The New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women cordially invite you to attend our Annual Conference and Awards Dinner. We hope you will be able to come, we really look forward to seeing you.
Please contact me for registration details and accommodation options.
Christina Turner
Executive Secretary BPWNZ
BPW Lusaka, Zambia, in collaboration with the Young BPW Zambia, held a colourful year-end luncheon on Sunday December 18, 2011 under the theme ‘Celebrating Women Who Rock With Brains’ to honour the achievements, awards and successes that women had attained in various endeavours, particularly in 2011.
The initiative to host the luncheon was based on the need to recognise and celebrate the academic achievement of Dr. Emily Sikazwe, a Trustee of BPW Zambia, on being conferred with an honorary degree in the Doctors of Laws honoris causa by St Francis Xavier University, Canada for her work in the area of gender, gender equality and human rights.
BPW Zambia seized the occasion to celebrate to honour women that have made a contribution to the Zambian society, and to celebrate the academic achievements of young women in higher institutions of learning. Dr. Emily Sikazwe and thirteen other women were honoured for their successes in various fields of endeavour
For BPW Zambia, the event also marked the culmination of an important project that it undertook during the last quarter of 2011 on behalf of Africa Women’s Development & Communication Network (FEMNET) to facilitate lobby and advocacy activities on a project titled ‘Promoting African Women’s Economic Empowerment through Gender – Responsive Trade Agreements’ undertaken in five countries namely Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.
BPW New Zealand (BPW NZ), UN Women and the Human Rights Commission officially launched 'Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs)' at Government House, Wellington on February 13, 2012. Dr Judy McGregor Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner's (EEOC) representative David Rutherford was present.
Nine companies/corporations signed up prior to the launch and specific awards were presented at the evening’s event, including guest speaker Michael Barnett, of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and EEOC Trust. BPW NZ now have an additional two major corporations signed up with WEP's and now eleven companies are committed to WEPs. BPW NZ is well on its way to achieving twenty companies.
The next BPW NZ program is to hold a roundtable breakfast meeting in Auckland on March 28, and in Wellington, March 29. A discussion panel will be held on Sunday April 29, as part of the BPW NZ Conference program with one signatory company being invited to present a case study.
Carolyn Savage President of BPW NZ
While BPW Austria want to maintain the achieved standards, it will focus BPW work on communication: Founding member Austria will act as a hub for internal and external stakeholders. Not only will we strengthen our members to forward their own goals but also introducing to them the opportunities within the global BPW Network. Furthermore BPW Austria is looking for interesting, creative women and inviting them to join the network in Austria and internationally. Discover the BPW Austria new board !
Heidrun Matthaus
President BPW Austria
Each affiliate must provide current executive information for the rosterWhen an affiliate club has their Annual General Meeting (AGM), it is important to provide member services with the New executive information.
In the past, members have been asked to update the roster, however, to better serve our members, Member Services will provide this service.
Please be sure to send all new executive names and contact information, office information and updated member numbers to member.services@bpw-international.org.
Michelle Miller
Director, Member Services
Dear Presidents, dear members,
We are happy to invite you and all our members and guests to the XIV European Congress in Sorrrento, Italy, 28 – 30 September 2012! We kindly ask you to forward this information to your members and to promote it on your websites.
The topic of the Congress is: “Empowering Women for Leadership – Womens’ Innovation for a sustainable future".
All information about speakers will be added step by step. There will be workshops on the tracks Leadership, Entrepreneurs, Innovation and Sustainability, Lifelong Learning, Political Awareness and European Identity.
Registration
You can now register online on the special webpage for the congress at www.bpw-italy.org.
On this page you find all relevant information for the congress. Please consider the early booking rates until 20th May. This is due to the agreement with the hotel.
Location
The location of the Congress is Hilton Sorrento Palace.
We recommend to book directly at the Hilton as we have agreed special rates for you on a special page for our congress.
If you book your room at the Hilton until 20th May, you can win one night for free!
Please consider that in September it is high season in Sorrento. Therefore book the accommodation as early as possible.
Transfer
When you arrive by plane in Naples, just take the public bus in front of the airport (only 10 EUR) and enjoy the wonderful sight at the coast during your transfer to Sorrento.
