WIDF (1969) - Report on the Activities of the WIDF, Sixth Congress, Helsinki

=== [PDF page 1] === SIXTH WIDF CONGRESS HELSINKI June 18, 1969 Financial Report of the Auditing Committee covering the period from 1963 to 1969 Presented by Mrs. Rada Todorova (Bulgaria) Chairman of the Auditing Committee of the WIDF Dear Friends, The Auditing Committee of the WIDF takes the liberty of presenting to the plenary session of the Congress its financial report sovering the period from 1963 to 1969. The members of the Auditing Committee present (Bulgaria, German Democratic Republic, Belgium, Chile, People's Democratic Republic of Korea) have examined the activities of the WIDF, the use made of funds, and stated what has been done in this field since the last WIDF Congress held in Moscow in 1963. The many activities carried out during this period reflect the important tasks, events of recent years placed before the WIDF. : During this time the WIDF has furthered the co-operation of women's forces, multiplied its efforts to extend its relations with women's organisations in Asia, Africa, the Arab countries, countries in Latin America, the United States, in Australia, Canada and in Europe and to win new members. Two years ago we regained consultative status with the UNO and UNESCO. Dear friends, as you have learned from the report of the Gheral Secretary, our Federation participated during the period under review in numerous conferences, dealing, in accordance with our programme, with the rights of women and children, the problems of peace, democracy and national independence and in particular with solidarity for the heroic fight of the Vietnamese people, The Bureau and Council meetings held during the period under review have paid great attention to the financial problems of the Federation. In the resolutions adopted and in a separate appeal, the Bureau and Council meetings drew the attention of national organisations to the fact that we can only fulfill our short— and long-term plans, and our programme, when eur national organisations review their financial abilities and find the === [PDF page 2] === best ways and means to regularly pay their membership fees, to increase them if possible, as has been done in Bulgaria, Hugary, and the People's Republic of Mongolia, and to make particular contributions. We must not forget the grcat help rendered to WIDF by the countries which played host to Council meetings over the past six years. (1964 in Sofia, 1967 in Prague. The Council mecting in Salzburg in 1965 could be held thanks only to the solidarity of national organisations). In this connection we should like to express once more our appreciaticn for the great help offered to us by the DFD ducing ali those years, and in particular for the Bureau meetings in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969 and for the meetings of the Viet Nam Solidarity Committe: in 1967, 1968 and 1969 in Berlin. The WIDF has carried out multiple activities. To mention but a few examples; the recent informative and study trips to Latin American countries, to Viet Nam, Japan, People's Democratic Republic of Korea, to African and Arab countries, Ceylon, india, Nepal, Afghanistan, in preparation of seminars and the World Congress. We should also 1&ke to mention our representation at various congresses of national organisations and women's meetings in Norway, France, Hungary, Poland, Cuba, Cyprus, Syria, Jordan, India, Mexico, Chile, Australia, Canada and the German Federal Republic, since the Federation has always striven to strengthen its co-operation with national organisations, to be able to study more profoundly the problems which face women in different countries. On the basis of the WIDF's relations with international organisat-ions the Federation was represented at various conferences, as you have been informed, dear friends, by the report of the General Secretary. Today we ccan state with satisfaction that our national organisations have reacted in a positive way to the appeals of the WIDF Bureau and Council. For instance, their special financial support for the World Conference for the Protection of Children amounted to $9,800, to which can be added $2,000, the proceeds from the bazaar, Thanks to a very economic use of funds and the proper understanding of our national organisations and participants who paid their own expenses we were able to restrict the expenses of this Conference to $37,000. The seminar in Bamako organised together with the Pan African Women's Conference in 1965, cost the WIDF $14,000. Another task for us was the financial support of a seminar organised by the Liaison Bureau in Rome. The WIDF took part in the preparation and === [PDF page 3] === realisation of this seminar. The WIDF gave symbolic material help to the organisations of those countries who suffered natural catastrophies such as Chile, India, Madagascar. For the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the WIDF the Mexican friends sent us paintings and drawings hy well-known artists. These were exhibited in London, and a number of them were sold. The proceeds from this sale were $580. The English friends plan to organise another public sale for the remaining paintings, at a favourable date, In the framework of solidarity the national organisations contributed moral and material help to countrics fighting for national independence. Solidarity with Viet Nam has been especially comprehensive, because here national organisations granted immediate help to our fighting Vietnamese sisters. The scholarships offered by national organisations, and the financial help granted by the WIDF and some national organisations to organisations from other continents by paying their fares, are an important form of solidarity which enables these national organisations to come to learn or take part in a mutual exchange of experiences. Such help was organised for the seminars in the USSR, People's Republic of Mongolia, Bulgaria, Poland, the GDR, etc. In the domain of propoganda great efforts were made and important documents in different languages issued, among them illustrated brochures. In addition to the magazine "Women of the Whole World" we issue several publications through which we support the campaigns and struggles waged in different countries for peace and national independence. We have for instance published several Information Bulletins reporting the struggle of the Vietnamese women and the whole Vietnamese people, as well as about the struggle of all those who stand up for national independence and democracy in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. You see, dear friends, that it was only thanks to the generous and proper understanding of our national organisations that the Federation was able to accomplish the great tasks laid down by the 5th Congress of the WIDF, which frankly spcaking, made some fair demands on us with regard to their economic requirments. We assure all these national organisations of the warmest thanks of all members of our Federation, However, the experiences and advice of some national organisations show that the possibilities could be still greater if there were more attention paid to the political preparation of WIDF activities. === [PDF page 4] === All the activities of our Federation recuirec which ccule only ve raised turcugh the regular pay: dues and special allo st our national or review of the payment of anaual cues by ID? national affiliated ons has shown thet many of them have understccdc tae inportance ynent of cexbership cucs because they are avare of its political effects. Pormit us, dear friends, to thank all those who have paid their nembersaip cues and sclicarity contribution in pood tine. “+ the sane tine we should like to inforn ycu that, in the years between 1964 - 1968, encing December 1968, we were able to save and reserve for the World Congress of Wowen an amount of ~ 45,750. ‘ How were we able to © this? Let us mention but one example: The seminars orgenised by the VIDF in Chile and Hexico were also a Tinencial success, vecause on the one hand the participants and the women's organisations who played hest to the saainars covered the greatest part of the expenses theusclves - in spite of the continuous devaluction of currency in their countries - and on the cther hanc ve received < 2 allowance of J 2,000.