"Realizing the Vision of Women's Human Rights: Understanding the
Intersection
of Racism, Sexism and Other Oppressions"

9th Women's Global Leadership Institute, June 10 - 21, 2002

Building a vision of women's human rights is a work in progress that is
critical not just for women but for the future of communities, nations, and
the world. The complexities and obstacles that women encounter in our work
make clear the need to continuously sharpen and clarify this vision. At the
same time, the struggle for the full realization of women's human rights
faces
both old and new challenges as well as important opportunities in the new
global environment. Age-old practices that violate women's rights such as
domestic violence, female genital mutilation, honor killings, and denial of
property and inheritance rights continue and even take new forms. At the
same
time other areas of violation are on the rise such as sweatshops,
trafficking
in persons, and the theft of intellectual property rights. The Institute
will
examine these issues, building on recent discussion in connection with the
World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related
Intolerances that has underscored the role racism and other identity-based
oppressions play in the perpetuation of human rights violations against
women.

Women's organizing has always recognized that women's multiple roles and
identities within the family and the community often create the context for
their oppression. There is a continuing need to develop strategies that see
beyond the multiplicity of single factors (race, class, age etc.) impacting
on
women's lives to their interconnections and causal relationships - an
intersectional analysis. Building on the call of the Beijing Platform for
Action for the incorporation of a gender perspective in all policy and
program
planning and execution, women's organizations are working to incorporate
the
role of difference and diversity into their analysis and action. A
methodology
is emerging that seeks to uncover the linkages between the personal,
structural and institutional causes of women oppression.

The Ninth Women's Global Leadership Institute will focus its attention on
the refinement of this methodology. It will look at complexities and
interconnections between racism, sexism, and other oppressions. It will
explore challenges to women's leadership in a world made increasingly
complex by differences in class, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual
orientation, religion and culture. Building on the core feminist value of
respect for the diversity of women's experience and knowledge, we will seek
to understand how women's human rights leaders can use this as a source of
strength in expanding our movements. We will explore what the recognition of
diversity means in all areas of women's human rights, including confronting
oppressions based on differences. At the same time the Institute will seek
to strengthen skills for analyzing the interconnections at various levels of
the political, social/economic and cultural/spiritual aspects of the lives
of women and their communities. This will be explored in the context of
developing practical strategies for expanding and realizing the fullest
range of women's human rights.

The Institute, "Realizing the Vision of Women's Human Rights: Understanding
the Intersection of Racism, Sexism and Other Oppressions," June 10 - 21,
2002, will bring together leaders who have been working on issues of women's
human rights including local and national organizers, policy makers,
researchers and activists. We welcome applications from women in all regions
of the world that have taken leadership in various fields to make the abuses
of female human rights visible and unacceptable.

The Women's Global Leadership Institute is a two-week intensive working
session of approximately 24 women representing diverse regions, cultures and
interests. Participants will spend time-sharing their reflections on how the
fundamental feminist value of respect for the diversity of women informs the
movement and on strengthening the skills needed to carry out the work of
women's human rights. They will work on cross-cultural collaboration and
plans for influencing local, national and international approaches to these
issues. They will also learn and exchange leadership skills and organizing
techniques. Participants will meet with resource people from the United
Nations and non-governmental organizations based in the USA.

Participants must stay for the entire two-week period. They should bring
materials, resources and documents from their regions. They should have
worked on these issues or related concerns for at least two years in either
professional or volunteer capacities. Applicants should have clear plans to
take the skills and contacts gained at the Institute back to their own
projects, networks, governments or regions. Since much of the work is
informal and we do not have funds for extensive interpretation, the sessions
will be conducted in English, and fluency is a must for effective
participation.

The Center for Women's Global Leadership is in the process of fund-raising
to cover travel and accommodations for participants. However, Institute
participants are expected to explore local and other donor sources to assist
with these costs. Due to the high volume of applications anticipated, early
application is encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to submit letters of
endorsement from their organization and/or networks. For more information
or to request an application, please contact:
Institute Coordinator,
Center for Women's Global Leadership,
Douglass College,
Rutgers University,
160 Ryders Lane,
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8555,
USA.
Phone: (1-732-)932-8782,
FAX: (1-732)932-1180, (Subject: WGLI 2002).

Applications will also be posted online at
Application Deadline: January 4, 2002
Anticipated Notification of Selection: Early March 2002