CSW 59 IN PLAIN LANGUAGE
Heather Fraser-Harris
Heather Fraser-Harris is a 23-year-old University of Bridgeport graduate who was appointed as administrator for WFWP International's UN Office in fall 2014. I am excited to see what Heather will bring to the WFWP community, as she is currently the youngest appointed staff member in the WFWP UN office.
As of late, she has been busy coordinating WFWP's contributions to the CSW 59 (the 59th session of the UN's Commission on the Status of Women), which will take place from March 9-20. WFWPI will hold a Parallel Event on March 9, from 12:30–2 p.m. in Ballroom II of the Armenian Convention Center. Then WFWP will host a luncheon on March 10 in the West Terrace Room of the Delegates Dining Area at the UN Headquarters.
I was personally very curious about the work my friend has been up to at the UN, and I wanted to find what it is all about, and why it is so significant to WFWP. Here are my questions and the answers Heather gave me.
Q: What is CSW? What is the purpose? When did it start? Who started it?
Heather: Established in 1946 by a resolution of the UN's Economic and Social Council, the UN Commission on the Status of Women is an intergovernmental body that promotes women's rights, documents the reality of women's lives throughout the world, and shapes global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
It hosts a two-week session annually at the UN headquarters in New York that includes plenary sessions, forums, and parallel events. These activities are attended by representatives of UN member states, civil society organizations, and UN entities, as well as by more than 5,000 women participants from around the world.
The 2015 theme for CSW 59 is, "Beijing +20: Implementing the Beijing Platform for Action."
Q: Who is facilitating or being featured in the WFWP events?
Heather: WFWPI will be hosting two events. The first is a Parallel Event held at the Armenian Convention Center. This will include a discussion panel of young women leaders who will talk from their own experiences on the theme, "Young Women and Leadership: Education, Opportunities, and Obstacles." Confirmed speakers for this are women coming from diverse backgrounds, including from the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The second event is a luncheon that will be held in the West Terrace Room of the Delegates Dining Area at the UN. This event will feature a keynote speaker, and brief addresses made by WFWPI leaders. Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, the UN secretary-general's envoy on youth, has been invited to speak.
Q: Why is this event important for the work that WFWP does in the UN?
Heather: As an NGO in general consultative status with the UN, WFWP has an obligation to support the mandate of the UN as well as an opportunity to convey our unique message. The annual CSW session brings thousands of women to New York for a two-week period to attend hundreds of different events. Through hosting a Parallel Event, we have the opportunity to convey our unique message to a ready-made audience of women leaders from around the world.
Q: Are there any new or special topics that will be discussed in this year's CSW?
Heather: This is not a new topic, but the theme this year is, "Young Women and Leadership: Education, Opportunities, and Obstacles."
Women's Federation for World Peace International chose this theme for several reasons. First, in October 2014, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed his commitment to youth in these words: "Empowering young people is one of my top priorities. Young people are the leaders of tomorrow, but we need to listen to them carefully today."
Second, WFWPI seeks to align with the Beijing Platform for Action, specifically the strategic point stated as follows: "Women in Power and Decision-making: Increasing women's capacity to participate in decision-making and leadership."
Third, as an international women's organization with a presence in 120 countries, WFWPI is in the midst of a generational transition and welcomes the opportunity to explore this further through the chosen theme alongside colleagues in the NGO community.
We hope to be able to touch a broad group of women and youth and effectively convey our vision of building a world of lasting peace.
Q: What is your role in planning this event?
Heather: As the administrator for the WFWPI UN Office, I've been working with Mrs. Carolyn Handschin, director of UN Office, and Mrs. Alexa Ward, deputy director of the UN Office, to take care of most of the logistics related WFWP's role in CSW 59. This includes reserving a place for WFWPI to host its own Parallel Event and annual luncheon at the UN; hosting internal meetings with the WFWPI UN team in the U.S. to choose our theme for this year; contacting sponsors, which included Permanent Missions at the UN and other NGOs; registering participants from five continents who come every year; reaching out to ambassadors and various other UN officials to be speakers at our events; coordinating day-of responsibilities with the UN team in the U.S.; and preparing outreach materials to be used to advertise the event, including fliers, invitation letters, and registration forms, to name a few.
Q: What are your expectations?
Heather: I'm expecting and hoping it will be a big success! We have followed in the footsteps of the UN team members who have been doing this for years, but we have also taken new steps that I'm very proud of and happy about. One of these steps is reaching out to the younger generation. It's a time of transition, and we are hoping to make a big impact through riding the wave of this change.
Q: Are you excited? Nervous?
Heather: Yes, I am very excited! I love this opportunity to be part of an incredible team that is working hard to make a difference at the UN and in the world, and to meet so many more individuals working for these goals as well. I'm grateful to be able to create and contribute to this; I'm learning and growing, and I love it.
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