b'An SI Conference to Remember by Lee Ann Cochran>>> It seems impossible for another conference to ever surpass the quality ofthe Soroptimist International (SI) Conven-tion 2019!Between the beautiful location, quality of speakers and panelists, along with the never-ending food and drink, it will not be an easy challenge.The sessions and experts covered subjects such as: Woman at War, a Keynote with Christina Lamb; Gender Equality for Water & Food Security; Financial Security for Women;Trafficking; Women in STEM; and Health-care.The Soroptimist workshops covered relevant topics for many of the challenges we have to address as Soroptimiststoday.I personally attended and live tweeted two sessions: 1. Effective SI Engagement with the UN and 2. Connecting SI in the Digital World.The voice of diverse Soroptimists across all of our territories was insightful as we discussed these impor-tant agenda items.The breadth of the topics combined with the depth of the speakers has made for a great opportunity to learn and grow.Malaysia has opened its arms to us with a welcome from Her Majesty Queen of Malaysia, food and drink to ensure we never got hungry, and the most warm and hospitable conference team I have ever experienced. SI President Elect Sharon Fisher introduced the Road to Equality, the 2019 - 2021 SI Presidents Appeal.She asked that we bring our hearts, open our minds, and turn up the volume on our global voices.Sharon wants us to get on the bus and work collectively to address some of the most challenging issues around human rights:Female Genital Multilation, Elder Abuse, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Child Marriage. I am both inspired and proud to be a Soroptimist!Many of the presenters brought tears to my eyes when it came to reminding us as to why we need to advocate for those without a voice.I am thankful that our #SoroptimistSisters do not ignore issues that are preventing equality of human rights - trafficking, access to water, the need for education, health, and child marriage. Now lets bottle up the knowledge, energy and enthusiasm and take action to change the world we live in today.If you havent been to an SI Convention I encourage you to start saving now.With four years until our convention in Dublin, Ireland, a little saving every month just might bring you there!SI Engagement at the United Nations by Dawn Marie Lemonds>>> About 75 Soroptimists met to learn about the work we do at seven UN Agencies from International Advocacy Director Beverly Bucur and SI Representatives to the United Nations (UN) Martina Gredler in Vienna, Mary Muia, Nairobi and Berthe, Geneva. The workshop was interactive and allowed attendees to ask specific questions. Beverly Bucur gave a brief but comprehensive review of each of the seven UN centers ( New York, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Geneva, Nairobi and Bangkok). She shared the focus at each center, explaining how she coordinates the work, informing us of key events and activities that SI is involved in. Each of the participants gave a brief overview of their work and talked candidly about the process they follow to get the SI agenda and key points recognised. It was excellent to be reminded of theimportance of establishing relation-ships, but also knowing what agendas are being presented by country leaders, and having the confidence to ask important questions at the right time.The session was facilitated by SI Director Dawn Marie Lemonds, who asked questions to the attendees. Dawn Marie kept a list of all acronyms and UN language used and made sure that the audience understood what was being said throughout the session. It was exciting to learn that Soroptimists are asked to present on issues at the High-Level Political Forums - most recently on Sustainable Development Goal #4, Education. SI presented an excellent report currently being circulated to country leaders and other partners. SI is quite involved in the womens working groups in many of the agencies, and it is clear that partnerships of like-minded groups are the best way to move agendas forward at the UN. We also learned that 2020 is the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and many activities will be held addressing Beijing +25 around the world and at the 64th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW64) in New York. It is exciting that SI has the opportunity to have over 80 + delegates, because three of the four Soroptimist Federations hold Consultative Status,andSI has General Consultative Status.Attendees asked a lot of questions and many said that they have a much better idea about what SI does at the UN now. Attendees were asked to become frequent visitors to the SI Website and encouraged to hold workshops like this one at Region, Union and Federation level, so more members can be more informed.15'