A Memorable Gathering in Lausanne, Switzerland
The WOCO Conference held in 1962 in Lausanne, Switzerland, marked a significant milestone — it was the first such event following the closure of RT International, and therefore, the first WOCO without an RTI Annual General Meeting.
The organizers went above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience. Delegates enjoyed excursions to Geneva and a scenic ascent to Rochers de Naye, where they were treated to breathtaking views of the snowcapped Alps, with Lake Geneva and Montreux shimmering 7,000 feet below. Another unforgettable highlight was a light airplane flight over the Alps, offering panoramic vistas few would ever forget.
After four days filled with camaraderie, awe-inspiring landscapes, lively parties, dancing, and gourmet dining, the conference culminated in a spectacular Saturday night boat trip to the Château de Chillon.
As the boat departed Lausanne under the golden hues of a Lake Geneva sunset, delegates exchanged banners onboard. They arrived at the floodlit medieval castle, stepping into a fairy-tale scene. Drinks were served in the courtyard by attendants in traditional costume, trumpet fanfares echoed through the walls, and a lavish candlelit banquet unfolded in the grand baronial hall. Guests were welcomed with speeches, dined beside a roaring fire where venison roasted on a spit, and enjoyed elaborate tableaux representing each course. The evening concluded with dancing aboard the boat all the way back to Lausanne — a night destined to remain in the memories of all who attended.
Despite its festive highlights, the conference also maintained a strong focus on business. Committee meetings open to all attendees were held on Wednesday afternoon and throughout Thursday, followed by a Forum discussion on Friday morning and the World Council meeting on Friday afternoon and Saturday.
Unlike previous years, however, the Lausanne AGM did not include a translation service. Due to its considerable cost — estimated at £250 — the service was voted down. As a result, English was used exclusively for all formal negotiations. This stood in contrast to the successful multilingual translation service at the Salzburg conference, which had allowed participants to choose from three languages. Some delegates expressed disappointment in the business proceedings at Lausanne, possibly due to this language limitation.
Ahead of the World Council meeting, the Active 20–30 International held their own AGM and requested certain assurances in order to maintain their membership. In response, the following resolution was adopted:
“The World Council recognises that no Member Association of the World Council of Young Men’s Service Clubs as presently constituted can be required to Nationalise, but that any Association shall be free to do so should it so desire.”
Reflecting on the event, World Council President John Stokes emphasized the deeper significance of the gathering:
“Perhaps the most worthwhile aspect of the Lausanne Conference was the growing recognition of the similarities between member Associations, rather than the past tendency to focus attention upon our differences. Lausanne had the most diverse attendance yet witnessed at a World Council Conference, with delegates present from areas as remotely apart as Brazil and Finland, Holland and New Zealand, Panama and India.”
Indeed, the conference brought together the most diverse group of delegates in WOCO history. Lausanne offered a powerful opportunity for young men from across the globe to come together, learn from one another, and realize that despite the vast distances between their homelands, they shared common values, dreams, and a way of life.
