International Network of Women in Solidarity Created

INWS

01 July 2008

The International Network of Women in Solidarity was created at its first meeting, held in Trento, May 28-31, in the presence of Rita Levi Montalcini (Nobel Prize winner and senator for life), Malalai Joya (Afghan politician and activist) and Benedetta Magri of the International Labour Organization and the International Training Centre.

Participants of the first INWS meeting in Trento. (photo: INWS)

The first meeting of the Network covered two separate conferences, Strategies and approaches for gender equality in the construction of territorial partnership and Working in the Network: methods, instruments and strategies (the presentations and reports from the conference are available at the following link).

The four days of activities were concluded with the preparation of the final programme document (attached to this article) which set the priorities and aims of the network, and plans for main activities over the next twelve months.

The network set as its priorities the organization of an animated map of women`s stories/lives; the creation of a shared Value Card and identification of Models of Administration and Management of the network; and the creation of a Solidarity Fund to support and respond to the necessities of its members.

A proposal was made for the Network to get involved and participate in two international campaigns: the 16 Day of Activism Against Violence Against Women; and the 8th of March campaigning. The network also aims to give voice to local campaigns of its members.

The Network is a project of the Department for Solidarity of the Autonomous Province of and it has the support of 45 foreign associations and 27 associations from Trentino.

`I hope that the network will be able to grow in this virtual square because behind it are the people, the women, who put in their committment and their passion. We have the opportunity to build a movement that is recognized on international level and can showcase and give credit to what the women are capable of doing in order to save the world`, said Iva Berasi, councilor with the Department of Solidarity said on the opening day of the meeting.

The region of Southeast Europe was well represented at the meeting, with Marija Savovska from Akcija Zdruzenska, Skopje; Aneta Bajović and Bojana Minović from Fenomena, Kraljevo; Lumnije Deqani and Ardita Bala from Women`s Centre Kosovo; and Radmila �arković and Skender Hot from Cooperativa Insieme, Bratunac, BiH.

Attached files

Final document

39.50 KB