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 bysubscribing to the BPW International e-News

BPW INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Message from the President

Dear Members,

There is lots of action at BPW International! 
Registrations are flowing in for our Congress in Helsinki and a big schedule begins in New York on Sunday with the Annual Leaders Summit followed by CSW55. Equal Pay Day awareness programs are underway in many affiliates in addition to our initiatives, Women’s Empowerment Principles “Equality Means Business” and our ICT partnership and focus on “Getting Women into the Global Supply Chain” 
BPW International is again leaving its mark at the UN CSW with high level side event workshops arranged by Vice President Freda Miriklis and the New York UN rep team. We have 110 BPW members attending despite the construction restrictions at the United Nations!  Please do visit the website and look at all the activities and initiatives so that you can also be fully informed on all. 
Check the Congress webpage for new Information on Congress activities- pre and post yours ( there are wonderful trips arranged that will enhance your Congress experience). Early bird deadlines are fast approaching so don’t lose out on saving some money!  We are entertaining a “silent auction” at congress where affiliates could bring a special gift from their country for auction. 
In addition we will have “red purse” auction to recognize our equal pay day activities. All kinds of red bags will be very interesting and special…so look out for one to bring to Congress. Lastly please support our congress with an advertisement of your business in our workbook (Euro 100) so we can view and appreciate all our business women in the world!
Liz Benham
President BPW International 2008-2011

International News
Breaking News: BPW International Recognised and in Official Relations With World Health Organization (WHO)

24th January, GENEVA: At its Executive Board session in Geneva today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) considered reports prepared by the Standing Committee on nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) that recommended BPW International maintain its official relations with WHO for the next 3 years. Out of 69 NGOs that were considered, the Board noted with appreciation the contributions of only 54 NGOs and commended them for their continuing support.  

Gabrielle Gonzenbach, WHO Alt Representative, Geneva, attended the meeting on behalf of BPW International and was thrilled to see that BPW was one of the NGOs commended for its work. 

Michèle Gerber, WHO Permanent Representative, Geneva, said: "It is a pleasure and an honor to be the permanent representative person at WHO for BPW International. I look forward to working with the incoming chair to build on our agreed theme for the next triennium and trust that our affiliates will support this".    

After hearing the news in New York, President Liz Benham said "It is wonderful that BPW has been able to maintain its status. We must work hard for the next 3 years to ensure that we keep it. Many thanks to Michele and Gabrielle for their ongoing commitment, to Faye Gardiner for her work with the Health Committee this term, to Vice President Freda Miriklis for the wonderful work she did to promote all these health activities and lastly to our BPW Affiliates around the world."

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.  Link:(PDF file 284kb)

Warm regards,

Dr. Chonchanok Viravan
Immediate Past President
BPW International

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

Theme for 2011 - 2014

"Empowered Women Leading Business"

Empowered Women Leading Business

1. .... from the top
   Evidence based business case promoted
   Sponsorship of women into leader and decision making roles                                            Women on Corporate Boards of Management
   Supply chain support for women owned business in corporate and government purchase  policy and practice
   Access to capital, funding and equity ownership rights
2. … at all levels
   Women as a percentage of intake at all management levels in business and government
   Education and development
   Equal Pay
   Mentoring and support to ensure equitable distribution and representation of women in decision making roles
   Transparency, reporting and monitoring
3. … in the community
   Corporate Social Responsibility
   Local supply chain support for women vendors
   Women’s and girl’s economic empowerment through education, development and participation
   Health and well-bring
   Access to micro-finance.

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.

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