International Women's Day Observance at the United Nations Conference Centre, Friday, 7 March 2003

The United Nations family in Bangkok will observe International Women's Day on Friday, 7 March 2003 at the United Nations Conference Centre.

For this important event, UNESCAP and the inter-agency Thematic Working Group on Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality (TWG-WEGE) will organize the observance under this year's theme "Gender Equality and the United Nations Millennium Goals (MDGs)." The event will comprise an exhibition in which local women's groups and the United Nations agencies will participate as well as side events for school girls and young women from the Thai community with a performance by Mai Kheet Fai, a local women's drama group, in addition to video viewing and discussions among youth.

A substantive panel discussion on "Gender Equality and MDGs" will be organized from 10 to 11 AM. The key note address will be delivered by Ms. Panit Nitithaanprapas, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Royal Thai Government. The panelists include prominent scholars and experts, namely Dr. Pensri Phijaisanit, Professor Emeritus, Mahidol University; Mr. Syed Nuruzzaman, Poverty Centre, UNESCAP; Ms. Vibeke Jensen, Programme Specialist, UNESCO, Asian and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education; and Ms. Kimina Lyall, Southeast Asia Correspondent for the "Australian". Ms. Thelma Kay, Chief, Gender and Development Section of UNESCAP's Emerging Social Issues Division will be the moderator.

This year's commemoration of the Day is open to the public. Those who are interested are cordially invited to participate in the opening ceremony, which will take place on 7 March 2003 in the Ground Floor at the United Nations Conference Center from 9 AM, as well as to stay on for the Day's events.

Mr. Kim Hak-Su, the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, and a representative from UNDP Bangkok will inaugurate the event.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. David Lazarus, Chief, United Nations Information Services
UNESCAP, United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: (+66) 02 288 1864-9; Fax: (66+2) 2881052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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