newsletter50 - National Council of Women of Canada

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN
CONSEIL INTERNATIONAL
DES FEMMES
CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL
DE MUJERES
Chemin du Levant 14
1005 Lausanne (Switzerland)
Tél. : + 41 21 799 30 07 – Fax : +41 21 312 07 51 – Mobile : +41 79 342 38 62
Website : www.icw-cif.com e-mail : office@icw-cif.com
NEWSLETTER / BULLETIN / BOLETÍN No.50
December / Décembre / Diciembre 2012
Contents / Sommaire
Message of the President
Elections
New Zealander of the Year Awards
General Assembly Highlights
Special event: cooking night
Seoul Declaration
Next events
- CSW 57
- ECICW Meeting
- Regional Council Americas Meeting
Message of the President
We want to express our gratitude to the Korean
National Council of Women and its President
Jung Sook Kim for welcoming us and to have
organized this event with such dedication and
competence.
In 1982 ICW had the privilege to hold its
General Assembly in Seoul.
Over the past 30 years South Korea has become
one of the most powerful countries in the world
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in terms of democratic process and economic
development.
The Korean Government’s concern was and
still is the emancipation of women. It has
enabled Korean women to play an active role in
their civil society’s evolution and therefore
contribute to the astonishing economic lift-off
of South Korea.
We are all here to witness how equally
successful the participation of Korean women
has been on both domestic and international
levels.
In order to pursue this challenging task we
must reinforce the networking between our
affiliate
members
through
mutual
understanding, constant respect of each other’s
singularities keeping in mind we all have a
common goal.
Once again I express with gratitude from the
International Council of Women to the Korean
National Council of Women and its President
Mrs Jung Sook Kim to have given us the
opportunity to strengthen our conviction that
“caring for women is caring for the world”.
Cosima Schenk
ICW is 124 years old and it is also a success
story. Our organization was founded in 1888
and has survived many human disasters such as
wars and conflicts that transformed society in
the last Century. ICW managed to survive
throughout the turmoil of History.
ICW President
Elections
The situation for women around the world has
definitely improved. Progress in terms of
human rights could hardly be appraised over a
short period of time, but has had significant
impact globally on the long run. This has
proven right in the course of the last century in
respect with millenary denial of women’s
rights.
Congratulations to the new Board:
Recently however, women’s movement
towards Gender Equality is suffering from a
significant backlash and it is important for us
all to stay more vigilant than ever before.
Board Members
Gender Equality is repeatedly denied and can
be hidden behind imperceptible signs even in
countries that have a long tradition of
democratic rights.
This backlash is part of a global evolution,
even in such instances as the United Nations,
making our role as an umbrella organisation all
the more vital.
Vice Presidents




Jung Sook Kim
Christine Knock
Elisabeth Newman
Hean Bee Wee
 Doris Bingley
 Linda Liu
 Carmen Gloria Arriagada
Treasurer
 Angelika Hecht
Recording Secretary
 Doreen Micallef
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AWARDS
The ICW Board is extremely happy to count under its
vice Presidents, Christine Knock, who received
recently the New Zealander of the Year Awards.
Congratulation to Christin
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS
Delegates join together in a photo finale for the splendid 33rd ICW-GIF General Assembly in Seoul. Attended by
more than 1000 women from about 80 countries, it was a productive convention. Excellent speakers inspired the
delegates as they assessed global progress in the areas of gender equality and empowerment of women. The
affiliated national councils unanimously adopted Caring for Women is Caring for the World as the ICW-CIF theme
for the next triennial period. Old friendships rekindled, new ones made, women from around the world stimulated
each other in workshops and discussions while simultaneously carrying on the business of meetings and elections.
A most gracious host, KNCW arranged for their guests to have fun while having a glimpse of both traditional and
modern Korea.
Linda Liu
President of NCW Taiwan
The 33rd ICW-GIF General Assembly in Seoul,
Republic of Korea
September 17 –
22, 2012
further empowerment of women and develop strategies
to exert influence on local, national and international
levels to implement these measures; and to provide
directions for activities over the next three years.
