Testimonials | Advocacy Learning Opportunities

I would like to begin by thanking Serene Communications for this incredibly unique opportunity to visit the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva as well being able to present a speech as part of a side event on the economic empowerment of women. As a delegate of an NGO in the United Nations, I was… Read more “Will Watts”

On the 29th June at 4am, 12 Stroud High and 3 Marling students flew to the United Nations in Geneva to attend the 38th Human Rights Council as part of the NAWO Young Women’s Alliance. We were addressing and talking about a wide range of issues: 2 girls spoke on a FGM panels along with… Read more “Emilia Thompson”

I attended the 38th Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva as a member of the NAWO Young Women’s Alliance.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank NAWO for giving me the chance to attend this event accredited as part of the Young Women’s Alliance, as it provided me with a… Read more “Isadora Bursey”

I would like to begin by thanking Serene Communications for this incredibly unique opportunity to visit the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva as well being able to present a speech as part of a side event on Child Widows. The thing that most surprised me about the trip was the exclusivity. I would see… Read more “Henry Snowball”

I would like to thank Serene Communications for facilitating my visit to the 38th session of the Human Rights Council at the UN in Geneva. The week was truly eye-opening, engaging and educational week. As soon as we arrived in Geneva on the Friday morning, we headed straight to Palais des Nations, the UN headquarters… Read more “Sophia Macadam”

First and foremost, I would like to thank Serene Communications for organising and facilitating the visit to UN Geneva. A  special thanks to Zarin Hainsworth and Soroush Fadaei for being incredible guides through the fantastic experience. During my time in Geneva, I grew so much as an individual. The experience enabled me to find my… Read more “Alicja Rutkowska”

NAWO/YWA
I had an amazing, life-changing experience at CSW. It gave me the opportunity to talk to experts on issues I care about, and hear about experiences first-hand from people across the world – this made me really expand my world-view and really changed my outlook on modern issues. Being at CSW also enabled… Read more “Anonymous #5”

While being at CSW, I felt that I learnt so much about issues that I had never even heard about, this has really opened my eyes to the struggles of women globally and not just in the UK. Not only that but I feel as if I’ve gained so much confidence in public speaking from… Read more “Scarlet Walton”

Visiting the Human Rights Council in Geneva as a delegate of NAWO impacted me profoundly, and I am so grateful to Serene Communications for allowing me to take part in such an enriching experience. I felt that this trip changed me, and my fellow delegates, in so many ways – our worldview was expanded, our… Read more “Grace Spencer”

Geneva was an experience I will never forget. My keen interest in human rights and hope to pursue a career specializing in this are meant this was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. My time at the United Nations has taught me many things; it has taught me of the importance of education and awareness, it… Read more “Imogen Smith”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Serene Communications for the amazing opportunity they gave me to travel to Geneva and participate at the UN; it was truly life changing. Not often can I say that I feel such inspiration simply from simply my surroundings. Every gender, every race, ever culture all contributing… Read more “Annabel Hoskins”

At first, I was reluctant to apply for the trip to the United Nations in Geneva. I was an external student and therefore still very ‘new’ to Stroud High. I only had a few friends and was worried about going on a somewhat lengthy trip with people I still didn’t know. However, I applied and… Read more “Kathrine Williams”

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to attend and participate in the Human Rights Council, and I have Serene Communications to thank for their kind invitation and dedication to giving us the best possible support and advice during the entire process. Throughout the week, I enjoyed attending side events, my favourite of which… Read more “Katherine Ainsworth”

My name is Ruby Woods; I am 17 years old and, from the 29th June to the 7th July 2018, I participated in an incredible trip to the UN Human Rights Council with Serene Communications. I was part of a team of 15 Stroud High and Marling sixth form students who took on the once… Read more “Ruby Woods”

I would first like to thank NAWO for giving me the opportunity to speak at their event on ‘Widowhood in all its forms’ at CSW62, and NIWEP for accrediting me, making my journey to this incredible event possible. I would also like to thank Serene Communications for enabling the whole thing. It would be difficult… Read more “Ella Nielsen”

Firstly, I would like to thank NAWO for accrediting me and Zarin Hainsworth and Serene Communications for enabling me to attend CSW62. I am very grateful for all the support from Zarin, Soroush and the many others involved before, during and after CSW. I wanted to attend CSW because I have always been an impassioned,… Read more “Bella Brown”

Reflecting on my incredible time at CSW, amongst many powerful lessons the pivotal message which I found emerged from the week and was reinforced each day, was the importance of cooperation and solidarity for gender justice. Through the exposing side events I attended, inspirational figures and role models I met and truly unique experiences I… Read more “Cara Hart”

I grew up in a family of six girls and one boy. My mother and father are professionals who work full time. They share chores equally; such as cooking, cleaning and looking after me and my six siblings. I had never really considered how different my life was from so many girls in the rest… Read more “Cecily Pontac”

I first heard about this trip around September of 2017. To apply, I needed to write a letter to Miss Patel explaining why I wanted to go to CSW and why I think I would be a good person to go. After this, I was required to write a two-minute speech on an important feminist… Read more “Charlotte Bullock”

As a result of having a long history of strong opinions and cemented feelings towards the position of women, I was delighted to hear about CSW, let alone being offered the chance to attend. In preparation for the UN’s largest gathering on gender equality, our group learnt about many key terms and actions in place… Read more “Lucy Jenkins”

To begin, I would like to sincerely thank NAWO for accrediting me and making my trip to CSW62 possible, along with Serene Communications. In particular, I would like to thank Zarin Hainsworth for all the help and support she provided, as well as Tori Keene for all her guidance with speeches and emotional support during… Read more “Mia Denman”

