The Consultation opened on Friday 4th April , where International and local delegates arrived at the St Francis Retreat Center. All delegates and invited guest were warmly welcomed by Isabella Tedcastle, MNZM (President of the Bridgebuilders Trust Inc, Auckland) and Jane Prichard, QSO (President of the Bridgebuilders International Board) .
Opening service was conducted by Rev. Lorraine Francis (Chaplain for the consultation) with assistant chaplain Rev. Marie Ropeti. The Key note speaker for the consultation was - Dr Hope Antone who is the Programme Officer for the United Board of Christian Education in Asia. After lunch delegates and participants had there photos taken by Sarah Sammy.
The afternoon bible studies were introduced by the Very Rev. Pamela Tankersley. Rev. Carol Grant- United Nations Committee Convener, spoke about her role and recent trip to the United Nations in New York. The last presentation by Zethu Xapile from the Uniting Presbyterian Women's Fellowship South Africa who spoke about Building Bridges through Women's Mission Outreach.
SATURDAY 5TH APRIL 2014
Saturday was packed with presentations and guest speakers presenting. The day started with the Pacific Women opening the day with prayer. Then the second Bible study was taken by Mrs Fia Togiatama ( One of the Bridgebuilders International Members). The guest speaker was Dr James Renwick who is the Associate Professor of Physical Geography at Victoria University of Wellington, he spoke about Overcoming the Effects of Climate Change. Followed was a workshop on Effective Communications which was taken by Dr Hope Antone. The business meeting was completed and the Introduction of the next board of offices which is the Cook Islands The Cook Islands did a presentation about there group and what they do within the community and church. Mar Lar Myint who is a member from the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar and is a Lecturer at the Tahan Theological College, spoke about Women Building Bridges to People.
Followed by two workshops on 1. Strategies to Help Stop Trafficking, Facilitated by Paul Sullivan from EPACT. 2. Overcoming the Effects of Climate Change, taken by Facilitator Rev. Maleta Tenten from Kiribati with Dr James Renwick.
The delegates had an option of which workshop to attend. After Dinner we had our cultural evening where delegates performed their national dances, the evening was enjoyed by all the ladies, families and friends.
SUNDAY 6TH APRIL 2014
The day opened with singing in the chapel and opening prayers done by the Women from Asia. Then the reports were given by the members of the countries present. After morning tea, we had our third Bible study which was conducted by the Very Rev. Pamela Tankersly. The next guest speaker was Mike Hinton the General Manager from the Restorative Justice Aotearoa. Followed a workshop about Linking Church and Community- Building Bridges through Reaching Out Faith: " Intimate Family Violence", taken by Dr. Anne Hayden with Mike Hinton.
After lunch we had a very informative and enjoyable presentation from Rev Rilmas Sands on - Building Peace - Traveling on the Peace Train Berlin to the World Council of Churches Assembly in Seoul.
We will post further details and highlights, presentation and country reports from the Consultation.
MONDAY 7TH APRIL 2014
CEDAW Consultation and Training Workshop United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women