All different environments have different languages and ways of speaking.  While most of the terms are self evident, it is particularly interesting to see the particular terms that are favoured when describing action at the UN.  Some interesting terms that are part of the language of the UN include:

Civil Society:  the term used to describe the non government organisation participation in events such as CSW.  The fact that NGOs have access and the ability to influence Government's negotiation is referred to as 'civil society participation'

Language: When describing particular text that people are working on to go into outcomes documents and official documentation such resolutions, the term 'language' is used, where people ask 'are you working on particular language"

Intervention: Term used to describe a question or comment that comes from the floor.  In most cases these are highly scripted, with significant work going into the 'language' developed for these, even when they might only be for a minute or two (one of the ones we contributed to was limited to 150 words)

Bilaterals: Term to describe meetings between two parties.  Here at the UN, it is used more broadly than is usual description of  meetings between two governments and used to describe most official meetings between two organisations

Spending time with YWCAs across the world, we have also noticed some strong use of particular terms which has been great to witness.  These are terms that we need to think about how we incorporate them into our everyday work.  Most of these terms are familiar to us, and are ones we used, but are emerging as strong themes of how we are presenting the YWCA to the world.  They include:

Sisters:  This is already a way we describe the people working in YWCAs other than our own.  It has been a great way for us to refer to eachother, to create a sense of familiarity, connection and mutual support.  The CSW has strengthened the sisterhood significantly and we are much stronger because of it

Intergenerational perspectives:  This has been a really strong element of the YWCA's work at this year's CSW.  This demonstrates the power and strength of the YWCA, that creates a place for all women to share perspectives in a way that is respectful.  Many of the YWCA's sessions have created a conversation that addresses difficult issues, recognizes that there are different perspectives and where a safe space has been created to explore these issues and working out how to move forward on challenges. This concept heps to builds an organisation that is owned by all women, those under 31, those over 90 and all those in between.  It creates an organisation that clearly articulates the role of women across the life cycle in a young women's organisation.

Shared leadership: This was a strong theme of the opening statements of our World YWCA leadership.  It is something that has been translated into action throughout CSW with all members of the delegation being asked to take on specific activities, both leadership and support roles depending on what needs to be done.  It is a term that encapsulates the model which supports women leading this organisation, at the local, national and world level.  This again creates a sense of joint ownership and inclusion, where all of our contributions are valued and appreciated.

Speaking the same language provides us with the opportunity to better tell the story of the YWCA locally, nationally and globally.  It provides us with a discourse that helps us understand and articulate who we are.  Through this we can understand our own role, our contribution and how this fits as part of a much bigger story that is the YWCA.



The intergenerational face of the YWCA Sisterhood at CSW sharing leadership at a parallel session!