Meg's update: NGO CSW Planning Meeting: 4-18-11

Today's meeting was to begin preparing for CSW56 the theme of which is:"The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication: development and current challenges". CSW 52nd session on "Financing for gender equality" will also be a review theme. Some of the goals discussed at the meeting were: How to strength the work of the Commission, increase budgeting, having a greater role at the UN, and ensure that its outcome document, with agreed conclusions, is implemented. It was agreed to restructure the Consultation Day from one day, to two and a half days, for more skilled training in lobbying delegates; improve ways in which to advocate with member state representatives; learn better uses of modern technology to obtain our objectives, and use the media to raise awareness of our NGOs and CSW. A most important ongoing partership will be with UN Women, as both organizations continue to promote and work toward the advancement of women in every area of life.