OPEN LETTER TO THE NGO COMMUNITY
Proposal to
Encourage Convening a
5th World Conference on Women, Beijing+15,
in 2010 in Vancouver, Canada
(Download a printable version of Open Letter to
NGOs)
This open letter is a proposal to encourage the NGO Community to
consider initiating a systematic planning process to convene a 5th
World Women's Conference (5WWC, Beijing + 5)
When? August, 2010
In 1995, the 4th Global Women's
Conference was in Beijing. The proposed event would occur 15 years
after that event. (Beijing +15) The three previous Global Women's
Conferences were: Mexico City in 1975, Copenhagen in 1980, and
Nairobi in 1985.
Where? Vancouver, Canada
That city is hosting the
Winter Olympics in February, 2010. By 2010, Vancouver would have the
infrastructure to host a truly large scale global gathering. Due to
its progressive policies, Canada is accessible to individuals of
many nationalities. For instance, of Toronto's inhabitants, 41% were
born in other countries.
Who?
The International NGO Community may consider
co-sponsoring this gathering in collaboration with the United
Nations, the government of Canada and other governments, the city of
Vancouver, the private sector, the donor community, and other key
players. The Hague Appeal for Peace may serve as one precedent of a
large global gathering initiated by organizations of civil society.
It was attended by some 10,000 participants.
How Many in 2010?
Perhaps 100,000 women and men,
children and youth, would attend. Millions could participate in
"real time" via Internet participation and electronically linked
national, regional, and continental gatherings.
What?
The main theme would be to promote the equality
of women and men as a necessary prerequisite for world peace. The
1995 Platform for Action and its 12 Critical Areas of Concern could
form the initial framework of the conference's main curriculum.
How?
We envision the transparent creation of a
steering committee, comprised of representatives of diverse
stakeholders, including NGOs, the United Nations, Canada, other
governments, and others cited above. We encourage "CONGO," the
Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United
Nations, to convene a planning meeting with a transparent
participatory process to select a representative steering committee.
Substantial preparation may be set in motion for public presentation
to the next Commission on the Status of Women in March 2007.
Why?
Only as women enter into full partnership and
participation with men in all levels of decision-making will the
necessary psychological and moral climate for world peace emerge.
When women attain full equality, they will be instrumental in
partnership with men in abolishing
war.