NGOs from across Africa, including
Soroptimist clubs, are invited to participate in an international UN Forum about
promoting access to water for all, with a particular focus on the role of women
and young people.  The forum, which will
take place in Yamoussoukro (Côte d’Ivoire) on 30 and 31 July, is the second in
a series of international events organised by the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee
for NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO to help share experience and
knowledge on a particular theme.

Soroptimist International’s UN Reps in
Paris, where UNESCO has its headquarters, have been actively involved in
planning these forums. “We have worked hard in the organization
committee and hope that we will have many African Soroptimists among the
audience”, says lead UN Rep in Paris Marie Christine Gries de la Barbelais.

As well as helping to organize the Africa event,
Marie Christine is co-leader for the Forum that will take place in China in
2015 and has worked with other Forum leaders to identify key themes: girl’s
education, empowerment, equality and the fight against violence.
Marie-Christine will be sharing examples of Soroptimist International project
work to encourage more professional business women and others to get involved
in women’s rights.

Participation
in the Forums is free but participants must meet their own travel expenses.
Some limited support is available for accommodation expenses. The working
languages will be French and English. For more information, including how to
register, visit http://www.ngo-unesco.net/en/?page_id=165.

Image: Soroptimist International Cotonou Doyen (Benin) community water project