Soroptimists Attend World UN Conference In Mexico City

The 62nd Annual DPI/NGO Conference is being held in Mexico City under the banner “For Peace and Development: Disarm Now!”

Participants from around the world will gather from 9 to 11 September, 2009, to discuss how they can contribute to reducing arms while advancing peace. The current global economic and food crises have necessitated a realignment of the world’s financial resources. This can only be enhanced by effect comprehensive disarmament.

The DPI/NGO Conference is the main NGO event of the year at the United Nations. It typically attracts 2,000 representatives from some 90 countries. This year’s conference is organized by a partnership of the U.N. Department of Public Information in cooperation with the DPI/NGO Executive Committee, the Government of Mexico, and the U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs. For the second time in its six-decade history, the Conference is held outside the United Nations New York Headquarters. Based on last year’s experience, we expect the new location will enhance participation of NGOs particularly from the Caribbean and Latin America.

Soroptimist International will once again have a delegation lead by President Hanne Jensbo and Programme Director- Dawn Marie Lemonds. Others in the delegation include Kate Moore from SI Great Britain and Ireland and Summer Lockerbie from SI of the Americas. SI will present their first workshop at a DPI/NGO Conference partnered with the International Association of Applied Psychology. SI is happy to also partner once again with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in the workshop that addresses citizen advocacy and action in disarmament and peace building activities. "Stay tuned" for words from the conference this coming week!

Dawn Marie Lemonds, SI Programme Director