DPI/ NGO- UN Conference in Melbourne Day 1- WE ARE ALL CONNECTED

"We want to bring our people at home with us to this conference through frequent blogging, facebooking "...these were the words of one of the 16 bright, enthusiastic WAGGGS women coming from all over the country of Australia to participate in this historic UN event- the first UN Event ever in Australia! The Soropimists shared that same interest knowing that it is such a privilege to represent our world organizations at this historic conference. Our combined WAGGGS and SI delegation met at the World Trade Center on Sunday afternoon to strategize our activities and plan for the three day conference that officially starts 30 August 2010. This conference focuses on Global Health and Achieving the MDGs - our joint mission is to promote the reality that no part of society can be healthy nor achieve the MDGs while violence against women and girls rages in every corner of the world.

Today we will be giving a workshop called 'Women and Girl Power: Uniting to build healthy societies particularly through ending violence against women and girls.' We will share several citizen strategies undertaken by three different groups - SI, WAGGGS and that of our new friend Lyndal Trevena from the Australian Federation of Medical Women.

UN Events are never all work....and very often include opportunities for experiencing unparalled cultural experiences. Last night's Opening Concert brought just that kind of magic. The delegates were welcomed by Honorable Tony Lupton,Cabinet Secretary Victoria State Parliament, and Mr. Kiyo Akasaka, UN Under Secretary General for Communications and Public Information. Mr. Akasaka reminded us of the importance of the work in health for society using several crucial statistics about maternal mortality and disease in the southern hemisphere as critical markers of concern. Following these sober thoughts the entertainment emerged......starting with the explosion of a one person laser show that touched every corner of the auditorium!

The orchestra was an assemblage of ancient and modern instruments from cultures around the world. The concert featured a grand explosion of examples of diversity - from Maori ceremonies from New Zealand, Aboriginal dances of smoke and mystery, Break Dancing, to Bollywood..... haunting Arabic chants to the most amazing sand paintings that emerged throughout. The finale featured 130 drums of every culture - woven together through a billiant direction featuring each group with their solo and then finally - playing all together while the audience joined in a joyous singing melody - We Are All Connected!

The evening set the stage for the work of the week. It challenged us to remember our connections- our "pangea" to the land mass of this globe.... "WE ALL NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE"

Dawn Marie Lemonds, International Programme Director Soroptimist International