Getting ready for the CSW is like getting ready for Christmas or some major holiday - the thinking of what you might need, what others might need. But I think I'm ready! The bags are packed, but space for bringing back the treasures of publications, or CDs/DVDs that one is sure to find that is totally relevant to our interests or the wide network of women, and men working on equality issues at home. It's like discovering some hidden treasure at a garage sale, and you quickly pick it up to bring back. I must say though, that so much is on the web, it is almost ridiculous. Even the major panels are being broadcast on the web.There have been messages, advisories flying back and forth all week. The major UN building is under construction - for the third year. Why it is taking so long, i don't know, but again we deal with major access issues. It's not only the regular UN pass that you need (and sometimes stand in line for up to 6 hours to obtain), you also need a secondary pass to get into the North Lawn Building, that is really a huge tent, and is indeed a temporary building, used while the UN Building is being renovated. Some parts of the UN building though i think are still in use. but many of the sessions for the CSW will be in this temporary building, which you need another pass. These are doled out very carefully and are hard to come by - major line ups, and uncertainty. Then, you're still not in the session you want - you need a ticket for it!! So if you do get in, it's a miracle.
That's why, unless you hit the jackpot, and have a ticket, and a secondary pass, and a UN pass, you go with the other NGOs, or Non governmental groups, and hang out at the Church Centre, or the Salvation Army building, where literally hundreds of NGOs put on workshops, seminars, presentations, roundtables- this is where the real energy is. No special passes needed - it's first come, first served, so if you're there in good time, you're in!
I'm looking forward to speaking with the women from Africa, the middle east, India, Pakistan - so many women who have worked so hard to get here. It's amazing, language doesn't seem to be an issue.
One of the new things this year are Conversation Circles - i'm wanting to go to the ones on Peace - but on many themes - I wrote on it earlier at http://csw2012.blogspot.com/2012/02/this-is-something-new-conversation.html
So maybe a short piece tomorrow after I hope, a safe arrival.
Mary
Welcome to the National Council of Women of Canada Blog for the 56th meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women. The Theme of CSW 56 is "The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges". The Review theme is "Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women" (agreed conclusions from the fifty-second session). The Emerging issue is "Engaging young women and men, girls and boys, to advance gender equality"
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