Delegations from about 80 countries attended the
convention, of which 46 are affiliates coming from
Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon,
Canada, Colombia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany,
Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Korea,
Lebanon, Lesotho, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar,
Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua
New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, South
Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia,
Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United
States of America.
On the first day, the four regional councils, ECICW,
RCA, APRC and African ICW held regional meetings,
followed by a spectacular opening ceremony for the
convention. ICW-CIF President, Ms. Cosima Shenk
opened the general assembly with her address and
President Jung-Sook Kim of the Korean National
Council of Women welcomed the delegates and
participants. Unable to be present, the Executive
Director of UN Women, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, sent a
congratulatory video message. The keynote speaker, Dr.
Gertrude Mongella, Secretary-General of the Fourth
World Conference on Women Beijing 1995, highlighted
the importance for women to see themselves as
stakeholders in the implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), and as such, to establish
networks, work together, speed up education of women
& girls and make MDGs a women’s agenda. To the
delight of the participants, the first lady of Korea, Ms.
Kim Yoon-ok, and the South Korean presidential
With the theme, Progress for Women, Progress for All:
Evaluating
the
United
Nations
Millennium
Development Goals: Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women, the conference set the
following goals: to discuss and assess the progress of
gender equality in each country, to seek measures for
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candidate, Ms. Park Geun-Hye, dropped by during the
evening to deliver welcome remarks.
On 19 September, distinguished plenary speakers
addressed the delegates. Dr. Kyung-sha Kang, Deputy
High Commissioner of UN-OHCHR and Former Chair
of UN Commission on the Status of Women, spoke
about the importance of MDGs to further the progress
in women’s status and that the next development agenda
should be based on broader human rights norms. Ms.
Lorena Aguilar Revelo, Global Senior Gender Adviser
of International Union for Conservation, emphasized
the need for governments to establish gender responsive
climate change policies and that women can be change
agents rather than victims. Dr. Dae-hwan Chang,
Chairperson of Maeil Business Newspapers & MBN,
gave a special address on Global Economics and
Women. They were followed by a panel of five experts:
Ms. Remedios I. Rikken, Hon. Chair of Philippine
Commission on Women spoke on Transformative
Politics, Dr. Myung-ja Kim, Chair of Korea Federation
of Women’s Science and Technology Association
remarked on Gender and Technology; Dr, Young-Taek
Kim, Research Fellow at Korea Women’s Institute
Development talked about Sustainable Social Welfare
for Women; Ms. Wu Qing, Professor of Beijing foreign
Studies University, spoke on Human Rights of Women,
and Ms. Roberta Clarke, Regional Director for Asia and
the Pacific UN Women, talked about Toward Effective
Development Cooperation: the Role of Gender Equality
and Women’s Empowerment. The delegates then split
into 5 workshops based on the above topics and
presented their conclusions and reports later that
afternoon.
The conduct of business meetings, committee and
national reports and elections took up most of the
schedule. However they was interspersed with a warm
remembrance of departed members, the induction of
three new affiliates from Bangladesh, Madagascar and
Nepal, an interfaith religious service with
representatives reading verses from their different
beliefs, the introduction of new life and individual
members, and the recognition of Jane Prichard as a new
member of the Committee of Honour. During the
meeting, LELAF also presented the Mechta van den
Boogert Award to Ronicera Fuimaono, a young woman
from Samoa who is interested in helping rural women
in her community gain access to market for their
handicrafts. Standing committees and national councils
gave reports of their activities throughout the afternoon.
committees. The Plan of Action adopted focused on:
1. Empowering women to become agents of
change for the status of women
2. Achieving economic independence and
reducing poverty of women
3. Addressing violence against women
4. Improving women and girl’s health and
nutrition
5. Recognizing women and girls’ right to
education
6. Improving the well-being of children, the
elderly, the disabled, the migrants and their
families
Delegates also discussed and unanimously adopted the
Seoul Declaration, which highlighted the following
areas of ICW concern:
1. Monitoring of commitments and conventions
regarding status of women
2. Responding to global emerging issues from a
gender perspective
3. Increasing women’s representation at all levels
of society
4. Ensuring that sexual crimes, including sexual
slavery and rape of women and children during
and after armed conflicts, are considered as
crimes and violations of women’s human rights
and should be severely punished
5. Protecting the rights of rural, migrant and
elderly women
A gracious host, the Korean National Council of
Women took advantage of the convention to give the
delegates brief introductions to Korean history,
traditional culture and modern developments, including
a visit to Samsung Corporation, the high technology
giant and symbol of South Korea’s economic success.
