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District 27 Conference, Gdansk
22 - 24 june 2001
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The biennium theme from the International President Mary Magee:
"Building Zonta in the 21st. Century, inspired by the Challenge of change"
Report of the first year of the biennium 2000-2002
Status of Women
Goals: advancing the Status of Women through the activities of the Zonta-Clubs
Rose day
Increase the visibility of Zonta to promote recognition of International Women's Day (8 march 2001)
- On 8 March 2001 in Area 01 a gala concert was organised on Rose day : The concert was held to raise awareness on the International Women's day, the Status of Women and allowed raising money for projects in favour of women.
- In Area 02 information was provided to the press to highlight the action of Zonta on the international Women's day, at the same time increasing the visibility of Zonta. Conferences were organised on the role of women in the Second World War, on women in less developed contries and on violence against women. Special attention was given to older women.
Legislative awareness and Advocacy
Educate members about Legislative Awareness enabling us to become effective advocates
- In Area 02 and 03 Clubs are encouraged to organise conferences on the subject. The speakers will be preferably women (make women as experts visible!) and where possible, Zonta-members.
- One of the main concern in Area 02 is the legal status of the helping spouses (in agriculture but also in new branches, women are co-operating with their husbands in self-employement; their legal status can/should be improved be legal action)
- In Area 03, contacts have been established with the most important NGOs working on the status of women (FrauenRat)
Young Women in Public Affairs Award
Encourage young women to pursue careers and seek leadership positions in public policy, government and volunteer organizations.
The district jury has selected Jennifer Fried as the district winner. Zonta Club Salzgitter has sent in her application. She will receive the district award.
ZISVAW
Make violence against women and children visible
- Much attention is given to this subject in Area 02. Funds were raised to support local action combating violence against women and children. The area chairperson of the committee "Status of Women" participated at several conferences and seminars organised on the subject of violence against women. some of them were organised by the French ministry, including the "Assises nationales contre la violence".
- A press conference was organised by Area 04 in Lviv on 7 April 2001 to present the ZISVAW grants for conflict resolution training for children. the project "Light in the Night" includes 5 pilot training sessions all over Ukraine for different groups who are in contact with children. they learn to develop their skills in violent free relationship building. The project is very important in this post-communist state, as it tries to rebuild the country and its identity by changing its way of thinking an behaviour. The project is still ongoing and is great publicity for Zonta.
- In Area 03 a high level event on violence against women will be organised in 2002. The aim is to invite a very large public for this event.
- The German club Lübeck will launch a pilot project on prevention of violence involving schools and teachers. It focuses on young girls and boys and is based on an American anti-violence programme " A world of difference".
United Nations
Cedaw: Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women realized in 1979. It is the first international comprehensive and legally binding treaty on women's rights. Twenty years later, a suplementary Protocol was approved by the United nations wich allows individuals or groups of individuals to submit claims of violation of their rights by state parties.
- Many conferences and workshop were organized.. Speakers specialized in the interested fields were invited to talk about this subject.Several Belgian Zonta Clubs participated in the European March of Women in Brussels wich took place on october 14, 20
International year for a culture of peace ( IYCP): One of the goals is the rejection of violence.
The Zonta action plan is to stimulate clubs to present ZISVAW grant applications.
Two clubs of area 01 have sent in applications for the 2001 ZISVAW Grant program: Z.C. Antwerpen and Z.C. Dendermonde.
Their projects were very worthy. Unfortunately they were not selected.
Beijing platform for action + 5: The 5th United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing adopted a platform for action for empowerment of women.
- Conferences about these topics were organized in Area 01
- Several clubs of Area 01 signed a petition concerning the degrading position of women in Afganistan.
Z.I Service Programmes and UNICEF/UNIFEM
- Many clubs were interested in these problems and invited speakers on in thes items
United Nations designed days
- March 8, International Women's day and Rose day
International services
Zonta international has taken engagements toward UNICEF and UNIFEM in projects in Burkina Faso, India and Nepal
- ZONTA/UNICEF: Prevention of Female Genital circumcision (FGC) in Burkina Faso(phase II).
- ZONTA/UNICEF: Eliminating Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) in Nepal.
- ZONTA/UNIFEM Reinventing India: Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls.
