The entire WILPF US UN 2023 Practicum and Local2Global cohort in front of the famous “Non-Violence” statue (also known as “The Knotted Gun”) at the United Nations in New York City.

by Shilpa Pandey and Jan Corderman
Practicum and Local2Global Coordinators

September 2023

WILPF’S CSW programming is back! After taking time off for COVID, WILPF US is back at the UN’s Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) Forum. 

In 2024, we’ll be bringing the next cohort of global leaders (i.e., delegates) working for peace, justice, and human rights to the United Nations for the 68^th CSW Forum (March 11-22). This year’s theme is: Accelerating gender equality and empowerment of women & girls by addressing poverty. 

To cultivate skills-building, training, and intergenerational cooperation among activists, WILPF US is organizing their CSW delegates via two programs:

1. UN Practicum in Advocacy – We are selecting a group of motivated young Americans who wish to make a difference in the fields of peace, justice, and human rights work. This can include college students, graduates, and young people working in nonprofits or even slightly older folks looking to start a second career.
2. Local to Global Program – We are also selecting a group of seasoned WILPF members – with a demonstrated commitment to peace, justice, and human rights, as a way of deepening their understanding of WILPF US’s connection to the UN programs and networking with global women activists.

Expand WILPF’s Intergenerational Family

The 2024 application process for both programs will be posted soon on the WILPF US websiteand we encourage you to invite a daughter/niece/granddaughter/friend – who may not be already affiliated with WILPF US – to apply to the UN Practicum in Advocacy program. Current WILPF members in good standing may also apply to the Local to Global program.

We have decreased the tuition to $1,000 per delegate, given that many of our delegates are low-income. That is why we are encouraging WILPFers to think NOW about sponsoring that daughter/niece/granddaughter/friend for the 2024 CSW. We want to offer much-needed scholarships for this transformative, life-changing learning opportunity!

Here is what Annmarie Arduino, a Boston University undergraduate, said about her 2023 CSW experience:

The CSW was an incredible and transformative journey that I hope to carry with me throughout the rest of my activist journey. I met so many trailblazing activists and I was so inspired and moved by their insight and bravery. I learned about best practices and strategies for global advocacy work towards gender equality.

Here is a link to the various sponsorship levels and here is a link to donate! Will you join us in providing this once in a lifetime, high-impact learning experience for our 2024 CSW delegates? THANK YOU!