Founded in 1910,  WUCWO today represents 100 Catholic Women’s Organisations world-wide and celebrates 100 years of service by women for the Church and society.  WUCWO’s aim is to promote the presence, participation and co-responsibility of Catholic women in society and the Church in order to enable them to fulfil their mission of evangelisation and to work for human development.  In 2006, it was erected by the Holy See as a Public International Association of the Faithful.

WUCWO has consultative status at the United Nations with ECOSOC, UNESCO, FAO, ILO and HRC, and is present at the Council of Europe.

WUCWO aims to:

• Promote the formation of women to meet contemporary challenges.
• Foster awareness and respect of cultural diversity.
• Promote the international dimension within its Member Organisations.
• Co-ordinate activities of Member Organisations at International level.
• Present the positions of WUCWO and represent the Member Organisations at international level.
• Network with other international organisations and Faith communities for the respect of human rights, especially for women.
• Encourage ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

New Zealand Catholic Women’s League has full membership with WUCWO and is part of the Asia/Pacific Region, one of 5 Regions representing Catholic women world-wide.  Susana Evening of Fiji is the Vice-President for the Asia/Pacific Region.

In October 2010, the WUCWO Centenary Assembly in Jerusalem was attended by 500 participants from 40 countries. New Zealand Catholic Women’s League was represented by six CWL members from Dunedin, Wellington, Palmerston North and Auckland.  The Assembly theme was “You Will Be My Witnesses” Acts 1:8.  The new theme for 2010-2014, announced by the newly elected President General, Maria Giovanna Ruggieri of Italy, is “LOVE IN ACTION”.

WUCWO gives New Zealand Catholic Women’s League a voice at international level. Our capacity for action is real. We are listened to.

Kay Blackburn

National International Secretary for WUCWO

cwlnz.nat.internationalsecretary@gmail.com