Just Published by UNESCO!

 

We  wish to share with you a link to the recent e-publication on UNESCO's UNITWIN website of a gender case study update in Shantiniketan, West Bengal!  Brenda McSweeney, along with Krishno Dey and Chandana Dey, had an opportunity in November 2010 to visit and write on one of the nine original ‘Srihaswani’ (Creative Manual Skills for Self-Reliant Development) villages to capture the impressions of many of those, both women and men, who had participated in the program for several years. Since 2008, eight of the villages had also created a specific ‘Gender Group’ in which there were 127 girls with their mothers. Please find the full publication at:

Srihaswani: Five Years On

We now gearing up here at Boston University for the Spring Semester, and as well as our next research initiatives in Ireland, South and West Asia, and beyond. 

A Letter from Yaaminey Mubayi on Livelihoods in Punjab and Orissa

"Gurmeet [Rai] and I are busy with our crafts village in Amritsar- this is the one I "discovered" while doing research for another project- a settlement of traditional metal workers who had migrated from Pakistan in 1947. We are developing the area as an Endogenous Tourism destination.



I am also doing a project in coastal Orissa- Tourism as an alternative livelihood to combat the problems of overfishing of Chilika Lake, in 8 villages along the coast. The gender issue to flag here is the fact that women have lost their traditional livelihood as the sellers of the fish, now that commercial interests have reduced the fishermen to wage labour, rather than individual owners of boats and other assets. Think of the plight of widows and wives of retired fishermen, who are literally starving, no traditional safety nets for them! Am working with some Self Helf Groups to develop crafts- some excellent bamboo and golden grass weaving done by fisherwomen!

Here are a couple of photos of the region, including of an old lady who lives off temple offerings.

Cheers and Best Wishes for a marvelous year ahead."

Yaaminey

International Seminar on Gender Equality and State Intervention: Issues Ahead

We are delighted to advise you of a very exciting International Seminar on Gender Equality and State Intervention: Issues Ahead that was held at Punjabi University at Patiala, Punjab, India on October 28th and 29th, 2010. This event was organized by one of our "TWINS," the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Punjabi University at Patiala with support from UNESCO/UNITWIN (Paris).

From left to right: Chandana Dey, Malkit Kaur, Nandini Dey, H.S. Bhatti, and Gurmeet Rai in a pre-Seminar strategy session

The Seminar Coordinator, Professor Malkit Kaur, and the Head of the Department, Professor Harvinder Singh Bhatti, did an amazing job in pulling together experts and practitioners, spanning generations, from across India and beyond to discuss and debate, in plenary and working sessions, promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. In all, 50 papers were presented by Faculty and Degree Candidates on a range of timely issues, including:

• Gender Equality and State Intervention
• Gender, Culture & Violence
• Gender Gaps in Access to Health, Education and Employment
• Gender Responsive Planning and Gender Budgeting
• Stories of Success and Struggle: Experiences of NGOs, Researchers, Academicians and Media

The inaugural address was given by Professor Pam Rajput of Panjab University, Chandigarh; Dr. Brenda Gael McSweeney of the Women's Studies Program, Boston University that anchors our UNESCO/UNITWIN on Gender, Culture and Development, gave a special address as the Chief Guest; and the Punjabi University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Jaspal Singh, gave the Presidential Address. The Seminar participants also included our UNITWIN Network Partners Dr. Arvinder Ansari from Jamia Milia Islamia University; Gurmeet S. Rai, Director of the Culture Resource Conservation Initiative (CRCI); and Chandana Dey, Co-founder of the Bhab Initiative.

The 50 substantive presentations brought out fresh insights, and we understand that a number of the papers will be finding their way into a publication. From our vantage point, and that of so many people who gave us feedback, the International Seminar was a 'smashing success', right from the substantive and moving opening ceremony, clear through to the valedictory session. The ensuing publication will doubtless constitute an insightful and important contribution to the field.

A Letter from UNESCO Paris: Soojin Min (Boston University)

Soojin Min in Paris during her UNESCO HQ internship

Dear Prof. McSweeney,

Hello! This is Soojin. How are you?

It was such a great pleasure to meet you at UNESCO!

As I mentioned, I would like to share my summer internship story with you.

I completed my internship at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, at the Section for Basic Education, Literacy and Non-Formal Education in the Division for Basic Education this past summer. Assigned to a literacy team, where six other people were working, I assisted with projects related to literacy prizes and conferences. I mainly worked on the UNESCO Database on Literacy Projects and Programmes, which was a pilot project. Based on UNESCO's criteria, information and details of literacy programs run by NGOs and governments were collected for knowledge sharing. 