You will see in the program that we also included a tour by bus to Positano on Sunday afternoon, so you can also enjoy the picturesque Amalfi coast when coming to the congress.
Young BPW Congress
At the same time the International Young BPW congress will be held. Registration for this congress will be opened soon on the website of BPW International. Program and costs will be different. Therefore please inform your Young BPW about this.
Video of Sorrento
If you want to have a look at the location of Sorrento, please watch the video.
We are looking forward to meet you and your members at this wonderful location for our congress.
Best regards
Sabine Schmelzer
BPW Internations Regional Coordinator Europe
Visit Annual Leader's Summit Event Page here
Download Final Program here
The BPW Netherlands Federation led by President Samira Bouchibti, held a successful event on the January 30 entitled Capital Bridging. The principal theme women’s talent and ambition was divided into two parts:
1. A panel debate coordinated by the BPW Netherlands President with well-known names such as Andre van Es, Alderman for Work, Income and Participation- Amsterdam City Council, Marja Ruigrok City Councillor Amsterdam - Business and Marketing Research, Agnes Jongerius Chairperson FNV (the largest Trade Union in The Netherlands) and Klaar Meekhof, Commissioner of Financial Services and Past President of BPW Netherlands 1997-2001 and,
2. A mini-master class with Callista Roelofs presenting her own people management method “Waanbreken”
The evening was well attended and recruited some new members.
The speakers of the evening from left to right: Andre van Es, Alderman for Work, Income and Participation- Amsterdam City Council, Marja Ruigrok, City Councillor Amsterdam - Business and Marketing Research, Agnes Jongerius, Chairperson FNV (the largest Trade Uion in The Netherlands) and Klaar Meekhof, Commissioner of Financial Services and Past President of the BPW Netherlands 1997-2001.
Willy van Iersel-Jones
International Affairs, BPW Netherlands
Cérémonie des Bougies
[text in english]
Le 5 février 2012 les membres du BPW de Port-au-Prince, Haïti, se sont réunies pour célébrer la fête de La Chandeleur.
Une trentaine de personnes y compris les membres et leurs invitées, étaient présentes pour cette fête de partage, de solidarité et d’amour. La séance a eu lieu aux environs de 11heures chez la Présidente Mme Marie Andrée Etienne.
La séance débuta avec la lecture de la carte envoyée par Mme Agathe Volcy, membre amie du Club qui, pour des raisons de santé, n’a pas pu se rendre à la Célébration et qui gracieusement nous a envoyé un chèque pour aider le Club. Puis la présidente souhaita la bienvenue aux membres et continua avec la prière internationale suivie de l’hymne du Club. Ensuite elle procéda à la lecture du message envoyé par la Présidente de la Fédération Internationale Mme Freda Miriklis dont le thème pour ce triennal est : « FEMMES AUTONOMISÉES Á LA TÊTE DES AFFAIRES», thème qui doit nous servir de modèle pour savoir où nous voulons être en tant que « FEMMES AUTONOMISÉES » et responsables.
Chacune voulait avoir une copie de ce message fort et si important pour les Femmes du monde entier. Ce qui fut fait tout de suite par Marie Andrée. La première conseillère et ancienne présidente Mme Marie Carmel Lafontant est intervenue pour nous apprendre qu’au Ministère à la Condition Féminine, ce même thème d’autonomisation des femmes est retenu à l’occasion d’un forum qui sera organisé dans quelques jours : « AUTOMISATION DE LA FEMME POUR LA RECONSTRUCTION NATIONALE ».
La présidente nous expliqua la signification des différentes bougies. La plus grande bougie blanche, représentant celle de la Fédération Internationale fut allumée par la présidente Marie Andrée Etienne, la seconde représente les Etats-Unis, premier pays membre fondateur, fut allumée par la Vice Présidente Gérarda GERMANA. Les autres bougies blanches représentant les autres membres fondateurs et les bougies bleues des Clubs affiliés furent allumées par les autres membres du comité. Les deux bougies restantes, celle de l’espoir et celle de la Tunisie, membre Individuel, ont toutes les deux été allumées par deux jeunes membres du Young BPW mettant ainsi fin à cette cérémonie des bougies.