The general assembly concluded with bidding farewell
to the outgoing board, presentation of the new board,
remarks by Ms Cosima Shenk, the reelected ICW-CIF
President, closing remarks by the Dr. Jung-Sook Kim,
President of the KNCW and a gala dinner.
Linda Liu
Special Event: Korean Cooking Night
As the general assembly came to a close, the delegates
adopted the new theme, “Caring for Women is Caring
for the World,” the budget for 2012-2015, the
resolutions and Plan of Action drawn up by the standing
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18th of September (Tuesday)
The evening special event on the 2nd day of ‘The 33rd
ICW-CIF General Assembly’ was named 'Korean
Cooking Night'. Sound exciting. It was not enjoying
eating but 'cooking Korean food' on your own. You
never experienced this kind of event in other meetings, I
believe.
The entire participants were driven to a 'Korean Food
Experience House' near 'Secret Garden'. There were
reasons why Soulites are so proud of their night scenery
of Seoul, full of rich and nicely decorated lights
amongst high rising modern buildings. It's not New
York, not Tokyo, not Paris but Seoul. Simply a 'wow',
'wow', and another 'wow' exclamation!
On arriving, every single participant was provided with
Korean traditional dresses of all different colors to
wear. A total undreamed-of experience! Ms. Cosima
looked simply graceful in Korean dress while Dr.
Mongella was not able to fit herself to any Korean
dresses and rumor has it that it was this moment that
she decided to go on a strong diet!!!!!!
All the participants in Korean dresses were busy taking
pictures.
First, by herself and then with other
participants. First, outside against calm and cozy night
view of Seoul and then inside the Korean traditional
house. All of them look so happy showing a full of
innocent smile!
Now it's time to cook.
All the ingredients to cook Korean food were already
prepared. After a kind explanation of good things and
ways of cooking of Korean food, the participants started
to cook in groups. Cook Korean rice cake and lightly
fried Korean beef. This beef tastes so scrumptious as it
has been richly seasoned beforehand. Second dish was
common and some participants asked for fourth dish.
Next, here comes Kimchi! Do you know UN designated
Korean food ‘Kimchi’ one of the world healthy food? It
is a fermented food and Korean people cannot take a
single meal without it! Can it be a possible reason why
Korean delegates are so charming enjoying such a fine
skin? All the participants enjoyed this Korean food they
cooked themselves with a toast of 'Bon Appetite!" It
was genuinely a meal of ‘Bon Appetit!’
This special event of Korean Cooking Night proved
such an exciting experience for every participant whose
memory will last for a long time ever after.
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COMMENTS
From Marocco
La participation de l’Union Nationale de Femmes du
Maroc à la 33ème Assemblée du CIF, s’inscrit dans le
cadre de son ouverture sur les instances internationales.
Aussi le vote des résolutions proposées par l’ UNFM
est une confirmation de sa participation, sa présence
et son dynamisme dans les activités internationales
La 33ème Assemblée générale du CIF ,qui s’est tenue à
Seoul, était un évènement exceptionnel, une rencontre
aussi tonifiante et intéressante, qui a permis de
renforcer le réseau par l’échange de pensées ,
d’expériences et d’idées.
Cette Assemblée Générale, était un moment fort qui a
permis aussi le débat de plusieurs points sur l’évolution
de la femme, d’examiner de nouvelles idées et
approches sur la lutte mondiale des femmes contre toute
discrimination et violence à leur égard.
Cette rencontre qui a réunit les femmes des différents
pays du monde a permis d’exposer les expériences et
les travaux de chacun, d’évaluer les réalisations et de
définir les objectifs communs..
o Il faut se réjouir :
 De la détermination
unanime des
participantes de toutes nationalités
confondues et malgré les différents
niveaux de développement à poursuivre
leur lutte pour l’égalité, contre la
violence, la justice et la dignité pour
toutes les femmes du monde.
