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VG Flash January 2006 |
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VGIF Activities at the UN, February 9 - March 4 |
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This month will begin the process leading up to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women which celebrates its 50th session beginning on February 27th. VGIF will be represented this year by a delegation of eight persons, who arrive on February 26th to attend the NGO Committee on the Status of Women's Consultation, held at the NYU Medical Center. The Consultation, however, is only one in a series of events to inform the NGO community about the issues. On February 9th, at the UN, the NGO CSW joins the Division for the Advancement of Women in a roundtable discussion of on of th two issues facing the Commission - creating an enabling environment for women in the areas of health, education and work. This panel and discussion reviews the work of the expert group (whose report can be found at www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/csw50/documents.htm). A summary of the discussion will be distributed at the Consultation. A second roundtable will be held on February 14th - Valentine's Day. Appropriately, the discussion will be around men and women's sharing of decision-making. VGIF will host two parallel events during the CSW - both at the Church Center located at the corner of First Avenue and E. 44th Street, just across from the UN. Members of VGIF in New York on Tuesday, February 28, at 1:15 p.m. are invited to attend this session, which is a discussion with: Jackie Woods, VGIF delegate, about women sharing decision-making in the Board room; friend of VGIF Michaela Walsh from Manhattan College, and one of the original initiators of the Women's Bank, discussing sharing of decision-making with money; and a third panelist (invited from Chile) who will discuss sharing decision-making and government. Our second event will be held at 4:30 p.m. on March 2. Fay Kittelson, VGIF Executive Secretary, will tell about VGIF-funded programs related to health, education and work. Joining her will be two invited guests - one from a Zonta International-sponsored education program in Afghanistan, and the other (invited) is from an entrepreneurial peer-outreach program designed to bring women together to help each other from different areas of the world. Because the General Assembly has asked the Secretary General to submit a study on Violence Against Women this fall, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women has decided to initiate a two-year advocacy effort. This kicks off on Saturday, March 4, with a conference at the NY County Lawyers Association. This day-long meeting wa spearheaded by VGIF representative Leslie Wright and some of the delegation to the CSW will be attending. We hope VGIF members interested in this topic will keep in touch by being part of the on-line dialogue set up by the Committee, that can be accessed at YahooGroups. A conference report will be posted later, and a compilation of advocacy papers will be launched when the study is released. We hope those in New York on these dates will let the VGIF office know if they plan to attend any of these events so we can make arrangements for their participation. Please contact the office if you are interested, vgif@vgif.org. |
| Leslie Wright VGIF UN Delegation Chair |
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You Are Invited to the VGIF Annual Meeting! |
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Plan now to attend the VGIF Annual Meeting at the VGIF Office in New York City on April 28-29, 2006. Enjoy dinner and an international program on Friday evening while networking with international advocates. Then learn about successful grant recipients, hear reports from committee conveners and meet new VGIF Board members on Saturday. VGIF President Barbara Carey notes that all donor members are welcome at these meetings. She encourages those interested in becoming involved in the work of the organization to participate. The working committees are lively and stimulating, reflecting the firm commitment we all have to the much needed work that VGIF-funded projects accomplish for those in need. We look forward to seeing you in New York! |
| Betty Bayless VGIF Public Relations Convener |
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The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund