A Note from Ruth Lechte
Women Scientists in a Changing World -- 27 - 30 June 2010, Beijing
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The papers have come for the Third World Organisation for Women in Science (TWOWS) fourth assembly June 2010 in Beijing.
You may remember that I was one of the keynote speakers at the women in science meeting in 2002 on the work of TWOWS and their recent events and projects at that time.
After living in the Pacific for 40 years I am now retired in Coolum and do not have much to offer by participation in the 4th assembly. However, WISENet members will be interested.
Information about TWOWS can be found at: http://twows.ictp.it/
The Beijing Assembly information is as follows:
At the generous invitation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) the Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS) is pleased to announce that the TWOWS Fourth General Assembly and International Conference will take place at the Beijing International Convention Center (BICC), Beijing, China, 27-30 June 2010.
The International Conference on “Women Scientists in a Changing World” is expected to cover a critical range of socially relevant scientific topics of interest to the overall objectives of TWOWS.
The aims of the Conference are to:
Explore and identify new dimensions for women’s research in science and technology, education and training
Identify ways of promoting the involvement of women in harnessing science and technology for sustainable development;
Explore opportunities and develop strategies for the participation of women in the development and utilization of new technologies;
Examine the role and develop strategies for the participation and leadership of women in national innovation systems; and
Explore gender dimensions and effects of scientific and technological research for development.
The aims of the TWOWS Fourth General Assembly are to:
Determine the future guiding principles and strategies of the Organization;
Discuss and approve the Organization’s programmes for the period 2010-2014; and
Elect a new Executive Board for TWOWS to serve during the period 2010-2014.
The general outcomes of the Conference and General Assembly are to:
Increase recognition of the scientific and technological achievements of women and their contribution to emerging areas of importance in development;
Increase interaction and promote networking and exchange between women scientists, including young women scientists, from developing countries;
Increase assistance to national, regional and
international
organizations to involve women scientists in their projects;
Disseminate information about TWOWS activities; and
Invitation to the Conference and General Assembly is extended to all members of TWOWS and to representatives of international organizations and personalities involved in promoting the role of women in science-based development in the South. Participation in the event is by invitation only.
Leading scientists from developing countries will be invited to present keynote papers, followed by workshops with papers and discussions on the scientific contribution of women to these critical areas. Eminent women scientists from the South will present their research work, stressing policy issues pertaining to the participation of women in science and technology in their countries.
About Ruth…
Readers may be interested in rereading about Ruth.
In WISENet Journal 68, Ruth writes about being a caretaker in Nairana national Park, Queensland. Ruth and Diane Goodwillie provided some spectacular photographs of the area – and have made them available to WISENet readers. They also welcome volunteers to benefit from giving some time in the remarkable habitat.
In WISENet Journal 62, Ruth also writes about her time in Fiji – the base from which she spent her professional life as a field worker in developing countries. Ruth was the Fiji Team Leader of APGEST, Asia-Pacific Gender Equity in Science & Technology, a program spearheaded by UNESCO. The first stage of APGEST has focused on assessment of resources, best practices and gaps in gender science and technology in the Asia-Pacific region. Ruth was also a Board member of the traditional healers’ collective WAINA-MATE, which has strong activism in biodiversity retention and WIPPAC, Women in Politics in the Pacific.
 Photograph by Ruth Lechte and Diane Goodwillie: blue winged kookaburras from our Australian world |