CSW62 OVERVIEW AND USA CONTRIBUTIONS
This year's Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62) and surrounding WFWP International events marked yet another level of progress and development.
It was a joy to work together with and support the International Office and UN team under the leadership of WFWPI UN Deputy Director Mrs. Alexa Ward and her very capable team of young women in their great efforts to prepare for and execute high level events during the first week of the CSW62.
Already at the opening Consultation Day, a sense of hope was felt as the women who presented on this year's topic, Women and Girls in Rural Areas, not only highlighted the dire situations and issues women are facing in just about all countries including the United States (!), but also pointed out possible solutions, as well as the need for men to be involved.
One point which came up across the board in many sessions I attended was that women, especially women in leadership, are needed not only to provide "balance" but also a more "holistic" approach to solving problems. There was also discussion of the need for spirituality, a focus on implementation, and celebration and recognition of the amazing resilience of women, who, in spite of their seemingly impossible circumstances, pain, and suffering, have never given up, but rather continue investing themselves for the cause (a more in depth article on Consultation Day will appear in next month’s issue).
WFWP USA's Contributions to CSW 62
WFWP USA was mostly involved in getting the word out about the CSW events and to solicit participation from around the country, especially among young women. WFWP USA Administrator Mrs. Kiyomi Schmidt served as the main liaison to the UN office during the weeks and months of preparation for the events, and we would like to commend her for her wonderful work!
US participants came from all parts of the country, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Las Vegas, Arizona, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and Massachusetts. WFWP USA contributed about 40 participants, including young women professionals, mothers and daughters, husbands, friends, and women leaders, as well as our local chairwomen and WFWP USA members.
Many participated in the WFWP International Side event and Parallel event, which offered high quality and varied panelist speakers and topics of discussion, and were very well selected by the UN team. Most all of our participants truly respected, loved, and were impressed by Dr. Sakena Yacoobi from Afghanistan who graced us with her presence and wisdom during the entire week. She made a deep impact on most everyone who heard her speak and experienced her warm heart and big smile.
WFWP USA was also very happy to co-sponsor again this year's Horizon Summit entitled "Rising Side By Side," an intergenerational gathering dedicated to fostering peace leadership. Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, Former Ambassador-At-Large for Interreligious Freedom, spoke as a panelist but also shared profound and solid pointers in her capacity building session on preparing for peace leadership. We were also happy to introduce a taste and practical experience of WFWP USA's Leadership of the Heart Curriculum, which was received very well (Also see the other articles about the Horizon Summit, entitled “A New Beginning: WFWP Intern’s First Experience with WFWP at Horizon Summit” and “Horizon Summit Bridging Generations of Peace Leaders”).
On a personal note, it is always priceless to meet with our international guests and VIPs, in various sessions throughout the week, and most of all engage in special meetings with our International President, Professor Yeon Ah Moon.
I would like to thank especially Alexa Ward and our UN team for their mammoth work, effort, thought, and sacrifice which went into creating these multiple events, each of which was excellent, rich in nature, and well attended.
Summary of WFWP USA's contribution to the CSW62 WFWPI events in New York 2018:
Outreach: Our office promoted the WFWPI Parallel event, Side event, and Horizon Summit to our friends and contacts through email updates, announcements in the Logic of Love Newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, and by reaching out to young women leaders. Local chapters shared about the upcoming events through their programs and to their community leadership and networks.
Homestays: The WFWP USA office found homestays in the US to provide additional options for those coming from abroad.
Sponsorship: WFWP USA financially contributed to the events, as well as sponsored a number of young women to attend.
Co-sponsored Horizon Summit: For the third consecutive year, the WFWP USA office co-sponsored the intergenerational leadership program together with the WFWPI UN office. WFWP USA gathered nearly 40 guests to represent the US at the program. WFWP USA President Angelika Selle gave welcoming remarks and closing remarks together with WFWPI UN Deputy Director Alexa Ward.
Horizon Summit Speakers: WFWP USA invited Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, Former U.S. Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom, to speak on the Peace Leadership Panel, and to host a capacity building session on what it takes to become an international game changer. WFWP USA President Angelika Selle and WFWP USA Vice President Katarina Connery held a capacity building session on “Discovering the Leader Within.”
Horizon Summit Co-Emcee: WFWP USA Administrator Kiyomi Schmidt co-emceed with WFWP International Horizon Summit Project Manager Krista Smith to represent both sponsors throughout the day.
I believe the many positive reflections speak for themselves, which in the end is what really matters and what makes this kind of effort worthwhile. Please enjoy the reflections below.
