversity in the Associations : National Associations(Portugal, Uruguay, Paraguay, Japan, South Africa), International Associations( USA : PSI*), National Federations( Brazil, Spain),etc.

Countries which participated of the two International Symposiums sponsored by FENASSEC in Manaus ( 1993 / 1995)

USA ( PSI* - Professional Secretaries International)
Spain ( FENAS - National Federation of Secretaries of Spain)
Portugal ( ASP - Association of Secretaries of Portugal)
Cyprus ( representing EAPS - European Association of Professional Secretaries)
Uruguay ( ADESU - Association of Secretaries of Uruguay)
Paraguay (National Association of Secretaries of Paraguay)
Bolívia ( representing FIAS( Interamerican Federation of Secretaries))
Peru(  National Association of Secretaries of Peru)
Japan ( JSA - Japan Secretaries Association )
South Africa ( PSA - Professional Secretaries Association of South Africa)

The 3rd Symposium was held during the 3rd International Summit in South Africa in June 97 sponsored by PSA( Professional Secretaries Association of South Africa). Fifteen countries participated of the four-day workshops and two proposals presented by FENASSEC(Brazil) were approved to be implemented in 1998:

1. Develop a continuous international communication and a network
link among all international associations to exchange ideas, i
information, and mutual help through Internet. - January 98
through PSI*- Professional Secretaries Association - The
Association for Office Professionals.

2. To create a worldwide database. - through PSI*

3. To introduce a uniform day and week in which to recognize the
   profession. - Last week of April - Last Wednesday of April

4. To renew commitment to hold International Summits every three
years - Next to be held in New Zealand in 2000.