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.
