2nd WOMEN CONFERENCE
"...AND A BODY OF OUR OWN"
Identity, Body Image and Gender/Sexuality
5th to 11th December 2004
Krakow, Poland
in cooperation with:
Lesbian Organisation Rijeka (LORI).
| Presentation | Application Form |
| Programme | Report |
| Practical and Financial Conditions | Photo-Gallery |
with support of:
 Directorate of Youth and Sport Council of Europe |
 mama cash |
Candidates must fill in and send the application form by Wednesday 27th October 2004.
Prep team: Ruth Baldacchino, Arina Balenovic, Jelena Celebic, Etain OKane.
PRESENTATION
Why is IGLYO organising a womens conference?
IGLYO recognised the need to explore the problems, dilemmas, contradictions for carrying out work not only ON women or even FOR women but also WITH women. We look at gender and how it operates as a basic organising principle which profoundly shapes the concrete conditions of womens lives. Thus it is important to build bridges, to make connections with different womens communities, to represent different womens voices and in so doing discussing possibilities and problems for the production of knowledge.
September 2000 saw IGLYO organising its first Womens Conference which was held in Berlin and resulted in being a great success. It is fair to say that one can fully see the positive effects of that conference. Indeed the positive outcomes of the Berlin conference have cascaded within and between members of youth organisations. Women at IGLYO events have been since then not only asking for, but also demanding Womens Space, and more often than not more than simple one such space.
IGLYO has successfully continued the encouragement of women to become more active and involved in its activities. This Second Womens Conference will be build on the success and encourage young women to not only become involved in decision-making processes, but to become leaders within their organisations and in life!
and a body of our own
LBT subcultures have been described to downplay the importance of physical attractiveness and to challenge culturally prescribed beauty ideals. Within this context, one might for example argue that LBT women should be more accepting their bodies and less likely to engage in disordered eating, than would heterosexual women. The relationship between sexual orientation and body esteem has not been examined into much detail yet. This conference shall enable 30 young LBT women to talk and discuss issues such as self-esteem, interpersonal [dis]trust, and the difficulties / support in identifying their own emotions.
Is gender a more salient factor than sexual orientation on different variables? Are LBT young women as concerned with weight and dieting as are heterosexual women in order to be socially accepted in our society? Are women irrelevant of their sexual orientation influenced by cultural pressures to be thin? Are these pressures greater for heterosexual women? Do LBT women consume more alcohol?
These are among the issues which will be discussed during the conference. Thus, IGLYOs 2nd Womens Conference and a body of our own mainly aims at taking into discussion such important moments and/or issues in our LBT lives, an overall analysis of phenomena which have always provoked reactions, be they bad or good, supportive or discriminatory.
Objectives
- To strengthen the theoretical background of the women participants in relation to the concepts of identity, body image and sexuality/gender.
- To share and exchange experiences and case examples of victimisation, isolation and disempowerment within our societies whilst identifying sources of discrimination, stigmatisation and violence in relation to women in sexual minorities.
- To develop the knowledge and understanding of womens and minorities rights as universal human rights and their reality within the wider society by exploring also the equality of opportunities.To understand the concepts of labelling ('Gender') within mainstream communities and LGBT communities in comparison to the ways these concept influence lives and social roles.
- To make use of methods and strategies on strengthening the participation of young women through obvious and alternative avenues, as a means to empower, develop and perpetuate an equal society in which LBT women are respected for their individuality.
- To continue to empower socially, politically, and personally young LBT women across the continent of Europe and beyond.
Programme
The seven-day programme will include:
- A theoretical and practical exploration of the concept of body image in relation to sexuality taken from a personal, political and social perspective;
- Workshops to discuss different issues as a way of sharing personal and organisational experiences whilst raising awareness;
- The creation of a safe environment for all participants to learn more about the relationship between the societal portrayal of womens bodies and their identity-formation;
- A social programme including intercultural evening, a day trip to Zagreb, a queer event at the heart of Rijeka, and a welcome and closing party.
Working methods
The working methods will be varied and interactive with an emphasis on small working groups. IGLYO expects a great deal of input of experience from participants themselves (peer-to-peer education). The tools and resources developed during the conference will be made available to all organisations after the conference, so they can be multiplied in their local/regional/national/international youth communities.
Participants' profile
The course is aimed for women who are coming from IGLYO member organisations, young LBTQ activists, representatives of LBTQ (youth) organisations and who:
- Are between 18 and 27 years of age;
- Are interested in sharing experiences and want to further explore the topic of the conference;
- Are able to work in English;
- Have some experience (even if little) related to the topic of the conference (we are looking for beginners as well as experts);
- Can act as multipliers within their own organisations and/or communities;
- Are committed to setting up follow-up activities after the conference;
- Are able to attend for the full duration of the activity.
Practical and Financial Conditions
Working languages
The conference will be held in English. There will be no simultaneous translations provided.
Venue and dates
The conference will be held between Sunday 5th (morning arrival) and Sunday 12th morning (departure) of December 2004 at a hotel in Opatija (Rijeka), Croatia.
Participation Fee
Registration fee for the conference is 80 Euros (for individuals from EU member states) and 50 Euros (for Non-EU countries, including accession states). Croatian participants fee is 30 Euros. No exceptions will be made. This participation fee includes participation in the programme, accommodation in a hotel (in Opatija) and breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Travel reimbursement
Due to limited finances to hold this conference, IGLYO has very limited possibilities to reimburse all travel costs. Therefore, we will prioritise reimbursement for participants from non-EU countries (including accession countries). IGLYO encourages every participant to look into local funding and scholarship possibilities (e.g. Open Society Institute). Please fill in the application for travel reimbursement if you want to be eligible for reimbursement. Participants are required to arrange their journeys in the most economical way (APEX tickets, student fare, etc.). Successful participants will be reimbursed on the basis of the shortest and least expensive route between their place of residence and Opatija (Rijeka), Croatia. Applications which do not indicate the price of the ticket will not be taken into account. Visa costs will also be reimbursed. Payment will be made either by bank transfer or in cash at the end of the conference.
IGLYO highly recommends all participants to look for funding for their travel from external sources. The maximum amount for travel reimbursement is approximately 300 Euros. IGLYO can assist you in offering you support through a letter for possible funders.
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