Horizon Summit Reflections
Bonne-Elise Deshotel:
I attended the Horizon Summit primarily because of Dr. Yacoobi. She is an individual about whom I wrote a research paper during my junior semester at the University of Bridgeport. I saw her Ted-Talk and was very inspired by her story and the courage she had to continue to bring access to quality education in Afghanistan during the Taliban occupation. Therefore, when I saw her name listed as one of the speakers, I had to find a way to make it work in my schedule. Being able to meet her and discuss refugees and the importance on both education and health care was very impactful in my life. This was the big takeaway for me and I've attached a photo of that happy moment.
Overall, I gained much more than I had anticipated from the event. I was very impressed with the panel of speakers. The former U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom was truly an inspiration as well for my ambition going into the professional working world. I learned to take care of the relationships I have now because I never know where they may take me, and that my presence and how I carry myself will bring me closer to success in the world.
I would encourage others to participate really in any WFWP event because each one has an abundance of knowledge, connections and inspiration to give you. Every time I network with new individuals and learn something valuable. I very much appreciate that WFWP is also so supportive and willing to reach out to individuals such as myself, that may not have the excess funds to participate. I'm very grateful for the experience and look forward to future events.
WFWP USA Membership Coordinator Hanabeta Deshotel:
Horizon Summit 2018 was a wonderful, invigorating gathering of women leaders of heart, skills, and intellect. Women of many different backgrounds and realms of expertise shared their journeys to create a positive impact in the world. We heard from ambassadors, psychologists, leaders of service organizations, and more. All are intent on ensuring that all women, of every age and every creed, feel empowered to utilize their unique talents, rise up, and speak out!
Co-Chairwoman WFWP Boston Tamara Starr-Perry:
This is my third year attending and am blown away every time! It's amazing to see women from around the world who not only want to see change, but are actively working hard within their own communities to make an impact. I was so inspired that I'm already starting to invite women to attend next year's event!
WFWP Pittsburg, PA Chairwoman Rita and Tom Baldwin:
Thank you for the effort that was invested in the Horizon Summit. Ambassador Chowdhury was an excellent choice for the Global Women’s Peace Award. The panel members on Peace Leadership challenged us with proven strategies. The capacity building sessions covered a wide range of topics and proven methods for peace leadership. The introductory video gave a catching overview of the vision of WFWP. The interns gave a good introduction to encourage young people to volunteer. Our visit to East Garden Museum was a wonderful finish to an excellent weekend.
Matogba Nelson:
The Horizon Summit was an inspiring event to be part of especially because I am a college student and still figuring out what I can do to make a difference in the world. Hearing the stories of the speakers and what they have done in their communities inspired me to think ahead and to think more deeply about the issues we are facing today. It is possible that someone like me can help impact people's lives in a positive way.
Zaiya Konno, a student and local CARP (Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles) leader:
Last week I received the opportunity to visit New York for the Horizon Summit. I just came for the end, so I only got a small taste of everything. One thought that often came up in my mind during the summit, was a question that we often ask students at my college when we are approaching them for CARP activities. We ask questions like, “What causes people to suffer?” or, “How can we create a better world?” The question that often came up in my mind was, “Why does history tend to repeat itself?” For many of the questions we ask the students, we get a wide range of answers, but for this particular question, the most common answer is, “because we don’t learn from the past.”
Throughout the summit, the different aspects of masculine and feminine leaderships were made clear. Masculine leadership might include more clear direction giving or assertiveness, and feminine leadership might include listening, embracing, and compassion. Throughout history, feminine aspects of leadership have been looked down upon and seen as “weak,” so what women leave their positions and try to be like men and overthrow men. Today, we see many young children who have lost their value, who are unhappy and go out and hurt others. I could really see that WFWP is really about finding the balance between the masculine and feminine forms of leadership. I felt like they are really about learning from the past in order to not repeat it.
At the summit, I met many women from different countries including Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Australia, who are really doing something to change the world. Some of them worked with refugees, uneducated children, and women who have been abused. They truly embraced their motherly heart and were so open to learning from each other.
On the last day, we visited to home of Eleanor Roosevelt. I learned a lot about her and how she worked with immigrant children when she was younger. I also learned how she helped to make child labor laws and was a civil rights activist and a women’s right activist. As I thought about the history of America, it became clear to me: this was the heart of a mother.
Throughout the whole event as I was surrounded and taken care of by so many great women and mothers, I felt the strength of the mother's heart. I had a very valuable experience and I’m really grateful I could go to the Horizon Summit this year.
