CSW 2012

 

 Quite a full day with Sunday being the NGO Forum - from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. And so much happening! The day started with a wonderful performance by the National Dance Institute - this remarkable program, started in New York City, was founded by Jacques d'Amboise in the belief that the arts have the power to motivate children - and it certainly showed us the energy, and how excited the children were to feel the music and dance - they did a number "the wonder of Stevie Wonder" that brought everyone to their feet. This National Dance Institute is now in many countries, offers their programs for no charge, in cooperation with schools. How i would love to see this program in some of our schools in Canada.

The serious part of the program started with Michelle Bachelet, Under Secretary General and Executive Director, UN Women speaking. She talked about the past year, and future plans to set up the Advisory Groups, at the global, national and regional level. This was of interest to everyone - as the appointments will be made by the time of the next board meeting in June. Also stated the NGOs will be part of this process in making the nominations. There will be web based platforms for ongoing dialogue with the advisory groups.

The Regional Perspective  Panel, moderated by Ilona Graenitz, gave everyone an overview of what the issues were from many parts of the world, especially for rural women. Layla Alkhafaji, from Iraq spoke - she is the human rights activist/defender who was imprisoned for 10 years. She actually was a refugee in Canada, and has since gone on to be elected as a Member of the Iraqi Parliament - quite an amazing women. We also heard from Ilona Graenitz (Austria), Lydia Alpizar Duran (Costa Rica), Bineta Diop (Senegal), HIlda Chirsanzara (Zimbabwe), Mabel Bianco (Argentia), but the real thrill was the speaker after the panel - Leymah Gbowee - wow, was she fantastic. A very moving, and inspirational speech about her work, and how women can move mountains.

I'll add more to this blog tomorrow.