2009 Conference |
The focus of the seminar was One Earth - Our Resources, concerned with Energy and Climate Change, two of the major problems facing the world today. A full report of the 2009 conference can be downloaded here.
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2008 Conference |
NCW Flying the British Flag Buy British, produce British and purchase less goods and services from abroad, this was the message in two resolutions passed at the recent National Council of Women's 2008 conference at the Holiday Inn Hotel Maidenhead. They were Land Use; the importance of UK Food Production and a second alerting the Conference to the dearth of high quality British Television programmes being made for children.NCW members were concerned that only 60% of the food consumed in the UK is produced here and would like to see to see the Government doing more to re-dress the balance. They urge the Government to produce a comprehensive policy for UK land use and food security. In 2007 the average weekly deficit in the UK balance of payment was £1.1 billion. NCW say this figure must be reduced and less food purchased from abroad, they want the Government to encourage retailers, consumers, Government departments and Institutions to buy British. The Second pro-British resolution was concerned with the marked decline of British made children's television programmes following the abolition of junk food advertising. Figures show our children are watching over 113,000 hours of television a year and only 1% of that figure are new British made programmes so British children are watching repeats and exports mainly American. The resolution urged the Government to provide more funding and resources so that high quality British Children's television programmes can be made. Other resolutions included Trafficking in Women and Children, Children in Prison - concerned with the number of children imprisoned in the UK this resolution calls on the government to look at the welfare needs of children as well as their offending behaviour, together with more community sentences for children who have committed non violent offences. More assistance for Vulnerable People, another far reaching initiative which included legislation to establish and develop partnerships such as the system pioneered by Birmingham City Council involving a Civil Justice System alongside the established Criminal Justice System: to enable city councils to prosecute perpetrators. This resolution also incorporated refuge accommodation and other facilities for trafficked women and provision of funding for qualitative research into elder abuse problems. A code of practice for Electric Mobility Vehicles, and the continued support for Human Rights marking the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights concluded the resolutions. |
