Swords into plowshares
About this blog
Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
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- Do one thing for diversity and inclusion
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- A call from the Madagascar Council of Churches
- Authorize a Violence Against Women Act consistent with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) policy
- Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike
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Posts with tag: women's leadership development
March 6, 2012From Story to Skills: Advocating with Women in Rural Areas
A Parallel Event at the 56th Commission on the Status of Women
During this parallel event women from rural contexts shared their stories connecting experience to issues, Global North to Global South, and the Bible to advocacy, with small group opportunities to learn more and determine actions we can take during the Commission on the Status of Women and at home to address poverty and hunger and work for just development. The event was organized by Presbyterian Women, Young Women’s Leadership Development, Women’s Leadership Development, and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations in the PC(USA), and ...
March 6, 2012
Action plans from the parallel event From Story to Skills: Advocating with Women in Rural Areas
During the parallel event From Story to Skills: Advocating with Women in Rural Areas, held at the 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, participants were invited to share action plans that they plan to implement:
- look at laws that limit movement of women
- raise voices beyond the CSW; go beyond our comfort zone
- increase political representation of women
- continue to tell our stories
- develop mentoring programs
- provide leadership training
- tell our stories
- set up a mentoring program for women and girls – professional women and women who work yet remain in poverty
- create awareness campaigns on women ...
March 6, 2012
Key insights from the parallel event From Story to Skills: Advocating with Women in Rural Areas
During the parallel event From Story to Skills: Advocating with Women in Rural Areas, held at the 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, participants were invited to gather and discuss and share key insights they gleaned:
- share, connect, net and work about resources
- go beyond the group gathered for the CSW
- share stories – beyond the CSW
- agenda for justice needs to be for people who have been victimized
- women still devalued and being denied their true worth
- perseverance
- be OK with being uncomfortable
- communication is the key
- we need to get connected and engage in conversation ...
February 27, 2012
Closing song from Monday morning worship
Ecumenical Women's worship this morning was led by the Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Here's a clip from the closing song.
February 26, 2012
Welcome to the Commission on the Status of Women
H.E. Marjon Kamara, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations and Chair of the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women welcomes everyone to this year's session.
Note that the volume appears to be low.
February 26, 2012
Giving thanks for the community of advocates
February 25, 2012
"I'm a Delegate"
Rhonda Everdyke, communicator for the Presbytery of Geneva, is blogging her experiences at the Commission on the Status of Women at I'm a Delegate. Today she reflects on the Ecumenical Women's Orientation:
It is hard to just put into words our experiences from today! So many women (even some brave men too) coming together to talk about common issues for women all over the world (including the United States) and what the struggles are within rural settings. Things need to change and women are the powerful voices to make it happen.
Tomorrow, some Presbyterian participants will worship with ...
February 25, 2012
Tweetable quotes - 25 February 2012
We are tweeting events around the Committee on the Status of Women as @PresbyUN. Here are a few highlights from the Ecumenical Women Orientation:
It’s some times easier to stay at home than to enter the struggle. Easier, but not better.
- Ana Chã, Brazil
You know what, I am that statistic. When we talk about statistics, we are talking about people.
- Michelle Deshong, Australia
I wish I could find that teacher who told me I would never amount to anything and tell him where I am speaking.
- Michelle Deshong, Australia
If women around the world were paid for the ...
February 25, 2012
CSW encounters
Building community across nations - meeting sisters, and brothers, - happens regularly at the Commission on the Status of Women.
Peng Leong, volunteer with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, reflects on an encounter - the beginning of a relationship with Naw Lee Myar - that took place today during the Ecumenical Women Orientation:
I met a delegate from Myanmar . . . she was sponsored by the Asian Rural Institute and the United Methodist church. She could not believe that God provided this opportunity since she had no means at all. She is so appreciative. . . . I am grateful to have met this wonderful sister who ...
February 24, 2012
It begins
The largest Presbyerian delegation to attend a meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women gathered at the Church of the Covenant for an orientation today. Thanks to our partners!
Our time together began with prayer for the delegation, the participants in the Commission, and our sisters and brothers around the world. The prayer included a special mention for Cynthia Bolbach, moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010).
Particpants then introduced themselves. Representatives of Presbyerian Women spoke about their role in engaging the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with the Commission. Staff for Women's Leadership Development and Young ...
February 24, 2012
Ready!
With excitiment and anticipation, I have read the posts on Facebook from Presbyterian participants in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) noting their travel. If I followed other pages, I would probably know about the travel plans participants with other organizations.
Some individuals have already arrived in New York City.
Some individuals have already experienced travel challenges.
Some individuals will arrive today; other individuals between now and Monday.
For the Presbyterians, our CSW experience begins this afternoon at 4:00 pm with an orientation. A BIG SHOUT OUT by the way to our partners at the Church of ...
February 23, 2012
Why we attend the Commission on the Status of Women
The 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (“CSW” or “the Commission”) begins on Monday, February 27. Presbyterian participants will gather for an orientation tomorrow - February 24.
The CSW is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Comprised of representatives of 45 UN Member States, the Commission gathers every year at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality ...
February 22, 2012
The 2012 Commission on the Status of Women
The 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women begins on Monday, February 27.
Presbyterian and other participants will arrive in New York over the next few days. The Presbyterian Orientation will take place on Friday, February 24. We will join our partners at the Ecumenical Women's Orientation on Saturday, February 25.
There are a number of places to follow the events - including this blog. Watch the plenary sessions of the Commission on UN Webcast.
Other sources of information include: