20 OCT 2009

Planning Meeting for the 2010 NGO Global Women’s Forum for Beijing + 15 October 20, 2009

Cluster chairs give their reports:
1. Victoria—Attendance: there are two Salvation Army officers who’ll show us around—tour the area and see how the space can be used. They’ll be the two main contact people that we’ll work with during the two days.
a. The rooms are handicap accessible
We cannot find a UN agency that will request a place for the UN Lobby art exhibit. This time, we’re using mostly photographs for the exhibit, which will depict BPfA’s development through the years. There’s need for only one agency and if anyone knows someone or has contacts with a UN agency to sponsor the event, or want to be a part of it, contact Victoria.

2. Shannon read the email from the Outreach Chair—is in the process of developing strategies for outreach. Looking for ways to incorporate young people as NGO interns, outreach through social networking sites like facebook, email, etc. We’ll send out short surveys to assess what is needed to move forward as well as building contacts with regional committees.

3. Public Relations, Media, Roundtable: Social Watch is going to come up with a publication of about a 100 pages translated into French and Spanish that will highlight three areas: 1) Gender watch index of all the progress made since the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995. 2) Questionnaires will also be provided to assess the issues. 3) A number of essays (3-6) written by experts on topics that have not been included before like climate change, the financial crisis, etc. We’re trying to get world-renowned writers to write these essays.
a. The budget for the creation of the publication right now is $56,000—which is the main issue right now because we want to reduce it as much as we can.
b. We’re looking into setting up a website for it and find alternative ways to make it accessible and efficient at a reasonable cost.

4. UN-Women Watch: In terms of NGO participation in the UN Commission on the Status of Women, we’re encountering a number of challenges that include office relocations all over the city and we’re no longer allowed to store publications in the main building. We have the invitations to go and the website running for pre-registration and registration. You need a username and password in order to register.
a. No decision has been made yet in terms of limitations for organizations, but we’ll need to issue some kind of tickets for entry into the conference room. Also, details on how much room/space will be allocated are not yet clear. If you’re based in New York and have UN passes, there’s no problem, but those that are coming from other countries should follow appropriate steps that’ll enable them to attend the event.

All the information that is needed on the deadlines about the written individual and joint statements is available on the website: the deadline for individual statements is November 13th, and November 23rd for the joint statements.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/NGO.html

TOUR
There are 3 main rooms available for the breakout sessions; the auditorium and two other rooms one of which the lunch boxes will be in.
➢ Caterer: The lunch boxes comprise of cookies, chips, sandwiches, and a pasta salad and water. There’ll be refreshments in the morning and the afternoon.
➢ The question of whether or not people will be able to eat in the breakout rooms is still open.
➢ Even though the rooms are handicap accessible, the people that’ll need it will have to come in through the 13th Street entrance and then take the elevator.
➢ Van(?) Mason will be in charge of the media and technical details like audio, video, lighting, etc. The auditorium holds 1700 people: it has 2 screens for presentations and such. There is video and two TV screens on stage as well. There is wireless network in the building for web-casting.
o Media equipment like portable screens and DVD players are also available for the breakout rooms—these should be requested ahead of time. About 100 functioning translating equipment are also available.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Handout:

2010 Forum Program

Day 1
• Panel One—Doctor’s Report on the State of the World’s Women and Girls
• Breakout Sessions—Recommendations on Violence against Women, Impact of World Economic Crisis, Climate Change and Women, the Girl Child

Day 2
• Panel Two—Voices from Around the World
• Breakout Sessions—Recommendations from Regions

• Panel Three-Achieving Gender Equality, Peace and Development
• Breakout Sessions—Recommendations-MDGs, CEDAW and other reporting mechanisms, building women’s leadership, GEAR

Points, Suggestions and Questions
1) The Executive Committee of the NGO-CSW has suggested that cultural event(s) should be added to the program. But there needs to be some negotiations as to how we can move forward with the programming.
a. The author of the Pulitzer Prize book, Ruined, Lynn Nottage, has offered to do a reading.
2) It would be useful to have something in the beginning of the program that will put BPfA + 15 into context in order to inform people of what it was about (it should be something “exciting” with people from different regions who were in Beijing in 1995). If possible, we can move the 11-12pm session on the first day to the afternoon to accommodate this.

3) We might have to rotate the breakout sessions and lunch because it would be difficult to have everyone take lunch at the same time with the given space.

4) Also, we’re going to have to make choices as to what issues are crosscutting when putting the breakout groups together. It is possible to have 12 breakouts alternating but the logistical committee will have to have a say in how it is organized.
a. Each of the breakout groups is supposed to come up with recommendations for a call to action.

5) During the breakouts, can we give an assignment to each group to come up with two important critical issues that they found in their discussions that can then be a part of the call to action report?
a. There’ll be a draft for the call to action ready before the Forum takes place, but it will be open ended so that more ideas and issues can be added to it.

6) How can we incorporate the emerging issues like climate change and the financial crisis into the program?

7) Can small subgroups meet two weeks from now to discuss and come up with dynamic titles for each panel?
a. We can do emails and see what everyone has to say about the titles, then synthesize these and put it forward in the next meeting.

Do we have any hints as to what the regions are going to talk about?
a. Mavic is in contact with the regional and sub-regional coordinators

9) Some issues that need to be added to the agenda are women and armed conflict, migration, women and health, food security. We need to think about the broadest titles/topics possible for the breakouts.

10) Panel two is going to bring forward priority issues from the different regions.