= frou UiT SCO. the expenses covered by the I'eceraticn for these two inportant activities, inclucing fares and accommodation of the Genera Secretary anc the iexican secretary, were restricted to Z &9537194 Congress When we now refer to our present Congress we must not forget to mention the great efforts made by national organisations for its preparation. We should like to quote some examples which show their great interest in our common aim, examples of good will and prompt action, axamples of mutual aid, In all our letters to national organisations, in particular in that of October 28, 1968, as well as in individual talks with their representatives, we referred to the decision of the Council meeting, October 1967 to create an International Solidarity Fund to facilitate the participation of a nunber of delegates in the World Congress who otherwise would have no possibility of taking part. By the beginning of June 1969 national organisations and individual members had raised for the International Solidarity Fund. === [PDF page 5] === Fil 5 The West German Woman's Movement for Peace rendered us a good service by organising bazaars to sponsor the World Congressi They received 863 DMarks from the sale of bazaar exhibits. Our Finnish fziends supported us by organizing a bazaar to sell valuable articles sent to Helsinki by the Bulgarian friends. The proceeds from this bazaar amounted to more than 1,000 finmarks. When we called on our national. organizations for help for delegates from remote countries, one of the first to respond to our appeal was the Democratic League of Women in West Berlin, although not one of the biggest organizations - it raised $ 2,000 for the International Solidarity Fund. The women's groups in West Berlin, according to their possibilities, collected money to pay fro one or two days accommodation for delegates from organizations still involved in the struggle for national liberation. In Argentine women organized the sale of coupons to finance the voyage of the Argentinian delegation to Helsinki, The Hungarian Council of Women sold "women's almanacs" to raise money for the national Congress fund from which the Hungarian friends financed the printing of our Congress brochure and fares and accom-— modation for some delegates. We appreciate in particular the support granted to us by the women's organization of Mali who. is not affiliated to the WIDF and who has sent us $ 400 for the Congress Fund. Other organizations who promptly responded to our appeal are the women's organizations of the Soviet Union, the GDR, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Australia, Canada and Finland, Our friends from the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Hungary and the German Democratic Republic helped tremendously in the preparation for the Congress by paying the fares for delegates from remote countries. From their national Congress Solidarity Funds they were able to put 130 tickets for 68 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America at our disposal, Regarding Congress expenses: We have paid for the tickets and accommodation for some of the delegates from 46 countries of all continents, who had themselves no possibility of financing their participation in the Congress, and for the organization of the Congress (setting up the necessary facilities: rooms, interpreters, translators, technical apparatus) and for all the other things indispensable for === [PDF page 6] === the successful running of the Congress. The women's organizations of other socialist countries have also granted us additional help through translavors and technical staff. An important part of the organizational and practical work was done by the Finnish women's organization. That our World Congress was attended by representatives from many countries was only possble thanks to the noteworthy solidarity of women in a great number of countries, to whom we should like to give cur warnest thanks. At the same time we wish to thank all other national organizations who contributed to the success of the Congress through their financial support, in particular by paying their contributions to the Congress Fund in good time. In spite of many obstacles which had to be surmounted to organize the bazaar, we can be proud of its success, which is mainly due to the collaboration and sense of responsibility of those friends who were - charged with this task. The Auditing Committee confirms that the financial means at the disposal of the WIDF have been used with the necessary thriftiness. The Federation carefully prepared a plan for the financial preparation of the World Congress, with the help of national organizations, in order to facilitate the participation of as many women as possible from Africa, Asia, Latin America, from countries which still fight for their national independence, and in particular, our dear sisters fron Viet Nan. The Auditing Committee thanks the Finnish friends for the warn receptions they gave to all Congress delegates and for their help and support. We should emphasize that this is the first time so many national organizations have made their contributions, and that they have made great efforts to subsidize the expenses of their delegates. In the financial sector the WIDF has taken a big step forward, thanks to the tremendous energy and work of our dear friend, the Treasurer of the WIDF, Mrs. Erzsi Ragyanszki, to whom, on behalf of the Auditing Committee, I wish to express thanks and gratitude, for the fact that we have been able to meet the financial demands of the WIDF, undertake such activity and organize our Congress so efficiently, is due to her diligent work, untiring efforts, and her devotion to our Federation, === [PDF page 7] === The Auditing Committee recommends national organizations: 1) to review here again the possibility of fulfilling their obligations to the WIDF 2) to fix with the treasurer of the WIDF, in accordance with their organizations' possibilities, the amount of their contribution as a member and to remit it regularly to one of the WIDF accounts. === [PDF page 8] === SIXTH CONGRESS OF THE WIDF Helsinki, June 17, 1969 REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WIDF Delivered by Madame Cecile Hugel WIDF General Secretary Introduction Dear Friends, We have convened for this, the sixth Congress of the Women's Inter= National Democratic Federation, to examine together how the leadership bodies of our Federation and the national organisations affiliated or associated to it have acquitted themselves of the tasks entrusted in them by the fifth World Congress of Women, held in Moscow June 24 to 29, 1963. An unforgettable Congress, that unanimously re-elected our dear President Madame Eurgenie Cotton, whom we then lost in June 1967. A congress lighted by the magnificent feat of Valentina Tereshkova, who made all the delegates feel that women were now capable of taking part oF $he kot ruction of the great future that is awaiting all the peoples. A feat that led Madame Cotton to declare at the Congress, "Each of us can make a contributionto the building of the future it like Valentina Tereshkova, she devotes all her energies to the service of an ideal, whether it be a religious or a political one, or simply corresponds with her faith in the unlimited possibilities of man. However, another lesson can be drawn from the double flight of Valentina Tereshkova and Valeri Bykovsky: namely the same confidence in man and woman to carry out the same courage.ous, scientific and human mission, Th is entirely corresponds to the great ambition we have within the WIDF. We want to prepare throughout the world the coming of tomorrow's woman, who does not want to lose any of her beauty or sensitiveness, but wants to be equal to man in the family, in the field of work as well as in public life with the aim of preparing a peaceful world for children in which they can freely develop and surpass our hopes." Valentina Tereshkova-Nikolaeva is here with us today. At the fifth Congress we called her our dear seagull. At this sixth, we are pleased and proud to say "Welcome to our big family, Madame President of the Soviet Women's Committee", It is a great honour for the WIDF to have in its ranks such an out-— standing representative of the women of the Soviet Union, who, through their leaders, among them our dear and estimed Vice-President Nina Popova, have seeee === [PDF page 9] === made the valuable contribution of their experience and active participation since the formation of the Federation. The last Congress also elected the Bureau members present on this platform, as well as Madame Rosa Jasovich-Pantaleon, who competently and devotedly fulfilled the office of WIDF General Secretary for more than four years, and since has devoted herself to that of General Secretary of the Argentine Women's Union. It adopted a programme of activities adapted to the needs and potential of a developing international organization such as ours. The programme was a happy complement to our Constitution, and together with the Appeal to the Women of the World adopted by 1,643 representatives from 113 countries on all continents present in Moscow, it was to enable us to undertake countless activities, These activities, whether they be - to win, implement and defend the rights of women as mothers, workers and