5th
Women's World Conference
is Happening
MC Conveners Ann Smith, Rosemary Williams, Ingrid Willgren, Joan Whitacre, Judy Grosch and Jean Bolen were among the 5WWC delegation of 40 who came together at the 2007 UN CSW meetings, many of whom we were meeting for the first time. Among the group were a good number of Jean Houston’s Social Artistry women—(they came through Betty Rothenberger and Penny McManigal) and Gather the Women (GTW) women from Southern California, South Florida and New York City and others who joined us.
Thanks to Penny, Ann, Joan Kenley for Pathways to Peace, Anele Heiges for International Public Policy Institute (IPPI), and Marilyn Fowler for Women Intercultural Network (WIN), all of us became official delegates.
Deb
Ballam (pictured left) brought thousands of big
cards in the five official
UN languages to promote
“Mother’s
Day Standing for Peace”
events worldwide, which was
Sharon
Medhi’s (pictured right)
seed idea.
We met in circle in a large room at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wall Street, to meet each other and make plans (action circles) for the CSW.
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We bonded, wore and took the blue and white 5WWC buttons and flyers to publicize our events during the week and along the way, we became known and appreciated.
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It could be said that 5WWC was the best known and most recognized non NGO and we had NGO privileges there. By midweek, women were asking us for buttons, because they want a 5WWC.
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Our events were very well attended and the responses were great.
The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) sponsored Jean’s talk on "Urgent Message From Mother, Gather the Women, Save the World" on Monday.
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The room was packed.
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Our workshop: Sponsored by WIN, IPPI & Pathways to Peace “Circles of Healing, Empowerment and Action” on Tuesday had 80 plus women. They experienced being in Circle and forming action circles related to peace, social justice, creative arts, circle technology, environment, and 5WWC.
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5WWC sponsored on its own: “The Millionth Circle” on Friday and repeated it on Saturday in place of WWSF Circles of Compassion, when Elly Pradervand could not be present.
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We had three scheduled caucuses: (Wednesday, Thursday, and Tuesday of the second week). We came up with a statement circulated through regional caucuses to support 5WWC, then a petition that was circulated, with the third caucus held on Tuesday of the second week. (Alliances and support come through the caucuses.) Ann’s UN experience really helped.
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We were recognized and spoke at the morning CSW NGO Briefing in the morning. We were applauded at a linkage caucus at the end of the day for our efforts to promote a Grassroots and NGO 5WWC and for seeking worldwide support through a new petition. (Download it here)
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Linda
Stillman (pictured right) who has recently joined 5WWC, informed us
that the UN ambassador from Bulgaria has indicated that his country
is interested in being the host country. Linda represents Soroptomists
International which is the largest international women’s
organization and has been involved with the UN and ECOSOC for years.
Millionth Circle birthed and midwived 5WWC. She is doing very well. Sacred Circles, Circle Principles and Circle structures prevail. Our dream for a 5th Women's World Conference is happening.
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5WWC Related Articles & Links
BACKGROUND ARTICLES
The
Millionth Circle Initiative and 5WWC
Circles with a Spiritual Center at the UN
5WWC.org is Born
Background Article:
Salvador, Brazil was
Proposed as a Possible site
LINKS
5WWC.org
The official website of the grassroots initiative to support
a 5th Women's World Conference
5WWC Petition
The website where you can sign a petition in support of
a 5th Women's World Conference
UN Commission on the Status
of Women
The object of the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women is to promote implementation of the principle
that men and women shall have equal rights.
Women's UN Report Network (WUNRN)
A
a
worldwide information center and forum that acts as a catalyst to encourage
women's NGOs and other organizations and programs to exchange information
on research and practical programs to promote tolerance and end discrimination
against women based on religion and traditions