Students to discuss women’s rights on a global scale

Two Victoria University of Wellington students have the chance to rub shoulders with some of the most powerful women in the world, at the Women Deliver Global Conference 2016.

Victoria University students Kate McDonald and Stella Ivory are attending the Women Deliver Global Conference 2016 in Copenhagen this May.
(From left) Victoria University students Kate McDonald and Stella Ivory are attending the Women Deliver Global Conference 2016 in Copenhagen this May.

This will be the fourth Women Deliver Global Conference, which is aimed at giving women from across the globe the opportunity to meet and discuss the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women.

Kate McDonald and Stella Ivory will attend the conference in Copenhagen from 16-19 May as part of the Aotearoa Youth Leadership Institute delegation. The Institute provides Kate and Stella, and other young delegates, with mentoring and training before they fly out.

Stella, who is studying a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies, says the opportunity is priceless and will supplement what she has already learnt about development and women’s rights in the last year-and-a-half at Victoria.

“I came to Victoria because it’s the only university in New Zealand that offers development studies at a Bachelor’s level. This has given me the opportunity to understand, and question, the way our world currently works in regards to poverty, gender issues and other inequalities.

“My coursework allows me to choose subject matter to research, so I have been able to spend a lot of time looking at women’s rights in different ways. Attending the conference means I can put what I’ve been learning at Victoria into a practical setting.”

Kate, who is studying a Bachelor of Arts double majoring in Political Science and English, says applying to join the Aotearoa Youth Institute Delegation on the trip was an impulse.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to hear so many views from global women. I’m most excited to hear from Fulata L. Moyo, who works with churches to adopt the Thursdays in Black campaign for a world without rape and violence, which has also been adopted at the University. I want to talk to her about our interpretation of the campaign.”

Being part of the Aotearoa Youth Leadership Delegation requires Stella and Kate to share what they have learnt at the conference with a relevant charity or organisation when they return. Stella has chosen to speak to the Victoria International Development Society.

“I’ve been given such a great opportunity and I want people to benefit from that. When I get back I’m going to share what I’ve learnt with students in the development group, and am going to encourage them to come to me with any questions they may have.”

Kate plans to take inspiration from what she learns at the conference when creating educational content for a UN Youth New Zealand rural outreach programme.