citizens, - to defend the rights of all children to life, well-being and education, - to win and defend national independence and democratic freedoms, or - for peace and universal disarmament, have evolved and are evolving at an unprecedented rate, for as an integral part of the general struggle of the peoples for social justice, democratic freedoms, national independence and peace, they reflect th@Pidantitative and qualitative development of these struggles, which, as the World Congress of Women has shown, are taking place in a world in which the peoples are no longer allowing anything to stand in the way of their legitimate claims and aspirations, and are taking stepped-up action to attain the goals they have set themselves. The development of all these activities has demanded many initiatives of the Federation and its affiliated and associated national organisations, and these have enabled then to arava growing number of women of all social backgrounds and widely varying political, philosophical and religious views, on all continents, irrespective of the social systems in their countries. Our Federation has become better known and respected throughout the world, This is strikingly shown by the number of women's organisations that have been added to our universal family. It now consists of 95 organisations (93 affiliated, 2 associated) in 90 countries, while in 1963 there were 70 and in 1945, 45, The activities of our Federation and its affiliated and associated organizations cannot be ignored or passed over in silence by anyone, In view of them and under the pressure of the world's forces for peace and === [PDF page 10] === progress, the UN and its specialised agencies (UNESCO, ILO, FAO etc.) had to review the discriminatory action they had taken against it in 1957 when 4 they withdrew the ecnsultative status 'B' it enjoyed as a non-governmental organisation. In June 1967 it was returned to its place in these agencies, and, as we recently learned from the United Nations Economic and Social Council, it has just been admitted to category 'A' consultative status, which, as we will explain later in this report, will enable it to make the legitimate demands of the women and the peoples of the world still better heard, Accentuating the women's specific actions for the’ Gmancipation and advancement, for the welfare of their ehildren and their people, the Federation and its national organisations have placed themselves resolutely at the side of the women, the children and the people of Viet Nam in their struggle against US aggression, at the side of the Arab women, children and peoples in the Middle East, the victims of the aggression committed by the State of Israel, with the encouragement and support of the big imperialist powers, against their countries. In consideration of the threats being made by these powers against the security of the peoples, the fight for a just and lasting peace in the world has had and long must have an important place among our activities. The WIDF's co-operation with other women's organisations, labour organisations, the youth and peace movements, founded on mutual respect for the distinct features of each organisation and bearing on the points of convergence in their programmes, has undergone genuine development. This cooperation ha& enabled coordinated action that is steadily growing in power and dynamism, but we believe that there is still much to be done in this sphere, especially at the planning stage. Viet Nam The women's struggle for a just and lasting peace in Viet Nam, one corresponding to the will and aspirations of the Vietnamese people, has not developed spontaneously in these six years. Thetr contribution to the organisation of moral and material solidarity with the women and children who are the victims of the brutality of the US government's troops and the troops of its outside accomplices and its hirelings in South Viet Nam is one of ever-increasing significance in the context of that of all other forces for peace in the world. The mass of the women had to be won for this struggle on the basis of their feelings as mothers wanting to protect the life they give. The === [PDF page 11] === = Rhy atrocities against women and children (napalm, CBU Bombs, chemical Poisons, etc.) had to be exposed. When we called upon the women to help arrange material aid (layettes, tissues, toys, school and medical supplies, medical aid, clothing, etc.) we knew this was the path that had to be followed. It enabled us to explain the causes of this unjust war and to persuade a growing number of women to give material and moral solidarity to the just struggle of the Vietnamese people, and then political solidarity, through support for the settlement proposals made and still being made by the representatives of the South Viet Nam NLF and of the DRV. We are proud to have our heroic Vietnamese sisters in our ranks The struggle they are waging gives the women of the world courage and confidence. Our encouragement and that of our Vietnamese sisters, to the initially very limited struggle waged by a few brave American women has shown that there too we were and are on the right path. For the US movement against the forces of aggression would never have become as powerful as it is had it not been for the handful of women who showed another face of their often misunderstood nation that that known to the world: the face of an aggressor and an oppressor of all peoples wanting to live in dignity. Our activities have experienced this upsurge as a result of our exchanges of experienve at Bureau and Coucil meetings, our appeals to the women, and the concrete action we have taken and will continue to take. The formation of the WIDF's International Viet Nam Solidarity Committee enabled the stimulation and co-ordination of the activities in political, moral and material solidarity with our Vietnamese sisters carried on by the women's organisations and women at each stage of the struggle. At the time it was formed, we thought it would expand to include many new individuals and organisations, but it must be said that this has not been the case. tn the meantime, other forms of co-orlinating the general struggle in support of the Vietnamese people have become necessary, and in particular the Co-ordinating Committee set up by the Stockholm World Conference for Vietnam, with which the Federation is associated. At a women's meeting held in the framework of that Conference in 1967 it === [PDF page 12] === -5delivered a report on the solidarity activities of the women's organisations, and at the last session of the Co-ordinating Committee, in 1968, the recommendations of the women's working group, urging, on the WIDF's suggestion, that March 8, International Women's Day, and June 1, International Children's Day, be included among the dates around which solidarity activity would be stepped up, were unanimously accepted. The last session of the WIDF's International Viet Nam Solidarity Committee in March adopted a decision by which the WIDF and its national organisations would pledge themselves to build a mother and child welfare hospital to bear the name "Friendship of the Women of the World". To make this decision more concrete, we suggest that a group of specialists be formed to draft precise proposals for submission to the next Bureau Meeting for the division of work among the national affiliated, associated and friendly organisations, according to their means. Our Vietnam Bulletin, our journal "Women of the Whole Wotid", have been media for explaining the situation in Viet Nam and powerful means of mobilising women. The exchange of delegations (visits to different countries by our Vietnamese sisters, visits to Viet Nam by the WIDF, our national organisations and other organisations), the delegations of protest to the US embassies and of support to our friends of the DRV and the South Viet Nam NLF, the press conferences and the rallies helped to create this mass world movement. W&Xik We must increase these activities tenfold. The resolution issued by the World Congress of Women will be a new basis for all of us in our future action. The Bureau proposes that the Congress add to the decisions of the World Congress of Women and those of the International Viet Nam Solidarity Committee Meeting in March a new form of solidarity on the part of our affiliated and associated national organisations with the branch organisations of the Viet Nam Women's Union (DRV) and the South Viet Nam Liberation Women's Union; a proposal contained in the plan for future work submitted to the Congress for discussion and ratification. === [PDF page 13] === Middle East In > line with our programme and the decisions of the Council, we have tried to stimulate the women to solidarity with the women and children of this area, driven from their homeland by