Welcome to the website of Soroptimist International Belgium (SIB). Soroptimist International (SI) is the largest non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the world for professional women

 SI is a very dynamic organisation comprising an impressive network of women whose professions encompass a wide range of skills. Through our experience and our professional abilities, through our local, national and international projects and activities, we aim to improve the lives of women and children.

 Our greatest challenge currently is to contribute to the Millennium Goals of the United Nations:

 Responsibility, commitment, spirit of enterprise

 These are not just empty words.

 In order to maintain continuity, we are carrying on with our work on the SI Europe project ‘Soroptimist go for water - safe water=safe life’.  We are also preparing for SI’s new global initiative:  ‘Women, Education and Leadership’.

 As President of the Belgian Union, I do not want to be isolated in an ivory tower.  I want all our Soroptimist members to work together to support our projects, our social ideals.

 I grew up in a Swiss village and at a very early age was encouraged by my father to travel and seek out new experiences.  It is difficult for me to summarise all that I have lived through.  But I have experienced what it is like to be at the bottom of the ladder.  I really want to help those people who need respect and assistance.  This leads me to the topic of our SI clubs.

 Show consideration for others, do not recoil from new experiences, be open to change.  Seek new links with other Belgian clubs but also with foreign clubs.  Collaborate, cooperate to develop women and children and help them take up positions of responsibility.  Strengthening women can also protect them from poverty and human trafficking.

 In my role as the new President of the Belgian Union, I sincerely hope that our Belgian clubs will continue to work with enthusiasm on many projects and that they will take up new challenges!

 This is my message for the next two years to all my fellow Soroptimists.

 Marlise Binder, president SIB 2010-2012