CSW60 WFWPI Speakers

WFWPI Speakers @ CSW60

JEANNE CARROLL
MARCH 14-24, 2016 - UNHQ NEW YORK  

WFWPI Leaders and UN Team Members Speaking at Side and Parallel Events

Since its initial involvement with the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in 2003, the Women's Federation for World Peace, International (WFWPI) has hosted and supported parallel events on an annual basis. This year saw a significant increase in the number of opportunities afforded WFWPI leaders and UN Team members to speak at side and parallel events organized by member states and NGOs. The following is a brief summary.

For WFWPI, these opportunities to speak began with a parallel event, sponsored by WFWPI, and co-sponsored by the Association de Intervention pour les Meres, (AIM), and Family Watch International, on March 15, with the theme, "Engaging Women in Sustainable Development: Family, Transformation, Co-Prosperity." The panel of four included Mrs. Carolyn Handschin, International Vice President for Europe and Director of the UN Office for WFWPI. The moderator was Mrs. Alexa Ward, International Vice President and Deputy Director of the UN Office.

Mrs. Lily Lin, WFWPI International Vice President, Asia, spoke on "Women Empowerment and Sustainable Development" at a parallel event sponsored by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of New York on Thursday, March 17. She reported on the core value of the Family. She stressed that ours is a global family and as such WFWP, Taiwan has developed three core focuses: Sound Development of Youth & Anti-Drug Abuse and AIDS Prevention education; Empowerment of Women & Family Happiness program; Networking & Altruistic Service. Her hope for the future of Taiwan and passion for WFWP's worldwide vision and mission was clearly felt by all in attendance.

Along with the South African Minister of Social Development, the Hon. Bathabile Olive Dlamini, Professor Yeon Ah Moon, President, WFWPI, and Mrs. Alexa Ward were honored to speak at a side event on March 18. The event was held at the Harlem State Office Building in New York, and was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa and the NGO, Ilitha LaBantu, with the theme, "South African Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Historic Women's March of 1956." The event was moderated by Ms. Nandi Bengu, a member of the WFWPI UN Team in New York.

Photo report of the event: South African Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Historic Women's March of 1956

Professor Yeon Ah Moon introduced WFWPI, the Founders, and the founding vision. Alexa Ward spoke about Lilian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph, two of the women who led the march of 20,000 women in 1956 that brought light to segregation and women's issues today. The saying, "You strike a woman, you strike a rock," was initiated during the time of the march, and has come to represent women's courage and strength in South Africa.

Also on March 18, Jeanne Carroll, a member of the WFWPI UN Team in New York, who serves as the primary WFWPI representative to NGO CSW NY, spoke on a panel sponsored by the Tabernacle Worship and Prayer Ministries, UNESCO Center for Global Education, Association of Muslim Women, and Women in Ministry Association. She spoke on the need for people of faith to bring their faith into the UN in support of the topic, "Empowerment of Women in Religion on the 2030 Development Agenda."