the Israeli aggression of June, 1967 or oppressed by the occupier. The Federation was the first international women's org nisation to express vigorous protest at this aggression and assure the Arab women of its full solidaritys The aggression continues to claim victims among the women and children. On the basis of the peoples' right to the integrity and sovereignty of their territory, we supported the UN Security Council Resolution of November 1967 and called on the Security Council to seek ways and means of having its decisions implemented and respected, by demanding that the national rights of the Palestinian people be guaranteed. We have also pointed out that the problems concerning the Palestine refugees must be settled, so that the refugees can return to the homes and lands they have been driven from. Through our bulletins we have made known the action the women in these areas have been or are taking against the occupation, action that will steadily increase unless Israel withdraws its troops from the territories it has occupied. In these last two years, and indeed every time these countries have been confronted with the aggressiveness of the State of Israel, we have uniterruptedly expressed our support and friendship to our Arab friends and sisters in different ways. Our affiliated or associated national organisations have done the same:the women's organisations of the socialist countries, for example, have provided considerable material aid from the first days following the aggression, to the women, the children and the populations driven from their homes, in the form of medical aid, food supplies, blankets and many other urgently needed articles. In other countries, the organisations also organised collection campaigns in response to the appeal of the Federation. But we think these activities have to be continued and stepped up, and the conditions of the women in these countries explained still more, though we have already done so in two brochures on the subject: one giving the background of the war, and the other giving an account of the visit of a WIDF commission of inquiry to the refugee camps in Jordan, the United Arab Republic and the Syrian Arab Republic. === [PDF page 14] === S50 We have also published the statements of groups of Israeli women (among them members of the Democratic Union of Israeli Women) declaring their solidarity with the women in the occupied areas, We have told them of our high regard and encouraged them in this path. The need to encourage the Israeli women in their solidarity activities, however, has not been sufficiently realised by many national organisations, and efforts should be made to shange this situation. Much remains to be done to involve growing numbers of women in action to make Israel withdraw its troops from the territories still occupied and to get talks underway, opening the road to negotiations and a solution guaranteeing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all the countries in this part of the world. Democratic Freedoms Throughout these six years we have expressed our solidarity with the women who are waging a courageous struggle against racism, colénialism, fascism and antidemocratic regimes. We have made their struggles known and have forcefully interceded with the governments that trample upon the rights of man and citizen and with the UN, asking it to use its influence to put an end to such conditions. At a press conference held at WIDF headquarters in Berlin, we gave a survey of the situation in this sphere. With regard to our solidarity with the women, children and people of Africa in the fight for their national independence and against racism, this year we attended the Khartoum (Sudan) Conference in Solidarity with our sisters in Angola, Guinea-Bissau and the Cape—Verde Islands, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa, to whom we have always given active support. Our national organisations are giving very extensive moral and material aid to our sisters in these countries already, but it ought to be better co-ordinated in order to be more effective. The collection of funds by the Union of Australian Women for an orphanage set up and run by our Mozambique friends in Tanzania to help the children of liberation fighters killed in battle is an example of solidarity that is worth following. In the plan of work we are submitting to you, we propose the holding of seminars to aid our organisations in these tegions in educating === [PDF page 15] === women and children, the spfeguarding of health, etc. by adopting a system of partnership between one organisation and another for concrete assistance and political and moral solidarity. We were shocked by the murder of President Mondlane (FRELIMO). To his wife Janet, who is withn us here, to their children, and to the Mozambique Women's League, we sent our condolences and expressed our deep friendship. We were also deeply disturbed over the fate of the democratic men and women in Indonesia. We expressed this in the telegram to General Suharto which you read in issue 18/1968 of our NEWS IN BRIEF, but we still have heard nothing of our fricnds in GERWANI, the Indonesian women's movement. In South Korea as well, arrests, prison sentences and the kid+ napping of Korean citizens is becoming more prevalent in the face of growing opposition by democratic forces from all sections of the population to the anti-democratic regime being maintained in power by the USA. We know that the majority of the population, and especially the women and children, are living a life of misery in this country that has been turned into a US colony and from which a war can start at any moment against the People's Democratic Republic of Korea and might well embrace the world. We think these facts must be exposed more systematically and the women of the world must be called to more active vigilance. The Korean women living in Japan prevented, in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, from returning home to the People's Democratic Republic of Korea or travelling outside Japan, and for whom we have interceded with the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, must also be given our constant solidarity in all forms. We are also deeply concerned over the large-scale recurrence — be it in Latin America or Europe = of military coups like that in Greese, and over the development of situations in the so-called democratic countries calculated to wholly or partially deprive hundreds of thousands of men and women of their most elementary human rights. With regard to Latin America, where the Federation last July held a seminar for women of the Central American and Caribbean countries and sponsored another in Chile for the women of the South Anerican countries, we were upset and dismayed by what we were told by the delegates from === [PDF page 16] === Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Haiti, Guatemala, etce The women fighting for the right of their children to life and education (sometimes for a glass of milk, as in Paraguay) are thrown into prison, tortured, humiliated in unspeakable fashion. The searches carried out at all houss of the day and night, the rape of women in front of their children when they refuse to confess what they have not committed or disclose the whereabouts of their fugitive husbands ( which they usually do not know ), this nightmare the women in these countries are going through would put to shame the Middle Ages at its worst. These WIDF seminars were a great comfort to our friends and sisters in those countries; they helped strengthen the bonds of friendship between them and the Federation. The proximity of the Socialist Republic of Cuba, where all citizens - men and women — are leading an increasingly happy life, makes the situgtion more evident, more cruel and more intolerable for the peoples, for the women of these countries, who are struggling bravely and deserve our increasing solidarity. This solidarity must also go out to our Cuban sisters, whose homeland is under the constant threat of invasion and economic blockade by the USA. We ought to have other forms of solidarity besides seminars and messages of friendship. The press conference we mentioned above was held with the participation of two Greek friends who explained the situation of the women in their country. It made it possible to attain a broader movement of solidarity with the Greek women and people. Although we had decided to send a delegation to Greece to find out about the conditions of women and children in that country on the spot, we have not been able to carry out this project. It should not be lost sight of, however. Through our circulars, bulletins etc. women have gained a better understanding of the struggle of our sisters, discussed in detail at the World Congress of Women. In myn many