ALBANIAN CEDAW & GOOD SHEPHERD VISIT

27th. JULY 2010 ALBANIAN CEDAW AND GOOD SHEPHERD VISIT
Arriving early at the UN yesterday morning, I discovered that Arta had already returned to Albania. Merita called me to meet the State party. It included the Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Mrs Fillorete Kodra, who was also the Head of Delegation. Mrs.Brunilde Peci, The Desk Officer,UN Reporting Section, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mrs. Dervishaj, Expert on Issues of Equal and Gender identity at the Dept. of Equal Opportunities, Ministry of Labour. Mrs.Pranvera Kamani, Chief of Basic Education Sector at the Curricula and Monitoring Dept., Ministry of Education and Science and Patricka - Representative of the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to New York.

Those who took part all spoke in English and the dialogue picked up all the issues that had emerged in the reports and discussions during the week. My two NGO friends were delighted that the committee made it clear to the Government that many good things have happenned in Albania, but there is much more progress needed in relation to Domestic Violance, Trafficking and Roma women and girls and a number of other areas of concern. At one stage in the afternoon, Merita said to me -"Those last three questions were even in my words!" and a little later Mirela tipped me to say -"I am crying, because I have heard my questions asked as if I said them myself" Afterwards, at 5.30 we went to thank the Committee of experts. We then met the Delegates - they were pretty exhausted and went away with plenty of homework. We were well pleased with the day that also ended our involvement at United Nations for CEDAW.

Winifred and I then went with Monica, Argentina, to the Provincial house - quite a journey, having been invited for our evening meal. Sister Ellen was there and a number of other sisters whom I had not met. Also, Sister Yvette, who has replaced Ethna in Rome had arrived on holiday just an hour earlier, so there was a general air of celebration. We had a lovely evening and there was also a feeling of ending as Winifred leaves the day after me for Ireland.

This morning we had and Evaluation Meeting at the Office and gathered the fruits of our time at UN. Both Winifred and Clare really appreciated the fact that we kept up the pace, managing to attend all sessions, as well as both Training weekends. We too go home with lots of homework, for which, luckily, the agenda will not be available until the autumn! So, its a real moment of thanks for a most memorable experience - even if it does provide a somewhat daunting and challenging work role for the future.

Thank you Daniela and also Lalini, Mirjam and Amira who freed me up with the extra time to accept this challenge!