We are confronted by challenges that we neither wanted nor expected. BPW International is very concerned about the war in Ukraine. We have an Affiliate Club in Ukraine, BPW Chernihiv. We ask our members all over the world to light a special candle for our members in crisis and in war zones at their Candle Lighting Ceremony and to remember them all in a minute of silence.
With the fundraising campaign of BPW International we want to fund three activities:
help our club in Chernihiv to survive
help for women and children-refugees on their way to the Polish border through funding of an institution which gives support to the refugees in Lviv and for
Ukrainian Women who are about to settle in a country to help them to prepare themselves for the local job market and to pursue their careers through language courses, skill building etc.
Julia, the president of the Chernihiv Club still has access to the bank and can buy food for people living in the shelter to where she had to flee due to her house being bombed. In any case, the money collected will benefit the club members in Chernihiv, women and child-refugees on their way out of the Ukraine and Ukrainian women to find a new professional life. We ask for your solidarity and your donation on the > International Webpage.
Our thoughts are with our members in the war zone in Ukraine, but also with the many women and children displaced from their homes. The need to help is great.
Now is the time when BPW International has to stand, to work and to act together. Only as a united organisation and sisterhood will we be strong. Help in the context of your own country, and support BPW International to take action where it is needed. Follow BPW International's suggestions on how we can make a big impact together thanks to the trust placed in our organization. I am grateful for everyone who helps the Ukrainian refugees and our Club in Chernihiv (Ukraine).
In addition, CSW66 is in full swing and on 8 March we were already active with events for International Women's Day. As usual, you can find everything on our website. Click onto > Newsand scroll through all the news, invitations and information we provide there.
And besides all this, we must not lose sight of the COVID sufferers and the consequences of the pandemic. Challenges that will continue to affect us.
I wish you much strength for all these demands that are placed on you and on all of us. In the meantime, let us also think of beautiful and peaceful things so that we do not lose our confidence.
With best regards
Dr. Catherine Bosshart
BPW International President 2021-2024
BPW Topical
BPW International Help for Ukraine
BPW International is very concerned about the war in Ukraine. We have an Affiliate Club in Ukraine, BPW Chernihiv.
With the fundraising campaign of BPW International we want to organize help for our club and for women and child-refugees.
In doing so, we will see if we can have relief supplies transported. We ask you to report to the President's office information about existing and reliable transport services known to you. In any case, the money collected will benefit the club members in Chernihiv and women and child-refugees.
We ask for your solidarity and your donation, if it’s possible for you to do so. Thank you very much. > Donate now
Options for BPW International Help for Ukraine
A relief action was immediately set up, published on the website and on social media, which will work in the name and under the trust of BPW International. In order not to disperse BPW aid, we request you to make your donations through BPW International’s link. From the money collected we will support aid projects that are registered with us. We will send funds to BPW Chernihiv, and if available, we will support transport of relief goods, as there is a lack of everything.
We ask for your understanding that at the international level only BPW International collects on behalf of BPW; BPW International does not want to jeopardize the trust that the worldwide organization enjoys. We are responsible for ensuring that the money reaches its destination, and that collection and distribution is secure.
You have three options:
BPW Federations or Affiliate Clubs prepare a project on how to help the Ukrainian refugees in their countries in a sustainable manner (from distribution of goods to skill building, language lessons, support in childcare etc). The projects need to be sent to > BPW International with a budget and a description as quickly as possible. We, the Executive Board, will look at these projects and allocate the money to those Federations and Affiliate Clubs. BPW International needs to have lists of how this money was allocated and who was responsible for the distribution.
Part of the money which we receive goes directly to the Ukraine to an institution which is already providing refugees with shelter and food on the way to the borders with Poland.
You will do a project out of your own means e.g. you are responsible for the money collection in your countryand for the distribution.