countries there are Committees of Solidarity with the Greek people, and women are very active in them. But we think such action should be raised to a higher level, higher than has been attained so far by the WIDF and the various national organisations. We must also continue to express our solidarity to our friends of Portugal and Spain, oppressed by fascist regimes. === [PDF page 17] === Peace, Disarmament On this subject as well we propose that the Congress help varry out the decisions of the World Congress of Women, which reflect the objectives in our progtamme, the campaigns waged by women in this sphere, and proposals for future activities. In view of the growing threat to the security of Europe and hence to peace in the world contained in the revandiist and militarist policy of the leadership of the Federal Republic of Germany, encouraging neo-nazism, a threat aggravated by the existence of the NATO military pact, in which the FRG along with the USA, has the decisive say, it is more urgent than ever for women to demand that the Federal Republic of Germany finally acknowledge the outdome of World War II; that the present borders in Europe including the Oder-Neisse line and the fontier between the German Democratic Republic and the FRG, be respected; that the GDR be recognized and that the FRG give up its claim to represent the whole German nation and its drive for possession of nuclear weapons in any form. We owe it to ourselves to support all the initiatives undertaken in this spirit, such as, for example, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (Vienna, October 1969) which the WIDF is already helping to prepare for, and the Conference of European States proposed by the governments of seven Warsaw Pact member states. We must continue to stimulate and carry out specific women's initiatives in this direction. Concerning our conttibution to the fight for peace and for disarmament, we have continued our activity. We made our position clear when President Nixon was in Europe in a telegram we sent to hime We assured the preparatory committee for the great World Assembly for Peace, to be held in Berlin, GDR, June 21 to, 24, of our support. Twenty international organisations were on the committee, including the Women's International League for Peace and Frecdom. The nationel organisations have also been active for peace and dis-— armament. The Federation of Japanese Women's Organisations, FUDANREN, for example, is conducting a vast campaign for the prohibition of atomic arms, for e evacuation of the US military bases in their country, and for the return of the island of Okinawa to Japan. === [PDF page 18] === Women's Rights As has just been shéwn by the World Congress of Women, which dealt with the women's struggle for their rights, we cannot be satified with what has been obtained so far, the action must be continued. We propose that the delegates publicize the document on wmen's rights issued by the World Congress of Women and conduc& activities in this sense. We think the holding of seminars such as that arranged by the Federation and the National Unio of Mexican Women last year for the women of Central America and the Caribbean and that held in Chile for the women of South... America by the Chilean. Women's Union, sponsored by the WIDF, enables the Federation and at the seme time the national organisations to fulfil their tasks better. In this report we would like to deal with these seminars at greater length, since the lessons to be drawn from them are many. The October 1967 Council meeting of the Federation, and its national Latin American organisations can take the credit for intiating and contributing in different ways to the holding of the national and regional meetings and congresses that have taken place in recent years. Their aim was to portray the increasing activity of the women of these countries on the study and solving of their problems. They also fell within the soope of the contribution of the Latin American women to the International Human Rights Year, provlaimed by the UN on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights in December 1948. The study of the international documents of the UN and its specialised agencies - conventions, recommendations, declarations - and examination of their content in the light of the extent of its implementation in the different countries did indeed give food for thought, and gave rise to decisions for common activities. The WIDF spon_sored the seminar on "the status of women in ecomomic, social, legal and educational fields" organised in Chile, July 7-13, by ita affiliated organisation, the Chilean Women's Union, whose President, Mrs. Lia Laffaye, made the opening speech, outlining the aims of the shinar, while General Secretary of the WIDF, Mme. Cecile Hugel presented the aims and ptogramne of our Federation. The seminar enjoyed the support of the University of Chile, and of a large committee of sponsors, made up, of eminent women personalities, from various professional and political circles, and from public life. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) kindly made available premises for the secretariat. === [PDF page 19] === The seminar was held in various rooms of Santiago University, whose authorities co-operated as much on a cultural as on a practical leyel. Over 100 delegates from Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela and €hile - peasants, housewives, intellectuals, workers, professional women - worked together, irrespective of their political or religious beliefs, stimulated by the one concern af advancing the status of women and children in their countries, of forging and strengthening bonds of friendship. The reports they submitted were often extremely profound analyses of the subjects on the agenda - the eoonomic status, education, legal status and participation of women in both national and international political life, the right of peoples to peace, problems of mass communication media, problems of children, etc. Broad discussion allowed a fruitful exchange of experiences on all these problems and on the seJ@ction of the demands that most urgently needed Me to be drafted, so that, united, the women could take the most effective action for the attainment of full participation in the eoonomic, social and cultural life of their countries. The documents that were adopted as a result of such work bear witness to the increasing desire of the women of these countries, a desire strenghtened by the victories that they already have to their credit, to co-ordinate still more their efforts for their own emancipation, for the happiness of their children, the social progress of their countries, for democracy, peace and friendship between all peoples. The participants turned this seminar into a great manifestation of friendship and solidarity towards the women who are suffering and fighting for these just causes, as in Paraguay, Viet Nam, and elsewhere. The seminar on " the defence of the rights of women and children to life, well-being and education", convened by the WIDF in Mexico, 22 - 25 July, with the financial support of UNESCO, took place in the same spirit. This seninar also enjoyed the support of the Mexican national committee of UNESCO, whose Ger.eral Secretary, Mr. Palacios, was kind enough to welcome the seminar and to attend its opening and closing sessions. Like the Chilean Women's Union, the National Union of Mexican Women stimulated considerable activities throughout the country on the preparation of the meeting. Round table discussions, forums, ctc., had gathered together specialized women's groups of all political, philosophical and religious per- === [PDF page 20] === = Bee suations from all social categories, to examine the themes for discussion. A large organising committee was set up to hegin work, chaired by Mrs. Marta LOPEZ PORTILLO DE TAMAYO, President of the National Union of Mexican Women. === [PDF page 21] === The analyses submitted, that of the Mexican delegation as well as those of the other countries represented -— Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Panama, Salvador - were the work of extremely broad and competent working groups. They were a veritable X-ray of the status of women and children in the particular context of each country. The work of the seminar was extremely fruitful, The exchange of experiences and the counterposing of the different points of view on the waysof approaching and resolving the problems, brought out numerous analogies with those of the Santiago seminar in Chile. They show the unbelievably difficult situation of women and children, as much in living conditions, aonditions of health, upbringing, and education, as in access to the economic, social and cultural life of a country. They also show of course the differences - as in the South — between