As I am sure you can tell from the number of emails circulating in the sector – the Commission is now in full swing.  We are very lucky to have four people on our delegation , as this has allowed us to ensure we have coverage across the different sessions and meetings.  I will do my best to provide an overview of what everyone has been doing – but please make sure you are also checking out Catriona’s blog as well.

Yesterday was the first formal day of the Commission.  Catriona and Donelle headed in to the main session, which for the first time was held in the General Assembly room.  It was a special occasion, with Ms Bachelet giving her second major address for the Commission and once again inspiring and encouraging those present.  She emphasised the need for us to accelerate our efforts to educate girls, and to focus on women’s development working strategically and peacefully.  Ms Bachelet also called on Member States to help UN Women become fully operational and maximise its mandate.

Leonie-Ruth and I braved the freezing cold Church Centre to attend some of the NGO side-events and were inspired by the women we heard speaking and those we met.  Leonie-Ruth attended a session on the priority theme and the ‘psychosocial barriers limiting girls and women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)’.  She reported that the event focused around successful models of mentoring and sponsorship, where champions share their  networks and actively support the mentee.  In keeping with the priority theme, there was significant discussion about how technology could be used to facilitate this type of mentoring program.

Close to home, I went to an event focusing on breaking the cycle of poverty in our region and highlighting some innovative strategies which the UN and NGOs are using to challenge traditional development models.  We heard from UNHCR about the situation of refugees in Malaysia, a country which has not signed the refugee convention and where people living as refugees can be arrested if found.  There are 92,000 registered refugees and an estimated 10,000 un-registered.  Given their illegal status, refugee children are not able to access government schools in Malaysia – and now, UNHCR reports that more than 67 schools have opened throughout Malaysia run by and for refugees.  This passion for education and commitment to providing education to children who are already facing so much disadvantage was inspiring.  These children are slowly overcoming not only challenges with their education, but also with their physical development – having never had the opportunity to run around or play in the playground as children.  As ever, it bought home to me the importance and centrality of education to all aspects of development.

I will be sure to provide more information about the mid-morning and early-afternoon sessions in my full report.