It is only 60 days until the opening of the 2011 SI Convention! Following the resounding success of the 18th SI Convention held in Glasgow in 2007, we are really excited about welcoming Soroptimists from all over the world in Montreal.
The programme is exceptional. It may be your first Convention, or you may have been many time before. Either way, it is sure to be a fantastic experience!
Normally conventions have one fabulous keynote address; but Soroptimists always go the extra distance – we will be having 6 speakers addressing various aspects of our main theme ‘Women: Leaders in Civil Society’. The speakers will explore various sub themes which include human rights, the environment, entrepreneurship, government, the arts and media, and health, science and sport. Visit http://www.si-montreal2011.org/speakers.html to find out more and click here to register!
Workshop Programme Released!
The Programme Team have been busy planning workshops for several months now and we are delighted that so many clubs from around the world will be involved in delivering a packed schedule of workshops. So far Soroptimists from these countries will be represented: Zimbabwe, India, USA, UK, Denmark, Kenya, Nigeria, Canada, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Belgium. Truly international!
Our aim is to turn the inspiration provided by the plenary speakers into ACTION so you can return home overflowing with ideas and enthusiasm about how best to help women and girls where you are. This year, we really want to encourage you not only to learn more about an issue you are already passionate about, but to get fired up about something new. We also want to provide opportunities to develop your understanding of project design, and to enhance your local, national and international advocacy skills.
To help you get the most out of your Convention experience, the workshops will be categorised to enable you to easily identify the workshops which are most helpful to you and your club. The categories are:
- Be an Advocate
- Environment and Security
- Breaking Stereotypes/Positive Role Models
- Ending Violence
- Life Course
- Train the Trainer
The format of the workshops will vary so you can pick the ones most suited to you – interactive presentations, Q&A sessions, films, dance workshops, ‘UN style’ caucuses, external workshop speakers and practical sessions which address project design and monitoring. The choice is yours!
The full workshop programme is now available on the SI Convention website. CLICK HERE to find out more. The planning starts now!
All the information you need to plan and book your Convention experience is posted on the Montréal Convention website www.si-convention.org. Please visit the site for full programme information, registration, and acommodation details. If you have any questions, you can e-mail Yvonne Machuk, Convention Chair, at convention.chair@soroptimistinternational.org or contact SIHQ at hq@soroptimistinternational.org.