Following is a synopsis of the conference and the sister clubs´ activities with a selection of photos. Close to 300 attendees represented 125 clubs of the SISWP Federation.

SISWP has 12 member countries: Australia, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands and Thailand. Thailand, formerly with the UK Federation, joined in 2003.

The ´Journey of Understanding´ conference began with the flag ceremony, national anthem and charming Thai dancers. Conference Chair Lynn Ciurloinis and Lorna Mead, Federation President 2006 2008, welcomed the participants. Also present was the International President Margaret Lobo. After an introduction by MCs Valerie McKenzie and Gill Barrington, Mechai Viravaidya officially declared the conference open.

PDA and SIAM Mechai Viravaidya gave a lively overview of the Population & Community Development association (PDA), and their achievements since its start in 1974. Although family planning and primary healthcare were the focus in the early years, PDA´s activities have expanded to: Integrated Rural and Water Resource Development, a Community Fish Pond Programme, Vegetable Bank, Silk Weaving Project, a Hill Tribe Museum and Education Center - just to name a few. Please go to www.pda.or.th for detailed information.

The SIAM-Project started 1995. Through its programmes, it provides education and jobs for girls in the northern provinces and boarder regions. To date 1461 girls were saved from being trafficked. The SIAM-Project was also represented with a stall selling beautiful Lanna-style jackets.

 

Changing Consciousness and Practice: Boys and Men as Partners in Promoting Gender Equality and Women´s Empowerment

Dr. Jean D´Cunha is the Regional Programme Director of the UNIFEM East and South-East Asian Office. She has been actively involved in the Women´s Movement in India since 1979. The focus in her presentation was the cooperation with men as partners regarding gender equality and here especially the upbringing of boys in a gender-conscious environment.

HAB Helen Hutchins presented the ´Hands Across Borders´-project, the achievements and future plans. It was presented with a special award as an ´on the grounds´-project. HAB will remain a federation biennial project for 2008 - 2010. Also present from SI Office in Phnom Penh were SoKoeun Suon and Sorephea Ley. In the foyer, a HAB/SI Dusit stall was set up and manned by Barbara McHerron and Anne Broom (SI Broome Australia). They sold herbal soaps (a Klong Toey-project), silk items and quilts made by women in Cambodia. They raised THB 100.000. The first day ended with an entertaining friendship evening.

 

 

Saturday, June 7

International Initiatives - Focus on the Focus work smarter, not harder.

Dr. Piera, SI Italy, showed a video of the project that she set up with the Lions Club: a Pap Smear Project for the Women in the Solomon Island to prevent cervical cancer. In addition, Italian volunteers set up a hospital with a modern maternity ward.

SI Ulanbaatar/Mongolia has formed a friendship link with a Germany Club in Koblenz who helped them to build houses (gers) for parents of sick children during their treatment in the hospital.

SI of West Australia have launched a chicken breeding programme in East Timor.

Project Five-0 The idea to establish the Five-0 project cooperation grew out of the International Women´s Year 1975. The vision was to offer vocational training to poor women and girl in developing countries, using the members´ skills of the participating organizations. The partnership was confirmed during the 2. Women´s Conference in Copenhagen in 1980. The five partner organizations are: - Business and Professional Women International - International Council of Women - International Federation of University Women - Soroptimist International and Zonta International. They are active in 18 countries (www.project-five-o.org).

Project Sierra (2007 2011 Quadrennial Project) Project SIerra provides ´hope and homes´ for orphaned children in Sierra Leone. For more info visit: www.projectsierra.org

New SISWP Website (and SI Dusit) An attractive new federation website will be launched in July/August. SI Dusit to follow - as you can see.

Sunday, June 8 The day began with an early morning merit making ceremony with 49 monks of a local temple, and an ecumenical service.

Thereafter was the with only one hour a much too shortly scheduled opportunity for National Meetings. ´Asia´ was cramped in a small room but we used the time well to introduce each other, learn about our activities. For example, Elsa Wong, SI Hong Kong is very active in mainland China and trying to get an SI Club established there. SI Dusit contributed to her disaster relief fund THB 30.000. SI Indonesia built a whole village in Ace (see National Reps´ Reports).

