European Centre of the
International Council of Women (ECICW)
Spring General Assembly of 2019
National Council of Women of Ukraine hosted a
memorable General Assembly of ECICW in Kiev and Chernihiv, Ukraine, from May 19
to 23, 2019. This GA also marked the transition of the ECICW Presidency from
Cosima Schenk to ECICW to Brigitte Polonovski, Vice President of NCW France.All
the delegates of ICW and ECICW arrived in the city of Kiev on May 19 to attend the GA of ECICW and NCW Ukraine hosted
the welcome dinner, at the Hall of official
celebrations of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
On May 20, the Assembly opened at the Column
Hall of Kiev State Administration. Maryna Khonda from the Kyiv State
Administration, Cosima Schenk, President of ECICW, Jungsook Kim, President of
ICW-CIF and Lyudmylla Porokhnyak, National Council of Women of Ukraine
President expresesd their greetings. The representatives of the executive branch of the Government, deputies of different levels and women-leaders of public organizations from the different regions of Ukraine spoke at the opening ceremony. After lunch at the Kiev City State Administration building the delegates left by bus for a two-day meeting in Chernihiv.
On May 21, the ECICW
GA took place in the Conference hall of the Riverside Hotel. Cosima Schenk
stressed the importance of participating at the ECICW spring and autumn
meetings which enable us to learn from one another and exchange ideas. Jungsook Kim mentioned her trips to Philippines during which she had the opportunity to develop closer relationship with NCs of these countries. The Asia-Pacific conference for Beijing +25 in particular was a great opportunity for her to discuss with other NGO leaders about preparation for the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Jungsook Kim also expressed great satisfaction with the success of CSW63 side events and parallel events.
Brigitte
Polonovski also elaborated on the success of NCW France’s events during the CSW63.
Martine Marandel illustrated the program of the ECM which will take place in
Avignon, France, in 2020 and showed a video of the historical city of Avignon
and Palace des Pepes which hosted nine Popes.
The new board members of ECICW for 2019-2021 were elected. Brigitte Polonovski was elected as the President, Jamal Hermes, Lyudmila Porokhnyak and Umit Kabil as Vice Presidents, Magda De Meyer as a General Secretary and Martine Marandel as a Treasurer. It is also decided that Maria Rosa Artigas and Fatos Inal will be representing ECICW at the European Women’s Lobby and being Fatos Inal the representative and Maria Rosa Artigas the alternate.
May 22nd ECICW meeting continued with the reading of the national reports. Then,
there was a panel on “Mainstreaming of women participation in decision making:
international experience for Ukraine”, followed by discussions and adoption of
recommendations on issues of gender policy, women’s rights protection and
prevention of domestic violence. Iryna Kurowyckyj, representative of the ICW to the UN New York hosted the closure of the GA of the ECICW.
In the evening NCWU had organized a fantastic
Gala Dinner in the Riverside Hotel. It was an evening to toast to the
successful organization of the NCWU which gave us another opportunity to network
and build a long-lasting relationships. The speeches of Jungsook Kim, Cosima
Schenk and Brigitte Polonovski revealed the hopes, dreams and challenges of the
ICW and ECICW.
On the 23rd May we had a tour in Chernihiv
guided by a highly erudite expert in the history of Ukraine and particularly of
Chernihiv. The delegates visited the estate of Sofia Rusova. Sofia Rusova
(1856-1940) a Ukrainian pedagogue, author, women’s rights advocate and
political activist who spoke in support of Ukraine at conventions of the ICW,
the International Woman Suffrage Alliance and the Women’s International League
for Peace and Freedom.
During
the Assembly we learned on historical processes of the NCW of Ukraine since its
foundation in 1919 and its operation renewal in 1999 as well as the rich
cultural heritage of the country. We thank NCWU and its President Lydmyla
Porokhnyak for having showered us with brilliant hospitality and wish them
success in their work for advancement of women in Ukraine.
Edited from the
report of Isin Atala
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