International Perspectives

The National Council of Women of Canada has a long history of working internationally. NCWC has been a member of the International Council of Women (ICW) since 1897, and has consultative status at the United Nations.

NCWC is also a participatory Non Governmental Organization of the Organization of American States. Through the work of the National Council of Women of Canada Development Organization, NCWC funds projects that support women in their communities. Members and representatives of NCWC have participated in the four World Conferences on Women and participate in the annual meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women sponsored by the United Nations in New York. The International Council of Women has links to the United Nations in both New York and Geneva. In the 1920s the ICW and its standing committees worked with the League of Nations and, following World War II, became a consultant to the United Nations. With more than 70 member countries, the ICW has been headquartered in Paris since 1963. Delegates elect officers from national boards at triennial international congresses. The council is affiliated with numerous agencies, including, from 1981, the World Health Organization.

ICW held their 33rd Triennial Assembly in Seoul, Korea September, 2012. Rosemary Mallory attended, representing NCWC and prepared this report.

Find out more about how women are making a difference on the world stage - working together to effect change locally and globally.