Building Global Partnerships To Enrich Women's Lives

ICUUW Workshop at ICUU Conference in Philippines

Written By: Rev. Carol Huston
Published: Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Rev. Rebecca Siences, the Rev. Carol Huston, an Nagy Gizella (Gizi), members of the Board of ICUUW, will attend the 2012 meeting and conference of the International Council of Unitarian Universalists in Dumaguete on Negros Island, the Philippines, February 7 – 12. This meeting brings together Unitarians and Universalists from congregations around the world. Rev. Sienes will also be there as host and representative of the UU Church of the Philippines.  Rev. Huston and Ms. Nagy will be official observers at the meetings.

During the conference, our board members will offer a workshop on Women’s Empowerment. Seminary student Kat Kowalski will talk about the project which brought ICUUW representatives and members of the UU Church of Annapolis to the village of Doldol on Negros Island in January, to take part in an “Idea Shop” and in one-to-one interviews with 30 local women. These activities addressed issues of gender equity, social justice, and access to livelihood and provided a kick-off for a multi-phase process which will outline innovative livelihood alternatives for women to increase hourly wages while also offering opportunities for creativity, self-expression, and spiritual growth. Professor Christine Nielsen, ICUUW Vice-President and creator of this project, is certain that it can be replicated elsewhere and, to that end, the project is being recorded by videographer Megan Rainey. This workshop will offer first viewing of some of the video footage.
This workshop will also provide a brief overview of women’s empowerment activities in other parts of the world. Gizi Nagy, Co President of the Unitarian Women’s Association of Transylvania will speak about women’s empowerment in Transylvania, with special reference to the upcoming Second International Women’s Convocation.