[Wigsat-l] African Women's Event

[Sophia Huyer]

PRESS RELEASE

31st October 2008

FAO: EDITOR


Mobilizing African Women in the Diaspora for Development in Africa  
(MAWDD)-2008

A leading UK African TV channel, BEN TV will host a one day Women’s  
Working Summit: Mobilizing African Women in the Diaspora for  
Development: Creating a movement for development & technology, health  
and human rights” Friday-7th November 2008 at the Novotel London St  
Pancras, 100-110 Euston Road, London NW1 2AJ- Time: 10am-3pm. This  
Working Summit will be held in conjunction with FORWARD UK and Femmes  
Africa Solidarite (FAS) Geneva and will build on the first  
consultation in 2006 organised by Ben TV and the Mayor of London and  
on previous recommendations from the Dakar-2007 African Gender Forum  
organized by FAS in Dakar.

The main aim of the working summit is to mobilize and increase  
effective participation of African Migrant Women in the Development  
processes in Africa. The guiding principle is to raise awareness of  
the untapped skills and potential of African women abroad who can make  
a meaningful contribution to a variety of sectors in Africa. This will  
be an opportunity to strategize on approaches to engage African women  
in the Diaspora to utilize their skills, resources and expertise to  
support African women and girls in the continent.

The one day programme will share information on new and emerging  
issues in Africa relating to development & technology, health and  
human rights and with a view to finding effective ways of making the  
voices of women in the Diaspora matter to the continent. The working  
summit will therefore provide a forum for Governments, NGO’s and civil  
society to discuss ways of utilizing the abundance of skills available  
in the Diaspora.

The conference is aimed at diverse professions, students and  
interested African women from the  African Diaspora living in Europe.  
In particular individuals and Diaspora led organisations based in the  
United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, France, Sweden, and Spain who are  
keen to be part of the process of change in Africa. The conference is  
designed to ensure maximum participation.

More than 100 African Migrant women are expected to attend the  
conference. Majority of African women in Diaspora are involved in  
various development projects in Africa. Their contribution is part of  
the ever growing ‘hidden aid’ sent directly to families and  
communities back home.

According to statistics, remittances by Africans abroad amount to a  
staggering £300m a year. Remittances are a tremendous source of  
livelihood for millions of families and it’s also a major foreign  
exchange earner for African economies. Despite this commendable  
effort, millions of Africans live in extreme poverty.

The conference will therefore provide a forum for Governments, NGO’s  
and civil society to discuss ways of utilizing the abundance of these  
skills and expertise in supporting the economic, political and social  
development of Africa, in particular, the Women and Children in Africa.

The Guest Speaker at the Conference will be Former First Lady of  
Nigeria –Dr Mrs Maryam Babangida (Better Life Programme for the  
African Rural Woman)

Also in attendance will be:-

Madam Dorothy Gordon: Director-General, Kofi Annan Centre of  
Excellence-ICT
Madam Aida Opoku-Mensah: Director, UN Economic Commission for Africa
Deputy Mayor of London (UK)
Representatives of the African Union, the New Partnership for African  
Development and other sub-regional bodies.
Representatives of International Organisations and NGO’s working in  
Africa.
Private Sector
Members of Women organisations in the Diaspora
Members of the public

We trust that linkages and partnerships will be achieved through  
advocacy with governments and stakeholders.

NOTES FOR EDITOR
  Ms Janet Narh / Mrs Jenny Soyode / Naana Oyoortey (Forward UK) and  
Mr Ebere Nzewuji of BEN TV will be available for interviews.
The conference begins at 10am
Admission is free

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Dr Alistair Soyode-CEO

BEN TELEVISION

2C Berol Court

25 Ashley Road

London N17 9LJ                                  Tel/Fax: 0208 400  
9081/ 0208 808 8800 / 07901 881999




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