Professor Brenda Gael McSweeney and Soojin Min, Paris

I also worked on press release documents for the International Literacy Day(ILD). Every year, on September 8th, the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize & the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy are awarded to a total of four entities that have made a difference in fighting illiteracy. Additionally two entities are honorably mentioned. The King Sejong Prize is sponsored by the Korean government and the Confucius Prize is sponsored by the Chinese government. Complying with the United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD) thematic calendar, the theme for this year is “Literacy and Women’s Empowerment”. The award ceremony will take place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on September 8, 2010. This year's recipients demonstrate the power of achieving women's literacy through their amazing programs.

During my internship, I realized that the role of international organizations in integrating and supporting education projects is something that should not be underestimated.  I also learned that the best possible way to promote gender equality is through education, and I therefore believe literacy education should be the very first step towards it. 

UNESCO Headquarters lobby: promoting Gender Equality

I'm attaching my pictures at UNESCO, in front of its famous statue of Giacommeti and a picture of the UNESCO lobby and another one with you at the Comptoir. And this is the link to UNESCO's literacy prizes:

http://www.unesco.org/en/literacy/literacy-prizes/

Have a wonderful semester!

Best wishes,

Soojin

Education Specialists focusing on the Girl Child/Spécialistes de l'éducation axée sur les filles

Pictured below are Maria Malevri, Programme Specialist in Basic Education, Literacy, and Non-Formal Education of the Division for the Promotion of Basic Education, UNESCO, Paris (at left); with André Lokisso, President of AIED (Assistance to the Integration of Demilitarized Children). Maria was on mission in Burkina Faso in March 2010 on pressing issues of literacy and basic education. André's NGO is now also focusing on street children and other children in difficulty. Both experts give great attention to the particular challenges facing girls. Watch this space for more information!

 Sur la photo on voit Maria Malevri (à gauche), Spécialiste du programme en matière d'enseignement fondamental, l'alphabétisation et l'éducation non formelle de la Division pour la promotion de l'éducation de base, UNESCO, Paris; avec André Lokisso, Président de l'AIED (Aide à l'Intégration des Enfants Démilitarisés). Maria était en mission au Burkina Faso en Mars 2010 à propos des questions urgentes d'alphabétisation et d'éducation de base. En outre, l'ONG d'André met désormais l'accent sur les enfants des rues et autres enfants en difficulté. Les deux experts accordent une grande attention aux défis particuliers que doivent affronter les jeunes filles. Visitez de nouveau cet espace pour plus d'informations!

(Translation by/traduit par Aminata Kiello) 

Women’s Autobiographies in Islamic Societies: The Ultimate Unveiling?

With funding secured by Dr. Siobhan Lambert-Hurley an international research network was founded in January 2010 to foster an interdisciplinary and comparative approach to women’s autobiography in Islamic societies. The group first met in Austin, Texas and assessed the source materials used by members of the group in order to consider terminology and definitions. In December 2010 the network will meet in New Delhi to discuss ‘context and construction.’ Quite simply the network will discuss who writes, why, how and for whom? The third phase will take the network to Abu Dhabi in 2011 where the topic of discussion will be the content of autobiographical narratives.

By Dr. Roberta Micallef, Women's Studies Program and Modern Foreign Languages Department, Boston University.

'Women of Vision' Published by UNESCO, Paris!

Stories of 'Women of Vision' in a Boston neighborhood, written up by members of the Women's History Group of the Brighton Allston Historical Society (BAHS), have just been published on the UNESCO website!

Some highlights:

"The Coquette" at left was the pioneer novel of Hannah Foster - the first American-born woman to write and publish a novel - and was one of the best-selling books of the eighteenth century.

"Fanny Fern", a widely read and influential American journalist of the nineteenth century, reached over a half-million readers weekly through her columns at the height of her career.

A Paul Revere Pottery catalog is pictured here, showing the 80 Nottinghill Road English-style stucco workshop in Brighton, Massachusetts, USA, in the early twentieth century. In the foreground is Lily Shapiro, an original participant in the "Saturday Evening Girls Club," decorating a soon-to-be famous Paul Revere bowl.

Photos courtesy of the Brighton-Allston Historical Society.

According to UNESCO, Paris:

"The goal of these twin publications, 'Women's History Initiatives' and 'Women of Vision: Brighton Allston Women's Heritage Trail Guide,' is to showcase the significant and compelling contributions that women have made to this New England community over the past three centuries.

These volumes capture the complementary actions of historians and researchers who focus on women's achievements, and of local activists committed to preserving these remarkable women's legacies to inspire future generations. BAHS Women's History Group members researched and hosted advocacy events over a period of six years.

The first publication documents this journey, while the second is a guide to 16 notable women and women's organizations that have enriched the life and history of this corner of Boston and beyond.

Material at the links below gives a vivid picture of the evolution of these Women's History Initiatives over time.

This body of work has also served as a catalyst for similar initiatives underway around the globe, in Burkina Faso in West Africa, and in India."

