Practicum Wrap-Up Discussion

I have now had some time to think over the Practicum, my experiences at the CSW, and what I have learned. Most important to note are the difficulties faced engaging in women's rights dialogues across cultures and geographic locations. Differences in economics, social practices and more make it difficult to find consensus on what is practical, desirable, or even possible. Despite all of these challenges, activists from around the world still come together to share experiences, exchange ideas, advocate for their concerns, and find sites of compromise. It is far from a perfect system, but it seems better than not coming together to discuss. In addition to noting the challenges faced discussing women's rights, I also was able to see how women's NGOs strategically came to the table not only to overcome the aforementioned challenges, but also to advocate for issue of particular concern. Much emphasis was placed on providing context so that persons coming from other backgrounds could understand the issue and be a part of the discussion. This is not to say that all NGOs were successful, or even that all were willing to concede to the advocacy concerns of other NGOs, but what did happen was framing of discussions in such a way as to allow individuals who might be protective of their organizations concern to be able to at least see how other activists viewed and addressed a different, similar, or even the same issue.

The opportunity to see activists from around the world discussing, debating, and at times aggressively arguing about women's rights impacted how I view the work of the UN and the role of NGOs in the UN. There were certain things that were confirmed after seeing the real world practice of NGO and UN advocacy, but there were also many unexpected observations. Seeing how advocacy and debate about women's rights occurs in practice definitely illuminates my reading, and promises to enlighten my future research.

CSW - Day 6

This was the last day of the Practicum. There were fewer sessions as well because it was the weekend. In the morning I attended a session discussion the impact of Beijing on rural women, with emphasis on rural women in the U.S. This was a very interesting panel, and following this I took some time to wrap things up. The following day I flew out of New York and (obviously) arrived safely back in Lincoln on Sunday night. An additional post wrapping up the experience is forthcoming, so stay tuned.

CSW - Day 5

Today we got a briefing from women with the New England Women's Forum talk with us. Later I attended the CSW Panel Commemorating 30 Years of CEDAW. This evening we also got to see the WILPF panel on women as peace-makers, featuring WILPF President Angie, a woman from the DRC, and a woman from Sudan. The Sudanese Ambassador to the UN also came. We finished the day with a farewell dinner. It was yet another good day! The Practicum is officially over tomorrow morning, but I am in town until Sunday afternoon so I will be attending some more panels and possibly doing my one touristy thing: seeing the Statue of Liberty. That is not guaranteed though because there are still many panels I am interested in so it may have to wait for my next trip to New York. Again, I shall have to leave you with another brief update. Perhaps tomorrow I will finally be able to elaborate more.

CSW - Day 4

Today was quite a long day. We met with a representative of the US delegation to the UN this morning to start the day off. Then I went to a really interesting titled ''Changing Fortunes: Post War Political & Economic Opportunities & Their Implications for Women's Participation & Empowerment in Countries Emerging from Conflict" featuring speakers from Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the DRC. I later attended a panel on the effect of the financial crisis on women, particularly Chinese women. The final panel of the day was put on by Femmes Africa Solidarite and discussed the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign. I got the opportunity to meet the president of Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe at this panel. This evening we went to a showing of "Half the Sky Live," and then I returned home. It was a very good day, but I cannot elaborate more because I really need to get to sleep. There are many promising panels I must get to tomorrow.

CSW - Day 3

A very quick update tonight since we are meeting very important persons early in the morning. I went to a panel by ISIS today discussing women rebuilding in post-conflict societies, one on addressing demand for sex trafficking, and later a training in advocacy by WILPF. Very interesting topics. WIPLF is hoping to get a majority of UN member states to reduce military spending by 2015, which is the organization's 100th anniversary. Again, another very good and busy day.

CSW - Day 2

This mornings adoption of a declaration reaffirming the Beijing Platform at the UNCSW was very interesting. Also fun were the comments from various member state representatives. In the afternoon I went to a panel by Social Watch discussing regional gender impacts of the financial crisis. It was definitely a good panel and included great audience participation. I also went to a panel on women, faith and development featuring a talk by Mary Robinson. The evening was filled with a reception at the Turkish Center, though sadly there was no Turkish food. We made up for it by getting some Turkish coffee and baklava later. Overall another good day with great conversation during the reception! Now off to rest for tomorrow.

