MARCH NEWSLETTER

Womens TUC
Although we were only able to attend Women’s TUC for one of the three days of the conference, we had a decent presence there even when we left, and there was substantial support shown during the event.

WE made great links with the BWTUC who run through their Workers Beer Company run volunteer events at music festivals, and they said they would welcome White Ribbon Campaign to supply volunteers at events and have a stand at the Left Field event.

We also attended the North West TUC Meeting, and have a stand booked at the NUJ conference in April.

FEM 07

FEM 07 was a free dynamic conference for women and men to discuss a wide range of feminist ideas, with a range of workshops, films, and seminars and stalls. Workshops included e.g. Youth Activism, Refugees, Porn- What you can do about it,  How to Campaign, DIY Culutral Activism, The plenary was entitled “Involving Men”. It was a great event and I look forward to next year’s conference.

Jon Collins, Senior Policy Officer, Women and Justice, Fawcett Society demonstrating his support for the White Ribbon campaign at FEM07

Rape Crisis Scotland Conference
Chris Green delivered a presentation  on “Mobilising men as part of the work on violence against women”. Colm Dempsey’s collection of  365 posters on Prevention Violence against Women was also on display

Men’s Development
A workshop at Goldsmiths College on “Men’s development, the Future” brought together  academics , group workers, therapists and campaigners to discuss the development of working with men. For White Ribbon Campaign it is important that there is something else after deciding to wear a ribbon to move onto.

Council of Europe Congress of Local Authorities
 A short presentation to the Congress of Local Authorities was introduced by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe who said “The White Ribbon Campaign is very important for the Council for Europe Campaign in two ways, firstly because it is an NGO working in co-operation with local authorities, and secondly because it involves men in working to end the violence.”

NUS Conference missed
Students Unions are still very active in the campaign, but we didn’t have enough volunteers to staff a stand at NUS conference

ASDA T shirts
We were one of many organisations and individuals complaining to ASDA about their T shirts which showed images of women and the words "if at first you don't succeed, buy her another beer". The company withdrew the t- shirts, but claimed to have sold 15,000 of them.

Other stuff
The great campaigners in Liverpool have contacted St Helens Rugby League Team who are on board with our campaign, have arranged a stand in  Liverpool’s Lord Mayors Parade, and are taking part in a sponsored run to raise money for White Ribbon Campaign. See the pictures in April

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