In November of 2024, I had the privilege of attending a FAWCO regional meeting hosted by AWC Berlin. There I asked a fellow member about her experience attending past CSW sessions. She used adjectives such as “amazing, inspiring, overwhelming” and enthusiastically encouraged me to go. After considering logistics for about five minutes, I was convinced. Four short months later, after...
by Meg Termote-Brew, AWC Amsterdam
This year, for the first time, I joined the United Nations Commission of the Status of Women (UN CSW69) for its second week. I was looking forward to exploring all avenues, attending a variety of sessions and venues offered, so in February when I received an email request for CSW Forum volunteers from NGO...
by Tricia R Saur, AIWC Cologne
This was my first time attending CSW in person – it was, as I was warned, overwhelming – in a very good way! As a newbie, being surrounded by FAWCO sisters throughout the three days I attended was wonderful. Alex and Karen gave helpful guidance in the weeks leading up to CSW69 and...
by Kirsten McKeon (guest)
My first impression was that I’ve never been in a room with so many women! I attended a predominately male technical college, then worked in the investment banking field, including training. While I’ve attended plenty of large conferences and have been fortunate enough to work with a number of internationally diverse groups, I have never...
by Patricia A. DuCharme, DNP, RN, ANP-BC (guest)
Attending the 69th Commission on the Status of Women was a profoundly moving and urgent reminder of the unfinished business of gender equity. Over five packed days, I joined global changemakers to discuss what it takes to make structural progress for women and girls.
One standout session, hosted by the Nordic Council of...
by Anna Roberts (daughter of Michelle Gates Roberts, FAUSA)
CSW pulls you in, and doesn’t let you go.
As a first-time attendee, I was struck by the synergistic nature of the programming. Though session titles ranged far and wide, from “Financing Facism and Fundamentalism” to “Putting the She in STI” to “Increasing Youth Political Participation with Global Scouting”– each...