WFWPI Advocacy Training
WFWPI Advocacy Training
Written by: Julisette Hatulan
The Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) Office for UN Relations New York hosted a two-day Advocacy Training from March 9 to March 10, held at the New Yorker Hotel in New York City. The theme was “Building a Global Partnership Network: Equipping Women and Girls for Peacebuilding and Development Through Education, Advocacy Skills & Action.”
The objectives for this year’s WFWPI Advocacy Training were: To equip WFWPI leaders and advocates with the necessary knowledge, tools and strategic skills to create impactful partnerships for social and institutional change. In addition, empowering women & girls to drive change in alignment with the UN SDGs and WFWPI’s vision to create a culture of heart and foster a WFWPI empowering women.
This training was conducted before the start of the 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). This year’s CSW68 theme was, “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.
The opening session started with Welcoming Remarks by Mrs. Merly Barlaan, Director of the WFWPI NY Office for UN Relations. She gave an overview of WFWPI’S work and global themes, including its vision, mission, story, development and impact worldwide. In summary, the Advocacy Training aims for the welfare of women and humanity which is in line with the CSW68 and WFWP’s theme for this year.
Mrs. Moriko Hori, President of WFWPI, gave the opening remarks. She oversees 800 chapters focusing on community activities such as family and youth education. There are over 110 WFWP projects in 50 countries supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, women’s empowerment and poverty eradication. Mrs. Moriko Hori pointed out that the problems of developing countries are the world's problems. The reality is, “When your head hurts, it affects the whole body.”
The first session was on Civil Society in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), led by Mrs. Handschin, Director of the WFWPI United Nations Offices and Ms. Srruthi Lekha, UN Representative and Doctoral Researcher at the United Nations University for Peace. They gave an overview of WFWPI UN’s work, CSW advocacy, and held an interactive activity on Zero Draft to implementation. An inciteful, uplifting and challenging quote was shared “You are indispensable partners in forging peace, pushing for climate action, advancing gender equality, delivering life-saving humanitarian aid and controlling the spread of deadly weapons. And the world's framework for shared progress, the Sustainable Development Goals is unthinkable without you”. As an NGO CSW advocate, it is crucial to know your role such as being proactive in strategic networking, knowing government commitments/responsibilities/ partnership, CSW Methods of Work, Agreed Conclusions and inclusions in the CSW68 draft and future drafts to implementation.
Session 2 was on the topic of “Follow-up to Government Decisions” led by Mrs. Merly Barlaan and Ms. Pricilla Garces, Union County committee representative member and 4th Vice-chair. The outcome of the CSW68, takes the form of agreed conclusions, negotiated by all Member States on Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Policies and actions were outlined to be undertaken by Governments and other stakeholders with specified measures to tackle discrimination and address the needs of different groups of women and girls. Yet to this day, it has been mentioned in this session that women and girls still suffer poverty and inequality. This encourages us empowered women to continuously advocate for women and children because we play a key role in promoting gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. We also need to support governments and national women's machineries, coordinate with the United Nations system and mobilize civil society, the private sector, employers' organizations trade unions, and other relevant stakeholders.
The 3rd Session on Methods of Work, improving the actual practice of GO /C60 partnership, practical steps of reporting, and implementing the Agreed Conclusions was presented by Mrs. Carolyn Handschin and Ms. Srruthi Lekha. Knowing that development is a human right, as an advocate is important. You cannot teach what you do not know. It is good to note that it is an alienable human right and that governments (nationally and internationally) hold the duty to protect and fulfill the right to development. The right to development includes poverty, hunger and malnutrition, the standard of living, health and sanitation, women’s rights, political and social rights, housing, employment and education. It was indeed a mind-opening session.
For the last session, Dr. Paris Moon, WFWPI International Secretary-General, shared the Cultural Connections in the Digital Age: Exploring Tech-Enhanced NGO Development. This is a realistic and futuristic approach. NGOs, using technological innovation can bring positive change, help the lives of those they serve, and make a difference.
On the second day of the advocacy training program, the day kickstarted with an activity, led by Ms. Srruthi Lekha and Mrs. Carolyn Handschin. It was a great experience and a learning day to prepare recommendations on the draft addressing specific regional needs. Delegates were divided into groups by region. Each group chose a leader to head the discussion. The team members actively participated in the discussion. It gave us an insight into the political, and socioeconomic struggles other regions/countries are encountering. It was a fun-filled activity and an opportunity to get acquainted with each other more.
For session 5, Mrs. Merly Barlaan gave a talk on Global and Local Climate Education, Adaptation Initiatives, Funding, and the UN Res 76300 – The Human Right to a Clean Healthy and Sustainable Environment. We were fortunate to have Ms. Arlene Cabusuao, Municipal Agriculturist of Municipality of Carmen, Bohol, Philippines, as our special guest who shared about her sustainable projects. Mrs. Cabusuao shared her best practices, the municipalities sustainable agriculture project and partnership with civil society organizations such as the WFWP Bohol chapter. She shared that her office has provided technology for vegetable production which the farmers adopt and the government provides water supply for the farms.
Mr. Myles Parker, Director of the Birthplace of Dianetics, was the speaker for session 6, on The Perfect Pitch: How to communicate your ideas. Effective communication encourages the exchange of ideas. It increases efficiency and productivity. It forms trust and accomplishes tasks. The role play and examples of communication gave a better insight into how to communicate effectively.
Next, was the Reporting from the Regions Action Plan/Proposals for future UN/government partnerships. It was a collaborative discussion on each region’s circumstances. Each region had a spokesperson to share their action plan and proposals for future UN/government partnerships.
Next, Ms. Rosie Chawla, Director of Global Education Projects and Partnerships UNESCO Center for Peace, lectured on Impactful Partnerships for Social and Institutional Change. She shared the map on how to build partnerships as advocates as well as mapping underlying factors of social problems such as malnutrition. Having a plan or an agenda allows us to have a purposeful encounter.
At the Closing Session, the Global Women Peace Ambassador Awards were awarded to 3 women who were recognized “based on their exemplary accomplishment in the area of Women Leadership and Education.” Global Women Peace Ambassadors are peace leaders representing the religious, racial, and ethnic diversity of the human family, and all disciples of human endeavor. They stand on the common ground of shared values and are committed to the path of promoting reconciliation, overcoming barriers, and building peace.
Finally, Certificates of Completion were awarded to all attendees who completed the 2-day Advocacy Training. In addition, Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to all the volunteers and staff who worked hard behind the scenes, to make this Advocacy Training possible.
