[TimorLesteStudies] Women for Peace: 2nd International Conference. Dili March 2009

[Bu V.E. Wilson]

Women for Peace
SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
    DILI, TIMOR-LESTE 2009
     
  Feto Hakiak Dame                            Peace – Women create it!                          Mulher Cria a Paz
   
  Wainhira feto sira hamutuk, hakiak  Dame diak liu tan, lori hakmatek no Kura Laran Kanek
  Quando as mulheres criam em conjunto, reforça-se a paz e a regeneração acontece
  When Women create together Peace is Strengthened and Healing Follows
   
  Would you like to attend the 2nd International Women for Peace Conference, to be held in Dili, East Timor on the 5 and 6 March 2009? The conference will focus on WOMEN AS CREATIVE AGENTS FOR PEACE and will explore the many issues affecting women in post conflict societies while focusing on the creative energy that women can use to bring lasting peace. 
   
  Across the world women have increasingly gained a voice in the development of their communities reducing gender-related barriers to opportunities. However, for women in many countries, culture remains the main constraint in efforts to reduce gender inequalities. Women and men need to work together so peace and development can progress, especially in post-conflict environments which impact on women’s access to education, jobs and decision-making.
   
  Like women in many other countries, during the long struggle for independence, women of Timor-Leste contributed to the independence process in many different roles. For twenty five years my Timorese sisters struggled to survive under the oppression of the Indonesian military. They were used by the Indonesian military to demoralize Timorese men who fought for independence. They were tortured, oppressed and traumatized. Today Timorese women seek self confidence in our new roles in a Timorese society that is dominated by a patriarchal system. The occupation is over but today, domestic violence and cultural violence still play a dominant part in Timorese women’s lives. One example is the bride price or Barlarke, once a symbol of families coming together, but now a dangerous burden, compounding poverty and fostering a sense of purchase or ownership of women. 
   
  This conference will be an opportunity for women from around the world to share experiences about moving from conflict to peace, finding justice and solidarity, and acknowledging and valuing traditional culture, while reducing its negative impact on society. By using drama, song, visual arts and storytelling during the conference, we hope to draw upon these powerful artistic tools to more fully explore these challenging issues.
   
  The activities for this conference will be steeped in an environment of creativity, knowing that when women create together, they build solidarity and find healing. Prior to the conference, we will invite women artists from around the world to work with Timorese women artists to produce visual art representing the themes of peace, solidarity and ending violence. The works will be exhibited at the conference. In addition, students will be invited to interview older women in their communities, providing a photographic and written story of their lives. The best of these stories will be presented at the conference. Throughout the conference, actors and musicians will be invited to reflect on the issues raised, providing instant theatre and music performances as part of the plenary sessions each day. 
   
     So, our 2nd International Women for Peace Conference on the 5 to 6 of March 2008 will focus on the following issues that affect women all around the world:   
  ·         Women’s experiences in Peace building and Reconstruction
  ·         Women and Politics and Decision Making
  ·         Women and Economic Empowerment in Post-Conflict Societies
  ·         Justice and Solidarity for Women Survivors (Justice for Women Survivors of War and Gender Base Violence and Interactions between formal and traditional justice)
  ·         Impact of Culture and Religion on Women’s Reproductive Rights and Bride Price
  ·         Women and Arts in Post-Conflict Societies
   
  The conference will include keynote speakers and panel discussions to explore these issues further, followed by workshop activities to share ideas and develop action plans to address these issues and bring change into the future. 
   
  If you are interested in attending this conference please complete the attached registration form and return it to: mena.peace at alolafoundation.org by the 30 of December 2008. Please register now as places are limited. There is no registration fee to attend the conference but the conference dinner will cost $20USD to attend. Conference participants are required to fund their own travel and accommodation. I can provide you with more information about accommodation costs in Timor Leste if you require it. The 2nd International Women for Peace Conference in Timor Leste is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the steering committee includes UNIFEM and several Timorese women’s organisations.
   
  We are looking forward to your involvement in this important dialogue between Timorese women and women from around the world.
   
  Yours Sincerely,
   
  Filomena Barros dos Reis
  Conference Coordinator 
   
  Mobile no: +670 723 8463
  Email: mena.peace at alolafoundation.org or filopau at yahoo.com       
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
     SECOND INTERNATIONAL WOMEN FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
    DILI, TIMOR-LESTE 2009
     
  REGISTRATION FORM
   
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  Please return via email to the Peace Conference Co-ordinator mena.peace at alolafoundation.org or filpau at yahoo.com by the 30 of December 2008.

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