 De leur engagement pour faire entendre
la voie des femmes et de promouvoir
leurs
autonomisations et leurs
intégrations efficaces dans le processus
d’évolution de la société.
Restons solidaires et mobilisées pour arriver au
changement des conceptions sur la femme.
Le changement ne vient pas seul, c'est un processus
continu et une finalité orientée vers la satisfaction de
nos réclamations.
Tout changement doit être réaliste, réalisable et
mesurable, et débute dès l'instant où nous commençons
à poser des questions telles que veut-on?, que faut-il
faire? Quels sont nos objectifs?
Saida Zniber
From Lesotho
Dear president it was such a blessing to get a message from you. All members are overjoyed and encouraged. We
have a meeting on the 17th. We were not aware that you will understand there were you did. Believe me I have
never been so happy for many years. You made my year. Thank you once more God bless.
SEOUL DECLARATION
SEOUL DECLARATION
We, the women participating
1. In the 33rd ICW-CIF General Assembly, gathered here in
Seoul on 17-22September 2012 on the occasion of ICW-CIF
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124th anniversary, with the theme of “Progress for Women is
Progress for All,” concerned about the outcomes of upcoming
conferences, urge the Member States of the United Nations to
make an evaluation of the implementation of the
commitments to the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA).
2. What has been achieved? What are the challenges they still
have to be realized by 2015? Included in the evaluation and
monitoring should be their commitments to the ICPD
Agenda, the Millennium Development Goals, Human Rights
Agenda, CEDAW, and Security Council Resolution 1325.
3. We urge Women’s Organizations (International), NGOs, to
make the commitment to monitor the above issues by making
shadow reports.
4. In particular, we urge the monitoring of commitments
regarding:
 BPfA: the IO “Critical areas of concern” of the BPfA:
leadership of women, participation and decision
making
 MDGs: especially No. 3, Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women as the Cross-cutting goal
 ICPD: Sexual Reproductive Rights, harmful
practices/FGM
 Human Rights: “Women’s Rights are Human Rights”
 C E D AW including the Optional Protocols and other
Conventions
 SCR 1325: involvement of women in peace
prevention, peace negotiations and post-conflict
situations and in National Action Plans.
5. We note the following emerging issues to respond from a
gender perspective:
 Climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction
 Food Security
 Water Sanitation
 International Day of the Girl
The United Nations has declared October 11th as
“International Day of the Girl” NCW Malta welcomes this
decision as this day will promote girls rights, highlight gender
inequalities and address the various forms of discrimination
and abuse suffered by girls around the globe.
The UN has signalled its commitment to end gender
stereotypes, discrimination, violence and economic disparities
that disproportionately affect girls. In many developing
countries, girls marry before the age fifteen resulting in having
to drop out of school before they have a chance to receive the
education they deserve. In the last half-century alone, more
women and girls have died as a result of gender discrimination
than all the men who died in all the battles of the 20th
century. NCW Malta believes that women’s empowerment
begins with girls’ empowerment. It has always worked to help
girls effect the changes necessary to achieve the same rights,
the same freedoms and the same opportunities to fulfil their
dreams. Girls around the world need to be visible and given
the dignity they deserve, to release all their abilities and
potential for the benefit of society. .
 Economic and Financial Crisis Effects
We are determined to:
6. Make concerted efforts to increase women’s representation
in decision making so that no more than 60% of both genders
are represented at all levels of society, including the National
and Local Assemblies, Government Cabinets, as well as private
corporations.
7. Ensure that sexual crimes such as rape, sexual violence,
sexual harassment and s talking are considered as violation of
women’s human rights to dignity that should be subject to
heavy penalty, and urge governments to make it compulsory
for Internet Service Providers to block pornography at source.
8. Pay special attention to rural, migrant, and elderly women,
and urge governments and international organizations to take
positive measures to protect the rights of refugee women so
that they won’t be forcefully returned to the country they
escaped from.
9. Denounce sexual slavery and rape of women and children
during and after wars and armed conflicts have to be
condemned as a crime.
