News & Announcements
Women and Employment
If you missed the last IFUW e-mail discussion on “Women & Employment: working in a globalized world”, you can read the summary covering the formal and informal economy and possible solutions for creating a more fair system of globalization here.
FUWA Conference
The Federation of University Women of Africa (FUWA) will be holding a conference on 16-19 July 2009, in Lagos, Nigeria. The theme of the Conference will be "Girl-Child Education in Africa". Specific sub-themes will include: School Enrolment of Girls in Africa; School Retention of Girls in Africa; African Governments' Involvement in Girl Child Education in Africa; and UN Agencies', Civil Society's, NGOs' and Universities' Role in Girl Child Education in Africa.
Papers will be presented at the Conference. Abstracts can be submitted to Dr. Roseline I. Okorji. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 30 May 2009. Abstracts should not be more than 300 words.
IFUW 2008/2009 Programme Survey
The IFUW 2008/2009 Programme Survey had the aim to evaluate existing programmes and identify new ones that will enhance IFUW through international advocacy, action by national federations and associations (NFAs) and individual action. The survey (Appendix I) was open for two months (5 November 2008 to 7 January 2009), during which time 179 IFUW members participated. Forty-four percent (78) completed the entire survey, while 56% (101) completed only some of the questions. To read more: Introduction letter from the working group, Dr Penn's analysis and findings , Thank you letter and Appendix II for more statistics.
As a result of the Survey, the IFUW Board and SWC have adopted a new process for developing the next PfA, which will give NFAs and members a greater voice. In April 2009, the SWC will issue a first call for programme development input from NFAs and members. This will be followed by two on-line discussions to help identify priority issues for IFUW's work. Several sessions at the 2010 Conference in Mexico City will offer participants an opportunity to define programme priorities further before the adoption of a new PfA. The new PfA material will then be developed following the Conference based on input from this process. More information will be available soon.
IFUW Joins European Initiative to Strengthern the Role of Women in Science
IFUW has joined the Hellenic Association of University Women (SEE) and other partners in submitting a multi-faceted project proposal to the European Union for funding. The project seeks to strengthen the role of women in scientific research and scientific decision-making. If accepted, the project will open a Europe-wide dialogue looking at factors limiting the participation of women in research and research decision making. Proposed activities include public events to bring women scientists close to the general public, networking and the development of guidelines for a gender policy for research centres and universities. IFUW's contribution will be to organize a session during the 2010 Conference where outcomes from the project can be shared. The proposal is currently under consideration by the European Commission. Willemijn van der Meer, President of the University Women of Europe, is our liaison. The Hellenic Association, IFUW's former affiliate in Greece, is in the process of re-affiliating to IFUW.
Women: Building Sustainable Futures
In November, IFUW held an online discussion on women and sustainable futures. Contributions showed that sustainability is more than just an ecological issue. It
links ecological, social AND economic interests. The goal of sustainability is to reach “a good balance between the 3 p’s: people, planet and profit”. In general, contributors agreed that it is very important to understand and to be aware of the consequences of our actions and that with education we can reach a more sustainable life on earth. Children are the future, so it is necessary that they learn the importance of sustainability from the beginning. However, the situation is so urgent, that we alread now have to ‘educate’ all adults on sustainablity, politicians and other decision makers, including the media, who, in return, have a responsibility to ‘educate’ society. The discussion also looked at ways individuals, IFUW and NFAs can promote and practice sustainable futures. Read more: a summary of the outcomes and the full report.
Travel to Indial & Nepal with VGIF
The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF) is pleased to announce a Friendship Tour to India and Nepal in November 2009 as part of its celebration of 40 years of funding projects for women and children around the world. The tour will include visits to Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan and Calcutta, as well as an optional tour to Kathmandu and Chitwan in Nepal. The tour will be highlighted by a visit to Project Five-O Calcutta, one of the earliest VGIF projects. This is a unique opportunity to foster cultural exchange and join hands to women around the globe, sharing ideas and dreams in a mission to invest in women worldwide. Please visit the trip website for travel and pricing information.
At the end of this tour, in Calcutta, the Indian Federation of University Women’s Association (IFUWA) would like to invite you to an All India Conference on "Women, Water and Food Security". Please read the Welcome Letter from the IFUWA President.
Discuss Sustainability
The IFUW Environment Network is exploring sustainability, looking specifically at the role that universities (and all educational institutions) could and should play in the move towards global sustainability. The Network Moderator, Jessica North, invites other members to join and share positive examples of interdisciplinary communication and interaction on sustainability from your own institutions. To join the Environment Network and this discussion please
or fill out the subscription forum on the IFUW Networks page.
Empowering Women Poster Competition
Do you love to create? Would you like to see one of your creations made into posters and postcards used to promote girls and women? If so, we want to hear from you!
IFUW is pleased to announce its Empowering Women Poster Competition. The competition seeks to use art to raise awareness of the challenges facing women and girls in accessing education and leadership positions in today’s world. Read more about the competition and find out how to participate.