HI everyone

We are sitting in the second conference room of the UN building waiting for the official opening of CSW to commence in conference room 1.  We were not sure if we would get to be here as the seats are very limited but we have adopted the philosophy of doing all we can to be involved and here we are. 

We are learning some hard lessons around the politics of the United Nations, with a number of the YWCA delegates having trouble gaining access to the meeting.  The World YWCA intern from Sri Lanka has been unable to obtain a visa for the US because she does have an address in Sri Lanka and they were not convinced she would have the financial means to leave the country.  Ping from Taiwan was pre-registered with the United Nations, but the registration desk refused to register her as she was traveling on a passport of a country not recognized by the UN.  The world office is trying to sort this out right now.

You will see in the photo we are wearing bright scarfs that have been given to us by the YWCA of Taiwan.  This way the YWCA delegation will always be seen and we can find each other in the many events we will be attending.





The delegates are starting to move into the main room and get ready for the opening.  We will post later and let you know how it goes

Rebecca

This evening members of the World YWCA delegation joined with the World YWCA President and General Secreatary to share our aspirations for CSW and to get to know a little bit about eachother.  Around the table there was an incredible diversity of women, but the power of their leadership was something that was shared.  Women who had been involved in the YWCA for decades and women who had been with the YWCA for months, and women who had been to multiple CSW conferences and those who for this it is their first time, strategised about the key messages and desired outcomes for the two weeks. 

A key document which we will all be drawing on will be the YWCA Statement for CSW, which can be accessed at http://ecumenicalwomen.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/world-ywca-statement-for-the-54th-csw.pdf.  The key messages we will be advocating will include:

• investing in women

• ensure the safety and security of women and girls
• expand access to comprehensive services
• promote women's leadership
• keep promises made

In sharing our aspirations, there were two clear messages that came through.  We want to make sure that the world knows that YWCA was here for the 54th session of CSW, and that we are the cataylist for much of the change we seek!

It was clear from the briefing that the next two weeks will be very hectic and there will be much to learn and contribute.  We begin the journey tomorrow with a worship session that promises to create a space for reflection and to be inspired by the power of women.

Rebecca

We are in the UN with many of the CSW delegates on Sunday morning registering for the conference.  There is a great buzz of excitement as women from around the world make contact,swap their stories and share their anticipation about the next two weeks. 

In another part of town, the YWCA has joined women from NGOs around the world to prepare for joint action to influence outcomes in the next two weeks.  Australian NGOs have also been caucusing and have an action list to start work on.  Before CSW has even started the work has begun. 

We are very excited to be here and be part of this expression of the power of women!

On a practical note, there is snow on the ground here, so very cold. We made it here after a 40 hour Saturday.  It was great to leave Canberra knowing that the local community is interested in our trip, with an article in Saturday's Canberra Times.

We will update you again soon

Rebecca

YWCA of Canberra delegates are getting ready to head off to New York to join the rest of the YWCA Australia and World YWCA delegations for the 54th session of the Commission for the Status of Women.

YWCA of Canberra delegates that are attending include:

- Roslyn Dundas, YWCA of Canberra nominee on YWCA Australia Board
- Maree Lehmann, Director of Children's Services
- Samara Rahman, Board Trainee
- Rebecca Vassarotti, Executive Director

We are all flying out over the weekend to get to New York in time for the Conference that will be commencing on Monday morning.

There are some activities prior to that time that we will be participating in, including an official dinner with the YWCA delegation and an informal dinner with the Australian Government Delegation

We are hoping to register for the conference on Sunday, as there are expected to be long lines in the snow on Monday at the beginning of the conference, as the 6000 women from around the world get registered to attend.

We will hope to update you on our activities daily.  However, please be patient over the next few days and we spend many hours on planes and in lines holding our shoes!

We will be updating you soon!!

Rebecca Vassarotti

The YWCA of Canberra is very excited to be sending four women as part of the World YWCA delegation to attend the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

YWCA of Canberra Executive Director Rebecca Vassarotti will be posting daily blogs to keep our members updated on the progress of the conference. 

Check the website daily to stay updated!