Brunei to host 12th General Assembly of ACWO
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Women Council of Brunei Darussalam will be hosting the 12th General Assembly of Asean Confederation of Women's Organisation (ACWO) on Nov 17 to 19 in the hope of fostering exchange of information and meaningful knowledge, as well as to strengthen its regional network.

Her Majesty Paduka Seri Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha is expected to grace its opening ceremony of the general assembly at 2pm, Nov 17 at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

The presidency of ACWO is currently being held by Datin Hjh Masni Hj Mohd Ali of Brunei Darussalam.

Themed ICT Empowerment, E-Commerce and EGovernment- Bringing a Higher Quality of Life in Asean, Datin Hjh Masni is expected to handover the presidency to The Philippines. According to Hjh Shamsiah Hj Abdi Manaf, the CoHead ofACWO Media and Publicity, the general assembly will also take place at Orchid Garden Hotel in Berakas.

"A welcoming dinner and gala night for the event will take place at 7pm, Nov 17 at the Royal Berkshire Hall, JPCC Polo Club in Jerudong. "Meanwhile, the closing ceremony will be held at Orchid Garden Hotel at 2pm on Nov 19," she said.

ACWO was formally established at a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on Nov 20, 1981.

It was held in conjunction with the Reactivation of the Asean Women's Programme (AWP), The Asean Governments' grouping charged with the responsibility of Women in development programmes.

ACW O is an institutional framework to bring together women from voluntary organisations in the Asean region to work in concerted efforts towards the full integration of women in development.

It also comprises the National Council of Women's Organisations in each Asean member country.

The federation is the regional forum for Asean women to exchange views/problems, experiences to assist in the implementation of strategies and programmes adopted by the Asean governments for the enhancement of women's participation in both national and regional progress.

ACWO members have been very active at the regional and international front, including becoming members and office bearers of the International Council of Women and participating in various international conferences such as The End of the UN Decade for Women 1985 in Nairobi, Kenya; 4th UN Conference on Women 1995 in Beijing, China; Asean Women's Programme (AWP), now renamed the Asean Subcommittee on Women (ASW); and in the Asia Pacific Working Groups. Held every two years, Datin Hjh Masni have been the ACWO president twice from 1992 to 1994 and 2004 to 2006. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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