We are increasingly aware of the critical issues facing women around the world -- most visibly, unequal access to clean food and water, health care, education, and legal protection. The news media are rife with stories of continuing struggle. Just this year The New York Times reported on a startling decline in women’s life expectancy, even in parts of the United States.

The World Affairs Council of Connecticut wants to provide Connecticut women and men with the opportunity to work toward improving the status of women worldwide. We invite you to become a member of this important new group: the Global Women’s Issues Forum (GWIF). Initiated by the women of our Board of Directors, GWIF’s mission is to promote knowledge of global women’s issues statewide.

Our prospective view will keep members and audiences aware of issues with emerging or growing importance. As the program develops, we will formulate ways to address and continue to raise awareness of global affairs relating specifically to women.

Our programming features two main member events each year. Each event includes a networking reception. In addition to these two events, we offer the specially funded Marilyn Albert Memorial Lecture each November, which is free and open to the public.

The membership fee is $150 annually. Membership in the World Affairs Council of Connecticut is included. We hope you will take this opportunity to join the Global Women’s Issues Forum -- to join us as we explore issues critical to women worldwide.