6 OCT 2009

Global Forum Planning Meeting

Baha’i International Community

6 October 2009

Chair: Vivian Pender
Agenda:
Overview/Sub-Committee Updates
Break into small groups

Four Cluster (sub-committee) Chairs
Victoria Edmonds – Attendance
-
Rosa Lizardi – PR/Media
-
Mavic Cabrera-Balleza – Program
-
Adama Diop – Outreach
-

VP: each Cluster has/needs a chair, reporter and an email list

Over 60 registered participants for Forum – early registration fee ends Oct. 15

VICTORIA – ATTENDANCE
Absent – presented through email:

Will be able to register for CSW late OCT/NOV online on the DAW website: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/NGO.html#invitation
Next meeting will take place at the venue for the Forum and include a tour of the facility:
The Salvation Army
Greater New York Headquarters
120 West 14th Street (between 6th and 7th Ave)
New York, NY 10011
The Main Auditorium and Breakout rooms will be PowerPoint and AV equipped – Personnel will be available at the meeting on OCT 20 for any questions regarding the facility.
The reception will be held on March 2nd – no updates at this time – if interested in helping with this event, please contact Victoria
UN Lobby exhibit – has contacted a curator of a previous exhibit on women in the UN lobby, will focus this time on the implementation of Beijing+15 – the details regarding the space provided, the time frame it will be displayed are still unknown – again, if interested in helping with the exhibit, please let Victoria know

ROSA – PR/MEDIA
Beginning to organize…
PR – internally is being discussed at this point
Social Watch – Natalie Cordona is the SW staff person/liaison, monitoring the report
Study Groups – will inform breakout sessions, one page fact sheet about each of the 12 areas of interest as well as the 9 groups of women
Round Table – in progress – Eva Richter and Susan O’Malley

[Question: Specify that 12 areas of interest are integrated rather than divided, should meet together with breakout cluster]

MAVIC – PROGRAM
Basic structure in place
Reviewing suggestions for speakers – focus on celebration of accomplishments of women working under Platform / accounting for where we are and what achievements got us here
Platform is comprehensive and does not stand alone, linked to MDGs, Res. 1325, will be reflected in the program – here to celebrate new women’s entity (GEAR) – this was demanded in Beijing and finally is coming to fruition
Plenary
Regional Reports
Emerging Issues – 12 critical areas, what’s new – young, technology, aging – new issues
There will be a teleconference via SKYPE on OCT 14 of regional coordinators as well as some sub-committee coordinators – to get input on how to shape program
[Question: Plenary Speakers – how do we get new voices to speak?]
[Question: Methodology in identifying critical issues?]
Evaluation/surveys – distributed questionnaires to specific regions, their UN representatives – in certain areas, also distributed a shadow assessment (ex. E. Africa) to NGOs – collating responses – methodologies vary by regions
Survey of WOMENACT listserv to be sent out by office in next few days

ADAMA – OUTREACH
Grassroots – Shannon Hayes – outreach letter sent out to listserv – attempt to include more grassroots women in Forum, women on the ground working
For women who cannot travel to the conference, it will give them a chance to voice concerns, opinions remotely
Focus on youth and men participants this year
Looking to fundraising and Honorary Board to liaise
Honorary Committee – VIP to lend name to board, help with fundraising, publicity, networks – description is broad – invite to out from office
Propose a candidate for Honorary Board – include contact info
Steps: 1 – decide if appropriate for message 2 – contact candidate to see if interested 3 – send out letter from office formally inviting to board
Offer board member opportunity to donate to Forum – include in all fundraising events, but not required to donate
Choosing to use “young people” over “youth” – more respectful
Will pull young people from NGOs, contacts of attendees, volunteers, university classes

BREAK INTO SMALL GROUPS

Roundtable, Program, Study group/breakout sessions, and Grassroots met

*Clarification:
Study Groups: to learn about 12 areas, not necessarily in program, resource for all to better informed – Create fact sheets, inform breakout sessions
Breakout Sessions: feed off program, flow of entire program, could include information gathered in study groups

Did not reconvene – will report out during the first half of the next meeting

NEXT MEETING:

OCT 20 – 12-2 pm

The Salvation Army
Greater New York Headquarters
120 West 14th Street (between 6th and 7th Ave)
New York, NY 10011

16 JULY 2009

2010 FORUM PLANNING MEETING 16 JULY 2009

Purpose
The purpose of the forum is to celebrate Beijing and link directly into the work of the 54th Commission on the Status of Women.

Program
The draft program below is based on input from NYC brainstorming meetings beginning in December 2008, 4 caucuses held during the 53rd Commission on the Status of Women in March 2009, and meetings/communications of the Coordinating Committee (composed of the leadership of the NGO CSWs in Geneva, New York and Vienna). Due to the uncertainty in the current climate of economic crisis, the NGO CSW/NY plans to incorporate its Consultation Day for CSW 54 into the 2-day program. The program is still in development. NOTE CHANGE IN DATES.

Proposed program draft overview:
27 February 2010
9:00am Opening Ceremony: A Call to Action
10:00am First Plenary- Heads of State from each region
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Panel: Successes and Challenges, NGO Regional Reports
ECE, NGO Forum for Beijing + 15 (Europe and North America)
ECLAC, NGO Forum for Beijing + 15 (Latin America and the Caribbean)
ESCAP, NGO Forum for Beijing + 15Asia and the Pacific
ECA, NGO Forum, Africa
ESCWA, NGO Forum, Western Asia
3:30pm Open Discussion, Q & A
5:00pm Adjourn
6:30-9:30pm Reception

28 February 2010
9:00am Panel: Prevention and Proactive Measures
UNFPA
CEDAW Experts: Older Women
MDG Goals: UNDP
Men’s Organizations
Youth: NGO Committee on UNICEF

11:00am Keynote Speaker:
Women NGOs
Nobel laureate

Noon Lunch

1:00pm Breakout Sessions on BPfA: Poverty, Health, Education, Violence, Armed Conflict, Economy; Beijing + 5: Older Women, Rural Women

2:30pm Breakout Sessions on BPfA: Decision making, Human Rights, Media, Environment, Institutional mechanisms, The Girl Child; Beiing + 5: Migrant Women, Disabled Women, Female Household heads

4:00pm Closing Ceremony: Future Work

5:30pm Adjourn

Venue
The Forum will take place in New York City, however the venue for the Forum has not yet been set and will depend on the number of participants. Possible venues include New York University and the Javits Convention Center. Anyone with connections to potential venues, please contact the NGO CSW/NY office.

