Calendar

The forty-fifth session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), will take place from January 18 - February 5, 2010 in Geneva.

It is scheduled to consider reports from the following eight state parties:

• Botswana
• Egypt
• Malawi
• Netherlands
• Panama
• United Arab Emirates
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan

CEDAW is often referred to as the international human rights treaty for women. The 2007 World YWCA Council adopted a resolution requesting the YWCA movement to place emphasis on CEDAW implementation as an affirmation of the organisation's commitment to global action for women.

The conference is part of a long-term process of building and fostering regional dialogue on sexual health and rights that lead to concrete action to influence policy.

The purpose of the fourth Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights is to examine the interrelationship between sexuality and HIV and in particular, to open up discourse on sexuality in Africa and how this might lead to new insights in reducing the spread of HIV.

The conference agenda will explore how the application of a human rights framework to sexuality might provide new insights in developing interventions to reduce the spread of HIV and map out new and innovative strategies, programming and funding best suited to deal with those most vulnerable to HIV.

For more information visit the website of the conference

The theme for the session will focus on reviewing and appraising the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and YWCAs are encouraged to start planning their participation and contribution.

2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women. The fourth in a series of World Conference for women, the Beijing conference defined a clear direction for women’s advancement by adopting the BPfA. Many YWCAs participated at the conference and have since worked to promote the BPfA in their communities.

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The Central American Congress on HIV and AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (CONCASIDA) takes place every two years in a Central American country.

CONCASIDA is a multi-sector event which aims at sharing experiences, state-of-art scientific information and research. During the congress different stakeholders present the result of their work and search alternatives for more effective ways to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The theme for CONCASIDA is “Youth and HIV: my right to know and to decide”.

Visit CONCASIDA Website

The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement that brings Christians of many traditions together to observe a common day of prayer each year.

Join the women of Cameroon in World Day of Prayer.! On March 5 2010, the women of Cameroon invite us to come with them to the Land Of Promise, Land Of Glory ; to come together with confidence: Let Everything That Has Breath, Praise God.

March 8 each year, thousands of events are held throughout the world to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD) - a day dedicated to celebrating women and their achievements.

For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women’s Year' by the United Nations.

Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

The World YWCA invites it's members and women around the world to celebrate and reflect on how investing in women and girls is investing in the growth of all communities.

Visit the International Women's Day website 

The European YWCA Study Session is an training event that empowers the region’s young women to take action for social change.

Since 1950, YWCAs have taken one day out of the year to affirm their involvement in a global movement of women and girls working for justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and care for the environment. Over time, that day has come to be known as World YWCA Day and is celebrated every year on April 24.

The YWCA Round the World Breakfast has been a vital part of day’s events since 2003, serving to connect YWCAs around the world and raise awareness of our global impact on the lives of women and girls.

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World YWCA Regional Training Institute for the Middle East will be held in Cairo, Egypt from May 27 - June 1, 2010.

The World Council of Churches is inviting member churches and related organizations to join a week of advocacy and action for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. Those who share the hope of justice are invited to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness.

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The forty-sixth session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), will take place from July 12 to 30, 2010 in New York.

CEDAW is often referred to as the international human rights treaty for women. The 2007 World YWCA Council adopted a resolution requesting the YWCA movement to place emphasis on CEDAW implementation as an affirmation of the organisation's commitment to global action for women.
For more information on upcoming CEDAW sessions visit the CEDAW official website

Vienna to host world’s largest international conference on HIV and AIDS

Vienna, Austria will host the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010), the largest international meeting on HIV. The biennial conference attracts close to 25,000 people, representing all stakeholders in the global response to HIV, to address the gaps, assess progress and identify future priorities in the response to HIV and AIDS.

The International AIDS Society (IAS), in partnership with civil society, government, and other international and scientific partners from Austria and other parts of the world, will convene AIDS 2010. The World YWCA is a member of the Conference Coordinating Committee (CCC) representing women, young people and faith-based organisations. As part of the planning committee, the World YWCA is working to ensure that these constituencies are meaningfully mainstreamed to all aspects of the conference agenda.

The conference has great potential to engage Central Asia and Europe, especially Russia, in addressing HIV and AIDS. Russia accounts for two-thirds of all HIV cases in Eastern Europe and many believe Central Asia has one of the fasts growing epidemic in the world.

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The World Council of YMCA will provide a unique opportunity to celebrate the YMCA Movement’s life and work in 124 countries.

It will engage participants in dialogue and sharing on some of the most critical challenges within and outside the Movement. It will also be a time to worship, pray and reflect on their mission under the theme of “Striving for Global Citizenship for All”.

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International Youth Day gives the world an opportunity to recognise the potential of youth, to celebrate their achievements, and plan for ways to better engage young people to successfully take action for development.

International Youth Day gives the world an opportunity to recognise the potential of youth, to celebrate their achievements, and plan for ways to better engage young people to successfully take action for development.

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The WCC member churches worldwide are once more invited to pray for peace on 21 September 2009 or the closest Sunday.

The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies.

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