International Conference on Violence against Women - Announcement for editors-in-chief
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting an International Conference on Violence against Women on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 September 2009. The Conference, an Italian G8 Presidency initiative, is promoted by the Department of Equal Opportunity of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry.
The event in its entirety is open to the press. It was opened by the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, on Wednesday 9 September at 9.00. President Napolitano’s opening address was followed by addresses by Foreign Minister Franco Frattini; Equal Opportunities Minister, the Hon. Maria Rosa Carfagna; Nobel laureate and senator for life Levi Montalcini; UN Deputy Secretary Migiro; Mrs. Chantal Compaoré, wife of the President del Burkina Faso; and Mrs. Manda Zand Ervin, Founder and President of the Iranian Women’s Alliance.
The Conference ends on 10 September with a press conference by Equal Opportunities Minister Carfagna. The press conference is scheduled for 16.15 in the Aldo Moro Room at the Foreign Ministry in Rome, Via Macchia della Farnesina entrance.
The protection and promotion of the human rights of women constitute a lens through which to view both the causes of widespread violence and the complex social dynamics of the discrimination that lies at its roots. This is the main theme of the Conference, at which the keynote speaker is Minister for Equal Opportunity Maria Rosa Carfagna. The event itself isdivided into three debating sessions. Participants include Italian and foreign experts engaged in tackling the issue of violence against women in all its aspects and in seeking the most effective instruments to achieve the global affirmation of women’s rights.
Confirmed participants include Ministers Aido Almagro from Spain; Eagle from the UK; Guergis from Canada; and Aliye Kavaf from Turkey, as well as ministers from many African countries. Also attending are the acting Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio. A delegation of Afghan women and politicians and representatives from cultural spheres and civil society are also taking part.
Information on the Conference can be found on the sites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.esteri.it, the Department of Equal Opportunities www.pariopportunita.gov.it and on the portal of the Italian G8 Presidency www.g8italia2009.it.
International Conference on Violence against Women - Programme
(PDF)
Accreditation procedure
Journalists and photographers/camera operators interested in following the event are kindly requested to apply for specific accreditation no later than 12.00 noon on Tuesday 8 September 2009.
An online accreditation system is now active at the Foreign Ministry. To apply for accreditation, please complete the interactive form in the Journalists Area of the ministry’s web site www.esteri.it and attach any documents required, in digital format.
Media representatives who are not permanently accredited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should ask the Embassy in Rome of their organisation’s country to submit an on-line application in Note Verbale form.
Media representatives who need an entry visa for Italy should apply well in advance to the Italian Embassy or Consulate for their region. They should include all required documentation, as well as a printed receipt of their online accreditation application, with their visa application
Accreditation badges can be collected in person upon presentation of a valid ID at the Accreditation Office located at the Via Macchia della Farnesina entrance according to the following schedule:
- Wednesday 9 September from 07.30 to 19.00. Photographers/camera operators wishing to cover the opening session should report to the Accreditation Office no later than 08.15.
- Thursday 10 September from 08.30 to 16.00
Press areas
Please note that the Foreign Ministry’s Aldo Moro Room, from which accredited media representatives can follow the Conference on closed circuit TV, and the Ministry’s Press Room will also be open:
- from 07.30 to 19.00 on Wednesday 9 September
- from 08.30 on Thursday 10 September until the close of the event.
Access is from the rear entrance in Via Macchia della Farnesina (press side).