CSW 66 - 14-25 March 2022
BPW Parallel Events
The range of parallel events for CSW66 is updated on our website. Here you will find detailed information on individual events. > Parallel Events
We have compiled everything in a pdf which we update regularly. It is intended as an aid for your personal CSW Parallel Events agenda. > Compilation on a pdf
Don't miss it:
You need to register for the Parallel Events forum (> here's a guide to it).
bpw.webinars - Report and Video CSW
The kick-off webinar as part of the bpw.webinars took place on 28 February 2022. In a concentrated form, Dr. Catherine Bosshart led us through the institution of the CSW. From its founding to its goals and lobbying, we were introduced to the CSW. The presentation concluded with a list of the parallel events at this year's CSW66. Questions were answered in the discussion and Q&A session that followed. The webinar is now available as a video on bpw.webinars. Watch it at your leisure and learn many new things about the CSW. > bpw.webinars
Register for the next bpw.webinar:
Dr. Giuseppina Seidita about BPW International Membership > bpw.webinars
News from the Executive Board
Affiliate Members in 2021
Find here a compilation by Dr. Giuseppina Seidita of all the new Affiliated Clubs and Federations from 2021. > Website
Constitutional Corner
Know your constitution #4
Standing Committees
by Jenny Gulamani-Abdulla, BPW International Executive Secretary 2021-2024, Canada > Website
As BPW International’s activities go into full force in 2022, we are taking this opportunity to inform you of the prominent role of Standing Committees as per our Constitution.
The following Standing Committees have been established this triennium as per our Regulations:
Agriculture
Arts and Culture
Business, Trade and Technology
Development, Training and Employment
Environment
Health
Legislation
Membership
Projects
Public Relations
Young BPW
United Nations – Status of Women
R15.2 states under Appointment of Standing Committee Chairpersons and members that
“Standing Committee Chairpersons are elected by the General Assembly, except that the First and Second Vice Presidents assume the position of the Chairperson of either the Standing Committees on Membership or the United Nations - Status of Women and the Young BPW Representative is the Chairperson of the Young BPW Standing Committee.”
Each Standing Committee, in addition to the Chairperson, has its members and R15.2 confirms that they are “formally appointed by the President.”
Please do take some time to know about them and keep up with their areas of focus on our > website. You can refer to R15.1 to R15.3 in our > Constitution to learn more.
BPW International prides itself on the global resources that its members showcase on the world stage. We appreciate their valuable time, brilliant expertise as well as their professional and personal experiences which they share so generously when leading and participating in the Standing Committees.
The Executive wishes the Standing Committee Chairpersons successful consultations with their members and looks forward to the summary of their proposed activities as well as their written reports during this triennium.
Administrative Corner
BPW International is currently sending out the invoices for the membership dues. We thank you for the punctual payment. If you have payment problems for your Federation / Affiliate Club, please contact the President's Office and/or the Finance Officer.
International Theme
The bpw.directory
The bpw.directory is growing, allow yourself to be motivated by the many amazing women who have already registered there and become one of them! Create your amazing profile, your worldwide online business card. > bpw.directory
Contacting Members on the bpw.directory
Have you tried networking on the bpw.directory? Click on Contact this member below the photo. On the pop-up you can write your email and you submit your email address and your name. Click send and the email finds its way to the BPW member you would like to contact. It is up to this member now, whether she wants to answer your mail or not. Note: For answering such an email, you have to write specifically to this email address and NOT just reply to this email.
Feedback
On the bpw.directory there is a feedback form where you can give us your opinion about the directory, but also your observations about what went well or not so well. Or have you found a word that has not been translated well in your language? Would you like to see another language on the language list? Do you have a good idea that would improve the Directory? Thank you for your feedback. It is only thanks to your participation that the bpw.directory will become a reliable and successful networking tool for BPW International. > Feedback
Events
BPW International Regional Conference Europe 27-29 May 2022 in Reykjavik
Early-Bird Prices extended until End of March 2022 - The Conference Administration informs us as follows:
Jóhanna Kristín Tómasdóttir, President BPW Reykjavík, Iceland: “When everything changes, change everything” (Neale Donald Walsch)
It is with great pleasure that I announce that BPW Iceland has decided to further extend the Early-Bird rate of the conference until 31st March 2022.
The main reason for this extension is the lingering effect of COVID-19 on our lives. The Icelandic government has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions. Although it seems to be kind of over, there are still many who are uncertain of whether we are in the clear.
Another reason is the price. We do realize that Iceland is an expensive country and we want to make sure that everybody who wishes to visit us and participate in the conference, can come at the least expensive price we can offer. We do hope that this leeway opens the doors for many more of you to come and visit us in May.
