Women´s International Forum
www.womensinternationalforum.org
Follow us on twitter: @WIF_UN Welcome to the official page of the Women’s International Forum, NYC.
For more information, visit our website www.womensinternationalforum.org
Please pose your questions at [email protected]
For more information, visit our website www.womensinternationalforum.org
Please pose your questions at [email protected]
Operating as usual
2021 UN Day Run — UNA-NYC
Please join us for our second annual run marking United Nations Day! Run, bike, or walk with us as we celebrate the UN’s anniversary and recognize its tireless efforts to create a world in which everyone thrives in peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet. The event is virtual, which mean
Women's International Forum updated their information in their About section.
Our first Forum in the 2021-2020 season was on « The Shadow Pandemic: Gender based violence and sexual reproductive health"
A conversation with Dr. Natalia Kanem, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It was moderated by our President Zarina Varukatty.
Dr Kanem began with the words, 'One step at a time, makes a difference.' It is her, the agency's and the UN's call to action 'to end: the unmet need for family planning, preventable maternal deaths and gender-based violence... and to ensure that 'no one is left behind'. She addressed the importance of education and equally important: family life education so that the Covid-19 Pandemic and 'Shadow Pandemic' do not 'sweep' women and girls' rights and issues, 'under the rug'. Thank you to the big turnout from our existing members and newly arrived friends in the diplomatic corps.
Hope everyone had a restful summer and Labor Day weekend! We are excited for the new season to begin!
Mark your calendars for our event of the season on 28th September at 10 am. Invitation will go out soon!
And if you have not yet renewed your dues, please do so!
A big thank you to Dr Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations for speaking at our final Forum of the season today. A Fireside chat with our President Zarina Varukatty on « Challenges of Globalisation in the age of disinformation ». We touched on many current issues affecting the international community as well as American engagement in the world.
The Women’s International Forum had the privilege of listening to Sally Armstrong, war correspondent, author and human rights activist today on the “Power Shift, The Longest Revolution: An uprising by Women. The future of humanity is contingent on strengthening the status and rights of women and girls. Every single act of resistance to bring about change counts. Sally Armstrong shared her eye witness account of her work in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda, Congo and South Sudan.
Global Governance and Great Power Rivalry: Can thé US and China work together. That was the topic of WIF’s April event with Dr Elizabeth Economy, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University and Senior Fellow for China Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
#iwd2021 Choose to Cahallenge! We had a truly interesting and illuminating 1 hour with Judit Polgar who joined us from Budapest. Judit who remains the only female grandmaster to break into the top 100 of world ranking (she was 8th when she retired from competitive chess)is the real “Queen’s Gambit”. Our members enjoyed listening to her about how she smashed glass ceilings and what we can do to encourage girls and women to do so!
#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021#WIF
In commemoration and celebration of International Women’s Day, the Women’s International Forum is pleased to announce our March Event:
Gender Champions and our Fight for Change: How can we get to Checkmate?
A conversation with Judit Polgar, International Chess Grandmaster and Chess Olympiad Champion
Thursday 11 March at 10 am-11am
#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021#WIF
In commemoration and celebration of International Women’s Day, the Women’s International Forum is pleased to announce our March Event:
Gender Champions and our Fight for Change: How can we get to Checkmate?
A conversation with Judit Polgar, International Chess Grandmaster and Chess Olympiad Champion
Thursday 11 March at 10 am-11am
Culture and Education as a Foundation for Peace and Cooperation: What can we do better and differently?, that was the topic of today’s WIF conversation with Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO. We are grateful that she took the time to join us from Paris on an extensive discussion on how culture/cultural heritage and education can be part of building back better by transforming political institutions, economic regeneration and social development. For those who missed it, here is a video recording https://we.tl/t-E785fiOLN8
Join us for our next Event on 28 January at 2pm for a conversation with Ms Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO
We were very privileged to have with us Professor Peter Piot, Executive Director if the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. A very eminent virologist, who was part of the team that discovered Ebola virus in 1976 and the founding Executive Director of UN AIDS and UN Under-Secretary General. He is also currently an Adviser to the President of the European Commission on COVID-19. We were in conversation on where we are on COVID-19 and where we are heading. Peter joined us via Zoom from London. He gave us a very realistic assessment of the latest developments on vaccines and what we can expect in the fight against COVID-19. While it is a hopeful development to have the vaccines in our arsenal of tools, it will take well into the summer of 2021 to see some return to normalcy and even then we might still have to continue wearing masks and continue to take all the necessary precautionary measures that countries which have successfully brought the pandemic under control have taken. For those of you who missed the live event here is a video recording: https://we.tl/t-E785fiOLN8
Join us on 1 December for a discussion with Professor Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who will join us from London on “COVID-19: Where are we and where we are going?”
“The United Nations in the Age of Social Media”, a riveting talk by Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming was the Women’s International Forum’s November Event. In a talk that touched on the wide array of tools and strategies the United Nations has adopted to put its message out to the general public, USG Fleming shared with us how the United Nations was dealing with fake news and misinformation, how the Inited Nations was engaging young people in the issues that are closed to their heart. You can help by going to www.shareverified.com
We are looking forward to hearing from the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications on “The United Nations in the Age of Social Media” on Wednesday 4th November 2020 at 2pm. This is a WIF members only event. Contact us if you would like to join us!