SI Malaysia offered a friendship link to SI Dusit, which Khun Oradee gladly accepted.

 

 

Forum discussion: ´Working towards Gender Equality Are we there yet? How much further to go?´ Conclusion: There is still a long way to go; as an example: due to the increasing economic difficulties for many families, the main breadwinner becomes unemployed, domestic violence is still a big issue.

 

The Plight of Burmese Refugees Dr. Jane Edwards, Project Coordinator and Chief Medical Officer of the ´Haven Medical Programme´.

A presentation that touched all. Dr. Jane, based in Chiang Mai, works in the refugee camps along the Thai/Burmese Boarder. An estimated one million refugees live along the east Burma/Thai border, 300.000 live in Thailand, 156.000 are registered. There are nine official refugee camps where Dr. Jane provides medical care. Please go to: http://thehavenproject.net/ for info on the project and the disastrous situation in Burma.

Working towards Gender Equality in Cambodia A strong presentation from Nhean Sochetra, who herself was a refugee living at the Thai border for many year, and works now as government officer in the Cambodian Ministry of Women´s affairs. She strives to improve e.g. land rights, inheritance rights, access to health care, and is also actively involved in ´Hands Across Borders´.

Urban Poverty in the City - The Slum Mission Bangkok Sister Joan talked about her work in Klong Toey, about her day-to-day struggle to keep the kids at school. Visit her website (set up by volunteers): www.sisterjoan.info.

The last day ended with a flag ceremony with the newly elected National Representatives 2008 - 2010, and a gala dinner in a beautifully decorated ballroom.

Summary: It was a well-organized conference, and all enjoyed the Thai hospitality. However, many critized that there was no time allocated for workshops and meetings where the participants could get to know each other better and exchange experiences. Also, the extensive business meetings should have been held separately, and not during the main programme.

Some discussion came up with regard to ´SI being the best-kept secret´. Although there are 93.000 women in 124 countries, SI is still far from being a household name like Lion´s or Rotary. The local clubs can only do so much, act locally that is, however, a global campaign would help our cause tremendously, e.g. interview on the Oprah Show or so, articles in international newspapers/magazines. Maybe we can raise this issue with the new SISWG-President in the near future.

Nevertheless, we will increase our PR efforts in Bangkok, and draw more awareness to our activities. Maybe we can cooperate with the Bangkok Club and together with SI Chiang Mai launch a ´SI Thailand Campaign´. This also in view of the ´UN character´ of the Thailand Clubs: Many nationalities work together in ´Soroptimism´.

The next SISWP-Conference will be held in April 2010 at the Gold Coast in Queensland/Australia.

Angelika Franzen, June 14, 2008

 

Activities of the individual Federation Clubs (Excerpts from the National Representatives´ (NP) Reports

Australia Janice Lee Australia has 85 clubs within 8 regions and 1645 members. There are quite a number of projects and programmes, which are listed at: http://www.siswp.org/prog/prog.html

 

Fiji Vaseva Dakui

Violence against women is a big problem. SI Fiji is working hard to eliminate the discrimination against women in the community, to stop domestic violence. HIV/Aids is increasing as is cancer in men and women. SI members have attended workshops and promote fresh food and nutrition. SI Fiji is also active with environmental issues as many local trees are lost to make wood carvings for tourism and local usage.

 

 

Hong Kong Elsa Wong In May 2007 the club donated 14 sets of computer systems to the ´School of Hope´ in China which benefits over 500 students and teachers (HK$ 50.000) In August additional 16 sets were donated upon their request (HK$55.000). Elsa informed during the ´Asia Meeting´ on June 8 that she wants to become more active in mainland China and aims at establishing a SI-Club there. SI Dusit donated THB 30,000 to the disaster fund.

