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Flevo-Natuur |
The
Picture (click to zoom) |
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These
annual meetings of the countries of Western
Europe have been taking place since 1974
in Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, France,
Ireland, Luxemburg, Italy, Switzerland and
Spain. Last year it was held in Spain, ( see),
and in 2006 we will be the hosts once again,
not only of the Interfederal but also of
the World Congress. |
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Photographer:
Steve Thompson, BN |
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HOLLAND,
The host |
-Jan Meere, President |
-René Nijhof |
-Cor Van Herp |
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GERMANY |
-Kurt Fischer, President |
-Wolfgang Weinreich, Vicepresident
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BELGIUM |
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-Arlette
Debbaut, President and her husband
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SPAIN |
-Ismael Rodrigo, President
-Suka, International PR, (with Jan Meere,
NFN President, at the gift giving ceremony) |
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FRANCE |
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-Charles Obergfell, Vice-president (with
his wife)
-Guy Delfour, President
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GREAT BRITAIN |
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-Steve Thompson,
photographer
-Paul Kirby, International PR
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-Mick
(Chairman)
and Roz Ayers
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-Judith Kirby and
-Pat Thompson, President |
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ITALY |
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-Mª Adelaide Fornaca, Treasurer
-Andrea Contini, consultant -Gianfranco
Ribolzi, President
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LUXEMBURG |
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Michèle Correlje, committee |
-Armand Ceolin (Secretary) and his wife, Mónica
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Hubert Wellenstein |
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SWITZERLAND |
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-Jimmy Geissler,
President and webmaster
- Myriam Geissler |
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INF
CENTRAL COMMITTEE |
- President: Wolfgang Weinreich
- Vicepresident: Charles Obergfell
- Treasurer: Cor Van Herp
- President for the Commission on Legality:
René Nijhof
- Interpreter: Hubert Wellenstein
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HOLLAND:
History and Legislation |
The
first association was set up in the 20s by a small
group of young people.
In those years, there were some extremely conservative
religious groups and very intolerant towards nudism.
That led the movement to buy property and fence
it off to keep it private.
During the Second World War there were not any
activities or if there were any they were prohibited.
After the war, several groups emerged in a very
short time. While the number of members remained
the same, the number of clubs grew fast.
We have to wait until the 60s to see some changes.
Nudist beaches became popular then, due to the
sexual revolution, moral tolerance to nakedness,
and a decrease of religious intolerance .
As the
nudist beaches were illegal the police intervened.
These interventions were looked upon as unjustified
repressive measures, which became very unpopular.
As a result, the NFN led a movement to demand
the legalization of these beaches.
As a result, the NFN gained popularity,
increased the number of members in the clubs and
encouraged the formation of new ones.
Finally,
in 1998, the changes in social habits led to put
an end to the prosecution of nudists accused of
being exhibitionists, according to the Dutch Law,
which could even involve loss of a job. An important
factor was that the coastal cities were not inhabited
by Calvinists.
The NFN managed to change the law to its present
reading:
1. Municipal authorities have the right to officially
designate nude bathing beaches.
b) Nude recreation is also permitted outside of
designated nude beaches, in areas which may be
suitable for naturism.
c) Municipal authorities may no longer prohibit
naturism.
d) Persons pursuing nude recreation in unsuitable
areas can no longer be prosecuted under felony
statutes, but merely subject to a misdemeanour
fine .
The courts of justice have the last word as to
deciding which place in particular may or may
not be suitable for nudist recreation.
“To be suitable” depends as much of
the place as of the time.
Public thoroughfares or very much frequented parks
are considered unsuitable, but a far-off beach
is likely to be suitable. According to the Dutch
Ministry of Justice nudists can not be penalized
unless there is a plaintiff. Therefore, the risk
is lower when there are a few naturists present
than when there is only one .
In
the following years NFN managed to have hundreds
of beaches designated as naturist beaches. It
also helped to make biases against naturism disappear,
as the number of members increased. Statistics
show that 10% of the entire population are nudist,
another 15% are very sympathetic to its practice
and only 10% are opposed. The remaining percentage
either has no opinion or does not oppose it.
