by Soroptimist International President, Yvonne Simpson

“The Soroptimist International Board renewed its commitment to a world of peace, gender equality, and human rights at its September Board meeting. Soroptimist International moved forward with a revised mission to meet the SI vision, with confirmed principles and five strategic priorities in a Strategic Plan that covers 2016 – 2019 as below.

VISION
The Soroptimist International vision is that women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.

MISSION
Soroptimists transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.

PRINCIPLES
The principles of Soroptimism are to strive for:
• The advancement of the status of women;
• High ethical standards;
• Human rights for all;
• Equality, development and peace; and
• The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace

THEME until 2021: Educate to Lead

Soroptimist International’s five STRATEGIC PRIORITIES and GOALS will steer our work:
1.    Global Advocacy: SI advocates for human rights and gender equality through education and empowerment.
2.    Global Communications:  SI communicates our collective global impact.
3.    International Convention: SI holds a convention in 2019.
4.    SI President’s Appeal: SI unites Soroptimists worldwide through a President’s Appeal to educate, empower and enable women and girls.
5.    SI Strategic Leadership: SI leadership employs best governance practices.

Soroptimist International is in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council, United Nations (ECOSOC); Operational Relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); Special List of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Official Relations with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); and Consultative Status with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Soroptimist International continues to work in partnership to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 agenda. The successful and valuable work done by clubs at the grassroots level to educate, empower and enable women and girls to reach their potential has provided SI with 95 years of examples and stories to support the work with UN agencies and other partners and to ensure that Soroptimist International continues to be “A Global Voice for Women”.

Yvonne Simpson, Soroptimist International President 2015 – 2017.