NEW YORK, NY – On May 1, 2008, the Women's Foreign Policy Group held its third UN Study Visit, at UN Headquarters. The conference featured a luncheon with UN Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, as well as in-depth briefings with top UN officials and diplomats, covering current issues such as the world food crisis, the challenges of peacekeeping, violence against women in conflict zones, top priorities of the Secretary-General, and UN-US relations. The briefings were attended by over 80 participants from corporations, non-profits, foundations, international organizations, the diplomatic community, and the media.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, gave the keynote luncheon address which focused on UN efforts to resolve major global problems such as the global food crisis, which is having a disproportionate impact on women. She also highlighted the significant impact women can have on addressing these concerns. Dr. Migiro also spoke about the situation of women within the UN system. Click here to read Dr. Migiro's address to the WFPG.

Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Deputy Permanent Representative of the US Mission to the UN, spoke about the challenges and opportunities for the UN-US relationship under Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's leadership. He explained that the US "wants this place to work" and that the perception of UN-US enmity stems from the tough questions that the largest single UN funder asks about financial priorities, expenditures, and budgetary discipline. Ambassador Wolff also pointed to the polarization between developed and developing states in the UN, calling it the most difficult element the organization has to overcome.

Kathleen Cravero, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Director of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery and Chair of UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, spoke about sexual violence against women in conflict zones and in post-conflict nations. Ms. Cravero  discussed how the UNDP can put into action Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Ms. Cravero also discussed  myths concerning  gender violence and outlined an eight-part plan for action, calling upon governments and NGOs to address abuses. Click here to read Kathleen Cravero's remarks.

Dr. Robert Orr, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Strategic Planning, spoke about the three sets of priorities of the Secretary-General: delivering results to those most in need, improving accountability both internally at the UN and among member states, and focusing on "global goods" which are issues that cross state borders such as climate change, health, and terrorism.

Jane Holl Lute, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Officer-in-charge of the Department of Field Support, addressed the challenges of the UN's peacekeeping missions, pointing out that although the UN is the world's second largest deployed military presence, it has no standing military capability, strategic planning capability, or regularized training. In addition, since people are the most valuable asset in peacekeeping, the UN needs to make a greater investment in them. Ms. Lute also termed the recent allegations of sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers one of the most serious setbacks the UN has faced.

The Women's Foreign Policy Group (WFPG) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, educational membership organization that promotes global engagement and the leadership, visibility and participation of women in international affairs.

Secretary Rice Delivers Keynote Address at Annual Luncheon

WASHINGTON, DC – On December 10, 2007, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave the keynote address at the Women's Foreign Policy Group’s Annual Luncheon, which was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC. The event was attended by over 400 WFPG guests, including senior officials from the government, corporations, and NGOs, as well as numerous ambassadors. A lively Q&A session – moderated by NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Andrea Mitchell – followed the Secretary’s remarks.

This year’s luncheon highlighted the Women’s Foreign Policy Group’s commitment to promoting the next generation of women leaders and a special effort was made to include many students and young professionals at each table. The program also included former WFPG intern, Carly Rush, who shared her internship and mentoring experiences with the audience.

In her keynote address, the Secretary highlighted chief areas of concern for the U.S. around the world and called for “American realism” – which joins pragmatism to idealism – in U.S. foreign policy, pointing out the distinct character of the U.S. as a country united by ideals. She then discussed how free trade and foreign assistance
serve as tools that support stability and foster democratic institutions. Dr. Rice also noted that a prerequisite for a successful country is respect for women and referred to a t-shirt she received from a group of Kuwaiti suffragettes, with the inscription: "Half a democracy is not a democracy".

The Secretary explained how the U.S. is using all elements of its power – from sanctions to full military muscle to diplomacy – in order to help states transform into stable democracies, and noted current efforts in Darfur, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan.

In opposition to the mood of American decline often heard in media stories about the rise of countries, such as India and China, the Secretary was confident of the United States’ ability to renew itself. She pointed to her personal journey from a childhood in the segregated South to the office she currently holds, ". . . despite all these challenges, I stand before you as America's 66th Secretary of State, something that my first predecessor, Thomas Jefferson, undoubtedly could not have imagined."

The Secretary then joined Andrea Mitchell for a lively Q&A session. Ms. Mitchell led off the discussion with pressing issues of the day, such as the intelligence issues surrounding the destruction of CIA tapes and Iran. She then incorporated numerous questions from the audience on topics, ranging from the recent Annapolis Conference on the Middle East to U.S. relations with Russia, Pakistan, and North Korea.

The program concluded with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Secretary Rice for her leadership in international affairs and her contribution as a role model for future women leaders by Maxine Isaacs (WFPG Board Chair), Ann McLaughlin Korologos (Luncheon Chair and Former Secretary of Labor), and Patricia Ellis (WFPG President).

Click here for CSPAN's coverage of the Luncheon on Window's Media Player

May 13, 2008  |  New York, NY

Author Series Event

Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East

Robin Wright
Diplomatic Correspondent 
The Washington Post

Reception and Program

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia

Washington, DC