Reports/Reviews
In the past, reports in preparation for the review were gathered and incorporated into a single document. The Coordinating Committee is inquiring to see whether the organization that did that work in the past would do it again. It is hoped that such a report would be available by January 2010. It is expected that some regional reports will be sent to the Coordinating Committee. The goal is to compare NGO reports with government reports.

Regions are taking the lead in disseminating a questionnaire to governments and some NGOs, however the details of this process are unknown.

Outreach
Social Media and other technology such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs may be used to connect with younger generations.

Other Events Planned
Some type of event will be planned for the actual Beijing Anniversary in September 2010.

Regional Activities

The Forum is shaped by contributions from the regions but the regional meetings have their own priority issues and processes. The next issue of the IWTC’s Women’s Global Net will have information about organizing in the regions.

Asia Pacific
The Asia-Pacific Region will hold an NGO Forum on Beijing +15 from October 22-24, 2009 in Quezon City, Philippines. The theme for the Forum will be “Weaving Wisdom, Confronting Crises, Forging the Future.” Workshops planned on Women and Armed Conflict will be linked to a 1325 + 10 event in October 2010.
More information about this NGO Forum can be found online here: http://apngo2009.mc.edu.ph/

A High Level governmental meeting will take place in Bangkok following the NGO Forum.

Africa
Africa regional networks FEMNET and Eastern African Subregional Support Network for the Advancement of Women have been organizing for Beijing +15. Eastern African Subregional Support Network for the Advancement of Women is focusing specifically on 2 areas: 1. Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights 2. Women & Armed Conflict. At this time, there is no regional intergovernmental meeting finalized for Africa.

Planning Sub-Groups Formed:

1. Media
2. Venue/Event Facilities
3. Partnerships & Financial Support
4. Honorary Board
5. Outreach- Grassroots Participation

Comments
-Focus on Equality, Development, Peace
-3 paths for the Forum: 1. Celebrate, 2. Address Beijing, 3. Decide how to move forward
-If reports are developed as part of the Beijing +15 activities, to whom will they be presented?
-There must be a space for women who don’t know about Beijing and the UN to participate in the Forum
-How is this conference different from other Beijing conferences?
-There is concern that the event will be too NY or US focused.
-This is not a conference, it is a review of the Beijing Conference.
-It is important to incorporate the UN Gender Equality Architecture reform process into the Forum.
-There is concern that there not be a corporate presence at the Forum- reach out to more groups of women instead.
-1325 and 1820 should be wrapped into the Forum
-Peace should be included in the Forum
-Include Violence Against Women and need for Women in Decision-Making Positions
-Incorporate the outcome regarding reproductive rights of the September NGO Forum in Berlin on the Cairo Conference on Population and Development
-The Center for Women’s Global Leadership will have a Beijing Review Symposium in NYC on March 6.
-Maternal mortality is an issue that should be included.
-The proposed program is heavy with input from experts- could it go from regional reports into breakdowns?
- Could the program be more collaborative if designed differently?
-Breakout sessions should be connection-oriented
-It is important that the voices of human rights advocates on the ground around the world can be heard in this process. This is important because many NGOs don’t represent community-based groups.
-Is there a way to get support for ensuring grassroots groups’ participation? This could happen through technology- through computer communications.
-Move the breakout groups to Day 1
-Develop a report that combines information on legislation, conventions and international agreements relevant to the topic of the Forum
-How can this Forum be linked to other processes and spaces for women in 2010?
-One of the Keynote speakers should be a grassroots speaker
-The Forum should end on a note of strong demands- perhaps have one woman from each region present the 10 most pressing needs from her region based on the collaboration of women’s organizations from each continent
-There is concern about participation coordination in the Africa region
-Radio is a powerful tool for outreach in some parts of Africa

11 MARCH 2009

Beijing +15 Minutes
3/11/09

+ We’re still open for more suggestions while everyone is here
- Especially ask regional caucuses to designate a few people (all the caucuses have done this) that we can call on to coordinate with us. Setting up our network has been very successful. Our blog is found at http://ngocswny.wordpress.com
You can add your comments to this blog so if you have a thought about something and tell us what you’re doing you can put it on the blog

+ Goals
1. To report on the current condition of women, vision of future and gap between words and deeds.
2. To generate renewed commitment and engagement on the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action at all levels, including international, regional, national and local levels
3. To promote the critical need for action and implementation

+ Objectives
1. To increase awareness of Beijing at the international, regional, national and local levels- some people don’t know about the platform at all
2. To highlight the increasing gap between words, actions and accountability at all levels.
3.To advocate for critical need to establish monitory and implementation mechanisms addressing gaps
4. To collaborate with GEAR proposal for the Composite International Women’s Agency model.
5. To engage new allies in all aspects of campaign (men, youth, more women)
- Young people, someone suggested we focus on people who will be 15 years old next year. Engage men who aren’t part of the process.
6. To organize and mobilize existing allies and building momentum at the international, regional, national and local levels.