the situation of a country like Mexico, or Costa Rica, and that of Guatemala, or worse still, that of Haiti, The presence in the seminar of the Cuban representatives was like a breath of fresh air, in bringing confidence in the ability of women to contribute effectively to the attainment of their aspiratiohs, With their statistics to hand, the delegates of the Cuban Women's Federation gave proof of the victories they have won, in only a very few years, over illiteracy, malnutrition, physical, moral and cultural mistery, over discrimination against women, The delegates who are already well-informed about the activity and victories of the Cuban women know that it was necessary to change the structure of society in order for the newly created values to be enjoyed by everyone, and the women and their organisations had to make great efforts to overcome the legacies of a past which corresponds to the present situation in other. countries in this region, The participants from Guatemala and Haiti faced with the tragic situation of the women, children and democrats of their country, made poignant appeals to international solidarity - "this profound feeling that crosses frontiers and continents" as Mrs, Clementina de Bassols, honorary president of National Union of Mexican Women, said warmly in her closing speech, Their appeal was heard: they were surrounded by the warm friendship of all the participants, who appealed to the UN Human Rights Commission and to UNICEF to intervene with the === [PDF page 22] === governments of these countries for respect for Human Rights, and the rights of the children, and asked the WIDF to make known this situation and to call on the women of other cou ries to demonstrate their moral and material solidarity. We can say that both seminars allowed the women of these two Latin American regions to make an important and specialised contribution to the enrichment and approval of the studies already existing on the status of women and children; they also resulted in a deeper knowledge of the international documents of the UN and its specialised bodies (UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO, FAO, etc.) as well as of the laws that favour women, and those that oppress them — so that they can avail themselves of the first to ensure their application, and of the second to be repealed, Finally, the participants were better able to sce and understand that what unites them is much more important than what can hinder their co-operation in various fields, They gained a heightened awareness of the strength they represent if they act together, They unanimously called attention to the need for women's organisations to act as the promoters and organisers of united action by women, of the broadest co-operation, for the emancipation of women, the happiness of their children, for democracy and peace in the world, In this respect, the women's organisations gained in audience and influence, The presence of the WIDF has made it possible to emphasise the universal nature of the problems to be resolved, and the necd for wide discussion of them. For, at the present time, we all need each other's friendship and solidarity in order to become more effective. For many participants, this was their first encounter with the mobilisation programme around which our Federation makes its efforts to unite the women of the whole world for which they were most grateful to us - and with a deep analysis of the status of women and children in their own countries, and in neighbouring countries, This is an extract from the conclusions of the seminar: "The cause of the ills from which the women and children of South America suffer are economic under-development, the archaic and arbitrary system of land-ownership, as well as their status of dependent countries," === [PDF page 23] === "We recommend... the adoption and implementation of a law on agrarian reform, based on the principle of the social function of the soil being considered as a means of work and not of return," (Santiago Seminar) "The reports that were given at the Seminar reflect a situation which - in the majority of the countries - is determined by economic, political and social factors among which the following should be stressed: - unjust distribution of national riches; - dependent economy and its consequences Sat (Mexico Seninar) Both seminars demanded equality of women in all fields of life: family, work, society. Among the detailed demands set out on this subject, we would stress those relating to education, the elimination of illiteracy, the integration of the native people into the national culture, while respecting their own precious cultural heritage, the increase of educational budgets directed to this end, which "must be considered as a profitable investment, since education is an important weapon against the under-development from which the Latin American countries suffer" (Santiago Seminar); vocational training for women in all sectors, Important demands were -* also made in the social field: housing construction financed by both "State and employers" in the case of working wonen (Santiago Seminar); medical and social services of every type; kindergartens and nurserics, creches, dispensaries... the extension of social security to those categories of women who are deprived of it: peasants, domestics, self-employed wonen, house-wives... In relation to children "the improvement ofthe living conditions offamilies so that no child is forced to work" (Mexico Seminar), "the passing and implementation of laws for the protection of young working people” (Santiago Seminar). A number of demands on cultural subjects, leisure and the legal status of women should be added to these. Our friends from these countries have undertaken important actions since these seminars took place. The women are taking part in the daily struggles of their people in increasingly large numbers, === [PDF page 24] === We therefore propose that the Congress supports the idea of making such seminars general, since they are of value to everyone, provided that the subjects for the agenda are very precisely delineated, and that they allow the largest possible participation. Other forms of activities concerning the rights of women are taking place in every country, In the German Democratic Republic, for example, the Democratic Women's Union of Germany took an active part in the drafting of the new Constitution of the GDR, which was adopted by a public referendum on January 6th last. Through the intermediary of their representatives in the People's Chamber and the State Commission responsible for preparing the draft of the Constitution, the women have held “ many neetings in which they proposed numerous amendments that have been retained. In Great Britain a co-ordinating committee has been set up by the Trade Union organisations, the women's movenents, the National Assenbly of Women of Great Britain being one of them, and other organisations, with the ain of achieving cqual pay for women as for men doing work of equal value. This co-operation between women's and professional organisations is constantly broadening, and offering great prospects for the coordination of activities on common ains. These activitics develop even nore if the various organisations define the platform of their denands together, as well as the ways and means of obtaining satisfaction. The success of such joint action requires not only the particular contribution of the organisations taking part in an ever increasing degree but considerable mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. We learn such lessons particularly from the French Women's Union, the Belgian Women's Assembly for Peace and Progress, and the Italian Women's Union, These activities of the national organisation also help the WIDF in attaining co-operation with other international organisations. One example of this that we would like to give was the Rone Seminar in October 1966, on the initiative of the Liaison Bureau set up by the Copenhagen Assembly (1953), of which Madame Railienne Brunfaut is secretary, by a preparatory committee made up of many national and international organisations, among them the WIDF. Its === [PDF page 25] === theme was the participation of women in public life, The Federation was able to present a report to the seminar on the role of women's organisations. The resolutions that were adopted and the joint actions agrecd upon have contributed to the development of the coordination of the activities of numerous organisations, particularly on the implementation of the ILO Convention No. 100. The problems of women who work in the country, agricultural workers, farm-owners, which were the concern of the Council of Sofia (1964), are reflected in our activities and those of our national organisations, Nonetheless, in the