To begin with I would like to thank NAWO for accrediting me and Serene Communications for organising it all, and making such an unforgettable trip to CSW62 possible. I am truly grateful to everyone who supported me through this process. My time at CSW was brimming with new information which I couldn’t possibly include in… Read more “Mina Clarke”

I would like to thank Zarin Hainsworth of Serene Communications for giving me the incredible opportunity to attend CSW62 and also to Widows for Peace through Democracy for accrediting me and making my trip possible. The prospect of going to New York and attending the commission really excited me. The fact that I was given… Read more “Poppy Ulett”

I’d like to start by thanking NAWO, Serene Communications, and especially Zarin Hainsworth for this incredible opportunity and for making the trip to CSW62 possible, it was the best experience of my life and it’s difficult to put the impact it has had on me into words. I learnt so much and had my eyes… Read more “Rachel Smith”

After hearing about CSW in New York a couple of years ago I knew it was something that I desperately wanted to do. Throughout my whole school career I have been passionate about equality and human rights and in particular, as a young woman myself, gender equality. I see and hear every day the challenges… Read more “Sienna Ambler”

When I first heard about the possibility of attending the Commission on the Status of Women in New York I had no idea what the week would entail. However, I knew I was a feminist, I knew I would love to be even a small part of making a difference to the lives of women… Read more “Sophie Cappell”

I’d like to firstly take this opportunity to express my gratitude to NIWEP for accrediting me, and to thank Serene Communications for making my trip to CSW62 a reality. I’d also like to thank our fantastic ‘cheerleader’ Tori, who definitely made the whole thing easier! I’m so grateful for all the support they’ve given me… Read more “Laura Manley”

First of all I would like to thank Serene Communications for giving me the opportunity to go to CSW62, with a special thanks to Zarin Hainsworth for all her hard work. The past week has been a life changing experience which has enlightened me about women’s issues around the world and empowered me to do… Read more “Kerry Lindeque”

This opportunity would never have been possible if it wasn’t for all of the hard work and support that Zarin Hainsworth of Serene Communications gave us while we were there, so thank you for making all of this possible. My time at CSW taught me so much more than I was expecting and it has… Read more “Hero Robinson Mccann”

Prior to CSW62 I was aware of the severe difference which women face day to day due to gender inequality, however, this knowledge has been rapidly expanded. In regards to my actions working against gender issues: I was attending FEMSOC weekly which focuses on different gender issues weekly and holds a discussion where everyone can… Read more “Emily Spellman”

Firstly I would like to thank Widows for Peace through Democracy for accrediting me and Serene Communications for enabling me to attend CSW62. I am incredibly grateful for the guidance and support offered by Zarin Hainsworth and Soroush. During my time at CSW62, I have learnt a great deal about myself, for example I feel… Read more “Grace Wilce”

Geneva Trip Report I attended CSW this year and it was a life-changing experience. It gave me the opportunity to talk to experts on issues I care about, and hear about experiences first-hand from people across the world – this made me really expand my world-view and really changed my outlook on modern issues. Being… Read more “Anonymous #4”

Geneva Trip Report I was incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to go to CSW61, I was accredited by Widow’s Right’s International and it’s thanks to them and the kind invitation of NAWO that I was able to attend. I enjoyed going to panel events, my favourite of which was entitled ‘Pimping in Black… Read more “Precious”

To begin, I would like to thank NAWO for accrediting me and Zarin Hainsworth of Serene Communications for making my trip to CSW61 possible. I am very grateful for the support that I was given by Zarin and others whilst at CSW61 and am honoured to of had the opportunity to attend. During CSW, I… Read more “Izzy Dalby”

Geneva Trip Report This experience for me was life changing, I left home thinking I was going to help others, but came home feeling it was me that had been helped. It cleverly incorporated service to others, experiencing facinating Cultures, learning together, working hard and getting stuck in even if it means getting your hands… Read more “Mica Smith”

Geneva Trip Report Trip to Tanzania 2016 was fantastic , many, many thanks to Zarin & Soroush’s hard work in getting it all organised so that things ran smoothly and that it was such a success. Thanks also to the coordinator of Naserian (the NGO), Alais who was the link to Maasai’s culture, language and… Read more “Mina Shephard”

Geneva Speech This presentation aims to highlight the situation of female headed households, albeit briefly. In a largely patriarchal world, the female headed household, and in particular the widow demographic, is underappreciated and underutilised, despite forming around a quarter of households globally*. For the purpose of this presentation, we can define widows as those women… Read more “Katherine Skingle”

Geneva Speech Our visit to Geneva to attend the 66th session of CEDAW began on Friday 10th February 2017, as we started with a meeting with Anna-Therese McGivern from UPR-info. Here we gained an understanding of the process of peer review used at the UN, and the various forms of preparation material and technology that… Read more “Nina Perry”

Special Subject Discussion Linking Agenda 2030 to the themes of CSW60, CSW61 and CEDAW Firstly I’d like to thank you for your time, and also NAWO, the NGO enabling me to be here and supporting me through this process.
International instruments such as agreements, conventions, declarations and agencies that relate to women have been… Read more “Anonymous #1”

Geneva Trip Report I’d like to begin by extending my thanks to NAWO and Widows for Peace through Democracy, as well as to Zarin Hainsworth, for giving me the overwhelming experience of being able to visit the United Nations at the 61st Commission on the Status of Women, to learn there, to network there and,… Read more “Lauren Davies”

Geneva Speech #1 Geneva trip report What an unforgettable experience. I never would have imagined that in the space of a week, I’d be able to go somewhere and return as a new version of myself. One who holds her head high with confidence, and advances with a sensible, well-rounded outlook on life and with… Read more “Amelia Haslett”