I am listening to a presentation from Mary Robinson.

At www.equalitynow.org there is a petition addressed to heads of state to ensure repeal or amend laws which discriminate against women.

I am currently at an NGO Briefing at the Salvation Army, then on to the CSW, then to a panel on regional perspectives of the financial crisis. Tonight I will go to a reception at the Turkish Center.

CSW - Day 1

Today I attended the Opening Ceremony of the UNCSW. It was very exciting. There was emphasis placed on progress made since Beijing, shared experiences, and good practices. Additionally, there was encouragent to add more action to commitments to the Beijing Platform. I was unable to stay for the entire session though because there was a scheduled tour of the UN. The tour went very well. We sadly did not get to see the General Assembly hall since it was closed for repairs, but instead we got to see the Security Council meeting room. There was a very cool picture of the UDHR in the shape of a person, which can also be seen at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/12/departments/human-rights-interactive. I later attended the Africa Caucus where the Beijing+15 Shadow Report for African States was discussed (access it at http://ngocswny.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/kenya-ngo-beijing-15-report-final-version.pdf). The meeting was very good, and VERY well attended. There was not a space left in the room or the spillover room. Gertrude Mongella explained the important role that the African caucus made at Beijing and how many of their proposals made it into the final Beijing Platform. I cannot stress how great of a meeting this was. Later in the evening, we had the great honor of having dinner with Senator Eve (Bazaiba Masudi Eve) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She told us her experience as 1 of 6 women in the Senate. It was a good night filled with lots of interesting discussion both at dinner and later with other Practicum students. Once again, I must cut this short since I am very tired.

Rwanda Summer Study Abroad Program

A couple of you have asked about the Rwanda Study Abroad Program. It is open to anyone, simply email Dr. Chantal Kalisa (mkalisa2@unl.edu). Click here for the Rwanda Summer Study Abroad Website, or click here for the Rwanda Summer Study Abroad PDF. Also, if you want to more from those of us who participated last year you can find us on Facebook at "Nebraska in Rwanda."

You can see a student-made video of the program by clicking on the following links:
15 Years - Part 1
15 Years - Part 2
15 Years - Part 3

The program, open to undergraduate and graduate students, is two-weeks long at the Interdisciplinary Genocide Studies Center in Kigali. During the program there are memorial visits, meetings with NGOs (many women's NGOs), lectures from a wide variety of interesting persons, and visits to other places in the country. There is also time to do your own research, and you can make the program reflect your own research interests. You can see pictures on my Facebook (for those who have friended me) or I believe there are also some on the Facebook site. The travel days this year will be June 29 and July 15, and the program will take place from July 1-15 . You are able to stay longer and arrange your travel to fit your own needs.

I am at the UN for CSW Opening Ceremonies, along with women and men from all over the world.

NGO Forum - Day 2

Today featured regional break-out sessions where NGOs separated to discuss regional plans of action. The event concluded with a call to action and a group song. An interesting day, and a tiring one. Each region had many serious concerns, and watching the regional dynamics was fascinating. Later in the day an introductino to the UN was provided for any that needed it. It was another great day, but very tiring so a more detailed blog will be added later. Tomorrow we have a tour of the UN scheduled, and many high-level and parallel events will be kicking off, so I will have a lot to discuss.

Between Rwanda and now the NGO Forum, the need for some French conversational skills is very apparent.

Quote to think about from Radhika Balakrishnan on econ crisis: ''What the government has done is privatized profit and socialized risk.''

WILPF Practicum participant Basma Alloush presented the regional outcome report for the Middle East as a way to signify the participation of younger generations in the region's NGOs.

There was an attempt to create an agreed upon regional emphasis for North America in an hour. Very interesting to observe so many issues raised so quickly.

Follow US acivities at the CSW. Statements: www.usun.state.gov. Twitter: twitter.com/AmbassadorRice. Facebook: facebook.com/AmbassadorRice

The US Mission to the UN will focus on encouraging US ratification of CEDAW. Help by talking to UN delegates & your nat'l representatives.