Women, Wisdom and Success

Invite 200 women of varying backgrounds and interests into one room to discuss their work, their relationships and all the other factors that affect their daily lives. Then sit back and take in as much of the response as you can.

That is just what the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission will do at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel in Halifax on Monday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 20 during an event called Women, Wisdom and Success.

Each year the commission organizes a forum that explores one of the areas protected by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. This year, panel and group discussions will focus on the many issues affecting women.

"Awareness is an important part of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission's work," said Michael Baker, the Minister responsible for the Human Rights Act. "By hosting sessions like this each year the commission is helping the community explore the many ways that human rights touch our every day lives."

A networking session and dinner on April 19 has been designed to set the stage for the next day's workshop, which will feature panellists, entertainers and a keynote address by Daily News editor and former Cabinet minister Jane Purves.

The program also includes time for small group discussions -- called talking cafés. Led by international consultant Judith Richardson, the cafés are designed to encourage women of varied ages, socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to share their perspectives on what works, and does not work, for them as women in today's society.

"That kind of inclusiveness makes it a learning experience not only for participants," said commission CEO Mayann Francis, "but also for policymakers who will later benefit from what the Human Rights Commission learns in the process."

Ms. Francis said the organizing committee had a taste of how well the talking café format could work while preparing the agenda for the forum. "It was marvellous to see how a group of women could have so many shared experiences and still have so many unique perspectives. Sometimes it was moving, other times just plain fun to hear the differing stories. With so many other contributing voices, the Women, Wisdom and Success forum is certain to be an inspiring and thought-provoking experience."