Three local Home Economists are back on island after attending the 21st International Federation of Home Economics World Congress held from July 26-31 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Violet Lake, Jennifer Athill and Claudette Hill were among one thousand and seventy-five participants from fifty-seven countries who re-examined the importance of home economics, with the aim of improving the quality of life of families across the continents.

Summarizing the five-day congress, Violet Lake, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Home Economics Association said it proved to be educationally stimulating.

"The information sharing was vast, and dealt with critical issues affecting family life including nutrition, health, family relationships, education and financial management. It re-motivated and energized us, making us more aware of the value of home economics at all levels of the school's curriculum."

Lake who also serves as 1st Vice President of the Caribbean Association of Home Economists (CAHE) noted that the information gleaned, will be shared among her fellow home economists in Antigua and Barbuda, and also with church groups and service clubs where she is very active. She also plans to share the knowledge gained during the sessions through organized workshops and seminars.

The International Federation of Home Economics is the only worldwide organization concerned with home economics and consumer studies. It was founded in 1908, to serve as a platform for international exchange within the field of home economics. The organization is celebrating one hundred years of existence this year.

Speaking at the opening of the World Congress which was held under the theme "Home Economics: Reflecting the past-creating the future, outgoing President Dr. Lilha Lee urged the delegates to "draw a clear vision for what awaits on the horizon" now that the organization's first one hundred years has passed.

She reminded them that being a reputable professional association and credible NGO, the IFFE has the ability and experience to take a leadership role, which will help facilitate a strategy to lead people the world over in the right direction through their well established professional expertise.

For the first time in the history of the IFHE, a Caribbean Home Economist has been elected as president of the organization.

She is Dr. Geraldene B. Hodelin, a distinguished educator in Jamaica, who up until August of 2007 served as Dean of the faculty of Education and Liberal Studies at the University of Technology.

Dr. Hodelin is a two time graduate of the University of Minnesota with a M.A in Home Economics Education and a PhD in Education. She has been a member of the IFHE since 1974.