international news

BPW New Zealand is part of BPW International Federation of Business and Professional Women. BPW has a presence in over 90 countries worldwide and membership Varies from Founding Federations, Full Federation (which includes New Zealand), Associated Clubs and Individual Members. If you look at the BPW_WORLD_MAP, you will see where BPW is represented – it looks very impressive!

You can find out more about what is happening at International level by following the link www.bpw-international.org and by reading the BPW International e-News below:

BPW International International Federation of Business & Professional Women

International President’s Message

Candle Lighting Ceremony 2010
Building on a solid foundation for our future!

Dear BPW Presidents and Members worldwide,

As we enter into a new decade, and the 80th Anniversary of BPW International in this year of 2010 let us not only celebrate and reflect on the accomplishments of our past and in this millennium; but strive to move forward, continuing our pledge to ensure we are doing everything we can for the maximum efficiency of our individual effort to encompass the goals of our entire worldwide sisterhood. The old fashioned term “The Woman behind the Man” should be replaced with the “The Women in Lockstep with all Men”. Whether a job is big or small, we should embrace it and give it our all. The word procrastination should be deleted fromour daily routine. Let everyone know that we are always striving to do our best in whatever the task is at hand. We must keep our eyes and ears open to the world at large and never lose sight of our mission. Discuss our organization with anyone who will listen. As we step forward, let us further broaden our horizons, always showing our professional, business and leadership abilities as we make new friends in the World Wide Community.

Our work now is ever more urgent and begins with new importance. This year marks many milestones and key events; the most important of which are the 30th anniversary of CEDAW (the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women), the fifteen –year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing +15) and the launch of The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) with UNIFEM and the UN Global Compact which BPW is wholly committed to, as it also engages our worldwide “Equal Pay Day” awareness campaigns.

However, we must not fragment our goals, but move forward as one body, sharing our knowledge and experiences to ensure victory in overcoming the many obstacles brought before us. BPW International will highlight our 80th year marking our place on the international stage as the leading women’s organization that has the “power to make a difference” on the decision making platforms politically, socially and economically.

May the lights from the candles in your Candle Lighting Ceremony this day unite us all, bringing inspiration, wisdom and strength to continue building on our established solid foundation for the future and our dreams of equality, peace and opportunity for all!

Elizabeth Benham
President 2008-2011

MAY 17, 2010 ISSUE 8

Dear BPW New Zealand- New Zealand
From the Executive

From the President.
Good news! BPW will shortly launch the newly updated website. Based on feedback from members over the past few months the website will be colour consistent with our branding, more visual highlights of upcoming conferences and events, initiatives, news and a menu system that will provide much user friendly access to documents and resources.

The website will also give a choice of three additional languages Spanish, French and Italian. The Business page will be on the homepage in a new exciting format, along with the popular woman of the week and a great space allocation for sponsors.

Much work has already gone into this with our Public Relations director Anneli Majuri and our webmaster and I know everyone will love the ‘new look’. Feedback is most welcome, so get ready….register on the website if you have not already done so to ensure that you are informed with the bi- weekly emailed e-news.

It is also important to send any news from Federations and Clubs to Jo-An Partridge the News Co-coordinator to showcase the worldwide activities in E-news and website to make certain BPW International becomes more visible on all levels.

Elizabeth Benham President

Exciting News!!! CoNGO Regional Committee for Africa.
For over 50 years, The Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations has been actively promoting the involvement of NGOs in the working of the United Nations. BPW International is pleased to announce the establishment of a CoNGO Regional
Committee for our sisters in Africa.

BPW International has three African Federations, Nigeria, Sudan, and Egypt, eleven associated clubs and an Individual Associate Member Tunisia in Africa.

BPW International is a member of many CONGO Committees and works collaboratively with other NGOs on substantive issues bringing our NGO expertise into discussions of
government and the UN. (Read more)

Have your say about CSW-54 Members that attended the 54th Session of the Committee on Status of Women (CSW 54) are invited to register their experience with the NGO
Committee on the Status of Women, New York (NGO CSW NY)

Freda Miriklas, 2nd. Vice President.