Many clubs do not keep in mind that they belong to an international organization and forget to contribute to the international service projects.
Zonta International Foundation gives each year.
- Amelia Earhard Fellowship Awards: For women graduate students in the field of areospace-related sciences and engineering.
- YWPA Awards: Encourage young women to pursue careers and seek leadership positions in public policy, government and volunteer organizations.
- ZISVAW Grant awards
Without the club's contribution to the ZI Foundation these progams are not possible.
DISTRICT BOARD 2002-2004
Governor: Annette BINDER
Member of Z.C. Hamburg-Elbufer (Area 03) since 1991
Area 03 Director - 2000-2002
Past Club President
Past member of District Committee "Status of Women Service"
Profession: pharmacist
Lieutenant Governor: Francine DIELTIENS
Member of Z.C. Antwerpen (Area 01) since 1976 and Charter Secretary
District 27 Treasurer 1998-2000 and 2000-2002
Past Club President
Founder of Z.C. Waasland and Z.C. Leuven (Area 01)
Past member of several committees
Editor of ZONTA FLASH (Area 01)
Profession: accountant
District Treasurer: Yolande HOOLSTEENS
Member of Z.C. Leuven (Area 01) since 1997
Charter President and Past President of Z.C. Leuven
District 27 Secretary - 2000-2002
Profession: managing consultant
Next District Conference: September - October 2003 Berlin
DISTRICT AWARDS
Area 01
Zonta Club Brussel Zavel in the area of "Status of Women" for having organized for all the Zonta Clubs of Belgium and Luxembourg a debate evening on "Improving the Status of Women, how to realize in our clubs"
Zonta Club Bruxelles in the area of "United Nations" for having organized a Gala concert on 8 March, Zonta Rose day, an initiative of Area Director Mouchette Siscot. The purpose was to improve the visibility of Zonta in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Zonta Club Dendermonde in the area of "ZISVAW" for having participated in the contest of the ZISVAW GRANT PROJECT. Even not rewarded the club has started the project through financing of training sessions against violence organized in primary schools by "De Vuurbloem"
Zonta Gent III in the area of "Public Relations + Communications" on the occasion of the concert they organized. Through a very high level of sponsorig and publicity Zonta got name recognition and the money collected for service was extremely high.
Zonta Club Luxembourg in the area of "Environment" for the various activities and fund raising actions focussed on the preservation of our planet.
In the area of "Organization and Extention" of Zonta in Luxembourg.
Area 03
Zonta Club Dijon in the area of "Status of Women / ZISVAW " for their continuing outstanding activities, such as the diffusion of the cassette " Et pourtant j'ai des droits" in all the schools of the region.
Zonta Club Roanne in the area of "Environment" for having organized a conference on nature protection followed by a nature walk.
Zonta Club Vichy in the area of " United Nations"for many very remarkable activities organized for elderly women, such as ten days vacation in Grasse during last summer for 10 poor old women. All the time Zontians were present to help these women.
Zonta Club Vitry Le François in the area of "ZISVAW / United Nations" for organizing on Zonta Rose Day a conference on sexual violence, prostitution and pornography.
Area 03
Zonta Club Bremen in the area of "Organization and Extension" for the continuous and outstanding engagement in the organization of new clubs.
Zonta club Berlin in the area of "Consolidating of Membership"and for having followed up all membership requests coming from Headquarters.
Zonta Club Salzgitter in the area of "Awards" for continuous and outstanding engagement in the recognition of female volunteers by giving public awards (special club award: "The Women to be Remarkable"), by organizing each year the YWPA club award and for participating in the YWPA district award contest.
Area 04
Zonta Club Lviv in the area of "Organization and Extention" for organizing so many new clubs in Ukraine.
In the area of "ZISVAW" for their fully involvement in the ZISVAW GRANT PROJECT "LIGHT IN THE NIGHT" and at the same occasion making great publicity for Zonta through press conferences.
Zonta Club Gdansk in the area of "United nations" for organizing a meeting on Zonta Rose Day with a politician women from polish parliament.
And in the area of "Environment" for organizing an action on 22 april, Earth Day
A special award also for the very well organized district conference
The District 27 Zontians in Gdansk ! A very nice trip in a marvellous city !