Ms. Fleming previously served the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) as its Head of Global Communications and Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for 10 years, and before that worked in senior communications roles for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). She is author of the book, A Hope More Powerful than the Sea, and host of the award-winning podcast, Awake at Night.
For those who missed our Event this afternoon, here is the link to the video recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17-BRTsoS0LM1eV_qEsE9w9IrILtZ9z7A/view?usp=sharing
“Reimagining Learning: Providing a future for Refugee Children” was the topic of October’s WIF Talk by Danielle de la Fuente, Founder and Executive Director of Amal Alliance. Millions of refugee children are unable to attend school without access to their basic rights such as education. Amal Alliance’s work shows that with perseverance and ingenuity we can make access to education possible and ensure that these children can aspire to a better future.
Women's International Forum
3.7 million refugee children are out of school, with limited access to the education. How can we find a solution to this problem to ensure that these children get inclusive and quality education do they they can have a success future?
Our October Speaker, Danielle de la Fuente will answer this question.
Please join us on Thursday, 15 October at 2pm for a zoom event: « Reimagining Learning: Providing a future for Refugee children »
A conversation with the founder of Amal Alliance, Ms Danielle de La Fuente
This is a members-only event.
3.7 million refugee children are out of school, with limited access to the education. How can we find a solution to this problem to ensure that these children get inclusive and quality education do they they can have a success future?
Our October Speaker, Danielle de la Fuente will answer this question.
Please join us on Thursday, 15 October at 2pm for a zoom event: « Reimagining Learning: Providing a future for Refugee children »
A conversation with the founder of Amal Alliance, Ms Danielle de La Fuente
This is a members-only event.
In February this year WIF presented a panel discussion and screened “The Silence of Others” at the United Nations. The film was awarded two Emmy Awards. Thank you Chris White, Latica Tomasic, Mission of Austria, Belgium and Spain for making this possible.
https://tekdeeps.com/the-spanish-documentary-el-silencio-de-otros-winner-of-two-emmy-awards/?fbclid=IwAR36FToB7PWPVA2r4Xbw5bj8hbw3W4SpPQL2ByCA0xBvpReg8GY3Yx1tDkM
POV / The WishStill from 'The silence of others'. The 2020 Emmys have had a Spanish flavor. The documentary directed by Almudena Carracedo and Robert
For those who missed our event yesterday, here is a recording.
Our first Forum of the season 2020-2021 was an interactive dialogue with Ambassador Frank Wisner “Peace in the Middle East: Are We Getting Any Closer?” Key take aways: Challenges are immense but there are some rays of hope and the key to progress is young people and women!
It is 1 September and time to get back into our new season! We are looking forward to our first event of the season on the 16th of September, Wednesday at 2pm. It will be an interactive dialogue with Ambassador Frank Wisner, International Affairs Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs on "Peace in the Middle East: Are We Getting Any Closer?"
Ambassador Wisner’s diplomatic career spans four decades and eight American presidents. He served as ambassador to Zambia, Egypt, the Philippines, and India during his extensive career in the State Department.
As Foreign Affairs Advisor, Ambassador Wisner plays a pivotal role at the firm, leveraging his vast experience in the Middle East, India, Europe and Asia to assist the firm’s domestic and international clients.
In addition to his role as ambassador to four countries, he has served as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and as Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs. Ambassador Wisner was senior Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs from 1982 to 1986, a time of intense diplomatic engagement in Southern Africa.
This is a members-only event.
“Ethics for a post-COVID World: What Must we Change or do Better? This was the topic of WIF’s last Forum of this season with Professor Robert Klitzman, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Masters of Bioethics Program at Columbia University. As the countries around the world over are reopening their borders, governments and civil society are grappling with a number of difficult ethical issues with regards to reopening, vaccines, clinical trials, priority setting, health care workers rights and obligations etc WIF members were privileged to have an interesting discussion on these important issues today. Let’s hope that the world will make better ethical choices in a post-COVID world.
The Women’s International Forum held our May Event: A panel discussion on “Leadership in a crisis: the United Nations response to the COVID-19 Pandemic” with Her Excellency Ambassador Martha Pobee of Ghana and Her Excellency Ambassador Mona Juul of Norway. We are grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from the two very active and dynamic women Ambassadors the concrete steps the United Nations is taking to mitigate the adverse effect of the crisis on women. We hope that with a constructive response we can prevent or slowdown the rollback of the gains on the Beijing Platform of Action. It was gratifying to virtually connect with our members during this difficult times. Look out for next event on June 11.
Yesterday, February 26th 2020, the Women's International Forum organised a Panel on Transitional Justice and screening of the Spanish 2019 Goya Award-Winning Documentary Film "The Silence of the Others".
