Y.W.C.A. Job In Geneva

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31761, 19 August 1968, Page 2

Y.W.C.A. Job In Geneva

A former Christchurch woman, Miss Patricia Morrison, will leave New Zealand for Geneva next month to join the staff of the World Young Women’s Chris- : tian Association as Secretary for Mutual Service and Training. She has been national executive director of the New Zealand Y.W.C.A. in Wellington since 1964. This is Miss Morrison’s third international posting to Geneva. She was an associate at the headquarters staff of the world Y.W.C.A. from 1960 to 1963 and was senior associate secretary with the World University Service for two years from 1948. Her new job entails planning a vast programme of inter-change of aid among the Y.W.C.A in 80 countries.

This aid may be in the form of financial grants for projects In developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America, or in sending extra advisory staff on shortterm appointments to establish new projects. “I shall also have to find scholarships and training opportunities for girls and young women in these countries within the same regions or for them to study further afield In Europe, the United States or Canada," Miss Morrison said yesterday. There are about 60 young women on World Y.W.C.A. scholarships at the present time. Some are doing full university studies; others are doing short-term specialist training provided by Y.W.CA.s or by the World Council of Churches, or are on government or private sponsorships. Miss Morrison will also be responsible for the World Y.W.C.A. international voluntary service programme, which has about 27 workers in 22 countries.

After gaining an M.A. degree in history from the University of Canterbury, Miss Morrison read for a B.A. in philosophy, politics and economics at Orford University and later had an M.A. degree conferred on her. Her thesis for her M.A. from the University of Canterbury was a history of Christchurch, which was later

published as a book and titled, “Evolution of a City.” Miss Morrison has been in Christchurch for the last few days to attend the annual meeting of the National Council of Churches. Until recently she was chairman of the churches' commission on overseas missions and interchurch aid—the first woman to hold this office. For many years she has worked for the Student Christian Movement and was on the staff from 1951 to 1958, including a period as schools’ secretary. Before leaving New Zealand, Miss Morrison will return to Christchurch for a short holiday with her parents, Mr and Mrs J. Morrison, of Aylmer Street.