Christian Unity and Dialogue31 Oct 12

CCUD – Networks – International Anglican Women’s Network

This is an update concerning IAWN and its presence at ACC15.

Some members of the previous and current IAWN Steering Group are meeting for 3 days prior to the Anglican Communion Networks Consultation and the Networks participation at the 15th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC 15) which is being held in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.

1. IAWN Steering Groups members meeting – Monday 22–Thursday 25 October.

Visa issues, finances, work commitments and illness has restricted those who can be part of an IAWN Steering Groups’ meeting at Vaughan Park Retreat and Conference Centre in Auckland. Those able to attend are

Alice Medcof, from the previous SG and from the current SG,
Elaine Cameron, Scotland
Margaret Dempster (who has agreed to be Treasurer of the Steering Group)
Ann Skamp
Claudette Kigeme who has accepted our invitation to be a co–opted member of the Steering Group 2012 – 2015.
The Rev Catherine Graham (Hong Kong), coordinator of the Refugee and Migrant Network will also join us.

In our meeting we will be finalising our display and presentation materials for the ACC 15 meeting and the ACC Statement to UNCSW 57. We will also attend to other business of the Network.

We will be meeting with members of the Aotearoa New Zealand Anglican Women’s Study Centre on Wednesday afternoon and will be their guests for dinner that evening.

2. Anglican Communion Networks Consultation – Thursday 25–Saturday 27 October.

The IAWN Steering Groups members will join members of other Networks for a Networks Consultation to be facilitated by Terrie Robinson.

3. Networks participation in the ACC programme – Sunday 28–Tuesday 30 October.

IAWN, as with the other Networks has already submitted a report to ACC 15 based on the reports received from Provincial Links. This IAWN Report and these Provincial reports will be posted on our IAWN website.

Network members have been included in the ACC Welcome dinner, the Powhiri (Maori welcome ceremony) and the Opening Worship Service.

IAWN will be one of the Networks setting up display tables in the Cathedral on Sunday afternoon with information about their Network and briefing papers relating to the resolutions they have proposed to ACC 15. I have attached a newly designed IAWN brochure we will be distributing.

Each Network will have 2 presentation sessions over Monday and Tuesday morning to engage more directly with ACC members about the work of the Network and the resolutions proposed by the Network.

IAWN has proposed 2 resolutions:

• The elimination of Gender–based Violence, highlighting the commitments made by the Primates at their meeting in 2011, acknowledging achievements  and progress made across the Communion concerning the issue, calling for more effective action, and gathering and distribution of resources.
• The elimination of Trafficking. This resolution has been jointly proposed together with the Refugee and Migrant Network and the Family Network and a resolution . 

On Tuesday afternoon Network members can observe plenary sessions of ACC 15 including the presentation of their proposed resolutions.

On Tuesday evening there will be a special presentation in the Cathedral called “We Can Stop Abuse: The journey from word to action”.

All Network representatives leave on Wednesday 31 October.

IAWN offered this prayer as part of its report to ACC 15 –

We give thanks to God for past blessings and for future challenges.
We pray for this meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council,
That it will glorify God, reflect Jesus Christ among us
and that we will go forward together overflowing with the Holy Spirit,
honouring ourselves and each other,
and knowing ourselves as human beings in this world
where we are cherished equally by God and each other. Amen.

Peace and grace to everyone,

Ann Skamp
IAWN Steering Group Coordinator