+ Possible Strategies
1. Share tool kits with local NGOs to mobilize campaigns
- Talking points- clear, uniform message
2. Create guidelines for the development of country-level lists of 12 key accomplishments and 12 remaining challenges
3. Strengthen Beijing through linking to other international instruments (Resolutions 1325, 1820, CEDAW, MDGs)
4. Hold worldwide rallies to celebrate Beijing +15 and country objectives
5. Consolidate country level findings into list of recurring global themes and key priorities
6. Engage new partners including men and men’s organizations, youth and women not yet participating.
7. Develop interactive tools through web, radio and others
- Use as many interactive tools as possible.
8. Plan for sustaining momentum beyond celebratory event
- Plan for after the anniversary of Beijing- it’s been exciting to see everyone here, the momentum should carry to next CSW and beyond that.

+ Who should be involved?
1. NGO CSW Working Group
- We will have an NGO CSW working group- in collaboration with NGO CSW Geneva and Vienna
2. GEAR Networks
3. NGOs at international, national, regional and local levels
4. Relevant government ministries
5. Non Committee Partners (must be context specific)
6. Religious organizations
7. Private Sector
8. Media
9. Ambassadors, celebrities
10. Schools, universities, educational facilities

+ Next Steps and Outstanding Issues
1. Choosing dates and locations
- 2 days before CSW 54- might be Friday and Saturday.
- One of the topics of CSW might be Beijing +15
- NGO meetings at CSW 54 in NY and also worldwide events
2. Develop timetable with regular progress and coordination updates, lead up events and or milestones progress
- Trying to develop a timetable for next year- we will use the Internet for this- can create listservs. We thought of monthly updates (someone mentioned every 2 weeks a teleconference). At least once a month contact.
3. Develop communication programs and tool kits, including plans for translation and accessibility to grassroots organizations with limited access to technology.
4. Develop short-term and long-term budgets, fundraising goals and strategies
5. Use GEAR infrastructure to develop NGO regional focal points to coordinate national and local implementation.
6.Link and create awareness at all other events (e.g. 16 Days of Activism, Human Rights, ECOSOC Summit, etc)
7. How do we ensure momentum from event is sustained?
8. Miscellaneous
- Budgets will be developed (short term and long term)
- As other events take place (human rights day December 10th/ECOSOC summit in July- we can link our activities to these other events)
- Ensuring momentum is very important

+Action Items
1. Regional Task Force Representatives and NGOs to review presentation and offer feedback and thoughts.
2. Begin forming the Coordinating Committee to liaison with TF Representatives
3. Honorary Board
4. Fundraising
- Form our coordinating committee here
- An honorary board- something we need to assemble- please reach out to any one well known who could serve on the board.

+Additional Next Steps
1. Monthly activity focused on one or two of the BPfA concerns. For example:
- April- Women and the Financial Crisis
- May- Women and Health
- We don’t have enough time to cover the 12 areas but you can choose one or two of them (Ex: we’re doing women and health in May)

+Beijing Platform for Action 1995
1. The Girl Child
2. Women and Poverty
3. Education and Training of Women
4. Women and health
5. Violence Against Women
6. Women and Armed Conflict
7. Women and the Economy
8. Women in Power and Decision-making
9. Institutional echanism for the Advncement of Women
10. Human Rights of Women
11. Women and the Media
12. Women and the Environment

Beijing + 5 identified specific groups of women:

1. Older women/aging
2. adolescents/young women
3. refugees/asylum seekers
4. indigenous women
5. entrepreneurs/self employed
6. migrant women
7. rural women
8. disabled women
9. female household heads

+ Comments
- Include something about gender and democracy- and define democracy
- 2 suggestions- communication by Skype and Consultation Day- is there a way we can orient the day to Beijing +15 issues
- The topic for CSW is going to be Beijing +15 and nothing else so we may not need Consultation, which would be more financially feasible.
- Have you considered an official day on which this will start so we can start and get some media coverage in our home countries- maybe an announcement from the UN to officially launch everything? (suggestions- Dec 10th- Human rights day- this would be the launch) It’s a good to have a certain launch date.
- Question concerning regional activities- should they take place before March- European Caucus wants to know what is expected in terms of the dates and planning of marches and events. – Answer: take one or two of the Beijing areas and focus on those- have a conference, workshop – publicize it, invite youth and men
- In Asia Pacific we didn’t choose any representatives to be the communicator- can we send the name later to you? Yes- and during the two days before CSW 54 we are going to have some celebration and events but how can we organize the event in the region at the same time? Maybe we need to have the regional event before Dec 10th so we can bring the results to the CSW.
- See if you can find some local organizations in your area that could support a march or a rally during the time of CSW.
- Could we use Oct 15th to do the launch so we have enough time to do events in the region. Are we going to decide on how many members of the honorary board? It should be someone who has clout, fame, celebrity and who is willing to be a spokesperson. Need women leaders from other countries. It usually helps if you know the person or have some link with them. Once the person is in agreement you can forward the name to Vivian.
- Is the planning team formed yet? If not can we ensure representation from every team. – We are coordinating with all of the regions. Actually need youth on the committee not just organizations that work with youth
- Wanted to know how we will utilize people who are willing to offer time and volunteer- how individuals get involved- through your NGO locally or directly through us. It has to be local for this to be a really global movement.
- As much as there are bigger structures- the bottom line is at the local and national level. Help the locals at the country level with expertise.
- Suggestion to make a toolkit for NGOs at the local level- that would help drive local level activities.
- Very important to emphasize the fact that there will be a lot that will be happening in UN and that budget is mostly for activities that will take place in NY. People who are taking up responsibilities to mobilize resources at the local level for things to happen at the local, country and regional level. We need to negotiate this as a mainstream activity for the work you normally do. Teleconferencing every 2 weeks is too ambitious. Monthly might work but that mechanism needs to be maintained. Realities of language will come in.
- We want to put the blog on the website in French and Spanish. If we have people who volunteer to do the other languages.
- Have the toolkit be participatory; maybe we can get feedback before the final draft is created.
- We would like to coordinate w/ Women’s violence organizations to do something in NY- maybe form a little committee in this area of concern.
- Do we have a logo? Someone brought it up maybe use original Beijing logo. Also need a slogan. Maybe a song
- Concern- March is not such a good time for other parts of the world. It can be difficult to coordinate everything at the same time. What if different regions choose a time of the year to have a special event? – We said a monthly event so that would be fine.
- World walk for peace leaving from NZ- might coordinate events with this.
- Outside this room, Beijing isn’t well known. Beijing +15 might be a substitute than the key title of the event. Maybe we could have a contest among us to come up with an idea
- Fundraising idea- scarf with the logo- that would be something that could unite every region. Then everyone could have diff color of scarves with that great logo
- Carry along the idea of organizing the original Beijing regional members. We have some archival material in the CONGO office we can look through. People are starting to dig up these documents.
- Last time we were talking about including a timeline of women and progress for Mexico and Copenhagen etc.
- Want to include people of all generation
- Maybe have Beijing +15 in subtitle for fundraising purposes. Maybe a name/slogan
- “She has done it” “Women- How far?” “Yes she can” “Women, The journey so far”
- Must have a new slogan- Beijing is derogatory in Nigeria and won’t work for fundraising.
- Motivating younger women- notice that younger women are at a different point- to move forward we need to bring the generations together for collaboration- people are in really different places. Names should be appealing to younger women
- On that idea, an idea of a contest might be a good idea. We can vote on it.
- Possibility of introducing a new topic to Beijing – women and religion (under human rights)
- Since this a review of women and CEDAW “Women architects of positive change”
- In France, using the word conviction not the word religion b/c when you say religion you’re eliminating a lot of women. another suggestion: use the word conviction
- Incorporate the word “together” with whatever slogan we use. We want to bring our groups together, young and old, men and women etc_
- Incorporate women across the ages. Successes and challenges how the women’s movement has changed over time, a different face for each time period.

