History of the Triborders Intergroup North Sea Convention
The Triborders Intergroup of English language AA groups includes groups from Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. It was decided to hold a Convention in Ostend, Belgium in 1989 modeled on a convention organized by the English language Netherlands Intergroup the year before to give members of local groups a chance to experience a greater AA world.
The Triborders convention became known as the North Sea Convention (NSC) the next year and is today held at the Vayamundo in Ostend, a quality, low-cost family vacation beachfront hotel.
It is located on the North Sea Coast beach easily accessible by public transportation including the coastal tram line, the longest tram line in continental Europe.
It is an English language AA convention with Flemish/Dutch AA and Al-Anon invited to participate. The NSC has often been the largest English language AA Convention in continental Europe with at times up to 500 participants during the weekend.
In recent years, participants have awakened on Saturday morning to discover a huge AA symbol sculpted in the beach sand in front of the hotel. Who creates the Circle and Triangle symbol remains a mystery.
You have to come and participate in the NSC to find your answer!
Years in Service
Speakers
Volunteers
Participants
Some of the things to expect:
- Over 90 meetings with rooms provided for spontaneous meetings in other languages such as French and German, or other recovery activities
- Speakers for the three general sessions are local members
- A ‘sobriety countdown’ is held on Saturday evening
- Busloads of AA members come over from England and other neighboring countries
- Informal and impromptu live music sessions on Friday and Saturday nights after the meetings. All attendees are welcome (and invited!) to bring their talents and instruments to participate.
- A Saturday night disco with a live DJ right after the main meeting
Our Story So Far
The NSC Timeline
2024
Courage to Change
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Jean-Francois/Matt
AA Speakers: Carol, Alan, Sarah, Ron
Al-Anon Speakers: Susanne
▶ Listen Again
AA
Alan
Sarah
Ron
Al-Anon
Susanne
2023
Another Chance
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Bill/Jean-Francois
AA Speakers: Bill, Dany, Max, Michael, Tina
Al-Anon Speakers: Angela, Monique, Rowald
▶ Listen Again
AA
Danny
Max
Michael
Tina
Bill
Al-Anon
Angela
Monique
Rowald
2022
An Attitude Of Gratitude
Location: Online, Chair/Vice: Linda/Mattias, Speakers: Louise, Harry, Bill Ray, Tracey Al-Anon
2021
A Prescription For A Miracle
Location: Online, Chair/Vice: Heidi/Linda, Speakers: Dorien, Karen, Tyler, Ann Al-Anon
2020
Easy Does It But Do It
Location: Online, Chair/Vice: Casey/Heidi, Speakers: Floyd, Jörg, Linda, Michael, Mike
2019
Half Measures Availed Us Nothing
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Mike/Casey, Speakers: Jim, John, Julia, Levi, Nadine, Rita, Sharon, xxx Al-Anon
2018
To Thine Own Self Be True
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Joe/Mike Speakers: Joe, John, Jo, Karen, Kathy, Tim, Tomasz, Patty Al-Anon, Sabrina Al-Anon, Frank Al-Anon
2017
Acceptance Is The Answer
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Mario/Joe, Speakers: xxx, xxx
2016
A We Program Of Service
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: xxx/Mario, Speakers: Jeroen, Teressa, Tess, Uschi Al-Anon, Inga Al-Anon
2015
See You
(Contact us if you have this information)
2014
Language of the Heart
(Contact us if you have this information)
2013
Gratitude in Action
(Contact us if you have this information)
2012
Celebrate Today
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Nicola/Erik/Dan Speakers: Ralf S., Mary Kay, Juliette Al-Anon
2011
Precisely How We Have Recovered
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Rosemary Speakers: Bill, Rob, Magriet Al-Anon, Esther Alateen
2010
Honesty, Open- Mindedness, Willingness
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Lori Speakers: John D, John R, Pam Al-Anon, Kelley Alateen
2009
We Will Be Amazed
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Karen/Erik Speakers: Mr John, Jacquelyn, Meg Al-Anon, Pia Alateen
2008
Happy, Joyeus And Free
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Dan/UweSpeakers: Rosalind B, Erik, Debbie Al-Anon
2007
We Can
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Dorte/Dan Speakers: Roger W, Ian C, Cindy Al-Anon
2006
The Steps We Took
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Jan/Dorte Speakers: Petfood Bob, Benny, Lina Al-Anon
2005
Extravagant Promises…?
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Thor/Jan Speakers: Lee B, Kate M, Michael Al-Anon
2004
The Courage to Change
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: … Speakers: …
2003
A New Freedom
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Mildred/Thor Speakers: Lothar G, Sharon S
2002
Unconditional
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Done R. Speakers: Karin G & Pravin, LeAnn C. Al-Anon
2001
We Move On
Location: Vayamundo Ostend, Chair/Vice: Cathy O/Nancy M Speakers: Phil K, Nancy M
2000
I Had no Idea
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Mario Speakers: Grateful Graham, Dora M
1999
Seaside Serenity
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Steve R/Bill M Speakers: Charles G & Don R, Linkan Al-Anon
1998
Sobriety by the Sea
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Gudrun Speakers: Mick & Phoebe, Jacqueline Al-Anon
1997
Getting Better Together
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Mallory/Gudrun Speakers: Al H, Rick S
1996
Today I have a Choice
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Jeff/Cathy O Speakers: Jimmy S
1995
But for the Grace of God
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Kelley / Sandy Speakers: Bill R
1994
A Vision for You
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Harry H/Steve R Speakers: Harpal, Jon Al-Anon
1993
Carrying the Message
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Sandy Speakers: Bill G, Huub Al-Anon
1992
Taking Action
Location: Sparrenduin, Chair/Vice: Jacques & Florent Speakers: Markus, Mario
1991
Keep it Simple
Location: Zeesicht, Chair/Vice: Bernie M Speakers: Polly, Francine Al-Anon
1990
Location: Zeesicht, Chair/Vice: Nonkel M of Bruges & California Charles
1989
Location: Zeesicht, Chair/Vice: Florent/Jacques/Baudouin/Nonkel Speakers: Jacques