Naija Worldwide Charities, Inc., a US-based charitable organization dedicated to rebuilding lives worldwide through health and education, and in collaboration with Global Women-Africa Network (GLOW), a grassroots alliance of women from across Africa and in the Diaspora, will present Women Uniting for Sustainable Peace and Economic Growth as a Global Town Hall Meeting – Civic Society Organization Session scheduled Wednesday, 10th October ?in Tokyo, Japan during the 2012 World Bank-IMF annual general board meetings.
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Global Women-Africa Network (GLOW) is a newly formed consortium of a diverse group of African women in the Diaspora and on the continent of Africa who on an individual basis have a proven history of implementing successful projects and programs on the continent.
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In an effort to contribute to the spirit of the African Renaissance, these women created a partnership to join their collective voices to share best practices, models and solutions for our commons problems and challenges throughout the continent. ?
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This partnership has the potential to increase the exchange of knowledge, resources as well as relevant and sustainable technology. ?Strengthening the relationship between African women in Africa and African women in the Diaspora is a winning combination, a new partnership for action.?
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Africa is rising and so are her women. With two Heads of States (Liberia and Malawi) and, the first ever female Chairperson of the African Union, African women are poised to bring their energy, smarts and passion to solving the perennial problems undermining sustainable growth for millions.?
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In this global context, this Global Town Hall serves as a catalyst for action. GLOW’s purpose is to provide a live platform that will encourage discussion on sustainable solutions to existing challenges and facilitate information sharing at the global level of successful action taken by women or in support of women in this regard. ?GLOW’s target is to get people from around the world to post 1 billion actions taken by 2015 to encourage sustainable peace and economic growth in Africa.
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The program begins with an opportunity to participate in dynamic dialogue on Sustainable Peace and Economic Growth with emphasis on food security, housing, education and personal security. ?
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The panelists include Ms. Antoinette Sayeh of Liberia, Director of the African Department at the IMF & Former Liberian Minister of Finance; Counsello Yvette Chesson-Wureh of Liberia, Esta Establishment Coordinator of the Angie Brooks International Center for Women's Empowerment; Ms. Theo Sowa of Ghana, CEO, African Women’s Development Fund; Ms. Binta Diop of Senegal, Founder & Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarite (FAS); Dr. Frannie Leautier of Tanzania, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD); and Ms. Zainab Bangura of Sierra Leone, UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
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In the new global economic environment, nations are rising in the global South. ?
Africa hosts 7 of the 10 fastest growing economies in the World. ?In spite of this remarkable growth and transformation, several fast rising economies in Africa still do not yet enjoy an adequate voice in international forums discussing their future. ?
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The Global Town Hall Meeting is an opportunity for the African women to participate in this critical dialogue from the grassroots level to the executive level. ?
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The Global Town Hall will focus on Women Uniting for Sustainable Peace and Economic Growth, with special interest on food security, shelter, and education.
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An online platform will be maintained to host all actions taken that are to be shared. Access will be provided to relevant software that will facilitate reporting on action taken at various levels from communities in Nimba County, Liberia to cosmopolitan Luanda, Angola.?
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An annual online consultation will take place every year in October until 2015 to highlight the most innovative action taken. An online voting will be held in the spring of 2015 to identify the top 10 most innovative and effective actions taken.?
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Awards will be given to the implementers as well as to the 1 billionth action to be posted.
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Meanwhile, the former first lady of Kogi state, Chief {Mrs} Aisha Audu-Emeje, told our correspondent in an interview that women in the society need encouragement as a way to make them use their potentials to develop Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole.
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Aisha Emeje, the founder of ?A3 foundation, also said that her foundation and Leadership Initiatives (LI), her partner in the United States are making frantic efforts to launch a regional leadership and business development?program for communities in Kogi State.
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Full interview with Chief Aisha Audu-Emeje, an Adviser to Kogi State government to be published shortly.