Filmed over six years, The Silence of Others reveals the epic struggle of victims of Spain’s 40-year dictatorship under General Franco, as they organize a groundbreaking international lawsuit and fight a “pact of forgetting” around the crimes they suffered. The Silence of Others speaks powerfully to global questions of transitional justice. The screening was followed by a panel discussion which included the directors of the film, Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar; UN Special Rapporteur Fabian Salvioli, Lawyer for the plaintives Jacinto Lara and film protagonist Paqui Maqueda.
The event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Austria, Belgium and Spain with support from the Austrian Cultural Centre and American Documentary/ POV
We're live with "Silence of Others" on:
http://webtv.un.org/live-now/watch/the-silence-of-others-film-screening-and-panel-on-transitional-justice/5701485575001
Screening of the Award-Winning Documentary Film 'The Silence of Others: Reflecting on Transitional Justice' followed by a panel discussion.
Looking forward to next week! Signup closes soon.
On Wednesday, February 26th 2020, at 3 pm, the Women's International Forum will screen the Spanish 2019 Goya Award-Winning Documentary Film "The Silence of the Others".
Filmed over six years, The Silence of Others reveals the epic struggle of victims of Spain’s 40-year dictatorship under General Franco, as they organize a groundbreaking international lawsuit and fight a “pact of forgetting” around the crimes they suffered. The Silence of Others speaks powerfully to global questions of transitional justice.
When: On Wednesday, February 26th 2020, at 3 pm
Where: UN Headquarters, The Trusteeship Council
Tickets: Seating is limited, please RSVP by February 24th at 9m on the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKTSkbxh7uDWQYxuy4ylnXdS9-ore3LeFTWH7rlNIPL-G5YQ/viewform
With the Co - Sponsorship of:
- The Permanent Mission of Spain to the United Nations
- The Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations (President of the Security Council)
- The Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations
Women’s International Forum is proud to announce our next event:
Screening of the Multiple Award-Winning Documentary « THE SILENCE OF OTHERS »
With the participation of the film directors Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar, and the film protagonists;
Followed by a Panel on Transitional Justice with UN Special Rapporteur Fabian Salvioli.
To be held on 26 February 2020 at the UN Trusteeship Council, from 3-6 pm, it is co- sponsored by the Permanent Mission Spain to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN and the Permanent Mission of Austria to the UN, with the support of American Documentary -Pov.
Thank you for coming today to a full
House for our February Talk, an interactive dialogue with the UK Permanent Representative to the UN, Her Excellency Dame Karen Pierce. We are delighted she made time for us on the day that it was announced that she has been appointed as the first British female Ambassador to Washington. Congratulations! In a wide ranging and candid discussion, she shared her experiences on the field from her various postings, tips on how to succeed in a man’s world, her views on gender equality and diversity, Brexit and her next posting.
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The Women's International Forum (WIF) presents eminent speakers from around the world addressing a range of topics that engage the United Nations and the international community.
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For those who missed our event yesterday, here is a recording.
We are live now
For those who could not make it to today’s a WIF talk, you can catch the video
It was an honor to have Mónica Ramírez, President of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas at today’s event.
In the frame work of the Women´s International Day we dedicated our WIF TAlK in March to “Women´s Economic empowerment in the changing world of work to achieve a Planet 50/50.” a conversation between - Ms. Lakshmi Puri, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Intergovernmental Support and Strategic Partnerships Bureau and the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. - Ms. Aishwaryaa R. Dhanush, is a multi-talented person. UN Women´s Goodwill Advocate for Gender Equality and Women´s Empowerment in India, Author, Film Director and a Classical Dancer. She is a voracious reader and a passionate writer. Our gratitude goes to the speakers, to the India at UN (Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York) for their hospitaly and to everyone who attended today!
Saying goodbye to Mr. Ban Ki-moon and Mrs. Ban in their last day in office!
The Women’s International Forum (WIF) was founded in 1975 by the spouses of the Permanent Representatives to the UN, to provide members of the diplomatic community, the UN Secretariat and the UN community with a forum for briefing and discussion on international issues and global concerns.
At this moment, we have more than 200 members mainly professionals from the diplomatic community, New Yorkers and from Non-Governmental Organizations affiliated with the UN.Women’s International Forum (WIF)
We are honored to have Mrs. Catarina Vaz Pinto, Spouse of the Secretary- General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres as our Patron. Our Executive Board is composed by Pamela Jacovides (USA), Miriam Oueslati Khiari (Tunisia), Tanya Rattray (Jamaica), Dace Mazeika (Latvia), Ingrid Ružičková (Slovakia), Lista Damayanti Djani (Indonesia), Manipreet Tina Kaur Koonjul (Mauritius), Padma Akbaruddin (India), Zarina Varukatty (Singapore), Adriana Arriola (Paraguay), Mongolmaa Dorjnamjaa (Mongolia), Amy Gertze (Namibia), Paula Lopes (Portugal), Cathleen de Kerchove (Belgium), Latica Tomašić (Austria) and Sonia de Meza-Cuadra (Peru), Vice Presidents, and Sofia Herrera Cubillo (Costa Rica), President.
All the work that is being done in WIF is voluntary because we believe in a forum for Spouses where women and men can engage in meaningful discussions.
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