MINTUES OF WAAD TOWN MEETING Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (October 27, 1998)

 

The meeting was convened at 10:00 a. m. by the conference convenor, Obioma Nnaemeka, and moderated by Julie Okpala (Nigeria) and Helena Asamoah (Ghana). There were one hundred and thirty participants in attendance. The following issues were raised and decisions taken:

1. Regionalization
Because the WAAD conference is too big a project and too huge a responsibility to rest solely on the shoulders of one person (the convenor) as has been the case in the past, it was suggested that the WAAD operations be regionalized. Also, the regionalization of WAAD activities will permit participants from different parts of the globe to bring to the WAAD agenda and programming the issues that are specific to their respective regions. After extensive brain storming, it was decided that WAAD operations be regionalized as follows:

AFRICA (five regions)—North, West, East, Central, and South

THE CARIBBEAN and SOUTH AMERICA (one region)

NORTH AMERICA (one region)

ASIA (one region)

EUROPE (one region)

THE PACIFIC and AUSTRALASIA (one region)

2. Frequency of Conference
The frequency of the WAAD conference was extensively debated. Two and four yearly meetings were proposed. After a lengthy discussion, the consensus was for a two-yearly meeting.

3. Venue of the Next Conference
Three countries—Burkina Faso, Egypt, and Madagascar—expressed an interest in hosting the next conference in 2000. Majority of participants voted in favor of Madagascar for two reasons: (a) The first and second WAAD conferences were held in English-speaking countries and the need for inclusiveness was a factor in voting in favor of a francophone country; (b) Participants were impressed by the strong representation of Madagascar at the second WAAD conference. The Malagasy delegation to the conference was led by three Ministers (all women)—Minister of Health, Minister of Population, and Minister of Civil Service—and two Director Generals.

4. Regional Operations
The meeting agreed that

(i) There would be regional pre-conference activities in between WAAD conferences

(ii) The hosting region/country will be in charge of conference logistics and arrangements at the local level—these include fund raising, publicity, accommodation, ensuring that the conference announcement is adequately disseminated to elicit the full participation of women and men at all levels

(iii) Regional operations to contribute fifty percent of their net earnings to the Headquarters

5. Conference Date
Early October was unanimously accepted as a suitable time for WAAD conferences

6. Language of Communication
English and French were adopted as the official languages of WAAD. It was agreed that efforts would be made to seek funding for multi-lingual translations.

7. Theme of the Next Conference
Several themes were suggested and discussed. Participants unanimously agreed on the topic, "Facing the New Millennium: Gender in Africa and the African Diaspora—Retrospections and Prospects."

8. Suggested Organizational Structure of Conference Sessions/Days
Day 1: Research and New Knowledge

Day 2: National and International Policies

Day 3: Grassroots Community Programs

Day 4: Skill Building for Strategic Action and Advocacy

Day 5: Drafting and deliberation process to finalize Communiqué

There will be a communiqué drafting committee. The discussants of various sessions should liaize with the communiqué drafting committee. Reports on Days 1 to 4 to be incorporated into the draft of the communiqué. Outline of the communiqué to be distributed to all participants at the end of Day 4. Sessions on the fifth day should focus on the fine tuning of and consensus building on the entire document.

9. Dissemination of WAAD Information
Strategies include

(i) Utilizing ideas acquired during conferences in improving the situations at stake in various countries and communities

(ii) Encouraging publications at the local, regional, and international levels. The Convenor reported that negotiatings are under way for the publication of the Journal of Women in Africa and the African Diaspora (JOWAAD)

(iii) Conference participants are encouraged to build a one-on-one relationship as a way of touching the lives of women in Africa and the African Diaspora, particularly the underprivileged.

10. Funding
It was observed that although many conference participants were from developing countries, many more who submitted papers/presentations and planned to attend could not do so because the conference was not funded and was unable to sponsor participants. Participants noted that efforts should be made for adequate funding for future conferences to ensure the participation of men and women from poor and developing countries.

11. Communiqué
The draft of the communiqué was presented to the Assembly and corrections were made. The final version of the communiqué is attached.

12. Closing
Copies of the conference evaluation form were distributed to participants. Participants were asked to sign up as regional representatives. The meeting ended at 12 noon.

 

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