International Bulletin - May 2001
Extracts From Country Reports: Rarotonga November 2000
American Samoa:
Knowing that women would enjoy a raffle featuring appliances such as a new refrigerator, washing machine or electric stove as prizes, we held it during Mother's Day weekend and were elated with the results.
Workshops/seminars emphasising the changes that are occurring in our islands and how we women can help have been inspirational.
Cook Islands:
The conference symbol graphically depicts the objectives of the conference in wanting to bring together women and children of all nationalities to develop an Action Strategy of Peace.
There is an awareness of the needs of the Outer Islands to help the children living there , and to encourage the women the need to develop poe centres for reading and homework.
Fiji:
Members have not met officially as a group but Mavis Basewaiya reports with great pride that, for the first time in the history of Fiji, 5 women were successful in the last General Election of May 1999 and that PPSEAWA members have been elected or nominated to several posts of responsibility, as well as members of both houses of the Fiji Parliament.
PPSEAWA members are now involved in working towards reconciliation and healing of their society
Hawaii:
Things do not change quickly. The theme of the 4th conference, in Vancouver, in July 1937 was, Practical Ways and Means of Prompting Peace - Population Pressures and Youth Movement for Peace.
The 20th conference's Plan of Action meant that strategically our small membership could pick out 'what would be moot relevant to the local scene and set practical goals for our members to accomplish. A highlight was the hosting of Hawaii's 70th birthday celebration with Our Honoured Thanpuying Sumalee Chartikavanji of Thailand as the guest speaker, Morning, Noon, and Night ... PPSEAWA Shines forever bright.
Indonesia:
Women are working hard to allow women to control the decision making processes; however, issues such as patriarchy culture that subordinates women, long economic crisis that worsen women in poverty, and the development of conflict areas that create more forms of violence against women challenge the advancement efforts.
With unprecedented political will and new structures in place to realise the goals of gender equality and gender equity, Indonesia challenges itself and other nations to make the coming years a period of real and lasting change for women everywhere,
Japan:
Japan remembered the tree planting ceremony in Kuala Lumpur complete with shovels and water pails and hopes that there will be some 'white blossoms with sweet fragrance there now.
The Japanese delegation to the UN has finally included a woman as a delegate. So far, from the 12th [1957] to the 55th [2000] UN General Assemblies, eleven of the delegates were PPSEAWA members.
Fundraising: Bazaars are held twice a year. There is much work in the preparation but the result is always meaningful, with the proceeds going to scholarship programs and to our budget, making our activities possible.
Malaysia:
Activities primarily focused on tidying up after the 2Oth conference and setting up a permanent Head Office.
One project has resulted in the publication of a handbook entitled Environment Alert, a manual for the family compiled by Dr Gladys Lopez , with copies distributed to schools, libraries, institutions, other NGOS and interested agencies. Also a web site for PPSEAWA has been initiated.
An essay competition was organised on the theme Igniting the Power of Peace. There were 800 entries and the women winners were offered membership of PPSEAWA for a year.
New Zealand:
Strong support is given to medical and educational projects, with other special donations including one for Fiji's drought relief.
The death of Eunice Nieukerke OBE was reported, Eunice was a former International President of PPSEAWA at the same time as being President of PPSEAWA NZ.
Niue:
A new member country, with an interesting report of conditions in a small island of law abiding people living in 13 villages, with no natural resources. Even Tourism is difficult as there is only one weekly flight.
Philippines:
The President describes being elected as a congresswoman in May 1995 and, as she loves her work with women's organisations, hopes she can manage both roles. There is a focus on Youth, but plaques of commendation have been given to other people who do good things to uplift our society. Cultivation in backyard gardening is encouraged.
Republic of China:
Eat for Beauty and Health: a special demonstration was arranged to encourage members and friends to maintain an interest in food during the hot July days. Later, Yoga and folk dance classes were run to promote members' health.
Republic of Korea:
The position of women is being steadily improved by new legislation. In a few years women's advancement to higher education will be a matter of personal choice, not a matter of social condition. Child care facilities are improving as is support for single mothers.
Women's experiences are somewhat similar in every society. Korean women's effort to find the common cause, and to work together with Northern sisters will contribute to the national reconciliation process.
Samoa:
Samoa decided on three goals after the last conference: modest goals have a reasonable chance of being met! Funds were raised for the pre-school where a workshop was held, so a typewriter could be purchased for the school. At their request, three peace gardens have been established.
We congratulate PPSEAWA Cook Islands for bringing us all to this beautiful island, to experience once again the Pacific Way.
Thailand:
PPSEAWA Thailand was granted the special consultative status to the Economic arid Social Council of the United Nations in June 1999. PPSEAWA, concentrating its services on women and children's welfare issues has long been supporting a few day care centres for pre-school children in the slum areas and arranging various programs for children, mostly in Bangkok
Tonga:
PPSEAWA has been the catalyst for change: signposts and stop signs, pens for the pigs, education for gins. The Tonga women believe in us and are looking to us to help them face growing issues concerning women and girls in our kingdom. PPSEAWA Tonga does not exist: for the benefit of members, but for the benefit of every women in Tonga.
USA:
At the annual members meeting in New York each year, recognition is given to outstanding members. Royal Buscombe from the Chicago Chapter celebrated 50 years as a member and Terry Singh from New York 35 years. This was timely, as Terry died in June 2000.
Because of various fund-raising activities USA members have sponsored four women to attend the Cook Island Conference and continue to edit and publish the PPSEAWA International Bulletin.
Last Modified: November 29, 2002