9 MARCH 2009

Beijing + 15, Meeting #3 – March 9th, 2009
Conference Room B
Updates from CSW53 Caucuses
Updates from Regional Caucuses

Asia-Pacific Statement:
The Asia-Pacific appreciates all the working of the CSW NGO Working Group. They would like to raise the following points:
1. They are apprehensive towards the date due to cold weather.
2. They will cooperate to participate and help organize the national, regional and local forums to feed and be consistent with international goals.
3. They wish to know what will be written in the outcome.
4. They believe that the Beijing Platform for Action and Millennium Development Goals.
5. This plan must consider emerging issues as they evolve.

The African Caucus has indicated that it will convene a coordinating group of 5 representatives to help plan and coordinate the deliverables that emerge from this event.

The European Caucus is happy to coordinate if other European Commission partners are interested.

An NGO member that visited with the Dutch Mission today has suggested that a meeting there would support:
• A Mid-Term Review to take place in September
• That Beijing + 15, CEDAW, MDG and CSW should be linked
• That discussions should be at a high level

Goals & Objectives

In addition to the goals and objectives identified in the Power Point presentations,
• Themes recommended for Beijing + 15 include:
o We have enough words
o Time for Action
o Time for governments and international community to fulfill promises and commitments
• Beijing + 15 event should support the implementation of the GEAR proposal for the composite model
• Beijing + 15 should create focus on holding domestic governments accountable for their obligations under Beijing and other aspects of international law
• Focus should not be on new wording or re-opening the agenda, which risks compromising and weakening the wording

How should these goals and objectives be accomplished?

In addition to the points in the presentation, the following points have been raised:
• Develop an Action Kit that suggests to local NGOs different ways in which they can help to mobilize this campaign
• Develop regular milestones to sustain momentum
o Several people raised that monthly milestones may be logistically and financially impractical. Perhaps monthly report to coordinating regional focal points? Possibly to promote idea-sharing across regions so that regions can learn from one another’s successes. Events every 3 months instead? Is May 2009 a realistic target for delivering a plan for the proposal for next years events? How will coordination with sub-levels take place back to international level? What will the role of DAW be in this event?
• Engage new allies, including men, youth, and women. Focus on youth born since Beijing?
• Address changes in expectations and re-examine the question of understanding for the problems
• Campaign should bring Beijing together with other international instruments (1325, 1802, CEDAW)
• In addition to use of radio and internet, cells phones should be used, particularly in developing countries to reach communities at the grassroots level
• Strategies should be adapted to local context but not necessarily on the lines of developed versus developing
• Recruit Ambassadors, high-profile figures who can help get this message out to the masses and create relevance to the unengaged
• Media is a critical component to this strategy
• Private Sector actors can also have roles
• Schools, educational facilities and academic institutions

Who should be involved?

Coordinating Committee
• NGO CSW Committee, Government ministries, NGOs at all levels, GEAR instrastructure, plus others? Regional Caucus/ Networks

Other Potential Participants/ Contributors
• Religious institutions/ traditional mechanisms; however some argue that including religious allies can compromise goals; others (particularly African representatives) argue that the women will listen to messages from the religious leaders
• Private actors
o Some have expressed concerns over the role they would play in this event? Would they participate on the coordinating Committee? Or would they, as Vivian clarified, work to participate in implementing strategies established by the Coordinating Committee that derive from the established goals and objectives?
• Suggestion that regional autonomy for development of regional/ local plans may be best approach
• Trade unions and labor unions may prove a useful ally in driving this strategy forward
• The plan must be established for April 2009
• Perhaps actors that are to be included should not be decided broad-based functional groupings, but rather by their commitment to the goals and objectives that this event is promoting

Other Thoughts/ Suggestions
• Consider alternative name to Beijing + 15; very uninspiring and meaningless to many
• Promote and recognize women from the first world conference at all + 5 events
• Re-engage journey so far, where we have to go from here
• Maybe prepare some form of timeline of major milestones, ideas of what has been accomplished to date to create some sort of ‘march-on’ order
• Should advance GEAR composite model selection; strong agreement on this
• Use Facebook and other technologies

