Dr Nga outisde the White House

SRD's Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods Manager, Dr Nguyen Thi Phuong Nga, attended the "Role of NGOs in Promoting Global Women's Issues" workshop, as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program, hosted by the Institute of International Education, in the United States of America.

The workshop ran from August 8 - 26 2011, with 21 participants attending; 20 women and one man, with representatives from the Bahamas, Botswana, Cambodia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Lithuania, Republic of Montenegro, Mozambique, Nigeria, the Palestinian Territories, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sudan, Tanzania, Uruguay, and Vietnam.

A wide range of key issues were addressed; women's rights in the US, public/ private partnerships to promote Global Women's issues, advocacy of women's rights, women's participation in politics, the economic empowerment of women, women in the workforce, NGO management, and women's health issues.

The three week workshop saw a detailed schedule with an incredible range of activities, including meeting with government and non-government organizations, attending lectures and training seminars, and visiting schools, universities, and libraries.  Participants had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC, New Hampshire, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Utah.

Dr Nga's personal highlights of the workshop include attending the 24^th Annual Equality Day Brunch, celebrating the 91^st anniversary of women getting the vote, a homestay in St Louise with an Adjunct English Professor and Assistant Director for the Writing Resource Centre at McKendree University, and visiting the Community Health Connect centre, which recruits doctors to assist under-privileged people in their communities. Workshop participants also appreciated the three weeks exposure to America culture, and to the political, economic, social and economic challenges facing women in the United States.  

Dr Nga said that travelling and developing relationships with counterparts was a great learning experience in itself. "We had so many rich interactions, and I have a deeper understanding of the issues facing women in the all countries of my counterparts. We have committed to continue our networking and dialogue on our return home. I feel that I am not alone working for women in Vietnam when I think of these remarkable women, and one man, who have similar goals and missions to me. I feel stronger and more empowered."

Workshop participants in Washington, DC