CSW

I have been in New York now for 10 days and today I am having a stay at the hotel day as it is minus 4 degrees.

I have attended many events and workshops at the United Nations. The main themes are violence against women and combating AIDS particularly in under developing countries. I was able to chair a session about innovative ways toaccess funds for NGOs. I have a list of web sites that are able to fund projects mainly in under deloped countries. Yesterday the Australian Statement was read out in the General Assembly and it was very mild. I understand there has been some drama at home about representation of women, In the statement the government said they were very supportive of women in Australia!

There are so many work shops to attend it is difficult to choose as there are the UN CSW sessions, NGO events and the sessions held by the permanent missions located in New York. On Thursday I attended a function at the Australian Mission and met the ambassadors from Timor Lest, PNG and Tonga. I am going to have an appointment with the PNG Ambassador to have an understanding the government processes in PNG and to get some names so BPWA can investigate in developing a relationship through BPW Port Moresby to assist non financially with the AIDS/HIV challenge that the country is facing in the next 10 years. We have a social responsibility to work with our nearest neighbour in an appropriate capacity.

Tonight I am attending the BPW International Dinner with about 70 world wide BPW representatives. BPW has 247 representatives at CSW and we are the biggest lobby group.
I am sharing my room with Susan Jones and Yasmin Darwich from Mexico. The International Congress registration will be half the price of Lassaune. The cost is around 500 pesos and we will be able to stay in 4 to 5 star hotels for 100 dollars Australia per night ($50 each) so we need to publicise the Congress as it is the most important opprtunity for Australian members to influence the international organisation.

Please enjoy International Night and think of the women who have no democratic right to even celebrate International night.

Regards

Marilyn

Trip to New York

I have been in New York for three days and it is exciting and very over whelming at the same time. I went on a tour of the United Nations and I am lookomg forward to being an official delegate as from next Monday. I have been wandering around New York trying to not get lost and looking at the shops. The sales are on and there are 65% off in the shops.

Susan Jones arrived yesterday and is staying at the same hotel. We will be having dinner tonight and they will be interesting. Susan is going to assist me to go to the UNIFEM Office at the UN which as most people know is one of my passions

National Executive Meeting

Welcome to my Blog

I have joined the world of blogging. The wonderful Young BPW Board Representive, Alicia Curtis, has shown me the light and I feel like I have given birth.

This weekend just gone, the BPW Australia Board Executive held their first meeting in Perth and it was a fast paced dynamic meeting that planned the next 12 months to ensure that BPW Australia continues to be the premier voice for women in Australia. We met for 12 hours on the first day dealing with strategic concepts including a new website that can do surveys of members , have a shopping cart, member forum and other ideas. We will be working a hectic pace to implement our new concepts. We will show the new govenment the meaning of fast pace!
On Tuesday I attended the non government organisation (NGO) meeting in Canberra for NGO representatives who will be attending the Council of Status of Women (CSW) in New York from the 25 February to 8 March at the United Nations. There will be about 30 Australians attending including government representatives.

The theme for 2008 is financing gender equity and women's empoyerment. There will be opportunities for me as National President to meet other BPW women; attend sessions where UN policy becomes resolutions; sit in the viewing platform of the General Assembly when the Australian Ambassador delivers Australia's Position Paper on the 2008 theme.

The briefing included such female things as not wearing high heels on the streets of New York in the snow. Do not bother about your hair style because a woollen beanie is more important in the snow. Where to eat at the UN and where to find the photocopier.

I shall look forward to reporting about my trip to CSW as it is so exciting.

Regards

Marilyn