5^th Women’s World Conference Strategies

Proposal to Encourage Convening a
5th World Conference on Women, Beijing+15,
in 2010 in Vancouver, Canada

Dear Colleague:

This open letter is a proposal to encourage the NGO Community to consider initiating a systematic planning process to convene a 5th World Women's Conference (5WWC, Beijing + 15)

When? August, 2010
In 1995, the 4th Global Women's Conference was in Beijing. The proposed event would occur 15 years after that event. (Beijing+15) The three previous Global Women's Conferences were: Mexico City in 1975, Copenhagen in 1980, and Nairobi in 1985.

Where? Vancouver, Canada
That city is hosting the Winter Olympics in February, 2010. By 2010, Vancouver would have the infrastructure to host a truly large scale global gathering. Due to its progressive policies, Canada is accessible to individuals of many nationalities. For instance, of Toronto's inhabitants, 41% were born in other countries.

Who?
The International NGO Community may consider co-sponsoring this gathering in collaboration with the United Nations, the government of Canada and other governments, the city of Vancouver, the private sector, the donor community, and other key players. The Hague Appeal for Peace may serve as one precedent of a large global gathering initiated by organizations of civil society. It was attended by some 10,000 participants.

How Many in 2010?
Perhaps 100,000 women and men, children and youth, would attend. Millions could participate in "real time" via Internet participation and electronically linked national, regional, and continental gatherings.

What?
The main theme would be to promote the equality of women and men as a necessary prerequisite for world peace. The 1995 Platform for Action and its 12 Critical Areas of Concern could form the initial framework of the conference's main curriculum.

How?
We envision the transparent creation of a steering committee, comprised of representatives of diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, the United Nations, Canada, other governments, and others cited above. We encourage "CONGO," the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, to convene a planning meeting with a transparent participatory process to select a representative steering committee. Substantial preparation may be set in motion for public presentation to the next Commission on the Status of Women in March 2007.

Why?
Only as women enter into full partnership and participation with men in all levels of decision-making will the necessary psychological and moral climate for world peace emerge. When women attain full equality, they will be instrumental in partnership with men in abolishing war.

Seeding the Idea,
Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD