Making connections

 Today was the official start of the CSW67 Forum, although I have been at it for a couple of days sith training. 

On the way, my first train was too full, so I had to make adjustments to my morning sessions. Waiting in line is a great way to meet people! Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, New Zealand, and Myanmar! TIn MaMa was wearing Beautiful traditional garb







from her native Myanmar. I sat with her and some friends for the opening session with the Secretary General and other UN dignitaries  addressing us. Held annually, this hybrid meeting is amassed g all records with Over 11,000 registered. 

Seminars are fascinating and hard to choose from but I’m taking a stab at it. I learned about the International Women’s Peace Group; I listened to women who are advocating for a chance to have leadership roles in the Catholic Church, I met the Co-Chair of the CSW67 at the conclusion of her panel on technological changes in refugees seeking asylum . She and I exchanged information with plans to speak further in preparation for the PW USA mission trip at the border this fall. Two other workshops on my list I will be able to watch as they were streamed! Isn’t technology great?

I’m tired, but it’s a good tired! More tomorrow!






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Presente"

Image
 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023 Today, we drove from Phoenix to the US/Mexico border at Douglas, AZ.   The drive between Phoenix and Tucson was familiar, having driven many times when I worked for the Presbytery de Cristo and to see my daughter when she was a student at the University of Arizona. We drove past the Gila River Reservation, where many dear friends live, we passed through Tucson where I had circulated with natural born US citizens, with Native American citizens, with naturalized citizens, with undocumented citizens- with people. Tucson is a beautiful place 122 miles north of the border.  A university town, there is a rich diversity of cultures, especially Mexican and US, with amazing restaurants, museums, tourist attractions and shopping. It is a large city that still seems small, somehow.  We kept driving two more hours, c rossing the desert in the comfort of a 20 passenger van. We arrived in Douglas, AZ just in time for dinner at the beautiful, historic Gadsen Hotel.  There w
Read more

The Other Side

Image
 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023  This is the day we walk through the desert to the wall. I'm guessing, but in our group of 18 women three are probably under 40. The rest of us are 50's, 60's or 70's.  We run the gamut on physical fitness. Some have done a lot of traveling. Others not so much. But we are all extremely invested in the trip. We load up in our vans and go to a local substance abuse rehab center to join our 5 guides for the day. So, now we are a bevy of mostly seniors led by non-English speaking recovering drug addicts, driving 5 miles into the desert to walk two miles in 90 degree heat. The level of discomfort is palpable. We have been informed that if we don't think we want to do the two mile hike, we can stay in the shade of a giant nut tree (don't know the name, but the nuts are similar to an almond) located on a private ranch that allows the rehab center to bring groups such as ours for this desert experience. Under it was a 50 gallon water barrel m
Read more

Circles

Image
 In conclusion- there's no conclusion.  We spent a lot of time with circles this trip.   Solar Eclipse on our first day The Man in the Maze- The iconic Hohokam symbol Labyrinths- for meditation at both Renewal Centers at which we stayed Nightly circles to recap days' events The Kiva design of Southside church- traditional Tohono O'Odham holy site Encircling kitchen workstations for tamale-making in Agua Prieta ... and others. The circle is a universal symbol for continuity.  To the sisters I met and came to love on this trip make up another circle that will live with me forever. Thank you to those who organized the trip- Cheri, Sharon, Chris, Bonnie, Dodie and more. To those who educated us on this deeply complex issue.  To those who do the work daily, bringing hope to those who have reason to give up. To those who fed us, led us and broke bread with us.  and to those strangers who opened their hearts and arms to us along the way. Peace to you all. I pledge to share your st
Read more