BPW Regional News
Côte d'Ivoire/ Ivory Coast: New Breath for Young BPW Abidjan
Initiated in July 2009 the Young BPW network section has ten members. The members implemented a variety of activities to discuss ‘The Power of Making a Difference by Women in Leadership’ and after a dinner held on December 18 2009. (Read more) Fanta Diabaté, BPW Young Abidjan RCI 2009-2011

Japan: Congratulation to Kazuyo Sejima, Japanese architect, on being awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. (Read more)

Singapore: BPW Asia Pacific Regional Conference to be held in Singapore October 15- 18, 2010 at Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, hosted by BPW Singapore.

The APRC 2010 is going to be a wonderful and valuable opportunity to meet with Women Leaders of Asian Drive in the Global Economy. (Read more)

Dr Young Hai Park, Regional Coordinator Asia Pacific

Switzerland: Extract from the Geneva Tribune May 3 2010 by Guy Mettan
The International Federation of Business & Professional Women attended the Geneva Forum. (Read more)

Message from News Coordinator
Send all copy direct to Jo-An M. Partridge, News Coordinator
coordinator.news@bpw-international.org

80th Anniversary Curiosities
Did you know?
Lena Madesin Phillips did not perceive a conflict between family and career, just thought it was a matter of changing priorities?
Members can subscribe for e-News on the BPW website

UN Women’s entity may face long delay

Dear all
On Thursday Sep 10 2009 it was reported that a number of women's groups, including the UN's own body UNIFEM, are angry at some countries which may now vote against the creation of a new women's body within the UN system. The push for the adoption of the resolution to reform UN Women's agencies by 14 September 2009 would likely not materialize like many women groups have hoped for. A long delay is now anticipated

Please see the attached file for more details.

Warm regards,

Dr. Chonchanok Viravan
Immediate Past President
BPW International

Link:(PDF file 284kb)

GEAR – Gender Equality Architecture Reform
14 September – GEAR Resolution passed at the UN! Read a copy of the draft Resolution by clicking on the document link below (document GEAR SWC draft relos Sept.pdf attached above. Some feedback details are given below. For more information on the campaign, follow the link: http://www.un-gear.eu

Power to make a Difference

Dear all,
The 2009-2011 Triennium Theme for BPW International is "Power to Make a Difference".

For a guideline on BPW activities to support this triennium theme, the focus for each year is as follows:

• 2009 - Power to Make a Difference through Leadership
• 2010 - Power to Make a Difference through Action
• 2011 - Power to Make a Difference through Advocacy

Wishing you all the success in bringing out BPW power to make a difference, especially during this financial crisis.

Warm regards,
Dr. Chonchanok Viravan (Nok)
Immediate Past President
& chair of "Power To Make a Difference" triennium theme taskforce
BPW International

2009-2011

For Power to Make a Difference through Leadership (2009):

I'm certain that there are BPW member who made a difference that you can nominate for Business category, Professional Category and/or for Young Leader categories. The profiles of these women leaders would be considered not just for this award. If there are worthy awards outstanding women (such as Global Summit of Women, Leading Women Entrepreneur of World, some UN agencies, etc), BPW International can further nominate people from this database collection for those awards in the future.

For Power to Make a Difference through Action (2010:

We are welcome both newer projects as well as projects that were past winners of "Beyond 2000: Helping Women Help Themselves awards" -given that you update the activities and contribution of these projects in the last 3 years (2005-2007). This way we can update the total number of women that the projects of your federation or associate club did help to date. Twinning projects that help women to sustain themselves economically are also eligible.

For Power to Make a Difference through Advocacy (2011):

I remember that in Valencia, many BPW members were talking about success stories in advocating on women issues to increase % of women in parliaments, in increasing women at executives level, in increasing women participation in politics and other things like Gender Pay Gap, etc. I also learn about so many other advocacy work to improve women right, women health, etc. I was very impress. So I would like you to submit nomination for the work of your club / federation so that the world would recognize such contribution.

Presidents' Seminar, New York, March 2009
For full details and pictures of the event including Joan Bielby being presented with the Badge of Honour, download the file below:

PDF File (28kb)

For full details of what's happening on the BPW international scene, visit the BPW International web site - www.bpw-international.org.

Empowering Women