Our vision
is to build a "virtual grassroots network" via the internet between
Ugandan and US women for on-going discussion and learning exchange that
will help us to actively pursue common concerns for joint advocacy and
grassroots democracy.
OBJECTIVES
OF "CALLING THE CIRCLE OF UGANDAN AND US WOMEN"
Seven women
representing Ugandan NGOs will meet with U.S. representatives of WIN
in San Francisco in January, 2001. Click here
for the itinerary. The objectives are to:
1. Build
a working relationship and lasting partnership between Ugandan and US
women to create solutions together on common concerns.
2. Create
new models for collaboration across cultures, technology, geography
and other divides that will benefit Ugandan and US women in our work
to strengthen democratic values and actions in our societies.
3. Create
an effective communication mechanism for planning and joint advocacy
of solutions to problems of mutual concern.
4. Learn
how to form collaborative networks, both real and "virtual" (electronic)
for social, political and economic actions which will support democracy
building.
5. Learn
to adapt new media and information technology systems for access to
Ugandan organizations that can enhance communication for local and global
collaborations.
6. Using
the Beijing+5 Plan of Action as a framework, select three priority issues
for discussion and joint advocacy by Ugandan and U.S. women.
7. Expand
the Uganda CIRCLE of women for collaboration with other African states
for collective action on their mutual issues and to link with US women.
8. Connect
the Ugandan CIRCLE with "U.S. Women Connect" (USWC), the U.S. national
clearinghouse for progressive women's organizations.
Participants
will gain new skills in:
1. Cross-cultural
collaboration on mutual concerns for collective action and other mutual
endeavors.
2. Creating
networks of collaborating organizations.
3. The
"discovery process" of identifying, agreeing and selecting priority
issues for joint action by diverse groups with competing agendas.
4. Pre-selected
training topics offered by U.S women for the Uganda CIRCLE. Training
topics will be chosen by U.S. women from offerings by Ugandan women
before the CIRCLE meets in Uganda.
5. Accessing
and utilizing new media and electronic communications technology through
the following types of activities: (Individual hands-on training will
be available.)
• using the Internet, email, "egroups" and other new media technology
tools.
• creating a web site and creating data bases. o online marketing
and publicity.
• virtual organizing and mobilization (particularly for global
or regional issues/conferences/gatherings, etc. e.g. World March of
Women 2000, coordinated from Quebec, Oct. 17, 2000.
• information gathering and sharing (eg. Seeking global funders)
• formation of virtual organizations, boards or advisory groups
e.g. using technology locally to involve non-local women/men as members
of their organization or their boards and as funders.
• virtual mentoring, networking and research, e.g. a grassroots
NGO in Uganda will have the ability to solicit advice/help/guidance
on some critical concern, activity or strategy with a familiar contact
in Japan.
ADVISORY
BOARD
Marilyn Fowler (WIN),
Jeanne Besanceney (WIN),
Lorrie Johnson (Philanthropic Consultant),
Dr. Dee Aker (Sr. Africa Consultant to Uganda Project),
Carole Roberts (Learning Technology Consultant),
Patrice Curtis (WomensForum.com),
Marcia Thomas (Changemakers),
Mariam Kamara (Wafrica),
Julie Hadnot (Sr. Staff Asst. to Congresswoman Barbara Lee's office),
Dian Harrison (CEO, Planned Parenthood of Golden Gate),
Aileen C. Hernandez (Chair, California Women's Agenda, 'Calling the
Circle' Facilitator),
Dr. Raye Richardson (Owner, MARUS BOOKS),
Lee Ann Fujii
Charlie Toldeo (Director SUSCOL Intertribal Council),
Helen Young
Sandra Pounder
Cynthia Gehrie
Nova Sayers (VP, SF Chamber of Commerce).