Register on the > Conference website, where you can also find all information about the Conference.
MoU of the SC Business, Trade & Technology
with the TRASMED GLE – GRIMALDI GROUP - 21-22 February 2022
Paz Martin, Chair of the Standing Committee concluded this collaboration with the Trasmed GLE – Grimaldi Group to help further the work of women in the masculine dominated field of navigation. BPW International was invited to spend one night on the ferry to Palma de Mallorca. After a good night’s sleep we had a chance to visit the old centre of Palma de Mallorca. After coming back, an official act sealed the collaboration between BPW International and the Trasmed GLE – Grimaldi Group by hoisting the Equal Pay Day flag. What we all appreciated was that the large vessel was under the command of a female captain and first officer. Both seemed to be highly respected by their crew. > Fotos & Video
Premio delle Donne and Candle Ligthing Ceremony of FIDAPA Milano
25 February 2022
Due to the COVID situation, BPW Milano could only now give the award for outstanding work 2020/2021. Five women and two men received the award: Senator Maria Cristina Cantu’ received it for her administrative and political work on behalf of vulnerable people and people in need.
The journalist Manuela Donghi received it for her comprehensive and articulate articles on economy and her engagement for women and people in need. The medical director of the Hospital Macedonio Melloni, Marisa Errico, was awarded it for dedicating an entire hospital to all different aspects of women’s health. Viviana Varese, a Chef with several stars, was awarded it for her career in a mostly masculine sphere. Romina Vuono has made an outstanding scientific career and achieved excellent results in the study of neurodegenerative illnesses. The journalist and writer Aldo Cazzullo gave evidence to women who supported the growth of Italy and highlighted the importance of female associations. Diego Dalla Palma dedicated his life to supporting women in finding their potential in creativity. The ceremony was concluded by a report of the Past President on the importance of collaboration between men and women. > Website
Candle Lighting Ceremonies of FIDAPA Milano and FIDAPA Mediolanum
25 and 26 February 2022
During the two Candle Lighting Ceremonies the International President gave a short speech introducing the new international Website, the newsletter and the directory which will help BPW International to connect members worldwide. At the end of the ceremonies, she lit three additional yellow candles for all our members living in areas of crisis and war and for all our members fleeing from their home country. > Website
Remembrance Day of the Shoa celebrated
27 February 2022
Rachele Capristo, the President of the District Nord-Ovest, had organized a beautiful concert highlighting compositions which were considered during the Nazi Era as “degenerate Art”. After the concert we got a chance to visit the memorial at platform 21 on the side of the station of Milano Centrale from where Jewish people had been transported to Auschwitz. The word INDIFFERENCE at the entrance of the memorial gave us shivers. It was a very quiet and thoughtful group of women who left the Memorial. > Website
President's Travels
March 25, 2022
BPW International Conference with FIDAPA in Bari, Italy March 29, 2022
Webinar BPW International on BPW International Membership, Dr. Giuseppina Seidita March 31, 2022
Candle Lighting Ceremony with Clubs of the district of Sicily in Bagheria, Sicily April 1, 2022
Candle Lighting Ceremony with other Clubs of the district of Sicily, Termini Imerese, Sicily April 2-3, 2022
Conference of District Sicily, Tusa Sicily May 12, 2022
Gender Pension Gap Roundtable at the University of Fribourg, organized by BPW Fribourg. May 14, 2022
Leaders’ Summit with the FIDAPA District of Nord-East in Verona (whole day event) followed by a Candle Lighting Ceremony May 27-29, 2022
BPW International Regional Conference Europe in Reykjavik
✝︎ Arlette Neyens, Past President of BPW Argentina
Arlette Neyens departed from us in February 2022 at the age of 85. She graduated in Humanities in Buenos Aires, later became Director for Culture of Bariloche and Secretary for culture in the Province of Rio Negro. In BPW International she is known as the founder of the second Five-O project in Latin America, the Villa La Angostura High Institute of Art. In this function she conducted many projects in training and empowering women. As her friend, Prof. Olga Ahumada states: “She was a responsible and tireless professional, painter, writer, photographer, journalist with unparalleled energy, eternal enthusiasm, wisdom and leadership.” We in BPW International will miss her greatly. > YouTube Video 2021 (ES)> Website
