The Power of Movements

In 2008 I invite you to walk through the doors of change. Do not be afraid. Everything you need for the journey will be available. You just have to believe and know that the Universe supports you and the work that you do to usher in change and to heal yourself and the planet!
Blessed Be!


On November 14-17, 2008, up to 1,500 women's rights leaders and activists from around the world will converge on Cape Town, South Africa at the 11th Association for Women's Rights in Development International Forum to discuss the power of movements. And you are cordially invited to witness this powerful gathering along with yours truly! Not only is this an invitation to attend but you may want to consider submitting a proposal to present. The deadline is January 28, 2008.

The last Forum, AWID's 10th International Forum held in Bangkok,Thailand hosted 1,600 women and men from around the world in October, 2005. The theme was Change and the reasons for the 2005 global Forum were as follows:

connect in a global way in the same space
undrestand what changes we have already made and how
understand how the world has changed
look at ourselves and take responsibility for the demands made
sift the focus from deconstruction to reconstruction, and
refuel our hope

What is AWID?
The Association for Women's Rights in Development is an international membership organisation that works to strengthen the voice, impact and influence of women's rights advocates, organizations and movements internationally to effectively advance the rights of women.

What is the Forum?
The International Forum on Women's Rights and Development is both a conference and a call to action. The largest recurring event of its kind, the AWID Forum brings together women's rights leaders and activists from around the world every three years to strategize, network, celebrate, and learn in a highly charged atmosphere that fosters deep discussions and sustained personal and professional growth.

Delegates to the Forum participate in four days of plenary speeches, interactive sessions, workshops, debates, and creative sessions geared to powerful thinking on gender equality and women's human rights. Delegates also participate in informal caucuses, gala events, cultural activities, and social and political events geared to global and regional networking and alliance-building.

Delegates who participate fully in the Forum not only empower themselves with new tools and resources, but they also, collectively, re-politicize the gender and development community, strengthen alliances between women, and engage in work and thinking that is truly transformative rather than simply palliative.

Who can participate?
Participation in the AWID Forum is open to anyone who works or has an interest in women's rights, international development, and social justice. AWID particularly welcomes women and men from the Global South, young women, and marginalized groups that have had difficulty getting their agenda heard on a global stage.

What can you expect from the Forum?
You can expect to be enlightened, provoked and inspired by an exceptional group of thoughtful, forward-looking and fiercely committed women and men. You can expect to move beyond simply talking to getting involved in global action plans and campaigns that will emerge out of the Forum, but will last well beyond it. You can expect to work hard and gain an abundance of new skills, new knowledge, new colleagues, and new ideas for the long road ahead. You can expect to be welcomed, nurtured, fortified and challenged by a group of like-minded activists, academics and practitioners. And finally, you can expect to have more fun than you thought was possible at a conference!

For registration and more details go to http://www.awid.org/forum08