These and other shocking statistics provided a focus for discussions at the 51st session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held at the United Nations in New York February 26 through March 9. For each year's CSW there is a priority theme related to the condition of women in the world. The theme for 2007 was "The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child."

Many non-governmental organizations, including faith organizations, are registered at the UN and can participate in meetings such as the CSW. This past February, Episcopal Church delegates joined Anglican Communion delegates to form the 103-member delegation of the Anglican Consultative Council, the largest NGO delegation at the CSW. The Rev. Joanne Leslie was fortunate to be one of the Episcopal Church delegates. She will be coming to talk to the Women's Potluck Group of St. Augustine's on Thursday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m. in Pierson Hall.

Joanne will draw on 25 year's experience working in international health and nutrition, as well as her current peace and justice work, to set the work of the CSW in several contexts that are of concern in the church today. These include supporting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, finding productive ways to remain within the Anglican Communion, and how to "think globally while acting locally". As one example, Joanne will talk about Beijing Circles and how we might start one at St. Augustine's.

Joanne recently retired from the Community Health Sciences Department of the UCLA School of Public Health, where she taught courses in nutrition and women's health. She has served as a staff member or consultant for several development organizations including: the World Bank, WHO, UNICEF, and the International Center for Research on Women. Joanne is also a deacon in the diocese (until recently serving at Holy Faith Church in Inglewood) and she is on the Bishop's Commission for Peace and Justice.