CURRENT AGM REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

Hub-Chair's Report December 2011

Women to Women for Peace - 30 years and beyond

I would like to thank, on behalf of all members, Wilma and Maureen for all the work they have both done as Hub-Chair and Treasurer respectively.

Words cannot express the energy from so many members that went into bringing about the 30-year celebration. It was a salient reminder that on the day our guests arrived there were disturbances and riots in many places in England. This highlighted that we face challenges at all levels from local to international.

Our celebration was reflecting on the past but also providing space to consider what the future holds. During our last session with our guests’ in London, we identified hopes such as reaching out to more women. Several UK members put forward papers expressing their own thoughts. All of these formed the basis for further discussion at Noddfa, Ultimately it was realised that recent thinking and the reality of the world we live in means the aims and principles already in existence reflecting Lucy Behenna’s purpose for founding the organisation is still very much relevant today.

“That children grow up in a world free from the threat of war”

What we do:
• Understand women’s role as peacemakers;
• Challenge war as a means of resolving conflict, the militarization of societies and the manufacture and use of weapons;
• Recognise issues in our own society that bring division and unrest;

How do we move forward?
• By working on topics that link women across the country/countries (see working groups below);
• By recognising and developing members skills in alternative to violence and conflict resolution so that they can be a resource for use in local communities, schools, colleges and with our friendship links;
• By raising our own awareness and understanding of issues affecting women with differing political, ideological, cultural and religious approaches;
• By maintaining and developing friendship links and networks allowing these encounters to shape our thinking and inform and influence our actions;

Working Groups
By having working groups the aim is to concentrate our efforts and energies in recognition of our limited resource.
It was decided to concentrate on a few key themes at any one time. Over the next few years, these will be specifically:
1. Japan and nuclear issues
2. Peacemaking in the UK
3. Israel/Palestine & Iran
4. Supporting UN resolution 1325
5. Northern Ireland
In the AGM summary there are details of members who have agreed to co-ordinate these groups. However, it is vital that members link into these groups to take the work forward. All action no matter how large or small is invaluable. This can be done by making contact with the named individuals or where contact details have not yet been published either with me, Mary Starkey (Hub-chair) or Marym (Mary Cook) Co-chair.

Across country “working groups” will:
• Make regular contact;
• Produce reports of actions taking place to the committee meeting and AGM.
• Produce updates for the newsletter.
• Alert of more immediate action for the whole membership via the Hub chair.

Threads running through all our action
• Supporting women peacemakers
• Attracting younger women to the organization
• Recognise that we may not be able to quantify the effect of our actions however, we aim to open eyes; sow seeds and cause ripples in a pond.
• To speak from personal experience whilst understanding that what is seen is only a snapshot of the whole issue.
Action including raising awareness of Women to Women for Peace can take various forms such as petitions; lobbying; social networking; conferences; exchange visits; articles in the media, talks, exhibitions; and co-operative working with other groups

In conclusion
It is important to remember we “ordinary women” are the constant whilst politicians are every changing. The emphasis needs to be on “care not conflict” and work needs to be done on “myth busting”.

Mary Starkey Hub-Chair