The
NFN has 65,000 members divided in 65 groups of
all kinds, (adults, singles, youth, holidays,
to practise sports like canoeing, and others,
etc.)
The Dutch are
travelling people: 80% go abroad for their holidays,
and the neighbouring countries get crowded with
Dutch trailers. Many go to naturist centres round
Europe. Therefore, Holland has the highest percentage
of naturists in the world.
Nevertheless, at present the number
of naturists is decreasing and the governing boards
of the 58 clubs are getting older and do not find
replacements. As night falls, naturist beaches
become dangerous and the NFN is presently demanding
protection from the police.
For further information:
Naturisten Federatie Nederland (NFN)
Villawal 25
NL-3432 NX Nieuwegein
Tel.: +31 306025410
Fax.: +31 306025436
E-Mail: office@nfn.nl
Internet: www.nfn.nl |
Based
on an article published in issue
2/2004 of the INF Naturist International
SUMMARY
of talks held at the Interfederal |
Ismael
Rodrigo reports the wishes of the FEN to offer
INF to hold both the Interfederal 2006 meeting
and the World Congress in Spain. The FEN was also
willing to hold all the events which had not been
assigned, yet, to be held in Spain to coincide
with the 25th anniversary of the FEN foundation.
The offer was accepted and the new calendar was
drawn for the Interfederals which is as follows:
2005: in Germany, from the 5th to the 8th of May.
2006: in Spain.
2007: in Switzerland.
2008: in Luxemburg.
With regards to the World Congress 2006, Ismael
Rodrigo reported that Costa Natura was prepared
to hold it, as it is also its 25th anniversary.
Whether the proposal is accepted depends on the
outcome of the votes cast at the World Congress
in August .
Upgrading the
INF World Guide:
The FLN, Luxembourg
Federation points out that out of the 5 institution
in the guide, 3 are wrong, (telephone numbers,
faxes, etc). In the section on Belgium, the names
are wrong. The telephone numbers for Italy are
out of date and some date are not right, etc.
The order of institutions -> clubs -> federations
-> INF must be respected in order to prevent
future errors. The explanation: we have a new
editor.
The INF magazine:
There is a long
discussion on the advertisements and which criteria
should be followed as to whether accept them or
not. Were it not clear enough there would always
be the Federation for advice; (i.e.: Fly Nude
advert with AANR). The magazine costs 25,000 €
per issue. In the end we did not reach any conclusive
decisions.
Ismael proposes to pay closer attention
to the content: articles on the INF, such as the
congress discussions, an editorial signed by the
president instead of the editor, etc. Wolfgang
mentions the ADN magazine as an example to follow
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Jimmy
GEISSLER, from Switzerland, (SNU-UNS),
reads his vision of Naturism: "Naturism
of the 21st century or The naturism of today and
tomorrow"
We
can summarise in two basic points:
1. Naturism should strive to achieve the well
being of body and spirit.
2. The INF should try and make holiday resort
centres work with us and prevent the access of
people without the INF pass .
On
the second day the discussion focuses on the situation
in France and how valuable is the International
Naturist Card. Jan Meere proposes setting up a
committee to study the problem created in France.
The proposal is accepted.
Moving the INF
Central Office:
René
Nijhof, President of the Legal Committee, lays
out the situation and the possible solutions:
The present statutes place
the INF in Zurich, (Switzerland), but the offices
are in Belgium. This may bring about some legal
problems. Possible solutions:
1. Register INF in Belgium as a legal Swiss organisation.
2. Re-found the INF according to the Belgian law.
After studying the legal situation
in the neighbouring countries, it was decided
that the best countries, as far as the freedom
associations enjoy, are Belgium and Germany. The
congress in Valalta will have the last word on
the choice.
Everyone present was able to
give his opinion on the subject .
Coming activities:
Recent activities
are evaluated, (i.e.: meeting of 130 young members
in Italy) and the members present are reminded
of the coming activities: Petanca by Paul Kirby,
Camping at El Portús by Ismael Rodrigo.
Financial support for the Camping at El Portús
is requested. It was granted. The amount will
depend on the number of countries and people attending.
The INF financial situation is also dealt with.
This year we are not in the red any longer. The
treasurer, Cor van Herp, and the whole board are
praised for that.
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