I have just returned from an extremely successful 4 days supporting the IAWN at ACC 14 in Jamaica.  As most of you know, IAWN brings the voices of women throughout the Anglican Communion to the Anglican Consultative Council, and you were represented there by members of its steering committee. Karen Chane was recently appointed by Bishop Katharine as the link from our province to the network.

IAWN was one of 10 ACC networks invited to participate by giving reports and information sessions, distributing literature, and bringing resolutions before the ACC delegates themselves.

The 3 steering committee members were well prepared to highlight the impressive amount of work that has been accomplished since ACC 13. IAWN sent 2 comprehensive  reports to the meeting from all the provinces, one on women’s issues in general and the other regarding the status of implementation of ACC 13-31, numerous resources on a range of issues and visual displays from its recent meeting in NY. 

The networks all participated in a network fair on the Sunday afternoon, each having a table to display their work. Priscilla Julie, convener, Ann Skamp and Alice Medcof  engaged delegates in conversation about IAWN, our resolutions, and our priorities for the future. After the fair, delegates signed up to attend more in depth presentations from the networks. On Monday and Tuesday, Ann and Priscilla presented a power point and received questions and comments from those in attendance.

In the second session, suggestions were made from attendees as to how to strengthen the resolutions and one such suggestion was presented on the floor of the council by one of the Episcopal delegates, Ian Douglas (see c. below). All resolutions brought by IAWN were passed.

1. receives the report from International Anglican Womens Network, commends the network for its work and commitment, and encourages it to continue to raise and promote women's concerns in church and society;
2. urges full implementation of ACC Resolution 13.31 (b.ii) across the Communion and encourages Provinces, through the IAWN Provincial links, to report on further progress made to ACC-15;
3. requests that appointments to all Inter-Anglican Standing
   Commissions, and all other inter-Anglican Committees, design groups, or appointed bodies follow resolution ACC 13.31 (b.i) to provide equal representation of women on each body;
4. unequivocally supports the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, including trafficking, and encourages all Provinces to participate in programmes and events that promote the rights and welfare of women, particularly as expressed in the Beijing Platform for Action and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals;
5. recognising the importance of appropriate allocation of financial resources, recommends implementation of the principles of gender budgeting throughout the Communion, and requests Provinces to report on progress made to ACC-15.

References

(ACC Resolution 13.31.b) ACC acknowledges the MDG goal for equal representation of women in decision making at all levels, and so requests

1. the Standing Committee to identify ways in which this goal may appropriately be adapted for incorporation into the structures of the Instruments of Unity, and other bodies to which the Anglican Consultative Council nominates or appoints;
2. all member churches to work towards the realisation of this goal in their own structures of governance, and in other bodies to which they nominate or appoint and to report on progress to ACC-14.

For the Beijing Platform:  www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/Beijing/platform
For the MDGs: www.un.org/millenniumgoals

Anglican Consultative Council  ACC
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/acc/about.cfm

International Anglican Women’s Network IAWN
http://iawn.anglicancommunion.org/index.cfm

IAWN in the Episcopal Church
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/41685_106972_ENG_HTM.htm

For more information contact Kim Robey krobey@episcopalchurch.org or Karen Chane kchane@comcast.net