International Involvement
 Apart from welcoming international visitors to our meetings (see What does Shadforth WI do), the WI also has international involvement. The WI does not just tackle domestic issues, but also international issues from human rights to debt relief, from fair trade to the marketing of baby milk formula. One way to contribute to a better world is our long-standing association with the ACWW:
The WI and the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW)
Through the link with the ACWW, the WI supports: funding projects, like the recent project in Kenya helping children affected by HIV/AIDS; providing services to the worldwide membership; liaison with UN agencies on issues relating to the welfare of rural women; meeting statutory obligations. They assist women in different countries to help themselves, and educate children for the future.
From the 1920s the WI expressed their international awareness through their involvement in the League of Nations and the beginning of the ACWW, in 1933, brought links with several million women in 70 countries. The WI is affiliated with and supports ACWW, for example with ‘Pennies for Friendship’, an idea introduced in1939 which meant every member giving a penny which, though individually small, could together have a large effect. Not just pennies are now given and the fund has grown steadily and now represents a significant part of ACWW’s income.
All WI members are associated with ACWW through National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) membership. All WI members can contact ACWW direct at their headquarters. Two WI members—one of which is the National Chairman—are appointed to represent NFWI on the ACWW Council. Most WI Federations have an ACWW Representative. In Durham this is Anne Stayman, who promotes ACWW through talks and events for WI members. The NFWI organises ACWW Representatives’ Days, with speakers and workshops, open to any WI member and are advertised in the NFWI Newsletter.
The ACWW can provide publicity materials, speakers, representatives of other member societies, or more details.
You can find out more from the ACWW website:
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