World YWCA Council Closes on a High Note
What an incredible week! Strong women from every corner of the globe flooded Zurich to discuss the topic, “Women Creating a Safe World.” Complete with dancing, cheering, yodeling, and learning, the World YWCA Council was a huge success, with over 850 women from 115 delegations coming together as one decision-making body.
After receiving inspiration from the Young Women’s Leadership Dialogue and the Pre-Council on the first day, the conference gained momentum as it shifted towards the International Women’s Summit. Hearing opening speeches from former Presidents Dr. Michelle Bachelet and Mary Robinson roused interest amongst the audience, and all were enthusiastic for what was to come. The subsequent presentation of the first ever Mary Robinson Awards for Young Women’s Leadership in Human Rights then set a high bar for each attendee as they continue the work in their home countries.
Throughout the week, the energy was swelling because of events like the Opening Ceremony, Swiss Night and Zurich Discovery Tours. Plenary and breakout sessions developed the knowledge and skills of each participant as we dove into the topics of safe spaces and HIV. Closing speeches delivered by Ambassador Stephen Lewis and former President of Switzerland Ruth Dreifuss were especially inspiring as the International Women’s Summit transitioned into the meeting of the YWCA World Council.
For three days, the business meeting occupied the time of delegates, where critical decisions regarding the movement were made. Times were not all serious, though, as the Calypso song, “YWCA,” found its way in to appropriate moments, bringing everyone to their feet for dancing and singing.
The new Board of the World YWCA was elected amidst a flurry of excitement, laughter, red cards and applause. Headed by Deborah Thomas (Trinidad & Tobago), the new Board is made up of 18 women, 8 of whom are young women. The new Board members are: Ida Ituze (Rwanda), Rabecca Phwitiko (Malawi), Monika Simeon (Namibia), Belinda Bennet (India), Valerie Felicia Ho (Taiwan), Young Hee Won (Korea), Tricia Gideon (Belize), Anna-Kaisa Ikonen (Finland), Kristy Ann Kelly (Great Britain), Geeske Zanen (Netherlands), Silvanna Ayaipoma de Mattos (Peru), Andrea Nunez Argote (Mexico), Haifa Baramki (Palestine), Hoda Kamal El Mankabady (Egypt), Hong Kee Lee (USA), Jessica Notwell (Canada), Susan Brennan (Australia), Alice Iwebu-Kale (Solomon Islands). The new Vice Presidents of the Board are: Ida Ituze, Tricia Gideon, Kirsty Kelly, Andrea Nunez Argote, Jessica Notwell and Susan Brennan. Carolyn Flowers has assumed her role as Treasurer.
The closing ceremony on July 16 installed the new World Board. Great appreciation was given to World YWCA staff, volunteers, and YWCA YMCA Switzerland, who hosted the event. Delegates returned home with renewed energy to continue their work, enriched friendships with their sisters, and brand new strategies for implementation. Overall, it has been an enriching, once-in-a-lifetime experience and with the 27th World Council behind us, the movement can look forward to the next World Council, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2015.
