Applications are now open for members of YWCA Australia, YWCA Canberra and YWCA Hunter Region to join the delegation to 2020’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW64) at the United Nations in New York.
Our delegation will bring together United Nations first timers and old hands with a huge range of experiences and skills. Every application is encouraged!
What is CSW?
The United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a global body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Representatives of UN member governments meet in New York each March to discuss ways to raise the status of women, watched on by UN agencies and NGO activists (including YWCA Australia and other YWCA’s from across the world).
The CSW has supported the development of key gender equality documents including the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and its Optional Protocol, and the development of the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action.
In March 2020 the 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW64) will be held at the UN Headquarters in New York from Monday 09 March to Friday 20 March. In 2020 the global community will mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and a five-year milestone towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The theme of CSW64 will be a review and appraisal of the implementation of the Platform for Action and the current challenges to achieving the full empowerment of women and girls and the realisation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Eligibility Criteria
- Current and active member of YWCA Australia, YWCA Canberra or YWCA Hunter Region
- Able to fully commit to pre-CSW64 planning meetings and teleconferences with YWCA Australia and the delegation;
- Willing to fully participate in all CSW64 activities;
- Able to meet the financial requirements for the cost of attending CSW64 (see details below);
- Ability to report back to YWCA including the Board, Staff and Membership upon returning from CSW64.
In selecting the YWCA Australia delegation to CSW64 2020, consideration will be given to the overall composition of the delegation, with an effort to ensure diversity of age, experience, knowledge, culture and to enable women from urban and rural, regional and remote locations to have access to the opportunity.
Costs and dates
Members of the YWCA Australia CSW64 delegation must be available to participate in all briefing activities prior to departing for CSW64. This may include a one-day briefing session hosted by the Equality Rights Alliance held in an Australian capital city, as well as various delegation teleconferences.
Delegates must also be able to participate in all CSW64 activities in New York from 9 March to 20 March 2020.
To ensure the best possible experience, delegates must stay at the designated accommodation with the full delegation and details will be advised shortly.
Delegates must be able to cover the costs associated with travel, accommodation and daily expenses. We estimate a budget of approximately $10,000AUD is required for each individual attending CSW64. This includes accommodation, daily expenses (between $30-80USD) and airfares ($1,500-2,500AUD). Delegates may choose to spend more or less depending on their individual circumstances.
YWCA Australia will meet travel insurance costs for the delegation.
CSW64 Bursary Support
YWCA Australia recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played an important role in advocating for equality on the national and international stage. We are seeking to ensure that our delegation has a strong voice representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
We are aiming to support a young Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman to attend CSW64. This will include a fundraising campaign with donations matched by YWCA Australia up to a total of $5,000.
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander member aged 30 or under, please include this information in your application.
Deadlines
- Monday 2 December 2019: Applications open
- Monday 16 December 2019: Applications close
- Week of Monday 13 January 2020: Applicants will be notified of the outcome
- Week of Monday 20 January 2020: The full delegation will be announced on the YWCA Australia website
More information
If you would like to know more about the CSW64 experience, please reach out to Bobbie Trower, Senior Manager – Advocacy, on bobbie.trower@ywca.org.au.