Budget Considerations
• Budget needed for short team costs (e.g. 1-year campaign) and for longer-term visioning; such a budget needs to be developed and presented
• Budget should keep in mind being cost-effective and efficient especially givent the turbulent times
o Can support come from governments?
o How do we mobilize events elsewhere?
o Too costly to do events both before CSW and at CSW
o Important to keep connected to CSW
• Budget and fundraising objectives must be clearly defined and credible

Outstanding Issues & Questions
• Where will next year’s CSW take place is significant: New York, Geneva, Montreal, Africa (someone suggested Abuja, Nigeria)?
• What was budget for Beijing + 5? Vivian indicated that she would find out

6 MARCH 2009

March 2, 2009
Beijing +15 Minutes

1. Introduction
- Vivian Pender introduced herself and Jackie Shapiro and welcomed all attendees. Afaf Mahfouz sent her regrets. Vivian, Jackie and Afaf are the Co-Chairs of the Planning Committee.
- Any Beijing +15 activity will be in addition to something that the UN does, we will be working separately from the UN but partnered with the UN
- For practical purposes, the Beijing +15 event will be in New York, other venues were considered but since we will be working with the UN it makes the most sense to have it in New York
- The best way to be informed about this activity is to look for the blog on NGO CSW’s website- www.ngocsw.org
- We want to encourage everyone to go to the blog, check it out and leave your thoughts on the blog
- So far, we’ve discussed having a taskforce with two representatives from each region making up the taskforce. This taskforce will go into all of our respective networks so we can get good representation from the grassroots for the Beijing+15 event.

2. Logistics of Beijing +15 event
- This process of planning can take 2-3 years so we need to start organizing right now
- This planning process should be very inclusive, there are many people from non-accredited NGOs who are a part of the Beijing +15 process and it’s important that we reach out to them. Consequently we will have a Friday meeting at 4:00pm at the Church Center so people without UN credentials can meet there.
- We want to emphasize that we’re also trying to get an auxilliary process going in each region- we have skype and technology to connect this process with any auxilliary process.

3. Fundraising
- Sell CSW pins, pens, and other merchandise and use this money strictly for the Beijing+15 conference
- Talk to artists and singers and get them involved in getting the message out. Too often talking about human rights can seem boring, if we get the message out in song people might be more interested.
- Art auction
- A signature scarf
-A logo

4. Goals and Format of Beijing+15 Conference
- We wanted to start out with a large scale event, perhaps at Yankee Stadium or Madison Square Gardens (noting that it is February so it could be really cold)
- We’re considering the global economy and trying to be realistic about what we can achieve- this can be a platform for the whole women’s movement.
- The UN will have a celebration, but this should be more than a celebration, we should actually be trying to achieve our goals
- There should be a a clear political line to everything that we do as part of this event- it is a shame that 15 years on there is still so much more to do. We need to get support from politicians but also be realistic about what this support means.
- We need to have an exciting agenda that does something for women.
- In contrast to using politicians we need to think about not engaging governments too much to show that things can be done without government support. Women’s rights can be won even in difficult situations. This is a constructive and realistic approach.
- We should show that implementation works in a variety of contexts and now there are no excuses to not have the Bejing Platform implanted.
- Perhaps include a mobilization, outside event
-We should think of 12 successes and 12 challenges

5. Challenges
- Beijing doesn’t have a lot of awareness in some places, before planning the conference everyone should try to do some awareness work and advocacy
- use awareness of National Gender Action Plans as a means to create awareness about the Beijing Platform.
- we need deadlines; Dec 10 was one proposed for a pre-event
- create awareness through the media and faith-based organizations

4 MARCH 2009

Minutes of Beijing + 15 Planning Caucus

March 4, 2009

1. Introduction
- Vivian Pender introduced herself, Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women and Afaf Mahfouz, co-chair and former president of CONGO. She mentioned how nice it was to see many young faces in the group today. Jackie Shapiro, Co-chair, sent her regrets.
- On Monday there were many ideas discussed during the Beijing +15 meeting, everyone was asked to go back to their caucuses and discuss ideas concerning Beijing +15

2. Ideas under discussion
- One idea was to focus everything around the concept of “12” playing off of the Beijing Platform. For example, we could develop 12 critical concerns/12 successes and 12 challenges regarding Beijing. One concern regarding this idea- in some countries there weren’t 12 successes but only 12 challenges.
- We discussed the idea of an external march that would be mirrored by events around the world. Then women doing these external events in their own regions/countries can feel connected to what is going on in March.

3. Regional activities importance
- It is very important to discuss regional activities that we can link to the activity in New York
- One representative from Sri Lanka recalled that during the original Beijing Conference there was a national and regional vibrant preparation surrounding the preparations for Beijing. There should be a similar vibrant prepatory practice for the Beijing +15 events
- Vivian emphasized the need for people to work within their region so that there is regional representation during the Beijing +15 activities. It may be more difficult for the Beijing +15 activities because this will not be a formal UN event. The original Beijing meeting was a formal event so the governments were working with United Nations.
- If we want to have coordinated regional events there needs to be come kind of schedule.
- We should use the regional caucus platform, we know not every country is represented but there will be regional task force leaders who can go to their caucus, discuss what we’ve discussed here and then come back with ideas and note we’re meeting again next Monday and Wednesday when we can discuss these ideas from the caucus.
- The Africa caucus met yesterday but did not discuss Beijing +15. The representative notes that we’re all responsible for taking this information back to our Caucus and our regions and figure out how to reach people at the country level.

