International Linkages

CAFRA continues to maintain strong links with Women in Development Europe (WIDE), through which Advocacy and Lobbying Skills Workshop based on the twelve critical areas of concern in the Beijing Platform of action, was held. Too, CAFRA has participated in several WIDE Annual Conferences, as well as those by its members e.g. Copenhagen, Ireland and Holland. The Irish Platform will have an exchange visit with CAFRA in September 2002

GLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN

With the assistance of the Global Fund for Women, seven participants were facilitated to attend the Feminist Expo 2000, March 31-April 2, Washington DC.

The aim of Expo 2000 was to showcase the power of the Feminist Movement, its ideas, vision for the 21st Century, the diversity of its work with constituencies and accomplishment.

CRIAW Forum

The Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW) invited CAFRA to participate in a forum on Participatory Research in Ottawa from November 17-18, 2000.


COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT

The Commonwealth Secretariat invited CAFRA to co-sponser a COnference for Women in Local Government, which was held in St. Lucia in June 1997.

The Commonwealth Secretariat sponsored a Regional Symposium on Gender, Politics, Peace, Conflict Prevention and Resolution. The Symposium was held in barbados, in November 1998, and its objectives included:

• Define and analyse critical issues related to gender, politics and conflict in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with concrete proposals and strategies for change.

• Promote a new vision of politics and peace, which includes women as equal players

• Enhance the communication, negotiation and meditation skills of participants.

• CAFRA was invited to participate in the Meeting of Commonwealth Ministers of Women’s Affairs, held in India during April 2000.
  
  
  UNIFEM

UNIFEM elected CAFRA to be the Caribbean focal point for the Campaign against Violence to Women and Girls, which included production of a Quarterly Newsletter - Zero Tolerance.

UNIFEM facilitated the preparation of the NGO Alternative Report and Position Paper; CAFRA’s presence at the Beijing + 5 special session, women 2000; a sminar to share the Alternative Report, and is currently supporting a project around trade issues and sustainable livelihoods for women.

UNIFEM facilitated CAFRA’s participation in the Conference "NGOs in the 21 century" held in Seoul, South korea. CAFRA’s representative participated in a panel on Violence Against Women with specific reference to the UNIFEM Campaign Against Violence to Women and Girls.

CAFRA in collaboration with UNIFEM sponsored a symposium on the works of Dr Peggy Antrobus. Other honorees at the event were outstanding Caribbena women including Professor Rhoda Reddock and Sonia Cuales. CAFRA’s representative, Margaret Gill, presented the Awards.


UNITED NATIONS

CAFRA’s application for accreditation to ECOSOC has been in place for some time and was successfully considered on 16th May. This means that CAFRA has gained international recognition. The application was unchallenged and passed unanimously.