Indifference is not an option- DPI 2008

( Editor's note- it is now 2009 and I am happy to start sharing information to inspire your view on SI programme. This is a small excerpt from a full report on the website from one of the very important conferences that SI recently attended. In March 2009- 38 Soroptimists are registered to attend Commission on the Status of Women at the UN in New York- most at their own expense! Soroptimists are involved and international!)

‘INDIFFERENCE IS NOT AN OPTION!’

This strong message was received by participants during the 61st DPI/NGO Conference which was held at UNESCO in Paris during September, celebrating the signing of the ‘The Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ in Paris 60 years ago. The 2008 theme: ‘Reaffirming Human Rights for All.

537 NGOs from 74 countries were in attendance and SI was well represented. We were delighted to have three young Soroptimists with us, taking up the UN offer of three extra places for delegates under 30 years of age. Three very full days of talks, discussions and presentations covered different aspects of human rights. Many workshops reflected how groups are defending human rights and are working to establish human rights especially in the lives of girls and women around the world. A full report can be found on the SI website- this is just an excerpt!

Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary General, opened the conference via video link- emphasising OUR place in the front line of defence and establishment of human rights. This theme dominated-WE are the ones to make sure that human rights are in place and maintained.

Simone Veil made the point that ‘In order to achieve peace and universal human rights we must achieve reconciliation.’

Ingrid Betancourt- on live video link from the UN in New York - spoke of touching human beings everywhere with words as we are ‘word filled human beings’. She also spoke about fear which is insidious in this world- fear of fear, fear of others, fear of other cultures and fear of being wrongly judged. This courageous woman radiated peace as she spoke of her experiences as a hostage and the effects on her thinking.
Words that kept recurring through all the sessions- Challenge, citizen, indifference, dignity, fear, words, talk and respect.
There were highlights from this conference like all others that we attend:- moments of discovery, excellent speakers, conversations with people who are making a difference – like SI, inspirational lives - and the opportunity to talk about what SI is and does. The latter was helped by our new exciting ‘handbag’ size leaflet we gave to everyone we could! It demonstrates our actions as upholders of human rights and is a great PR tool. It is available for everyone to use now!!One thing is certain- Soroptimists cannot and must not rest. Soroptimist awareness raising, advocacy and action is much needed in the field of human rights.

Margaret Cook , SI Assistant Programme Director