-- From the UNESCO website.

UNESCO's Division for Higher Education also plans to share the Women of Vision initiatives via its Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet). This global network groups more than 8500 educational bodies in 179 countries, ranging from pre-schools through to teacher training institutions.

Click below for direct links to the Women of Vision publications, as well as other related links on Women of Vision in Burkina Faso, the Women of Vision exhibition website, the Brighton Allston Heritage Museum blog, and the Brighton Allston Historical Society website:

The Launch of the CRCI's "Conserving Sikh Heritage" Calendar!

Gursharan Kaur, CRCI Director Gurmeet Rai, and Sikh leaders at the heritage calendar launch.

Portrayed here is the launch of the Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative's "Conserving Sikh Heritage" 2010 Calendar, which took place both in California, USA and in Punjab, India! These photos of the India launch show the director and founder of CRCI, Gurmeet Sangha Rai, presenting the calendar to Gursharan Kaur, wife of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mrs. Singh is also known in the Sikh community of Delhi for her kirtan singing. You can see more photos from the CRCI calendar launch on our Flickr site here.

Gursharan Kaur and the 2010 "Conserving Sikh Heritage" calendar. 

 

From Dr. Brenda Gael McSweeney, currently of Boston and Brandeis Universities and former head of the United Nations in India: "Conservation architect Gurmeet S. Rai is the founder and director of the unique Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative  that preserves and enhances India's cultural heritage. CRCI effectively bridges from helping forge international and national cultural heritage policy to grassroots action, notably in Punjab and other states in India... Gurmeet and the CRCI are the recipients of numerous local and global awards, and are partners in our UNESCO Chair/University Twinning Network on Gender, Culture, and People-Centered Development."

The preparation and publication of this rich heritage calendar is most timely, given that 2010 has been declared the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, for which UNESCO has a lead role.

For more information on the CRCI, you can visit their great website here.

Photos courtesy CRCI.

Announcing UNESCO's first-ever female Director General, Irina Bokova!

Photo: UNESCO

We are pleased to share UNESCO's announcement of the appointment of Irina Bokova, a former Bulgarian politician and ambassador to France and Monaco, as the Director-General of UNESCO. Director-General Bokova is the first woman and the first representative of an Eastern European country to occupy this position since the founding of the Organization in 1945. DG Bokova comes to the post with over three decades of experience in the international arena. Previously, she served as Secretary of State for European Integration, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and was elected a Member of Parliament in Bulgaria. She had been a Permanent Delegate of her country to UNESCO since 2005.

As the "Women's Empowerment" UNITWIN, Irina's appointment is of special excitement to us. Since one of UNESCO's two organizational priorities through until 2013 is Gender Equality, we anticipate a redoubling of the important work the Organization is carrying out in this arena!

A warm welcome and hearty congratulations to DG Bokova, from the Women's Studies Program at Boston University and from our University and NGO partners in India and Burkina Faso!

A Letter from BU Grad Yael Shapira from Southern India

Dear Prof. McSweeney,

I just wanted to send a quick update from India, since I have recently been thinking about you quite often in the context of my work.

Two weeks ago I began an internship with the NGO Aide et Action (it deals with education, especially of people in the rural areas). The specific project I'm working on at this point is evaluating the implementation of inclusive education programs for children with disabilities. I just came back from a week out in the villages, in Andhra Pradesh, where I went to government schools and interviewed students, teachers, mandal leaders, and self-help groups of people with disabilities. The point was to find out if the students are actually being included in the mainstream education and if they are still facing any discrimination. My findings were really fascinating.

With a self-help group for disabled people.

"Inclusive Education" is one of the methods of implementing the "education for all" law here in India. With regards to children with disabilities, it entails getting children out of their houses, work, or special education schools and including them into mainstream classrooms. It is an approach that requires the school to adapt to the child's needs, rather than an integration approach in which the child has to adapt to the rest of the class.

After going out into the villages and conducting many interviews, I found that the children with disabilities have indeed been identified and taken out of their homes to attend the mainstream schools. Awareness has been created by NGOs to rid of superstitions and discrimination. As a first step that is very important. However, these children are merely being integrated and their special needs are not being taken care of in order for them to get a real education and to achieve their rights.

With a classroom that has children with disabilities.

I also got to meet villagers living in a temporary tent community because their village and crops were destroyed in recent floods. It made me realize how important disaster relief work is, and I am pretty sure that I am going to focus on that in my future studies.

I want to let you know that I felt as if everything I learned in the Gender and International Development class came to life right in front of me. It was such an incredible experience to actually be out in the field and talking to people about their experiences instead of just reading about them in a textbook, and I was truly inspired by so many of the people. Your class really prepared me for dealing with so many of the issues I am coming across (such as child labor, girls in school, etc.) and I would really like to thank you for that.

All the best,

Yael