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<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>The reports from the Regional Assemblies of Women and the Environment summarize the important issues participants discussed such as inequality in natural resource distribution, food security, and increasing women\u2019s involvement in development. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n My favorite part of the collection are the fascinating reports from the four regional assemblies held in Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Thailand, and Ecuador. Between 1989 and 1991, WorldWIDE worked with the United Nations and other organizations to plan four Regional Assemblies of Women and the Environment. The assemblies brought together women of Africa, West Asia\/ Arab World, Asia\/ Pacific, and Latin America\/ Caribbean to share expertise and experience. The report from the African Women\u2019s Assembly noted that farmers, academics, researchers, practitioners in the field, and policy makers from over 20 different countries joined the assembly. Participants at each assembly discussed how to manage the vital resources in their own regions and how to include more women in taking ownership of the future of their own communities. It is easy to imagine that the information shared was helpful to many, as well as the sense of camaraderie created when women were able to gather and encourage each other\u2019s work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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At the African Women\u2019s Assembly, participants had the opportunity to visit the sites of local women-run projects aimed at protecting natural resources and building stronger communities. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The WLA\u2019s small archival collection does not tell us what became of the organization after 1995. My Google search did not bring up any information about WorldWIDE Network, but it did reveal numerous other organizations working today with the same goals. And women wishing to share concerns and ideas about protecting our planet have one life-changing tool that the members of the WorldWIDE Network didn\u2019t have in the 1980s: Social media. Social media and all of the other online resources that we use daily make it easy for people to connect with others with similar interest and raise awareness locally and globally about problems and projects that affect the environment. We can create our own worldwide networks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This Earth Day, let\u2019s remember the women of the WorldWIDE Network (who are probably still out there leading the way). Let’s all reach out, connect with others, and find ways to serve our community and our world to protect the resources we all share! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To learn more about WorldWIDE Network, see the finding aid here<\/a> and visit the WLA<\/a> to explore the collection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\nCaroline is a Project Archivist at the WLA and a graduate of the Public History Masters Program at Loyola University of Chicago. She is a resident of Logan Square is always looking for strong coffee and good donuts.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n\nLoyola University Chicago’s Women and Leadership Archives Blog is designed to provide a positive environment for the Loyola community to discuss important issues and ideas. Differences of opinion are encouraged. We invite comments in response to posts and ask that you write in a civil and respectful manner. All comments will be screened for tone and content and must include the first and last name of the author and a valid email address. The appearance of comments on the blog does not imply the University’s endorsement or acceptance of views expressed.<\/em><\/span> \n\n \n\n
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The young environmental activist Greta Thunberg has gotten the world\u2019s attention in the past year for her great passion and bold actions to fight climate change and persuade everyone to do their part. At 16 years old, she was the youngest to be named Time Person of the … Continue reading