2009 US Presidential Medal
of Freedom Awarded to
H.E. President Mary Robinson
The Council of Women World Leaders is pleased to share the news that Mary Robinson, President of Ireland (1990-1997) and Council Chair Emerita, has been awarded the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest US civilian award of honor. US President Barack Obama described the recipients of this award as “agent[s] of change.” The Council of Women World Leaders extends heartfelt congratulations to the Honorable Mary Robinson on this distinction.
Message from Council member H.E. Maria Liberia-Peters, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles (1984-1986; 1988-1994):
Mary,
Please receive my congratulations. This is so beautiful! I'll be nailed to the television on that day. I know how you feel at times, when the spotlight is being directed on you. But Mary as you see, the star will continue to twinkle no matter what. That is what the star was created for. Your work as advocate for human rights and your determination to stand tall and stand strong for happiness of mankind is blessed.
Pabien! (Congratulations in my language)
For more information, please visit: www.aspeninstitute.org
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In Memoriam:
The Council of Women World Leaders joins the Filipino nation and the international community in mourning the passing of Council member H.E. Corazon C. Aquino, President of the Philippines (1986-1992).
Corazon Aquino was the first female President of the Philippines and Asia’s first female president. She was a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women's empowerment, and religious piety. Aquino was voted Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, following the peaceful EDSA Revolution in which she was proclaimed president. She subsequently led the PinoyME Foundation, a non-profit organization involved in microfinance. She oversaw social welfare and scholarship assistance projects through the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation, and good governance advocacy through the EDSA People Power Commission and the People Power People Movement. Aquino has been designated one of the 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century and one of 65 Great Asian Heroes by Time Magazine.
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Ministerial Initiative: A Roundtable Discussion with Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman QC MP
UK Minister for Women and Equality & Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
The Aspen Institute, Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
8:30am – 10:00am
Minister Harman, who also serves as Leader of the House of Commons and Labour Party Chair, will discuss the passage of legislation through the House of Commons, specifically the Equalities Bill, which was introduced to the House of Commons in late April 2009. The Equalities Bill intends to promote fairness and equality of opportunity while simultaneously reducing nine major pieces of legislation and 100 statutory instruments into a single Act. Minister Harman will be joined by Honorable Vera Baird QC MP, Solicitor-General for England and Wales.
This discussion will be held within the framework of the Council of Women World Leaders’ Ministerial Initiative and the Madeleine K. Albright Women's Voices at the Aspen Institute Series. The Ministerial Initiative represents an extraordinary opportunity for women leaders at the ministerial level to promote democracy, gender equality, and good governance through dialogue and joint action. Attendance is by invitation only; invitations are non-transferable.
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Ending the Atrocity - Stop Rape Now: UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict
The Aspen Institute
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
12:15pm – 1:30pm
Moderated by Ms. Ines Alberdi, Executive Director of UNIFEM, this dialogue between the Honorable Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission and Chair of the Council’s Ministerial Initiative, and Ambassador Melanne Verveer, United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, will examine the integrated efforts of the UN, UNIFEM, UNDP, and the European Union on Stop Rape Now: UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict campaign (UN Action). The UN Action group is composed of 12 UN agencies working to prevent all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence in conflict, in a concerted effort to support national efforts to prevent sexual violence, improve coordination, amplify advocacy, and respond to the needs of survivors.
This event is part of the Madeleine K. Albright Women Voices at the Aspen Institute Series
The Margot Wallstrom blog - Stop Rape Now
The Margot Wallstrom blog - Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson
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The Constitutional Restructuring of the Netherlands Antilles:
A keynote address by Her Excellency Emily Saїdy de Jongh-Elhage Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles Member of the Council of Women World Leaders
The Aspen Institute
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
In her keynote address, Prime Minister H.E. Emily Saїdy de Jongh-Elhage provided an overview of the political environment leading up to the referendum held in Curaçao on 15 May 2009; outlined the historical background of the existing political framework; and discussed the implications of the constitutional settlement with the Dutch government for the island of Curaçao. The Prime Minister addressed the merits of this settlement in view of international developments; provided her own perspective of the disputed settlement; and shared her vision for the ultimate political future of the Netherlands Antilles.
Opening Remarks By:
Ambassador Renée Jones-Bos
Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States
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Ministerial Leadership Initiative
Sixth Annual Meeting of the Ministerial Initiative for Health
Geneva, Switzerland
May 19, 2009
The Council of Women World Leaders, working to create broader support for the Ministerial Leadership Initiative for Global Health (MLI), will hold the Sixth Annual Meeting of the Ministerial Initiative for Health in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 19, 2009. This meeting will serve two purposes: to bring together women ministers of health to discuss current issues in their ministries and share best practices and to coalesce a review panel of ministers to provide feedback to the first-ever World Health Organization global report on women’s health.
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Message from Margot Wallström
Chair, Ministerial Initiative
Vice President, European Commission
April 7, 2009
The Council is an organization working to promote issues which are of the utmost importance to women, which is why it is crucial that we support the U.N. action against sexual violence in conflict. This is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence, especially sexual violence, which is a horrifying weapon of warfare that devastates the lives of so many women and their families.
Read More
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The Aspen Environment Forum
Powering the Planet:
Energy for the Long Run
March 25-28, 2009
Aspen, Colorado
The 2009 Aspen Environment Forum, themed "Powering the Planet: Energy for the Long Run," will present discussions on various topics including climate change, energy extraction and use, innovation and technology, efficiency, and conservation led by energy experts, government and business leaders, writers, photographers, and other knowledgeable voices in the field. On the occasion of the Aspen Environment Forum, the Council of Women World Leaders is pleased to convene a high-level panel of women Ministers of the Environment within the framework of the Ministerial Initiative for the Environment. The panel will be moderated by Laura Liswood, Secretary General of the Council.
Ministerial Initiative for the Environment
Photos
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International Colloquium on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security
March 7-8, 2009
Monrovia, Liberia
Council Statement on Darfur
The Colloquium will convene distinguished women leaders in Monrovia, Liberia, for a historic two-day meeting to address women’s vital role in helping their countries prevent, end and recover from conflict. The Colloquium is being co-convened by Council members President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and President Tarja Halonen of Finland. As part the Colloquium, the Council will convene a meeting of its members, current and former women heads of state and heads of government, hosted by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Colloquium Website
Council Members Meeting 2009
Joint Article - International Women's Day 2009
The Monrovia Declaration
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Daw Aung San Suu Kyi named
honorary Council member
Council is pleased to announce the nomination of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as an Honorary Council Member. Ms. Suu Kyi will be the Council’s first Honorary Member and joins 37 current and former women Heads of State and Heads of Government dedicated to empowering women leaders who lead at the highest level in their countries.
Official Letter
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Letter to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging the release
of all Burmese
political prisoners
In signing the letter to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Council members Mary Robinson, Kim Campbell, Corazon C. Aquino, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, Ruth Dreifuss, Edith Cresson, Janet Jagan, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Jennifer Shipley, Micheline Calmy-Rey, and Vaira Vike-Freiberga voice their support for the release of all Burmese political prisoners.
Official Letter
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