YWWF 2010 declaration calls to action

From 19 to 24 October, 100 young women from 61 countries gathered in Enstone, Oxfordshire, UK, to learn about the Millennium Development Goals and take part in high level discussions about how WAGGGS and other key players can achieve the MDGs.

Through a variety of exciting and varied workshops delegates discussed what issues they felt were most important and drafted statements which were approved during the final day of the Forum. They voted through a total of 12 statements calling Governments, WAGGGS and Civil Society to action change on three of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Ending Poverty, Gender Equality and Environmental Sustainability. You can read the full declaration from this website.

On Friday 22 October, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited the Forum and addressed the 100 delegates. He said he would be very interested to hear their ideas. He told the young women that politicians were the ‘servants’ and they were the ‘masters’. Politicians needed to listen to them if there were enough people behind an idea.

Explore, Connect, Inspire, Act

A series of external partners including Oxfam, Plan UK and White Ribbon Alliance spoke to the delegates to give them an insight into each of the eight MDGs; this proved to be a great foundation from which to spark conversations in the afternoon sessions.

Delegates were also inspired by the two keynote speakers, Jo Swinson MP and Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee. Jo Swinson spoke to the delegation about the power that women have to inspire and be leaders. She also gave them an insight into the life of a young female politician and said she was sure there were several future leaders present at the Forum.

Leymah Gbowee told the young women that every small action is part of your journey –if you want to be a successful politician, activist, campaigner; your immediate community and environment is the best place to start. “Small steps. Huge impact. Lifetime legacy,” was her message. She became the first recipient of the WAGGGS Centenary award. Linden Edgell, Vice-Chairman of the World Board, presented the award for inspiring women to take peaceful and powerful action and speak out against the government in Liberia.

On Wednesday, delegates were invited to a very special celebration to end Girlguiding UK’s centenary, which has been taking place since September 2009. They joined Girlguiding UK’s 500,000 members around the country in renewing their promise at 20:10, 20/10, 2010! The night was a great chance for everyone to enjoy themselves and get to know each other and was rounded off in style by an awesome firework display.