Global Gatherings

(Council of Women World Leaders)

The International Women Leaders Global Security Summit
November 15-16, 2007
New York City, New York

This week, World Pulse founder Jensine Larsen will join more than 75 women heads of state and government for a historic global security summit. Ms. Larsen will be reporting as participants brainstorm solutions to the world's most pressing security issues and unite to enhance the effectiveness of women's leadership on global security. The anticipated outcomes of this gathering include:

• The launch of a women's diplomacy force on acute crises and critical trends affecting human and national security;
  
  
• The endorsement of a call to action to involve women leaders on global security; and,
  
  
• The premiere of a documentary film on women's leadership and security that will inspire young women around the globe.

Take Action!

Marketplace

The newest wave of online activism directly targets the pocketbook, and savvy consumers all over the world are responding to the call. Here are two online shops we recommend that support women and youth:

Raising Change: All hail the power of women and philanthropy! Browse a new collection of inexpensive and inspirational podcasts from visionary philanthropic activist Kathy LeMay. Ten percent of the sales are distributed among eight world-changing programs... One of them is World Pulse's newest initiative PulseWire!

United States: 10 Holiday Gifts That Give Back, by Britt Bravo (Have Fun, Do Good)

"Americans will spend an average of $923.36 on holiday gifts. Wouldn't it be great if some of that could go towards making the world a better place?"

Voyages

Brother, I'm Dying

Edwidge Danticat | Knopf, 2007 | Haiti

It will come as no surprise to Danticat's current legion of fans that her latest memoir qualifies as a must-read for anyone interested in Haitian culture, the politics of asylum-seeking and the true meaning of family. In a story that is part family history, part cultural study and part political commentary, Danticat poignantly weaves together the tales of her beloved uncle and her stoic father as she traces her early childhood in Haiti to her uncle's eventual search for refuge in the United States. What happens in between is gripping—not just for its graceful look at the meaning of family, but also for its unflinching examination of the injustices that sometimes accompany those who cross borders.—Rebecca Norman