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ACCW 23rd Triennial Conference Friday. june 15, 2001 Discusslon Group Speakers: from left to Ilght: Lorraine Holding, Jennie Mclnries, Sissel Ekaas and Mark Waldron Discussion Groups "Visions for a Changing World” When talking about a changing world. the word that most often comes to mind nowadays is globalization. it is not a new phe- nomenon. What is new is the unprecedented acceleration in the pace of change that we have witnessed over the past decade. manilested in the growing integration of economies in societies through the flow between countries of informa- tion. ideas, institutions. labour. technologies. goods. services. capital, and not least. people. Although globalization otters opportunities for from Africa would say that wasn't 20 years ago, that is still today. it begs the question. what is in globalization for them? My guess is. unfortu- nately. not much and not yet. | Wish to return to the notion of a vision fora changing world and share with you my vision of a changed world in which world poverty and hunger are eliminated. and where rural women and girls enjoy the same rights as male members of the household and participate in and benefit equally from development. and where the contri- butions ol each individual to the benefits of society are accounted for and valued. Sinai Ekuus Din-i iur. Women and Pupululiiin Divixmn Sunni/iiiqu [)t‘i'elupiiienl Department Fruit] and Agni-ulnar Omnniziiri‘nn. Rome World and its member societies. Let's have as our vision that the advances will improve the health. nutrition, education and workload of our members around the world and make it a reality, May we also work to bring into reality the vision ot peace and respect for each other in all pans ol the world. Jriiiiie Mrlnner Wrimmi '.\' Iii.i'littrte.r 13/ NlJilll Sui/la Member 11/ /\CWW Prryu'lrt CllllllanE'L‘. [9954998 "Visions for Rural Communities” Rural communities are the backbone oi th world. of the country, and we couldn‘t hav 85 per cent of our people in Canada living in urban areas without a strong rural community. without strong rural societies. Let‘s take a look at what my vision is of the rural growth and development in many parts at the world. the benefits have not so far materialized. in particular in low-income countries with a food deticn. . Without the physical infrastructure and the "Visions Becoming Reality” politicalcapacitytoinlluencethetermsormarket H I _ _ I ‘ 4 community: relations the rural poorare unableto benelitfrom [ask W’mour '9 “5’0" '5 drudgeiry' A. VF?” I we've got to have iood and water. clean the paternal benefits oneredv so tar. it appears wrthouia task is a dream. A task with a vrsron is water that globalization brings opportunities or pros- perity for those engaged in the modern sector and lavours the urban population already endowed with assets. both physical and human. There is a growmg body at evidence that globali- zation has intensified the social exclusion and marginalization of poor people and led to fundaâ€" mental changes in their livelihoods. When I lirst worked in Alrica about 20 years ago. my vistons ol rural lite were oi women and their adolescent daughters spending their days toiling long hours in dry fields under the swelter~ ing sun. with broken tools or tools unsuttable to their tasks or to their bodies Walking for hours each day along dusty dirt roads to tind firewood and water to ensure at least one cooked meal tor their lamilies. and suttering lrom numerous waterborne diseases. smoke Inhalation and mat- nutrition. I am sure that some of our Sisters here vi Victory. " Suiii'r'c'. Uiikumrii We must have a vision or a plan to bring about reality. Visions play a large part in our lives Most are what we would call pipe dreams. but some do become reality it there is a task associated with it. Most of our visions never reach the drawing board. But there are those who have the lonitude to persevere. Next door in the village. over the mountain or across the water. there are women who are having Visions every day to improve the lives of their lamily and community. Whether it is better education or improving their health or conditions in the work place. There are many such visions that have become reality around the world. in big centers and in remote villages. made possible through the Associated Country Women of the - we have to have adequate housing - we have to have good clothing I we have to have an income and cash flow v we have to have all levels of education up to secondary - we have to have good health services c we also need salety and security - we need to have recreation - we need to have a concern for spiritual growth - we need to have strong community con- tacts - we need to have neighbours - we also need to have a concern forcullure - we need to have volunteerism - that's what makes a rural community strong - we also need leadership. Continued on page vii . i