4. Comments on Proposed Concept Note on Beijing +15
- A group formed after the Monday meeting and developed a proposed concept for the Beijing +15 meeting
- One member in attendance noted that we’re not ready to write a document for governments. During previous Beijing meetings, a document by NGO consensus actually backfired.
- The writers of the proposal clarified that any produced document isn’t something that we want governments to adopt, it’s a statement for the Global Women’s movement.
- This draft is appreciated; Vivian notes that we haven’t prepared a position paper in writing because we wanted to get everyone’s input. After the Beijing +15 group meets four times during the CSW we will put something together.
- The purpose of this sheet is to stimulate a discussion. During the 1st meeting we didn’t now where we’re going. We need a purpose to drive everything else.

5. Structure of Beijing +15 activities
- Everyone appreciates the effort that came out of Monday’s meeting. The Asia Pacific Caucus has been organizing for Beijing +15
- When thinking about Beijing +15 the UN is exploring holding a review process, this is a good time for NGOs to come together, possibly the weekend before CSW 54.
- A representative from the 16 Days campaign noted that they were happy to incorporate Beijing +15 into their campaign to raise awareness about Beijing +15. It is also possible to incorporate Beijing +15 into their theme.
- Beijing +15 should just be about gender violence and there is concern it may appear this way if it is connected with the 16 Days campaign.
- We need to organize ourselves, decide who is the coordinating committee before we leave so we can identify who will be the focal point for organizing Beijing +15 activities.
- Usually there is an internal taskforce; usually the CSW initiates the process then with feedback from CSW we organize ourselves. Go to ask the CSW to get information about participation, procedures etc. Perhaps we can present this idea at the morning briefing.
- Perhaps we can invite the Commission to come here with the group and hear our ideas, then they can tell us what they have to offer.
- It is important to give regional representation that goes back to the grassroots level to determine who can be on the taskforce from different regions. Of course- this will require money for travel – it may be hard to get donors to support this because of the economy and donor fatigue.
- Structure is incredibly important especially when formulating regional groups. They need to be connected to what their governments are planning for CSW 54.
- We need to incorporated people who want a 5th World Conference into these Beijing +15 meetings.
- Perhaps we could use the GEAR UP campaign- their structure and organization already exists. Maybe we can utilize this structure.
- Vivian noted that we have considered GEAR’s structure. It is also important to note that 5th World Conference if NOT on the UN’s agenda at all. They may consider a very small commemoration and that is it. The best we could expect out of the UN is some kind of Beijing +15 Panel discussion. NGOs need to think what they would want to get out of this.
- An attendee noted that GEAR’s organization might not be appropriate because they have a completely different focus. Perhaps it is better focus on using the caucuses for organization
- We want to do a parallel NGO meeting to the UN. This is where momentum comes from. 15 years on we want to take back the energy from the original movement.
- A man in attendance notes that what has an effect (whether dealing with men’s or women’s issues) is when the media takes up an issue. This can help create a tipping point in favor of women’s work. Too often people are under the illusion that women’s issues are already fixed- we need a board of shame to identify countries that have failed to meet the Beijing measures.
- Several attendees noted that they have no problem shaming the country that they live in. Shaming doesn’t have to be expensive- for example in France, only 2 years ago the marriage age wasn’t the same for men and women. However, the government was shamed into changing this.
- We are already monitoring our governments, but not around MDGs which are too narrow. The failures are caused by a variety of issues including the failure of developed countries in their commitment to developing countries.
- We need a purpose for the Beijing +15 meeting. Is it a celebration? Is it shaming? Is it an opportunity to look forward? Of course some governments wouldn’t like this because they’re moving backward. Perhaps the purpose can come out of this meeting.
- The attendees expressed thanks for the openness of these strategizing sessions and mentioned that the blog should be in the UN languages.
- Vivian hopes to link country Beijing +15 blogs to the NGO CSW blog.

6. Fundraising
- Seems to be a problem for Beijing +15
- Suggestion to approach top businesswomen and corporations to help fund Beijing +15 activities
- We needs ideas and people to actually identify these women and corporations and actually approach them
- During the Doha Conference, a women’s forum was put together and their was fundraising on behalf of this group- we also have this capacity if we’re looking to put together a 2 day conference next year.

7. Conclusion
- Vivian asked people to identify themselves of people who will go back to their caucus and report back to us. Email us 1 paragraph discussing your caucus meeting and Beijing +15 discussion during the caucus. All regions except Latin America have designated representatives.

31 JAN 2009

Minutes of Beijing +15 Brainstorming Meeting
January 26, 2009

Additional Organizations represented at the Meeting:

International Federation of University Women
Mary Knoll Office for Global Concern
Armenian International Women’s Association
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity

Blog information
- Everyone can find the blog on the NGO CSW website at http://ngocswny.wordpress.com/
- We would like everyone to check out the blog and leave a comment, please let us know what you think!

- This is a great forum to exchange ideas, get more ideas and brainstorm for the event.

Mission of the NGO Forum
- The mission of the NGO Forum is to further the agenda of the Beijing Consensus, we will remain autonomous but partnered with the UN.

- The Bureau of the UN’s 53rd Commission on the Status of Women has informally suggested that CSW 54 be a celebration of Beijing +15; the UN has been clear that this will not be related to any other conferences in 2010.

- We have to be clear that we don’t want to re-open discussion but celebrate Beijing and discuss what has been done to implement the Beijing platform.
- It was noted that one impediment at Beijing originally was the stance that the US took; perhaps this will not be an issue this year.
- Overall it is time to look at implementation, it is time to hold states accountable for what they have and haven’t done to implement the Beijing platform. We must look at commitments that have been made before we can begin thinking about a 5th world conference.
- We need to assess the current program of implementation so we can have a relevant, stronger Beijing conference in the future.
- We will look at models for constructive dialogue.

