Cheryl Papa
NYS International Affairs Director

The work that AAUW does on behalf of women and girls around the world falls under the "International Affairs" category.

AAUW-NYS is delighted to honor branches for outstanding programs/projects in the area of International Affairs.

BRANCH PROGRAMS:
Many branches have meetings or projects on international topics. One approach is to celebrate United Nations Day (October 24) or International Women’s Day (March 8). Some branches have study groups which meet regularly to learn more about this area of interest. Award-winning branch programs in 2007-2008 included Poughkeepsie 's screening and discussion of " Shame", an inspiring film about a Pakistani village woman; Adirondack's presentation of " Refugee Children of Tibet"; and New York City's Indian dinner honoring the Madeline Albright award winner. Many branches had more than one program with an international theme. The following branches won state awards for exceptional multi-event programming: First Place: New York City; Second Place: Adirondack; Third Place: Westchester.

OTHER PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS:

ONE SHARED WORLD, focusing on health, education, and economic progress, aims to connect American working women to the many public and private efforts that help people in developing countries overcome poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and disease. A free comprehensive Powerpoint "program-in-a-box" is available on their website for branches to use. 

AAUW PARTNERSHIP with CARE encourages branches to host an Education Awareness Day in local schools, colleges, universities, or communities to promote universal primary education worldwide by wearing plaid! To learn more about CARE's work with girls' education and how you can receive a plaid scarf, please visit www.care.org. It also advocates for the "Education for ALL Act of 2007, bipartisan legislation to make universal primary education a priority for US foreign assistance." Information is available in the International Corner of the AAUW website.

CONFERENCES:
The League of Women Voters Day at the U.N. in New York City will be posted as soon as the LWV provides the date. It is normally in November.

AAUW members are invited to attend the Committee for Teaching About the United Nations conference (CTAUN) on January 30, 2009 . The keynote speaker will be Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea . It is the story of “one man’s mission to promote peace…one school at a time.” This year’s topic is Protecting Human Rights- The United Nations- Our Schools (Education, Respect, Safety, Protection).

FUNDRAISING:

Both branches and individual members may contribute to the Bina Roy Partners in Development. The Bina Roy program helps fund projects related to the advancement of women and girls in education, health, business enterprise, and women’s rights. In 2007-2008, New York State AAUW members raised $1,096.00. In first place was Kingston Branch; second: New York City ; third: Islip Area.
Another program to which members may contribute is the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, which also supports educational and community development projects affecting women and girls in low per capita income countries. New York State AAUW members in the Islip Branch raised $100 in 2007-2008.