The USA Cultural Presentation at the Malaysia Conference

20th International Conference Pre-Conference workshop

PPSEAWA USA Delegation to Conference

N.Y. Chapter Spotlight: Janet Nixon

PPSEAWA New Jersey Chapter Begins

A View on What Happened at the Conference

Solomon Islands Merit Scholarship for Women (SIMSW)

NGO Liaison Officer Appointed

Old Friends (New PPSEAWA Members) Attend Malaysia Conference

Wall Hanging

To Mani Chari, thanks, Godspeed

A View on What Happened at the Conference

Malaysia, our host country has about 60 members who courageously decided to have the conference. When asked how they succeeded they replied that their government supported them completely. They invited as their guests women entrepreneurs from the community and they in turn gave financial support.

The conference was well orchestrated for success. We were addressed by speakers on conference topics, heard country papers on their needs and achievements, attended workshops, and worked feverishly to have something comprehensible to present at the end of each day. All this activity was broken only by refreshments - which were frequent and delicious. Evenings were my favorite. After each country gave their cultural presentation, which for most of the countries was a pagent or group dance in traditional ares., we were invited to join in the festivities.

Halaevalu Mata'aho, Queen of the Island Kingdom of Tonga, was first to address the conference. In reviewing the conference theme, "The Strengthening of Alliances For a Better World Towards the 21st Century," she said that the theme has three profound statements: (1) alliances among nations are essential, (2) current alliances have been disturbed by "the most destructive, and most frequent, bilateral end multinational wars, in the world," and (3) that we are challenged to "repair, rebuild and strengthen these alliances."

Her Majesty has chosen as a cure, to focus on the element most severely damaged by the tragedies of the 20th century - the family. Respect of family members for one another is the master key, to alliances. Women and children are the worst victims of war, especially in poor families. Fifty percent of the next generation come from broken homes, as a result, many children have become uncontrollable. Government and business can review and strengthen programs for the family as a whole or even as a part of their operations.

The Tongan concept of family structure is "gender complimentality." In Tonga the husband is head of the household but his sister has more power in the family than he. This apparently gives structure to the family. The role of the male in contemporary society needs reviewing as well as gender relationship. Her Majesty said God made a two gender world.

Our previous International President, Thanpuying Sumalee Chartikavanji addressed the theme of "Promoting Regional and International Cooperation and Understanding for Peace." She described how PPSEAWA arrived at the stage where we are now. Early phases of international relationships were marked by the hunt for wealth and treasure, not for friendship. On the other hand, early religious leaders, poets, writers, statesmen and intellectuals opened new vistas for friendship and understanding.

The sub-theme "Mobilising Resources for Helping Women and Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances" was addressed by Rev. Valerie Hogan of New Zealand. She began by listing the 12 critical areas of concern for women as defined by the Beijing Conference. They are:

Poverty

Education

Health

Violence Against Women

Armed Conflict

Women and the Economy

Decision-making

Mechanisms to Advance Women

Human Rights

The Role of the Media

Environment

The Rights of the Girl Child

Rev. Hogan stated that in New Zealand breakthroughs have come about by educating the community and then the community comes together. Volunteers, networking and government support launch ideas until action takes place. Examples of support groups are; a group called Nelson Bays Homebuilders who help rural families who may be isolated from help; the Salvation Army who work at the battle front, fight drugs, neglect, and homelessness. Reverend Hogan declared that solutions to problems come at the personal level and group level using the resources at hand.

Our International President, Dr. Elizabeth Louise Girardi, has a book in progress on the Organization and Administration of PPSEAWA.

The Twentieth International Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia included intensive activities on the part of the participants and organizers, outside visits to the city, country pre-conference activities as well as post-conference trips; making this experience a catalyst to more self-awareness and incentive to "nurture, share, and develop."