Women in Europe for a Common Future

Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) is a non-governmental organization established in 1994 following the Earth Summit (1992) in Rio de Janeiro, to give women a stronger voice in the field of sustainable development and environment.

Aim

The aim of the organization is balancing environmental, health and economic perspectives. WECF wants a healthy environment for everyone. Today WECF is a network of more than 100 women’s and environmental organizations in 40 countries. The international network of members and partners are located in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.

The main topics of WECF are: Health, Environment & Chemicals; Water & Sanitation; Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development; Energy, Climate Change & Sustainable Development and Gender.

WECF's vision is that by 2020 all products are free from hazardous chemicals, everyone in the region has access to safe, affordable and renewable energy, everyone has access to safe, local and diverse food products and clean water and sanitation facilities. To achieve this, WECF is working in the field of poverty reduction, public participation and environmental rights and gender issues.

Organization

The organization was founded by Marie Kranendonk in 1994. Nowadays WECF has three independent offices in the Netherlands, Germany and France. Local projects provide solutions to environmental problems in the field of chemicals, sanitation, energy and agriculture. WECF also works on national, European, UN[1] and international political level so that women can make their views heard and to influence political decision-making processes.

WECF has observer status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC)[2] and is an official partner of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)[3]. WECF is a member of the European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC).

15 year anniversary

In 2009 WECF celebrates its 15-year anniversary. On the occasion of this WECF organises a conference on 10 June in the Concordia Theatre in The Hague. The main theme of the conference will be “Innovation for Sustainability, the crisis as opportunity”.

Professor Noreena Hertz, the well-known economist and author, will give the keynote speech from the University of Cambridge, who is visiting Professor at Erasmus University of Rotterdam. She will present a critical analysis of the roots of the current economic crisis, and ways out towards a sustainable economy.

The Dutch Minister of Environment, Jacqueline Cramer, will present her vision on how innovation can create a sustainable economy. Minister Bert Koenders of Development Cooperation has been invited to give his views on the theme of the day.

Andy Schroeter, Director of Sunlabob, winner of the Sasakawa sustainability award (UNEP) will tell us how even the poorest can afford light from solar energy.

External links

• WECF website
• WaterWiki about WECF