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NEXT EVENTS
CSW 57
Press Release
For immediate release
20 November 2012
address ending violence against women and girls.
UN Women Executive Director launches new
initiative to spotlight national commitments to end
violence against women
English version: http://youtu.be/SH4tlxxc9nc;
French version: http://youtu.be/IOOfidorjGM;
Spanish version: http://youtu.be/MZRuWu0CEao;
New York, 20 November—In her message for the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women, 25 November, UN Women
Executive Director Michelle Bachelet is calling for
bold action and decisive leadership to galvanize
efforts to end the pandemic of violence against
women and girls. [ Full speech below ]
Special Compilation on Ending Violence against
Women
Launching COMMIT, a new initiative asking
governments to make national commitments which
will be showcased globally, Ms. Bachelet underlines
that ending violence against women is possible.
Today 125 countries have laws that penalize domestic
violence, a huge step forward from just a decade ago.
But she said this is not enough. Up to seven in ten
women continue to be targeted for physical and/or
sexual violence in their lifetime and 603 million
women live in countries where domestic violence is
still not a crime.
"We all must do better to protect women and prevent
this pervasive human rights violation. Governments
and leaders must lead by example. Now is the time
for governments to translate international promises
into concrete national action," says Ms. Bachelet in
her message.
"We hope to see new and improved laws and national
action plans that provide for safe houses, free hotline
services and free health and legal aid to survivors. We
count on education programmes that teach human
rights, equality and mutual respect, and inspire young
people to take leadership on ending violence against
women and girls. We need increasing numbers of
women in politics, law enforcement, and
peacekeeping forces. We need equal economic
opportunities and decent jobs for women," she adds.
Next March, the focus of the UN Commission on the
Status of Women will be to tackle violence against
women and girls and expectations are high for
Governments to agree on frameworks that will truly
The Executive Director's Video Message for the Day:
Message of Michelle Bachelet for the International
Day to End Violence against Women
I am often asked whether ending violence against
women is possible given the pervasiveness and
persistence of these crimes. My answer is yes. It is
possible. But we can only do it together. We are all
responsible and it is time for leaders to fulfill the
promises made to women.
Today on the International Day to End Violence
against Women, I call on all leaders: Take a stand to
end violence against women and girls.
The first step has been taken: the silence has been
broken. Today at least 125 countries outlaw domestic
violence and there is a large body of legislation on
violence against women and girls. There is
international agreement on the way forward as
articulated in the Beijing Platform for Action.
One hundred and eighty-seven countries have ratified
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women. Knowledge on the
root causes of violence has increased, and women,
men and young people continue to mobilize in huge
numbers against violence. There are countless
organizations whose members work tirelessly to
support survivors and, in many countries, policymakers have taken decisive action. But it is not
enough.
We all must do better to protect women and prevent
this pervasive human rights violation. Governments
and leaders must lead by example. Now is the time
for governments to translate international promises
into concrete national action.
We hope to see new and improved laws and national
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action plans that provide for safe houses, free hotline
services and free health and legal aid to survivors. We
count on education programmes that teach human
rights, equality and mutual respect, and inspire young
people to take leadership on ending violence against
women and girls. We need increasing numbers of
women in politics, law enforcement, and
peacekeeping forces. We need equal economic
opportunities and decent jobs for women.
All of these actions require decisive and courageous
leaders. Next March, leaders from governments and
civil society will come together at the UN
Commission on the Status of Women to agree on
action to prevent and respond effectively to violence
against women. Expectations are high, and they
should be. In some countries, up to 7 in 10 women
will be beaten, raped, abused, or mutilated in their
lifetimes. A crisis of such proportions deserves
nothing less than the highest attention of world
leaders. There can be no peace, no progress, when
women live under the fear of violence.
Today violence against women is increasingly
recognized for what it is: a threat to democracy, a
barrier to lasting peace, a burden on national
economies, and an appalling human rights violation.
As more and more people believe that violence
against women is neither acceptable nor inevitable, as
more and more perpetrators are punished, the change
to end violence against women grows deeper and
stronger.