light of what has been done, it is clear that new initiatives must be taken in this field. International Women's Day, of which we celebrate the 60th anniversary next year, has always been the object of great activities in all fields concerning the rights of women, and peace. In 1970, our friends from the socialist countries, the men and wonen of the whole world will celebrate in various ways the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lenin, Outstanding leader of the Russian people in their liberation from tsarisn, Lenin was a great champion of the emancipation and advancement of the women of his country. The practical application of his thepries on this subject has enabled our Soviet friends to become what they are today. Lenin's ideas on the rights of women are of universal significance. UNESCO has included the 100th anniversary of the birth of this great man in its progranne,. We believe that the WIDF, and its national organisations could, in their own ways, on the bases of their own programmes take part in this celebration, - Rights of the Child The rights of the child are our constant concern, and in past years have led to very varied initiatives. The World Conference for Children, which was held in Stockholn in October 1966 on the initiative of the WIDF, was a real success, and had resounding cffect. We are continuing our work on the lines of the decisions takenthere, as are all our national organisations, who have taken many initiatives in line with the Conference, like === [PDF page 26] === [Unreadable] the Union of French Women, for example, which last January 26th organised a National Meeting for the Right of Youth to Vocational Training and Jobs. The meeting was attended by 507 delegates from 63 of the country's 95 departments. A wide range of organisations, institutions and individuals shared in its organising; various unions, parents' associations and family and women's organisations were represented on the sponsoring committee. The mecting dealt with the disturbing situation among French youth and brought out the severe shortage of jobs and training opportunities facing them today. Despite the decision to extend schooling to the age of 16 (a ruling that has not been backed by the funds needed for its application) thousands of young people are leaving school and not recciving any vocational training through a lack of technical schools, The Charter adopted by the meeting puts forward possible solutions and stresses the urgent need to grant "adequate funds for National Education, to be taken from unproductive spending (the arns budget) and to be raised by clininating the privileges granted to those who control the main resources of the country", Four types of solution are proposed: inprovenent of teaching methods creation of jobs arrangenents for the integration of youth into the labour force energency social action The meeting called on all mothers and all those concerned about the future of the youth to conduct a continuous energetic campaign at all levels to obtain satisfaction for these clains. June 1st, International Children's Day, the occasion for many activities, is also increasingly becoming an occasion for joint action on an international scale. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Declaration of theo Rights of the Child (UN), the WIDF will take a very active part in the world conference organised by CIMBA (International Committee of Children's and Adolescent Movenents of the World Federation of === [PDF page 27] === Democratic Youth). It is a member of the preparatory committee comprising a very wide range of international personalities and organisations. The struggle of women, and of all those who cherish the happiness of the younger generation is ever increasing, Our activities have a very concrete base: the struggle for the rights of children to life, health, education, leisure and to social and legal protection, to allow then to grow up in a world of peace and friendship between all the children of the world, We are teaching our children solidarity with one another. International Children's Day has always been the culmination of the activities we have taken towards this. The problems of the child are for us the basis of innumerable joint activities with other national and international organisations. Relations with national organisations The presence of leaders of the Federation (Bureau or Council members or their representatives) at the Congresses of our affiliated or associated national organisations is a good form of studying their activities, the audience they have, in their own countries. It enables us to express the friendship and solidarity of the women of the world to the members present at such congresses, so that we have the mutual feeling of being one big family in which cares and achievements are shared, a fecling that gives us confidence in our activities, Presence at national congresses and visits and study tours help us to understand the situation in which our organisations work and the reasons why they stress this or that point in our Progranne, It lets us take the characteristics of each organisation and the conditions under which it has to work into account in all fields in drafting our proposals and resolutions. These trips and visits, as well as the reports on the activities of the national organisations, which should be more frequent, are covered in the WIDF publications (information bulletins, journal, and press conferences as well) and provide for a fruitful exchange of experience between Congresses. This is also true of neetings of the Council of the Bureau, It is up to our friends representing the national organisations to give us their thoughts on this subject, === [PDF page 28] === aol H/2 Co-operation with the UN and its specialised agencics Saeed ECOSOC, ILO, FAO Having recovered its consultative status 'B' and had it raised to status 'A' on May 28, the Federation is called upon to conduct competent and continued action within these bodies. It can make known there the aspirations and demands of the women it represents, and have then reflected in the resolutions and recommendations they adopt. While we know that our activities in these agencies can only be regarded as secondary means of defending, in order to advance, the cause of women, children and peoples, we do not think they should be under-estinated, They enable us to:~ make our viewpoint known to a growing number of organisations, government representatives and individuals. "One can see that the problems discussed in the Commission on the Status of Women correspond to a large extent with the pre-occupations and the subjects of the activities of the WIDF since its foundation, This shows how far our ideas have advanced in 25 years, and how many of these questions become daily more real for the women of all continents. Many of the subjects that were the primary concern of the Commission on the Status of Women figured on the agenda of the World Congress of Women that has just taken place. We should take these as a further reason for increasing our efforts in order to ensure their success," To give an example, UNESCO showed realism last year in deciding, after many discussions in which the Federation had taken part, to grant assistance to the national liberation movements recognised by the Organisation of African Unity for the work they are doing in the liberated areas of their countries to eliminate illiteracy. At the same session UNESCO decided to no longer invite representatives of South Africa, Portugal and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) to its meetings as long as racial segregation, and non-respect for the peoples! right to freedom from colonialism was practiced in these countries, We believe such decisions can help isolate the governnents concerned and encourage the peoples in these countries fighting for human rights on both the economic and the political and cultural levels. === [PDF page 29] === = sep 2? ce H/2 The work of ECOSOC and the UN Status of Women Commission that led to the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrinination against Women resulted from the women's struggle for their rights and the action of all those sincerely interested in the emancipation and advancenent of wonen, But a great deal has still to be done to get these international bodies to meet the peoples! expectations fully, and we think that by giving them the benefit of our experience and presenting and defending the cause of our millions of members, we can contribute to the adoption of more realistic resolutions in the interests of women, Co-operation with other women's and other international and regional organisations Our progranme states the need for such co-operation, and the Federation has made an effort to respond to this need, for it lets us study the way other organisations deal with the problens that our own action is ccntred upon. Such co-operation, contributes to friendly relations and provides many opportunities for joint action, And in fact, ".