BPW International

Brief Summary

As of March 2009, Project 5-O partnership since1980, will have only two partners to continue with the mission and future work of Project 5-O. BPW International and the International Council of Women (ICW/CIF) are the remaining partners at this time.

The shared view at the meeting of 5-O partners was that, although three of the organisations were ceasing their direct involvement in the project group at the international level, any collaborations at national and local level should not cease. Established projects under Project 5-O will be continued with the same care and cooperation that has characterised our collaborations over the years. Even though we reduced the partnership at the international level, the amicable separation was with much goodwill and all five of the original organisations are strongly committed to continuing our long-standing and mutually beneficial collaboration at national and local levels. We recognise that our members have forged strong and effective grass-roots alliances. Members are encouraged to continue their collaborative efforts where they are productive and help to advance the well known aims and objectives of the five organizations.

JOINT STATEMENT of the President of BPW International and President of the International Council of Women (ICW/CIF)

This statement is to inform members of the five organisations, that have made up the Project 5-O partnership since1980, that only two partners will continue with the mission and future work of Project 5-O. BPW International and the International Council of Women (ICW/CIF) are the remaining partners at this time.

Zonta International, Soroptimist International and the International Federation of University Women recently decided to withdraw from the Project 5-O partnership. On February 28 2009 at the annual meeting of Project 5-O in New York, it was amicably agreed that the remaining two partners, BPW International and the International Council of Women (ICW/CIF), would continue with the mission and future work of Project 5-O.

In 2007 Zonta International announced its intention to withdraw from the 5-O partnership due to changes to their organisational direction. In 2008 Soroptimist International indicated that, due to their organisational restructuring, they too were considering withdrawing, and in 2009 this was made official. The International Federation of University Women (IFUW) made a similar decision at that time.

Based on the successful past 28 years of close collaboration between Project 5-O organisations, the remaining partners, BPW International and ICW, affirmed their commitment to continue the work of Project 5-O and to seek other like-minded organisations to complement the collaboration. Our two organisations are conducting a search and evaluation for three additional partners which will reform the make up of the 5-O partnership for the future.

It is anticipated that the reformed partnership will be operational by the fourth quarter of 2009. President of ICW, Anamah Tan from Singapore, and President of BPW International, Elizabeth Benham from New York, are working closely together to expedite the process and ensure a seamless and effective transition to the new Project 5-O partnership arrangements. Project 5-O’s dedicated coordinator for many years, Johanne Sorensen, will continue her work and support during this transitional period.

Established projects under Project 5-O will be continued with the same care and cooperation that has characterised our collaborations over the years. Even though we have dissolved the partnership at the international level, all five of the original organisations are strongly committed to continuing our long-standing and mutually beneficial collaboration at national and local levels. We recognise that our members have forged strong and effective grass-roots alliances. Members are encouraged to continue their collaborative efforts where they are productive and help to advance the aims and objectives of the five organisations.

United Nations, NEW YORK

March 2009