 

Indonesia Isla Winarto

Following the Tsunami, SI of Jakarta (SIJ) managed with 8 members to raise US$ 1.7 million for the rebuilding of Lamreh village in Aceh, which was completed in May 2007. They built 200 houses, a primary school, a library/learning center, clinic, women´s center, community meeting hall, kindergarten, playground and a market. In addition, SIJ also provided electricity and a long-term clean water supply to Lamreh Village.

SIJ continues to provide support for street children in central Jakarta to have regular schooling. Local girls can be accommodated in the school´s dormitories to protect them from being a risk in the streets.

 

Malaysia Helena Cheah Malaysia has 13 clubs with 192 members. As of June 2008, friendship link with SI Dusit. For more info on SIROM´s activities like the ´The Biennial SIROM ?Green and Clean? Campaign´ or the winning of the ´CLIO Award Gold Statue´ please visit: http://www.soroptimist.org.my/president.html

 

Mongolia Dolgormaa (Dolly) Jamiyan Mongolia has 2 clubs with 40 members. Their projects include providing cattle for struggling nomads. They have strong friendship links. A German school donated 140 sheep that were distributed to 7 poor households. As of September 2007 their number rose to 1075 sheep, and is now 2235 with the offspring.

SI New Plymouth donated 2 gers for 2 poor families, the SI Darkhan club conducts vegetable training courses and gave different types of vegetable seeds to 30 families.

New Zealand Yvonne Simpson Some of the programme focus goals and objectives:

- Eliminate poverty and gender discrimination through ensuring women´s full social and economic rights

- End human trafficking and all forms of violence again women and girls

- Ensure access to health care for women and girls

- Improve access to clean water, sanitation and essential food resources

- Ensure equal access to education and training for women and girls

- Assure women´s advancement in management, politics and decision-making

Papua New Guinea NP Jane Kenni Domestic violence is a widespread problem. SI of PNG are working closely with the National Department of Health of establish family support Centers and filed a petition to the Government to take a tougher stance on Violence against Women and Children. SI Port Moresby won the SISWP Health Award.

 

 

Samoa NP Rhonda Macdonald SI Samoa is a single club region with 20 members. They are active in their local communities through the health sector, environment, and human rights sector. Samoa is strong in its determination to advance the status and rights of women and girls. Three members were invited and attended the consultation process on the draft stage of the national Policy of Children. The empowerment of women is well. Many are principles of government schools and colleges. At the National University, women head many faculties, this applies also for the private sector.

Singapore NP Alice Goh SI Singapore is very active in the health sector. Their project with the Singapore Poly students (the egg incubator for the Bihar orphanage) won a ´Best Practice Award´. More at: http://sisingapore.tripod.com/

Solomon Island NP Jenny Tuhaika SI Solomon Islands (with 12 members) is also very active in the health sector and on human rights issues. An important project was the collaboration with SI Clubs in Italy to build and equip a Cervical Screening Center at the National Referral Hospital. There´s also a successful kindergarten project that was supported by SI Brisbane City. The past present was appointed Permanent Secretary at the new Ministry for Women, Youth and Children.

Thailand NP Kath Barnett There are three SI-Clubs in Thailand. After the Bangkok Club and SI Dusit, the SI Chiang Mai Club was chartered in June 2007. One of their programmes is R*E*S*P*E*CT to help single mothers.

At this year´s conference, the Bangkok Club received the ´Best Practice Award´ for their ´Cross Stitch Project´ that supports women in the northern provinces. Through their fundraising events like ´dine and dance soirees´ they continue to build dormitories in the hill-tribe area North of Chiang Rai and close to the Laos Border. Further help is given to provide fish ponds, pig sties, vegetables gardens, general clothing and bedding, etc.

SI Dusit supports yearly around 100 students through their scholarship programme. Their biennial fundraiser, the ´Home and Garden Tour´, is highly successful as were this year´s ´Gently down the Stream´ and the High Tea on the ´Crystal Serenity´. The ´jewel in the crown´ remains ´Hand Across Borders´, that became a federation project in 2006 and has been extended to 2010. It won a Best Practice Award last year in Glasgow, and a special award this year in Chiang Rai.