Nous avons aussi parlé de la reprise des « Classes du Week-end » qui par le passé avaient connu un grand succès au sein du Club. Des cours de savoir-vivre, d’hôtellerie, de restauration et de culture générale seront dispensés aux jeunes filles pour leur permettre d’avoir un métier pouvant les aider sur le marché de l’emploi.
Nous avons terminé en prenant une collation et en dégustant un gâteau en l’honneur de toutes celles nées en janvier et en février.
Marie Andrée M. Etienne Nathalie Bazile
President of BPW Assistant Secretary
Candle Lighting CeremonyOn February 5, 2012 members of BPW Port-au-Prince, Haiti gathered to celebrate the feast of Candle Lighting.
About thirty people including members and their guests were present for this celebration of sharing, solidarity and love. The session took place around 11hres am at the president’s home.
The session began with the reading of the card sent by Mrs. Agatha Volcy, friend member of the Club who, for health reasons, was unable to attend the celebration and who graciously sent us a check to help the Club. Then the President welcomed the members and continued with the international prayer followed by the anthem of the club. Then she went on reading the message sent by the President of the International Federation Mrs. Freda Miriklis. The theme for this triennium is "Empowered Women Leading BUSINESS", a theme that should be our model for where we want to be as "WOMEN empowered" and accountable.
Every member wanted to have a copy of this powerful and important message for women worldwide. This was done immediately by Marie Andrée. First Counselor and past president Mrs. Marie Carmel Lafontant stepped in to tell us that the Ministry for Women's Affairs has kept this same theme of empowerment of women and on this occasion a forum will be held in a few days « AUTOMISATION DE LA FEMME POUR LA RECONSTRUCTION NATIONALE ».
The President explained to us the meaning of the various candles and their representations: The biggest white candle, representing the International Federation was lit by President Marie Andrée Etienne, the second represents the United States, the first founding member was lit by the Vice President Gérarda Germana. The other white candles representing the other founding members and affiliated clubs of blue candles were lit by other members of the committee.
The remaining two candles, one of hope and the other for Tunisia, Individual Member, have been ignited by two young members of the Young BPW thus ending the candle lighting ceremony.
We also spoke of "Weekend Classes" which, in the past, had been very successful in the Club. Courses in savoir vivre, hotellerie, restoration and general culture will be provided to girls to enable them to have a business that can help on the job market. We ended the matinee by taking a snack and sharing a cake in honor of all those members born in January and February.
Marie Andrée M. Etienne Nathalie Bazile
President of BPW Assistant Secretary
BPW Japan is pleased to announce that we selected three projects for the Recovery Support Grant, “Job generating grant by women, for women.”
The grant aims to provide support to working women in the severely damaged areas by the 3.11 earthquakes and tsunami last year. Seven projects in the affected area applied to the Grant with the conditions:
1) be organized by women;
2) have a clear future plan to promote women’s employment and revitalization of good community. BPW selection committee members selected three of them, through site visits and interviews. Selected groups are all small-sized enterprises which were badly destroyed by tsunami, and everything was washed away. However, they were well motivated to rebuild their business. If finance allowed, they would have done more. All selected groups expressed their plan that they will increase the employment of women in the area.
On January 8th, 2012, at the Sendai Citizens Activity Support Center, BPW Japan held a ceremony to present the 1st Recovery Support Grant, JPY 300,000 (USD 400,000)/group, to the following three enterprises. A local major TV station, Miya-Tele, televised the presentation in their evening news.
Keitono Oppai Project (Hand-knitted-breast -a training tool for midwife- Project for the elder's income generation) in Kesen-numa, Miyagi Prefecture. 
Chiba Nori-ten (Chiba Sisters’ Seaweed Manufacturer) in Minami-sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture
Marine Mothers Kirikiri (Fishery processing / Fisher’s restaurant) in Otsuchicyo, Iwate Prefecture)
We greatly appreciate generous supports from BPW sisters which made this grant program possible. BPW Japan will continue its fundraising efforts, so that we will be able to present the Recovery Support Grant to more women in the area. We hope that the Grant will contribute to the promotion of women’s economic independence in the disaster area.
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