Why the meeting?

The purpose of this meeting, called "Celebrating Mountain Women" will be to celebrate the wonder and challenge of mountain living-to bring to public attention the major contributions women make to the environment and the national economies by their various roles of nurturers and caretakers. Their stories enable the wisdom of the mountains to be passed on to the next generation. Their traditional knowledge of caring for the environment, providing fuel and fodder, and raising families without the support of modern infrastructure, have lesions for the 21st century.

The meeting will be designed in a way that women will have opportunities to learn about each other's experiences, be exposed to modern communications technique (such as internet) which will enhance their lives and livelihoods. By bringing together women from diverse backgrounds who have a shared love and passion for the mountains, the meeting will enable the creation of new and improved networks that can work together in creative problem solving.

What will happen in the three days?

To reach these goals, a three-day agenda has been planned, in which all participants will be involved. Whether it is sharing research findings, telling stories, singing songs, sharing examples of best practices, cooking various foods, exhibiting mountain products-all will be done is a spirit of learning and celebrating. One of the major goals is to bring together producers and entrepreneurs and facilitate the income generating possibilities in the mountain areas. The group planning the meeting is committed to strengthening the mountain women's economic viability and therefore, their independence.

What will happen after the conference?

Once the CMW is completed, the organizers will put together a report, which will be available in hard copy and on the web site, in several languages-French, Spanish, Japanese, English as well as other local languages. Press release from the meeting will be released daily via Internet, and media representatives will be encouraged to file stories from the meeting.

Findings from the meeting-songs, stories, best practices, research-will also be available on the web sites for those interested in mountain women, as well as the various meetings and session on the IYM.

In this age of IT, the organizers see this unique celebration as a beginning of developing new networks, new ideas and new alliance amongst mountain women worldwide.