Conference of conferences

The world's greatest money spinners are the world conferences held mainly by the United Nations Organisation and the other alphabetical organizations, WTO, UNESCO, WCF, RSPCC, WTW and government-sponsored associations.

I consulted Dr Phenious Fobbermov of WAA (World Association of Associations) for a rundown.

His answer: "Latest count finds 3362 conferences in 92 different countries for an estimated cost of $3.1 trillion dollars for this half year to date.

"This is a godsend for otherwise impoverished countries that have no current income other than grants, foreign aid packages and conferences."

"This would seem to be of great benefit to those underdeveloped... sorry... developing countries whose population would otherwise be starving," I ventured.

"Yes and No.

"It does not provide for a healthy lifestyle for those 10 per cent of the population in power, and provide for large sports stadiums, airports, grand five star hotels for conference attendees to stay at, and also large fleets of government Rolls Royces, Cadillacs, and private jets for the governing party," Dr Fobbermov replied.

"But there are some of the population of these developing countries who do seem to be in the mainstream and lose out.

"Their main problem is that they do not belong to any recognized association that is barracking for them.

"But, what about those already developed countries who really don't need this additional income stream?" I asked.

"Yes. This is of concern to many of the regular conferences.

"There will be held a conference in the Bahamas by the WAA (World Associations of Associations) next year to address this problem."

Roy Spence, Woy Woy