Gather the Women Australia
July 6-8, 2007
Sydney, Australia
Women from all regions of Australia were joined by their sisters from the U.S. and Kenya at the
third of the 6 GTW Congresses on 6 Continents. The event was held at the Citigate Central Hotel in
Sydney and was best described by Robyn Craig of Perth in these words. "The connections we all made,
the warmness and familiarity between participants was significant and opening, inspiring and powerful..."
The Congress, organized around the theme "Women Inspiring Change", featured keynote
presentations by Australian women leaders including Senator Lee Rhiannon, Eva Cox and Rev.
Dorothy McRae-McMahon. Numerous other presentations descritbed both regional and global
women's initiatives. A highlight of the Congress was a panel of immigrant and refugee women
representing the Philippines, South Korea, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, describing their unique
challenges. Joyce Oneko of Kenya shared news from the African women and the women of Canada
sent a welcoming message on DVD.
At the Congress closing session, women from diverse regions of Australia stepped forward with
interest in serving as local anchors for Gather the Women Australia. A GTW National Event is
being planned for International Women' Day and a core circle is being formed to carry forward
the intention for the Australian arm of GTW.
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