Women Globalisation and Fair Trade

CAFRA held its Fifth General Assembly and Conference 23rd - 30th May 2002, under the Theme "Women, Globalisation and Fair Trade". The CAFRA Village was spread over the Eco Resort and Torarica Hotel, Paramaribo, Suriname.

Forming a community of eighty (80) participants, were representatives of the language blocks - English, Spanish, French, and Dutch-speaking countries.

Included in this number were collaborating and partnering organisations, the Caribbean Policy Development Centre, the Caribbean Gender and Trade Network, KULU - Women in Development, Copenhagen and , OXFAM. Representatives from UNIFEM and the Commonwealth Foundation were unable to attend, but sent their wishes for a successful meeting.

The Assembly was honoured by the presence of Asha Leelawatee Manoo-Rhaming, the winner of the 2001 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, and Professor Rhoda Reddock, winner of the Seventh CARICOM Triennial Award for Women.

An enthusiastic and expectant audience attended the Opening Session which was chaired by Jeanne Henriquez and Carla Bakboord. A mesage of endorsement from the Minister of Gender Affairs, Suriname, was read, and OAAS Ambassador to Suriname, Hon. Kingsley Layne, delivered a timely message. This was followed by a stirring Feature Address from CAFRA Chairperson, Margarette May Maculay.