What does your Section need from the 2006 IEC and what are the specific decisions that you would like to see this IEC make to further your work?

- We are concerned with the socalled War on Terror and the nuclear armament. See our 2 proposed resolutions regarding the War on democracy and nuclear armament.

- We need positive feedback or decisions regarding our work on bilateral projects to continue the work.

- We need a decision regarding section fees that creates the basis for a sustainable organisation

- We would welcome a further clarification on the tasks and responsibilities of an IEC member and a committee/working group convener (with very few financial resources).

Geneva Office

We would like some feedback on the section mailing

- We find the section mailing useful. We do not need paper versions and are satisfied with electronic section mailing.

- We see a need to modernize/review/update the WILPF organisationsal working and communication methods – including the section mailing

What information from the Geneva Office would be helpful to you?

- No specific needs

What do you see as priority issues for the work of the Geneva Office?

- Supporting the national sections in order to ensure WILPF as a truly international organization in the future

- We need a gradual updating of the WILPF organizational working methods. We do not believe in hiring a consultant but would rather make use of qualified resources in many of the sections who could review earlier work - as the Rainbow recommendations - and suggest new approaches. We see a main challenge in the balance between internal and external work – and feel that WILPF presently has organisational routines nationally and internationally that are time consuming and may leave too little time and energy to ad hoc and result-oriented work.

How could we improve communication between us?

- We are all overwhelmed by emails and encourage the communications' committee to look into methods that could reduce or simplyfy communications. Emails should be easier to read and react to. Adequate titles are essential. It should be clearly marked whether the content is for response or for information. The communications committee could develop some sample Emails “forms” for use throughout the organisation. This would also be a key part of an organisationsal review.

UN Office (New York)

What information from the UN Office would be helpful to you?

- No specific ideas

What do you see as priority issues for the work of the UN Office?

- As coordinator of the environmental working group Edel Havin Beukes has felt the need for an intern engaged in CSD matters.

How could we improve communication between us? – see above

Do you use the Reaching Critical Will website?

Yes

No

If so for what? What is the most useful? What would make the site more useful for you?

- We have used it for information re. specific issues and meetings, but could use it much more.

Do you read the RCW E-news reports on CD, UN GA 1st Committee, NPT?

- We have used it for information for specific issues and meetings, but could use it much more.

What could be improved?

- No specific ideas

Do you use the Peace Women website?

Yes

No

If so for what? What is the most useful? What would make the site more useful for you?

- We have used it for information for specific issues and meetings, but could use it much more. We know that the site is being used regularly also by other women’s organisations and within government offices.

Do you read the Peace Women E-news?

- We will promote it among our members to get a wider circulation.

What could be improved?

- No specific ideas

Does the work of your section relate to the United Nations?

Yes

No

- Participation in UN conferences, CSW, CSD and other UN conferences, to a great extent via active membership in Norwegian umbrella organisations for environment, development (ForUM) and women’s issues (FOKUS). We have often been active in or co-organised NGO side events in connection with UN meetings, most recently at CSD this year. We have commented on various UN documents in cooperation with other organisations – the present highlevel panel is the most recent example.

- We are active in the Norwegian UN Association (FN Sambandet)

Does your section work on WILPF’s International Program?

Yes

No

What is your main focus?

Our annual report/workplan focuses on the areas:

Peace and culture of Peace, in particular 1325 matters, Global economic justice and democracy, in connection with Norway Social Forum, Sustainable development and human security: in particular matters relating to energy, water and climate policy via the ForUM umbrella (see also below).. Freedom and Human Rights We are managing 4 international projects financed by Norwegian development agencies that aim to strengthen WILPF sections – as well as improve the situation for women – in the south.

Global Economic Justice?

Yes

No

We are involved in

• the Norwegian Social Forum, the annual Norwegian globalization conferences.

• Peace Fund and Debt Cancellation Campaign

Environmental Sustainability?

Yes

No

How?

• Our member Edel Havin Beukes is the convener of the WILPF Environment Working Group and in the umbrella organization "Forum for Environment and Development" – with a special focus on the Rio-process and military aspects of sustainable development. We are also active in resisting tendencies to increase or establish nuclear power plants for energy production, most recently using the 20 years’anniversary of Chernobyl for this purpose. We have issued a booklet on Uranium weapons and will develop a study program for NGO work on that basis. If there is demand we are considering an English translation of the booklet for WILPF use, but may have to sell it to finance the production. We are working on a book on nuclear power and nuclear weapons, including the agreement between IAEA and WHO. See also an article in IPU by our member Eva Fidjestol on this matter.

Disarmament and Demilitarization

Yes

No

- We are concerned with the general war on democracy – see proposed resolution from WILPF Norway.

- At present we are pressing the Norw. Government to ban uranium weapons.

Water?

Yes

No

How? WILPF members are active in the thematic group on water policy in the main umbrella organisation Forum for Development and Environment (ForUM) in Norway. We will issue a booklet on water policy lster in 2006.

SCR 1325/Women and Peace and Security Issues?

Yes

No

- UN resolution 1325 has been a priority for WILPF Norway for several years. We took the initiative to the establishment of a 1325 NGO Forum and have monitored the development of a National Government 1325 Action Plan.

Women’s political participation?

Yes

No

• Many of the members are members of political parties. The present Government has 40% women and has increased the focus on gender equality.

Sexual and Gender based violence issues?

Yes

No

- We are active in the network Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) and have two observers attending the first meeting of UN Human Rights Council, Geneva June 2006.One of our international projects, the one in Belarus, focuses on preventing trafficking in women and girls.

What is the political situation in your country?

- Norway is a stable democracy. The present government (elected September 2005) is a coalition between 3 parties: social democrats, socialists and centre (previously agrarian).