\. as has been shown by the various activities of the WIDF and its nafional organisations," it pernits the mobilisation of a growing number of women all over the world, and makes their action more effective because it is more co-ordinated. We think we should keep to this path, Finances The Chairman of the Auditing Committee is giving a report on Finances, We believe, friends, that we will have to make a mighty effort to cope with the tasks awaiting us. Publications Communications media have an increasing role in the study of the tasks facing us, They help to spread our ideas, to make our aims and activities known, and to stimulate action, You are familiar with our publications, friends, and we think you could do more to give them a greater audience and improve the way they reflect the intense activity of all our organisations and === [PDF page 30] === all our members, This is particularly necessary for the journal "Wonen of the Whole World", But we are waiting for your criticisn, and your suggestions on this subject. Proposals for Future Work To make for still nore effective action by the Federation, which will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary next year, we submit a plan of work for the years to come, which should reach more and more wonen to tell them of the aims of the WIDF and the decisions of the World Congress of Women; - mobilise and unite women, on the basis of their interests and hopes, for action which demands conditions in which they can win, defend and use their rights as mothers, workers and citizens; - co-ordinate women's activities so as to make them more effective, according to the particular circumstances of each organisation and the conditions in which they function. In carrying this out, the WIDF, with its affiliated and associated organisations, hoping for wide action in all fields would seek to extend its co-operation with other national and international organisations with common aims, Activity, exchange of experience and co-operation of women's organisations and women all over the world: A. Seminars After consultation with the organisations and women in the countries concerned, in order to extend contacts and hold seminars, plan to organise journeys as follows: - in 1970 and 1971, two visits to Africa - in 1971 and 1972, one visit to Asia and one to Latin America. In co-operation with women's organisations and specialised organisations interested, plan to hold seminars on problens of employnent, education, health, hunger, living conditions, problems of children and young people, as well as on national independence, democracy and peace: - in 1970 in Africa - in 1971 in Europe - in 1972 in Asia - in 1973 in two Latin American countries, === [PDF page 31] === Boh B, Training of women for leading positions a) Courses: in co-operation with women's organisations in certain countries, plan courses or seminars which will help to train women leaders in countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. b) School: open a permanent school for training staff, to open possibly in 1971. c) Scholarships for study and vocational training: arrange grants for higher education or for vocational training for women fron Asia, Africa and Latin America (to train as teachers, doctors, engineers, kindergarten teachers, dressnakers,ctc.) C. WIDF centres Plan to open "WIDF centres" in Asia, Africa and Latin America where wonen can follow literacy courses and courses in hygienc, nutrition, handicrafts, or cultural activities. (The organisation of these institutions, in particular the setting up, the running and the equipping of the school and the WIDF centres, counts on the serious and active help of national organisations coordinated by the WIDF) D. Political, moral and material solidarity with the women and children in countries struggling to obtain and defend their national independence, democracy and peace. - Give wider publicity and explanations about these problems - Sponsor a campaign for political support and partnership between the affiliated and associated organisations and branches of the women's organisations in Vietnam in order to strengthen support for the struggle of the Vietnamese people against American aggression and to help in the reconstruction of their country, and develop the friendly ties between the wonen in our national organisations and our Vietnamese sisters, On the basis of mutual aid between affiliated and associated women's organisations, encourage the organising and co-ordinating of material aid and moral support for women and children in the refugee canps in the Middle East, in countries struggling against imperialisn, colonialism, neo-colonialism and internal reactionary forces who act as their accomplices, against racism, apartheid, fascism and dictaborships. === [PDF page 32] === [Unreadable] Organise journeys of investigation to certain countries to examine the conditions of women and children who are suffering as the result of gross violations of human rights. Extend material aid and moral support to wonen struggling for their rights as mothers, workers and citizens and for social progress. Continue to support women who are acting against their governnents, because they are waging wars of aggression or are oppressing other peoples in various ways, with the help of internal reactionary forces. Plan special activities for women and support national and international action in the struggle for the defence of peace, universal disarmament, for the annulment of military pacts, for the prohibition of chemical, bacteriological and nuclear warfare. E. Information Based on the activities of the WIDF and the national organisations take the necessary measures to improve the publications of the WIDF so that they kccep up with the new needs concerning - the exchange of experience between the national and international organisations, - the serious study of problems of women and children, national independence, democracy and peace. This depends on - continuous reciprocal exchange of information by the national and international organisations and the WIDF representatives in international organisations and various national and international neetings (reports, reviews, studies, facts); an effort on the part of our national organisations to increase the circulation of our publications, in particular that of our journal "Women of the Whole World", the only international denoeratic women's journal; a wider use of the mass media of information (press, radio, television, film, conferences, round table discussions, etc.) === [PDF page 33] === one H/2 We propose that our Sixth Congress adopt a resolution in which - it would ratify, after discussion, the reports and proposals submitted to it; - it would adopt as its own the documents issued by the World Congress of Women, so that, in accordance with its Constitution and Programme of Activities, the Women's International Democratic Federation nay continue to work on the basis of these docunents "to win and defend (women's) rights as citizens, mothers and workers, to protect children, to censure peace, for democracy and national independencei" - it would ratify the new applications for affiliation to the WIDF - it would instruct the newly elected Bureau, which could mect at the end of October 1969, and Secretariat of the WIDF to continue their activity until the next WIDF Council nceting on the basis of the proposals for future work as formulated in the Activities Report, and to draft new proposals on the basis of that report for a plan of work to be submitted for discussion and approval to the Council, which could neet in June 1970, and - it would bring to the attention of all WIDF nembers the composition of the executive bodies elected by it. Dear friends, The account of our past activities and the prospects for work in the years to come submitted to you here, and the ruling and executive bodies we suggest you give to our Federation, all that you will provide in the discussion to augnent our proposals with your competence, your experience, and your unswerving devotion to the cause of women, children and peoples, the cause of our Dederation - all this, we are sure, will continue to bear fruit. Through our combined efforts, strengthening the ties that unite us, we are capable of making this Sixth Congress a milestone in the organisation of the struggle of women all over the world for the rights of women and the happiness of children, for the independence of peoples, for denocracy and peace in the world, Long live the 6th Congress of the Women's International Denocratic Federation! Long live the friendship among the women of the world!