BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

D. Progress Since 1998

Enhanced communication and stronger networks

Since 1998, the Secretariat to the International Working Group has been provided by the Government of Canada (Sport Canada), and chaired by Dr Sue Neill, Director of Policy for Sport Canada, and The Hon. Pendukeni Iivula- Ithana, now Attorney General of the Republic of Namibia. Members of the IWG from 1998-2002 included representatives of key non-governmental organisations and regional groups from different continents (see Appendix D for more details). Over the past four years, the IWG has built upon its earlier work, and made significant new progress in a number of areas.

One significant area of progress has been the improvement of communication with individuals and organisations in the women and sport movement. In addition to the formal members of the IWG, there is also a list of "extended members" who possess special expertise, and with whom the IWG consults on strategic and practical issues. The IWG also has over 900 individuals on its mailing list. The Web site (www.iwg-gti.org) was developed in English, French and Spanish, and is becoming an important source of information about the work of the group. A bi-annual newsletter has also been made available in English, French and Spanish. And the addition of French and Spanish in all communications, combined with the new membership of a representative from the francophone network "Conférence des Ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports des Pays d'Expression Française" (CONFEJES), has undoubtedly broadened the reach of the IWG and its resources, and strengthened the women and sport network.

Regional support

Significant progress has also been made in recent years in supporting the establishment of regional women and sport groups.

The Japanese Women and Sport Association (JWS) took the lead in establishing a women and sport network in Asia with the assistance of the IWG. Etsuko Ogasawara, Executive Director of JWS, was invited to attend meetings of the IWG as an observer, and members of the IWG subsequently advised her on the development of an Asian network. An Asian Conference, organised in June 2001 and attended by IWG members, resulted in the formation of an Asian Women and Sport network, the establishment of an interim Working Group and the development of an Action Plan.

The IWG held its 2001 meeting in Kumamoto City. Meetings were also held in Colombia in 1998, Egypt in 1999 and Finland in 2000. In each case, opportunities were taken to support the work of women and sport groups in the host country or continent. In Colombia, the IWG met with the Minister for Gender Equality, who subsequently facilitated the endorsement of the Brighton Declaration by the Olympic Committee and Ministry of Education. In Egypt, members of the group participated in an international conference where they were able to meet colleagues from Physical Education and Sport in the Arab world and learn first-hand from them about the issues surrounding Muslim women's involvement in sport. In Finland, a joint meeting was held between the European Women and Sport group and the IWG, resulting in a useful exchange of ideas about procedures and processes.

Rationalised procedures and greater transparency

A third significant development for the IWG has been to rationalise processes for the appointment of members and Chairs to the IWG, and bidding procedures for the hosting of World Conferences and the IWG Secretariat. While retaining an independent and flexible approach, there is now a clearer rationale for membership based on representation from regional groups and key international non-governmental organisations. A bidding procedure for the 2006 World Conference was established in which bids were invited, criteria published, and a rigorous evaluation conducted. Japan was the successful bidder, so the work of the group will be led and serviced by Japan until the 4th World Conference in 2006.

2002 World Conference on Women and Sport

Finally, a great deal of planning has gone into the 2002 World Conference in Montreal. The theme of the conference is "Investing in Change," the emphasis is on participation, discussion and action-oriented examples of successful models and programs. Delegates will assess progress over the last four years and create fora for sharing knowledge, expertise and lessons learned. Delegates will also receive the Montreal Tool Kit, a resource containing practical and proven techniques and strategies for effecting change. All conference materials will be available in French, Spanish and English.

Immediately before the conference, the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport (CAAWS) is holding a Professional Development Day. The focus of the first day of the conference is "Girls' and Women's Development Through Sport" and workshops will deal with sport as a vehicle to address change in:

The second day will focus on "How to Change the Culture and Systems of Sport," and delegates will have the opportunity to participate in workshops on:

Like Brighton and Windhoek before it, the conference promises to foster the further development of a global women in sport network, and stimulate further action for the advancement of women and girls in sport at the local, national, regional and international levels.

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