11th – 19th May, 2004
The 22nd International Conference and 75th Anniversary of PPSEAWA was held in Singapore from 11th to 19th May, 2004. The theme was ‘Sharing a Culture of Peace’. Dr. Aparna Basu, Mrs. Gomathi Nair, Mrs. Asha Deshpande and Mrs. Sheela Kakde attended the Conference.
26th May, 2004
After the formation of new government in the recent general elections, a meeting of women NGOs were held, Dr. Aparna Basu President AIWC, alongwith Mrs. Mohini Giri, President Guild of Services, Mrs. Brinda Karat, AIDWA, Dr. Syda Hamid, Mrs. Kiran Walia, Mrs. Amarjit Kaur met Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and put forward their views, some women’s issued to be included in the Common Minimum Programme. Same day afternoon a Press Conference was held in AIWC attended by all the above activists. The media was updated about the outcome of the meeting as well as future strategy to be adopted by the group.
8th & 11th June, 2004
Two Symposia for the youth were held, one at Vasant Vihar and the other at Palam Village. Both the Symposium were attended by students of different colleges. The participants were asked to express their views on ‘ what in their view was the major factor obstructing Indian National Integration’. Three best speakers were judged and given cash awards and trophies. The symposia were sponsored by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
11- 14th June, 2004
Out Member-in-Charge Mrs. Kalpakam Yechuri attended the Global Water Partnership South Asia Meeting at Kaulampur, Malaysia from 10th to 14th July, 2004. Various issues like – need for capacity building for planning/planners – Regional complexities; financing IWRM; raising IWRM awareness at political level (National and international); fostering community participation; reaching across the sectors to institutionalize arrangements for WRM planning and implementation; understanding IWRM – lessons and experience learned were discussed during the four days meet and the meeting ended on a quite successful note. Representatives from South Asia, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and SAWAF Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan and Cambodia participated in the meeting.
Concluding GWP felt that the call for advocacy to action has been loud and clear and the next programme topic for the 4th World Forum was decided. Next Conference would be at Mexico City in 2006 the theme being ‘Local Actions for a Global Challenge’.
AIWC’s participation was recognized and we are asked to give a paper on our work in the South Association Forum (SAWAF) at Bangladesh in July, 2004 in the ‘Women & Water Forum’.
28th to 30th June, 2004
Dr. Aparna Basu attended the UN ECOSOC 2004 High Level Segment and investment promotion forum at UN Headquarters.
6- 8 July, 2004
The All India Committee for Eradication of Illiteracy Among Women, a sister organisation of AIWC, held their annual Lakshmi Menon & Sushila Nayar Literacy adward ceremony. This year the awards were given away by the Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi Mrs. Sheila Dikshit to Mrs. Sudha Naraynmurthy Chairperson Infosys Education Foundation and Dr. Radha Devi, President, AIWC Balasore Branch. Both Mrs. Murthy and Dr. Devi have contributed significantly towards the cause of illiteracy among rural women. The awardees were selected from more than 20 nominations received from our different branches as well as individuals.
Following the award ceremony, a Tailoring and Sewing centre was inaugurated at AIWC by H.E. Mr.Hua Jun Duo, Ambassador People’s Republic of China. All China Women Federation has donated 156 Sewing Machines and 10 Computers to AIWC to be used for their various projects. The event was attended by Chinese embassy officials as well as all our members and guests.
The Half-Yearly Conference was attended by 130 delegates from all over India was held at Aga Khan Hall, New Delhi. Following the President’s address and Secretary General’s report, the Balance Sheet was presented by the Hon. Treasurer, and accepted by the Standing Committee. Various issues and activities related to branches were discussed and decisions taken.
11-15 July, 2004
As a follow up of the Malaysian water Partnership, Mrs. Yechury also attended the South Asia Water Forum at Bangladesh, Dhaka from 13-15 July, 2004. In the Women & Water Session, she presented a paper on ‘AIWC’s Role in Water Sector’. This was a programme of creating resource pool for training women at Grassroots. All other SAWAF partners presented (Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and others from India), their papers and problems like participation of water sharing etc. were discussed. This was a good forum where women come with lots of experiences in managing water and related problems. This was the 3rd women and water forum. The First was held at Nepal and the Second at Islamabad. The next meet was decided to be held at Sri Lanka in 2005.
15-26 July, 2004
Our Member in charge Youth Affairs, Mrs. Kalyani Raj attended the seminar on ‘Capacity Building for NGO Partnership and Management’ at Galillee College, Israel. The contents of the seminar contained various aspects of NGO management i.e. motivation in NGO’s, Synergetic decision making, financial management, fund raising strategie3s, conflict resolution and methods and tools for social assessment.
The seminar was participated by many African country representatives and provided a good platform for setting up of linkage between the international NGO’s. At the end of the seminar, a forum of the participants of various NGO’s was formed with a view to exchange notes and keeps updating each other on the potentials of joint programs wherever possible.
She also had the opportunity to visit few Israel NGO’s and their projects and analyze their methodology and working process.
July/August
AIWC has been actively involved in reviewing the Beijing +10 Process together with other NGOs. National Consultations were held followed by a South Asia Consultation in Kathmandu and Asia Pacific Consultation in Bangkok. An NGO Report is being prepared.
12.8.2004
Independence Day function was organised at Basti Vikas Kendra, Prabhu Market, for the children of Sewa Nagar. It was attended by members of the AIWC, Lioness Club, and officials of Delhi Govt. A play directed by Smt. Indira Chatterjee was put by the children on the theme – ‘MERI BASTI MERA DESH’
Branch News
South West Delhi Association conducted 20 PCRA Awareness Programmes in various part of South Delhi. Different competitions were held for children as well as adults. Officials from Petroleum Ministry also chaired few programmes.
Ujjawal Women’s Association conducted 5 PCRA Programmes in various parts of East Delhi for children as well as adults.
South West Delhi Association conducted a self-defense Training through Delhi Police in Madangir. More than 50 young girls participated in the training and were awarded certificates by Jt. Commissioner of Police, CWC Mrs. Vimla Mehra.
New Programmes
The UEE Mission under the Directorate of Education, New Delhi has sanctioned five learning Centre for out-of school children (6-14 years). Four centres have been started between May and August, 2004 and are functioning well at Sangli Mess and National Human Rights Commission’s Campus at Copernicum Marg. There are nearly 150 children enrolled in these centres. Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm in these centre with President Dr. Aparna Basu and other Members-in-Charge including the Coordinator for UEE Mission, AIWC – Ms. Sujatha Rajaram attending.