Happy fall! It is hard to believe that a year has flown by and we are now getting ready for the holidays again. So much has happened in this past year that it's mind boggling.
So, I have some news for you . . . this will be the last newsletter from the Ending Violence Against Women and Children Team, not only for the year, but for the team itself. Over the past year there has been a lot of work behind the scenes to restructure FAWCO's goals and mission to be more streamlined with the Target program and their status with the UN.
The FAWCO Board voted to restructure the Global Issues Teams to align with their four areas of focus: Human Rights, Health, Education and Environment. This is in keeping with FAWCO Resolution #1: To improve the lives of women and girls worldwide, especially in the areas of human rights, health, education and environment. Under this new structure, Human Rights will be the team and there will be sub-committees of Ending Violence for Women and Girls, Peace & Security and other Human Rights for Women issues will be added.
The new structure of the teams will, hopefully, make it easier for you and your clubs to find ways to really get involved with the new Target project, which you will get to vote on soon. So the next time you get a bulletin, it will be from the Human Rights Team so make sure you subscribe if you haven't done so already.
I must admit, it is a bit surreal writing the last newsletter as I can still remember the first one that Karen Lewis and I put out! That is why I think it is important to "go out with a bang" and have worked really hard to bring you a newsletter of all newsletters. Since there are a lot of things going on between now and the New Year, and because you won't receive any updates until 2014, I have packed as much information and inspiration as I can into a newly formatted issue.
There is information on the 16 Days Campaign, ideas for events and important information for screenings of Women, War & Peace (find out how to win a screening for your club in the newsletter), books, more movies, UN Campaigns and news, news and more news! Whew. That's a lot but it should keep you going until the next year.
In closing I just want to say that my time with the team and FAWCO has been an experience that I will never forget. The team has worked really hard to bring you information about the issues facing women and children around the world and I am personally grateful that you have stepped up and gotten involved. I hope that the new changes will really inspire you to a whole new level.
So, get your newsletter here, grab a drink or a coffee and a scone, find a comfortable place to sit and I hope you will be inspired to be active over the holiday season.
Happy Holidays! Wishing you the best for a wonderful New Year!
Tonya Teichert
Ending Violence Against Women & Children Team Chair
