- Families in Global Transition (FIGT) continues to gain momentum as we move toward enhancing our mission of bringing together those involved with the unique world of global transition.
- FIGT is the only US-based conference where representatives of the corporate, diplomatic, academic, military and mission sectors come to share cross-cultural coping strategies. This unique forum allows everyone to recognize the universal challenges of relocation and strategize on new methods and research … (full text FIGT Difference).
- FIGT Swiss chapter Co-Chairs: Anne-Claude Lambelet and Michèle Lewis O’Donnell.
- Brochure.
Homepage and Opening of Swiss Chapter;
Resources; Associates Center; Chapters; Events; Brochure; Volunteers; Links;
Address: Families in Global Transition, PO Box 3363, Warrenton, Virginia, 20188, USA;
Contact.
History: In late 1997 four women from the newly formulated Association of International Women in Indianapolis were gathered around Ruth Van Reken’s kitchen table for coffee to discuss what they could do to help families such as their own deal with the adjustment issues of international relocations.
Each of them had experienced difficulties on a personal level and they were committed to the idea of starting something from the grassroots level up to help each other.
Marjorie Becker, an Eli Lilly spouse, and Ruth Van Reken, an Indianapolis author and speaker on global family issues, approached Caterina Blitzer of the International Center of Indianapolis (ICI) about hosting a forum at the International School of Indianapolis to assess interest in the topic. Christine Dowdeswell and Janet Fischer, two co-founders of the Association of International Women in Indianapolis, helped implement what became a full-day conference. David Pollock an authority on third culture kids (TCKs), transitions and internationally mobile families agreed to speak.
Through the support of Mitch Armbruster, Manager of Global Relocations, Eli Lilly and Company, and the financial sponsorship of both Eli Lilly and Company and F.C. Tucker, the first FIGT conference was held at the Eli Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana on May 16, 1998. Of the 85 attendees, over half traveled from outside Indianapolis … (full text History).