AFGW is one of 78 member nations of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), which has consultative status with the United Nations and its specialised agencies, including UNESCO and ECOSOC. AFGW thus has a voice through IFUW on international matters of critical importance to the protection of human rights and the status of women and girls. Members enjoy fellowship and intellectual stimulation by sharing news and views with the international community through the IFUW Triennial Conference and the IFUW Networks (Connections, Advocacy and Young Members) and Forums. The IFUW Pacific Graduate Women’s Network (PGWNet) gives AFGW members a special connection to other Pacific nations such as New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tonga.

In December 2009, as a result of a motion passed at the Triennial Conference, and in recognition of a change in its membership criteria to include graduates from all Institutions of Higher Education, with an undergraduate degree or its equivalent from any university or institution of higher education. The Australian Federation of University Women changed its name to become the Australian Federation of Graduate Women. This is to cope with the change in membership rules passed at the last conference.

Alliances

AFGW has a national voice on women’s affairs both independently and through its membership of Economic Security4Women Inc. (ES4W) and Equality Rights Alliance (ERA) two of six National Women’s National Women’s Alliances funded for three years from 2010 to actively engaging with the Australian Government, through the Office for Women on policy issues as part of a better more informed and representative dialogue between women and government.

The working Objects of the Association, as approved by the 2nd Council Meeting of the 35th Triennium, shall be:

• to unite the associations of graduate women in Australia for the furtherance of their common interests and for affiliation with the International Federation of University Women;
• to promote equitable educational opportunities and lifelong learning for women and girls;
• to encourage and enable graduate women to apply their knowledge and skills in leadership and decision-making in all spheres of public and private life;
• to promote the status of women and girls;
• to represent graduate women in national and international forums;
• to promote, nationally and internationally, friendship, peace, sustainability and human security;

AFGW works through the following elements:

The Triennial Conference of Members
This decides on any changes to the Constitution and By-Laws, determines AFGW policies for the coming triennium, and elects the incoming Office Bearers (the Executive). A document setting out the Policies determined at AFUW Conferences from 1982 onwards can be downloaded here.

AFGW Inc Office Bearers for the 2009–2012 Triennium
President: Jane Baker(jane.baker1@optusnet.com.au)
Co-ordinator for International Relations: Dalma Jacobs (dalma@dalmajacobs.com)
Secretary: ‘Tricia Blombery (afgwoz@bigpond.com)
Treasurer: Deborah Haydon (dhaydon@tpg.com.au)

AFGW Inc Council
This oversees AFGW business between Conferences and is responsible for advocacy at national level. It consists of the 4 AFGW Inc Office Bearers, the Presidents of the State and Territory Associations (S/TAs), and the Immediate Past President of AFUW Inc. The Membership Registrar and Conveners of Committees (see below) also attend Council.

State and Territory Associations
You become a member of AFGW by joining an S/TA. Seven of these are incorporated in their own right and have their own Committee structures and, in some cases, Branches. Tasmania currently lacks an S/TA, and functions as a Branch of AFUW-ACT. Each S/TA has its own Scholarship program and advocates on State issues to State governments. ??Standing Committees of Council: Download this document to find out about AFGW Council Committees.

A Member's Subscription Provides:

  • Membership of an S/TA, AFGW Inc and IFUW
  • AFGW Publications, which include a copy of the AFGW journal Graduate Women and 3 national Newsletters. S/TAs also have their own Newsletters
  • The right to attend the Triennial Conference. Click here for information on the 2009 Conference.

Members' Activites:

Members share the fellowship of like-minded women as they participate at both national and local level in activities such as fundraising for scholarships programs (see below), setting up projects to assist women, and advocating on women’s issues, especially in the spheres of Education and Human Rights
Members also participate in the IFUW Programme for Action.
The current IFUW Programme for Action is Women: Agents for Change Building Sustainable Futures. Introduced at the 2007 International Triennial Conference held in Manchester, England, it focuses on taking action to achieve sustainability in three key areas

  • Education
  • Environment and Economy
  • Human Rights.

    In August 2010 IFUW will move to a new Triennium.

    The 2004–2007 IFUW Programme for Action was Women: Agents for Change. Introduced at the 2004 International Triennial Conference in Perth, it focused on:
  • Education
  • The Information Society
  • Human Security and Peace

During the 2004–2007Programme, AFUW concentrated most of our fund raising and volunteer labour efforts on EDUCATION Projects. A Report of AFUW projects was presented to the 29th IFUW Conference in Manchester during August 2007.
Click here to down load the Report

Scholarships

AFGW Inc places priority on providing financial assistance for women to undertake university studies in Australia and overseas. All members are eligible to apply for these awards.
S/TA scholarships and awards have their own priorities and may be limited to applicants residing in the State or Territory or enrolled at one of its universities.
For more information on the Scholarships and awards currently available, click here to go to the Scholarship page.

Constitution

A copy of the constitution that governs the AFGW can be downloaded here (pdf 123KB).

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