SI Perugia, Italy, hosted an event on the UN and Peace that emphasised the need for peaceful communities. Soroptimist International UN Representative Dora Vrdlovec spoke at SI Perugia’s event, helping to explain why SI’s presence at the UN is so important. Also speaking at the event was Major General Giuiano Ferrari, previously an advisor on military and geopolitical issues to the Italian Mission at the UN. Dora shares more about the event in this blog. 

"The role of NGOs at the UN is becoming increasingly important. As a
representative of a women’s organisation I am able to emphasise the
gender perspective – every issue is a women’s issue and consequently our
voices must be heard on every issue. It is unacceptable that we are
still left behind. By participating in wonderful events such as the one
hosted by SI Perugia, and attended by Soroptimists, Rotarians and others, we
can ensure this message is spread and is not only heard within the
United Nations. 

Amongst the speakers at this event was General Giuliano Ferrari, an expert in international humanitarian law, international
relations and comparative legal military strategy. Ferrari also advised the Italian Permanent Mission whilst Italy was a permanent member of the UN Security
Council. He spoke to a large audience about the history of the UN and its mechanisms, emphasising why the UN was first established after World War II – in order to maintain peace. 

Having led the international mission in the occupied territories of
Israel a decade ago, and been responsible for the rules of engagement of the
Italian mission in Lebanon, General Ferrari explained in a very clear and
interesting way the work done by the UN, and particularly by Italy, in
peacekeeping missions all over the world. We might not hear about every peacekeeping mission in the news, but these important international actions aim to benefit some of the most vulnerable people. 

“Bringing about peace and ensuring its continuation is critical.” Giovanna Totero De Fazio, President of the Soroptimist Club Perugia 

Soroptimist International is
committed to working towards the achievement of sustainable peace and to
supporting the promotion of effective methods of conflict resolution and arms
limitation. Soroptimist International activities are intended to raise
awareness by drawing the attention of governments to the impact of conflict on
women and children, and demonstrating the economic and social benefits of a
culture of peace.

For me it is clear that global peace goes hand-in-hand with a sustainable
environment, the just sharing of natural resources, fair social and economic
development and the promotion of human rights. Through SI Perugia’s wonderful event I had the opportunity to explain my work at the UN in Vienna, involving awareness and advocacy on various committees and
in particular on the Committee of the Status of Women (of which I am Vice President).

 

Always keeping an eye on the gender perspective, the NGO
CSW Vienna (NGO Committee on the Status of Women), presented on the issue of “Non-State
Torture, Torture in the private Sphere” at a recent event. At the event the speakers
were Jeanne Sarson and Linda MacDonald,  founders of NST (Non-State
Torture). Another event presented by this Committee dealt with femicide, with
Barbara Spinelli as speaker. By participating and contributing to these committees, Soroptimist International is able to bring forward problems that women and girls face in the world. In turn ensuring governments are aware of these issues and that they can ultimately be solved. An example of a problem that NGO CSW Vienna is currently advocating on is the situation in Ghana where women working in mines were forced to use toxic substances for the extraction of gold. 

SI Perugia’s event was important because it was a chance for Soroptimists who work in their communities to find out more about how we can take that work to the UN. Through the hospitality of SI Perugia’s President, Giovanna Totero De Fazio, Soroptimists, Rotarians and others had the opportunity to exchange thoughts and experiences
from their clubs about the value of peace and how it can be promoted."