Regional Task Force Representatives
- It is important to begin outreach to our individual networks to identify representatives from all the different regions of the world (Western Europe, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America and Caribbean, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe and CIS).
- Once we’ve identified people in these regions we can create a task force that covers these areas.
- We will ask the NGO CSW in Geneva and Vienna since these people have a direct relationship with people in Europe.
- We will work collaboratively with Geneva and Vienna in addition to the regional representatives.
- As soon as possible we would like everyone to contact possible representatives so we can keep the momentum going, these people are working at the grassroots and really know what is going on with implementing Beijing.

CSW 53: 2-13 March 2009
During CSW 53- we will have 4 more Brainstorming Beijing + 15 meetings on both Mondays and Wednesdays, the 2nd, 4th, 9th and 11th of March, 4:00pm-5:00pm in Conference Room B at the UN
- Is there something on the blog that outlines all of these different ideas for Beijing +15 to try and give some kind of structure to all the different options and ideas? This way there is something for people to react to
- The blog is open to all comments and ideas; we would like to keep the blog open and encompassing.
- The parallel event schedule is up on the website
- We want to get input from people going to CSW about Beijing +15.
- The Division has the 5 and 10 year reports on Beijing, CONGO has them in the archives.

Fundraising
- Atlantic Philanthropies was mentioned at the last meeting but we need to have our plan more organized before we go to them. It doesn’t seem that they have funded anything specifically for women so this may be an opportunity for us.
- If anyone has any fundraising ideas please let us know.
- We need to determine the venue and need a program. We need this before we can go forward with a proposal for funds.
- The UN building will be under renovation so it will present potential problems; Ellis Island may be a venue (access would be a problem, we would need boats but we need to think creatively about the venue).
- The event will probably be in New York, so we are asking for more venue ideas in New York.
- The Museum of Modern Art was suggested as a venue (UN employees with a badge already get in free).
- We have $20,000 in seed money; it is something to start out with. A suggestion was made that a substantial portion of the $20,000 should be allocated to getting representatives from the south involved. It is important for NGO CSW to define more specifically what the money will be used for.
- Beijing +15 will have a special budget and bank account and funds will not be intermixed with NGO CSW NY money.

Honorary Board of Directors
- We ask that each person think about their contacts.  We’re interested in finding people with stature to be on our honorary board.
- US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney has agreed to be on the board.
- Perhaps we can engage the US Mission for partnership.
- Some possible contacts include Susan Rice and Colin Powell. We still need people from other regions (possible examples: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Angela Merkel, the Mandelas).
- NY State Senator Kirsten Gillibrand may be a possible board member.
- The Presidents of Barnard and Hunter College may also be possibilities. Also they have facilities that we may have access to (Hunter College has the old Roosevelt Mansion).
- Basically the people on the Honorary Board of Directors are lending their name and their implicit support. There is no current limitation on the number of people on the Honorary Board.

Women and supportive ambassadors
- Ambassador Belle, Chair of CSW 53, from Belgium is very supportive of Beijing +15
- We are planning a tea in April, we will ask Finnish Ambassador Lintonen to host the tea.
- We will ask women ambassadors and supportive ambassadors to assist us with finding regional representatives.

Interns
- Emily and Jennifer are both working with NGO CSW.

Next meetings
- We would like everyone to pick something they want to work on (venue, tea etc), everyone please reach out to regional representatives, visit the blog and think of contacts for the honorary board.

-    The next meeting will be held March 2nd at 4:00pm in Conference Room B.
-    There will also be meetings March 4th, March 9th and March 11th all from 4:00-5:00 pm in UN Conference Room B.

20 NOV 2008

Please circulate to your NGO networks.

Beijing + 15 NGO Forum:
Beijing + 15 Brainstorming Meeting
The Global World Through Women’s Eyes: A New World for All

DRAFT PROPOSAL Presented at the NGO CSW/NY Meeting11/20/08

The NGO CSW, NY in collaboration with the NGO CSW, Geneva and the NGO CSW, Vienna will review the history of the Beijing Conference as well as Beijing + 5, and +10. We will draw from those conferences (as well as Mexico City, Copenhagen, Nairobi) to follow their recommendations, complement their efforts and achievements. Our ultimate goal is implementation and gender parity.

An Ad Hoc Committee of the NGO CSW/NY has been formed, Chaired by Afaf Mahfouz, Jackie Shapiro and Vivian Pender. (Afaf was on the Facilitating! Committee of Beijing, and Chaired B + 5, Jackie is previous Chair and also was one of the Organizers of Beijing + 5 and +10. I am the present Chair of the NGO CSW, NY.)

The Ad Hoc Committee has scheduled several brainstorming meetings for the entire NGO community:
The first meeting is scheduled for December 1st, Monday, 1:30-3:00 in the Hardin Room, 11th Floor, Church Center, NYC.

We’ll try to schedule two more: one in mid-January, and one in mid-February. All CONGO Committees will be invited to participate in the brainstorming. We will meet in the Church Center at the UN.

The proposed title is:
NGO Forum – The Global World Through Women’s Eyes: A New World for All

At the outcome of Beijing + 15, there will be a concise document produced with a clear message, one that is user-friendly, can be translated and used repetitively.

Use all forms of communication: print, TV, radio, Movies, telephone, fax, internet (YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, email and Web), text messages, door-to-door and follow-up.

Grant applications for seed money will be made to Goldman Sachs, Gates Foundation, Soros Foundation, Ford Foundation, Oprah, and other funding sources. Money will be used to support the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and later modifications.

Our ultimate Goal is to raise Three Billion Dollars, one dollar for every woman and girl on earth.

Proposed Honorary Board of Directors: Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Wangari Maathi, Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, Angela Merkel, Michelle Bachelet, Claudia Blum, Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, Geena Davis and others to be added.

Please join us on Monday, December 1st, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm at the Church Center, Hardin Room, 11th Floor.