Contents — this page:

• SAAWG Annual General Meeting, Sunday 10 June 2012
• Colloquium: Overcoming barriers to women in leadership in higher education
• IFUW Strategic Plan
• Conchita Poncini Jimenez International Human Rights Fellowship
• Personalised twinning within IFUW
• 2013 I FUW Conference in Istanbul

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Registration Form, Notice and Agenda for the South African Association of Women Graduates' 88th Annual General Meeting to be held in Cape Town on Sunday, 10 June 2012 may be accessed and downloaded on the links below . . . 

Registration Form
Agenda

The South African Association of Women Graduates (SAAWG), in collaboration with the 
International Federation of University Women (IFUW) and The Foundation for the Development of Africa: Women Development – Africa,  present a

addressing:

In South Africa, as elsewhere, there is a tendency within society and organisations to assume that women’s rights and the issue of equity have been achieved. This is certainly not the case. Now is an excellent time to revisit the issue of barriers to women’s leadership roles and provide a fresh perspective on what barriers exist, why this is the case and what could and should be done about recognising the worth of the leadership provided by women, albeit often not in traditional structures.

The South African Colloquium will result in a report which will be shared with participants. It will also be sent to IFUW to form part of an international investigation/discussion on this topic.

SAAWG is collaborating with The Foundation for the Development of Africa: Women Development – Africa and has received input and guidance from a number of senior academic women in South Africa. We thank them in advance for their assistance towards what we believe will be a stimulating and extremely valuable  Colloquium.

The public (and, of course, especially academic women) are welcome to participate. The programme for the event as well as the relevant registration forms may be accessed and downloaded on the links provided below.

IFUW Strategic Plan : SMART Objectives and Actions  2012

Members are encouraged to take part in this strategic planning exercise. The final Strategic Plan will be officialy launched at the IFUW Conference in Instanbul in August 2013.

The Strategic Plan Summary is available at the hyperlink given below and sets out six Strategy Aims, each of which has specific objectives.

The Strategic Plan will guide the IFUW Board in promoting the future work of IFUW and will be implemented alongside the IFUW Programme for Action with its four pillars:

• Education for empowerment and leadership.
• Education for freedom from violence.
• Education for financial independence, employment and entrepreneurship,
• Education for sustainable futures.

 http://www.ifuw.org/docs/April2012_stratplan_summary.pdf

There is a further document:

http://www.ifuw.org/docs/April2012_stratplan_objectives.pdf

which includes the proposed actions to be carried out in order to achieve the Objectives.

Establishment of the Conchita Poncini Jimenez International Human Rights Fellowship

The International Federation of University Women (IFUW) is pleased to announce that the Conchita Poncini Jimenez International Human Rights Fellowship promoting the use of human rights instruments and agreements for the advancement of women and girls will be awarded in 2012. It is named in honour of Conchita Poncini, IFUW Representative to the United Nations 1994-2011 and a lifelong advocate for women’s human rights.

The competition for this special one-time award is open to women human rights activists, scholars, journalists, writers, and social scientists with a demonstrated commitment to the advancement of women and girls and the attainment of their human rights. Both IFUW members and non-members may apply.

Proposals must relate to the use of human rights instruments and agreements for the advancement of women and girls. This may be a major research project at a university or institution of higher learning in any country; an internship or project to be carried out with an appropriate international or national human rights organization; or study for an appropriate academic qualification (e.g. Masters or PhD) for those with substantial experience of national or international human rights activity but no higher degree.

The award of CHF 20’000 will cover 8 to 12 months full-time or up to 24 months of part-time work/study during the period 1 September 2012 to 31 December 2014. The winner will also be invited to present her work to IFUW’s International Conference in Istanbul in August 2013, with paid travel and accommodation.

Applicants will apply direct to IFUW. No pre-screening by NFAs will be required. A special selection panel appointed by the IFUW Board will review the applications and select the winner. Results of the competition will be posted by the end of August 2012.

The deadline for applications is 30 June 2012.

For application forms and instruction see: http://www.ifuw.org/poncini

PERSONALISED TWINNING WITHIN IFUW

By Hazel Bowen, National President

Alison on the school premises.

Some months ago the SAAWG national office was approached by Alison Martyn,a mature student from Hawaii, USA. She wished to (a) visit Africa and (b) undertake a project linked to her current studies. Funding for such a trip was fortunately included in her scholarship. She had made various enquiries about suitable projects but had not been able to locate anything that was appropriate. As a result she extended her enquiries among friends and members of women’s organisations to which she belonged. Her search proved positive.

A couple of years ago a member of Women Graduates, USA, visited Cape Town, South Africa, and made contact with members of the Cape Town branch; visits and meetings had been arranged. She advised Alison to get in touch with me.  

At the time of Alison’s approach the Cape Town branch and National office were working on a mentorship project to address specific academic literacy and career development inadequacies in a number of schools within the high school system. The intention is for this project to link to and expand upon the modules offered by the Johannesburg branch's Aurora Schools Project which has been running for over 14 years. A pilot project will be run in Cape Town in 2012 with a view to introducing it into more schools in the future.

Although December/January, the time when Alison was available, was a  period when schools and many other organisations were closed, Alison was delighted to participate in developing lesson plans and course material in consultation with the project committee.  

We visited schools in the area where we shall run our pilot programme. Despite the area being very poor, one school in particular has achieved good results. This is attributed to the school having a strong management system. Moreover, the principal has welcomed our involvement. He is looking to make the four high schools in the area “centres of excellence”!  We felt this is a good place to begin the Cape Town programme. Alison was not able to liaise with the Johannesburg programme organisers.

Alison stayed with me for this period (18 December 2011 to 12 January 2012) and was taken on a number of tours around the Cape Peninsula. She also undertook a two day visit to Johannesburg and its environs, mainly to have a “true bushveld wild animal experience” in a game reserve.

Alison is an ex-police officer studying gender, environmental justice and international politics.  She intends to continue with a law degree and work within Interpol in Africa in the future.  

She left South Africa with many ideas of papers she could write for her various courses in 2012, and  had gained an insight into South Africa while assisting us with our project.  A perfect example of a “win-win” situation through an informal twinning arrangement.  By the way, she hopes to raise sufficient funds to return later in the year to participate in one of the modules on Fitness and Self-Defence!