150 delegates to attend International Women's Conference

150 delegates from around 20 countries will converge in Toowoomba and Springfield this week for the 2007 International Women's Conference (IWC) at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).

Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC will open the conference on Wednesday morning in the Allison Dickson lecture theatre followed by the opening keynote address from Lillian Holt.

Ten keynote speakers including an African Constitutional Court Justice, Queensland Senator and refugee from Pakistan will give presentations on the over the four days along with more than 100 other presenters on conference themes Education, Employment and Everything…the triple layers of a woman's life.

IWC Committee Conference Chair Pauline Collins said the conference would give delegates the opportunity to discuss issues relevant to women across the world.

'Many of the big issues facing women such as the Industrial Relations reforms and changing labour patterns in the world together with the move away from social welfare will be discussed,' Ms Collins said.
 
'The conference is a keystone event of USQ's 40th Anniversary celebrations and we are looking at bringing women together to share their stories and to learn from and inform each other.'

African Constitutional Court Justice Yvonne Mokgoro will address delegates at the official conference dinner on Friday night at the Empire Theatre.

'This will be the first time Justice Mokgoro has visited Australia and provides a unique opportunity to hear from both a Judge and an educator from South Africa,' Ms Collins said.  

Delegates will also take part in a number of tours and activities sampling highlights of the Darling Downs through winery, garden, museum and art gallery tours.

A market day will give delegates the opportunity to purchase local products and will be held in the refectory and quadrangle on the Friday, 28 September.

For more information on the conference visit the website or call the organising committee on (07) 4631 5476.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559