This is not just a women's issue, this is a
responsibility for all of us. This violence is an outrage
and it must be stopped. Time has run out for
complacency or excuses. Let us show the will, the
determination and let us mobilize greater resources to
end what is a scourge of humanity, violence against
women.
Yes, it is possible.
ICW Workshops at the CSW 57
-
“Respect for Women and Girls: Equality for All”. More information will be available later.
CSW 56 (2012)
- An ICW delegate reports…
A NOVICE AT THE UN
It was my privilege this year – and eventually, my
pleasure – to travel half way round the world to take
part in the fifty-sixth reporting session of the United
Nations Commission on the Status of Women, as a
member of the ICW Delegation. Although not my
first visit to New York, it was my first successful
effort to attend CSW and, totally in keeping with my
expectations, I quickly found myself on a very steep
learning curve.
The first problem arose almost immediately on my
arrival at the informal Delegation briefing on Sunday,
26 February, to discover that I should have been there
at least two days earlier, to take advantage of certain
pre-conference information sessions for first timers.
In retrospect, I realise I could have elicited these
details from the mass of official paperwork/website
references etc I had received in the run-up to my
departure, but the sheer volume of this material
makes it difficult for a first timer – particularly one
who is at the same time holding very lively
responsibilities in State, National and International
Councils – to recognise really relevant details. More
specific detailed information from within our own
organisation could have been available and would
have enabled me to be better prepared.
Wobbly start notwithstanding, I did know how
important it was to make an early start on the
registration process next morning and was in the
queue bright and early. It didn't make any difference
to the outcome, still taking some hours to negotiate
the security checks, confirmation of I|D/affiliation
and acquisition of an official Grounds Pass carrying a
surprisingly good photo. The registration desk was
understaffed and tediously slow but the wait here
allowed me to make friends with a local woman who
gave me a crash course in CSW Survival 101. I am
greatly indebted to Lucy Janjigian, Unitarian Women,
for her help and, in particular, her introduction to
UW's drop-in centre, where I was able to watch
projected sessions from the General Assembly in the
gaps between the NGO Parallel Events.
From next morning, the NGO Briefings from UN
Women were very useful, reporting on events in the
General Assembly, and enabling opportunities for
certain official Delegates to interact with the NGOs.
They also served as a forum for NGOs to question
UN Women on problems of access to sessions in the
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UN buildings, and changes in procedures from
previous years. Many of the problems were put down
to the extensive renovations taking place on the UN
campus but this was rejected by many experienced
Delegates, who expressed the opinion that NGO
participation had become more marginalised and,
therefore, ineffective this year. As a first timer,
without personal experience of this important issue, I
had to accept their views and share their concern.
Nevertheless, these briefings enabled me to network
with many women from many organisations and
countries and this was very rewarding. After a couple
of days, I also greatly enjoyed the early morning
ecumenical worship services in the chapel.
These briefings also enabled me to meet Elisabeth
most mornings, and one or two others of our
delegation but it became increasingly difficult to
come together as our individual interests were so
diverse.
but with over 8,000 delegates moving around, and the
distances between many locations, the next problem
arises when you find your first choice packed wall to
wall and your second choice out of reach in time.
This is when I adjourned to the UW's drop-in centre
and watched the General Assembly. My major
impression here was some astonishment at how many
Western countries have men Ministers of Women's
Affairs and don't believe they lack competent women
to fill the posts.
Overall, this was a valuable experience, which I hope
to repeat now that I know the drill. However, I would
strongly recommend that we do more ourselves to
prepare future new ICW delegates, rather than relying
on them to adequately navigate the reams of notes,
websites etc, which they may not yet be equipped to
digest properly.
Geraldine W Campbell BA (Hons) Dip.Ed
NCWA Coordinator, Standing Committee on
Communications
NCW-WA Coordinator Standing Committees
It is a challenge though to determine which of the
extensive offerings to attend in a given time slot,
since one is really spoiled for choice. Not only that,
ECICW MEETING: APRIL-MAY 2013
More information will come later.
REGIONAL COUNCIL AMERICAS MEETING: OCTOBER 2013
More information will come later.
WISHES
To our ICW Family a happy New Year and success in 2013!
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