League members and friends from around the state met for the annual United Nations briefing on Tuesday, November 9.  Hanadi Toutonji, Program Manager for the UN Capital Development Fund, and Jennet Kem, Gender Adviser for the UN Development Programme, explained the concept and process of microfinance and detailed many of the benefits for the individuals, as well as the communities. The power point presentations from the speakers are available below and additional information can be found at websites listed below.

“From Microfinance to Inclusive Finance” - H. Toutonji, Presenter
“Microfinance and Women’s Empowerment in Africa” – J. Kem, Presenter
Additional information:

• UNCDF Inclusive Finance: www.uncdf.org/english/microfinance/
• UNDP Women’s Empowerment Fund: www.undp.org/women/
• Consultative Group to Assist the Poor: www.cgap.org and www.microfinancegateway.org
• Microfinance Information Exchange: www.mixmarket.org

The Impact of Global Warming on Women and Children Around the World
December 2, 2008

Over 100 League members and friends met at the United Nations on December 2, 2008, to learn more about the UN, and to hear that the impact of global warming is not gender neutral; women and children are more directly affected by climate change. The message was presented by representatives from UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), UNEP (United Nations Economic Programme) and WEDO (Women’s Environment and Development Organization). The three speakers presented information such as:

• Children born during years of drought in less developed areas of the world have 70% chance of stunted growth.
  
  
• Many of the main killers of children, such as malaria, diarrhea, or malnutrition, are highly sensitive to climate conditions; malaria is appearing in many new areas of the world because of the changing climate conditions.
  
  
• Women have the primary responsible for food and shelter in underdeveloped nations and natural disasters and climate change are affecting their abilities to fulfill these roles.
  
  
• 85% of those who die in natural disasters are women

While many present in the audience were well aware of the issue of global warming and climate change, most were unaware of the disparity of the impact of this issue on women and children around the world. The significance of public education and awareness on this issue became obvious to all present.

LWVUS President Mary Wilson, LWVUS UN Observer Doris Schapria and LWVUS Director of Global Democracy Programs Zaida Arguedas, joined LWVNYS President Martha Kennedy and the group for the daylong event.

Special thanks to the President Maria Ellis and the AAUW NYC’s branch for their gracious hospitality in hosting a reception at their townhouse offices following the events at the UN

UNEP Presentation
Maaike Teunissen-Jansen
Programme Officer at UNEP
12/2/2009

WEDO Presentation
Rachel Harris
US Climate Change Campaign Coordinator of WEDO
12/2/2009

UNICEF Presentation
Michele Ferenz
Senior Consultant with UNICEF
12/2/2009