CIRCLING THE UNITED NATIONS
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From: Ann S.
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2012, 7:55 AM
Subject: Circling the United Nations
ID: 272705

Women gathering as part of the United Nations since 1946: A new consolidation emerging

By Jeanie DeRousseau, www.imaginethegood.com. Ann Smith, www.circleconnections.com, and Kathe Schaaf, www.womenofspiritandfaith.org,

[Article to be published in the forthcoming winter Newsletter of Gather the Women Global Matrix; join their community to receive GTW News at www.gatherthewomen.org.]

2012 will be the 56th year that the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meets to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment, this year with a special focus on rural women. Several thousand women and men from around the world, representing governmental and non-governmental agencies, secular, spiritual and religious groups, and grassroots leadership, will gather at the United Nations from February 27-March 9 to exchange the latest information on the status of women worldwide.

For over a decade representatives from Millionth Circle, Circle Connections, Gather The Women, and an array of sister circle-based organizations have been attending the CSW, becoming informed about women and world affairs person to person, bringing with them the energy and technology of circle. (One of us, Ann Smith, a circle advocate since birth, has been participating in these events for over 25 years!) Since 2002, collectively, we have held circle events at the CSW bringing awareness to the value of women’s circles and teaching circle processes such as Circle Conversations, Open Space and World Café. This year Ann will present Circle Leadershp: All Are Leaders workshop on Feb 27th and co-host a Women's Sacred Circle on Feb. 29th.

At 2011’s UN CSW, all of the various women’s agencies throughout the United Nations were formally consolidated under the umbrella of UN Women. Also in 2011 a formal presentation of over 10,000 signatures from a grassroots effort led by Jean Shinoda Bolen and the Millionth Circle was read into the CSW General Assembly. It advocated for the overdue 5th World Conference on Women, a gathering to expand the global community established at the 4th World Conference held in Beijing in 1995.

Now, at 2012’s UN CSW, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, which coordinates meetings offered by non-governmental organizations, is offering “Circle Conversations” specifically to bring women together around mutual interests with an eye to future collaboration! Circle as a means for women’s equality and empowerment is being illuminated at the CSW and inviting a convergence across all levels of organizations and people from all walks of life! With the focus on marginalized women, especially rural women this year, circle is the solution to increase the participation and status of women and girls worldwide.

We are deeply grateful for this new wave of women’s convergence, self-organizing in circles for collaboration and support across the globe, and know that our GTW sisters are directly involved. We urge you to connect your energy to the 2012 UN CSW at this time. Here are some ways:

February 26 ~ Global Call to Participate in 5 Minutes of Prayerful Silence. On the eve of the opening of the 56th Session of the UN CSW, women of all spiritual traditions are invited to join in 5 minutes of prayer and silence for the good of all – wherever they are and at any time that day. www.LightPages.net/UN.cfm ~ Join us at our online hub for ‘circle’ delegates attending the 2012 Session of the UN CSW. Check out and energetically support the events we’re hosting and attending. Create and be in the field with us as we ‘circle up’ with other women at the UN. Namaste!!! Ann