NGO Forum - Day One

Yes, I got to New York, inspite of flight cancellations and major storms down east. Many didn't make it for the start of the NGO Forum this morning (Saturday).

There were 1,700 women registered for the NGO Forum! It was held at the Salvation Army, a different place then where other NGO Forums have been held. The facility was very comfortable, and there were many students as volunteers to help with the flow. The Salvation Army is providing space for many of the events during the week - all at no cost.

The opening group was a youth steel band - shown here in the photo. They were wonderful - full of energy and rhythm. Following, we had an amazing group from Southern Phillipines - reflecting the Melayu heritage. The audience were excited and enthusiastic as the welcoming remarks were made by Vivian Pender, Chair of the NGO CSW. But the best part of the day was the key note speech by Dr. Sima Samar.

Getting Ready!

Getting ready is a challenge. What to take, with only 1 bag allowed now on flights to the US. And of course there's the electronics - with cords! Paper to bring too - with copies on a memory stick.

I'm leaving Friday and have registered for the NGO Forum starting on Saturday morning with Dr. Sima Samar as the keynote speaker. There will be 2 full days of panel presentation, and discussion - Advancing Women's Rights - The State of the World's Women: Patriarchy, Violence Against Women and Girls, Women's Health and Climate Change; Voices from Around the World: Regional Priorities and Actions; Fulfilling the Promise of Gender Equality, Peace and Development: Women, Peace and Security, Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms, World Economic Crisis, Building Women's Leadership, & the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Presenters will represent many women from many countries. It will be interesting to hear about women and the world economic crises, and also progress with the MDGs.

There is major construction going on at the UN we've heard, so already we're getting reports about limiting the numbers to the sessions. They stopped taking preregistrations early. I'm not looking forward to the long line ups for registration to get the security card needed for the UN.

I have received an invitation, along with other Canadian NGOs, to meet with the Hon. Helena Guergis (Minister Status of Women) on Sunday, for 20 minutes. However, I don't know who is on the "official" delegation, representing Canada, but we will find out soon, i'm sure.

Today a report was released by FAFIA (Feminist Alliance for International Action) on Women in Canada and the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action Fifteen Years On -

More next time....

CSW - 2010

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is meeting in New York - official meetings start on Monday, March 1, til Friday, March 12 - but the NGOs (Non governmental organizations) will be meeting on the Saturday, Feb. 27, and Sunday Feb. 28 - to discuss, and hear from others the issues that are affecting their lives. The theme this year, the 54th session of the CSW, is Beijing plus 15 - yes it is 15 years since that incredible coming together in Beijing, China, and the Fourth World Conference on Women. I was there, plus many from Winnipeg, and Manitoba, and Canada - so i'm really interested in this session of the CSW. What progress has there been for women? How has Canada done? What are the new issues?

One way I thought i could share all this was to do a Blog - not sure how it will work out, but what i will try to do is to capture what I experience, possibly a few photos too, and put it all here for you to read. It will be my personal story though, not anything official. So stay tuned! - by Mary Scott