10^th Latin American & Caribbean Feminist Encuentro Will Explore 
Contributions of Feminism to Democratic Struggles in the Region

By Radio Feminista/Feminist International Radio Endeavour/FIRE
July 18, 2005

“Feminism and Democracy” will be the theme of the 10^th Latin American & Caribbean Feminist Encuentro, expected to bring 1,500 women to São Paolo Brazil , October 9-12, 2005.   Held every three years, the 10^th Encuentro will focus on the contributions of feminism to the struggle for social and political democratization throughout the region. 

The event will be covered by Radio Feminista/FIRE along with a pool of women journalists and communicators from different Latin American & Caribbean countries, according to Yarmen Jimenez, producer for FIRE.  Also linked to media coverage of the event will be the Women’s Media Pool, a news agency-type collaboration of over 60 women’s media and other organizations from around the world that was originally created during Beijing +10 in February, 2005.  Jimenez explained that overall, the 10^th Encuentro communications strategy will be based on the 9^th Encuentro strategy, and will incorporate collective production efforts for community radio, live broadcasting in Internet by Radio Feminista, an online chat room, and printed press reports.  Media coverage will be produced in three languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and English.

The 10^th Feminist Encuentro will feature panels, “complex dialogues,” and discussion groups related to feminism and the radicalization of democracy, including issues of racism, ethnocentrism, sexuality, youth, poverty, violence and power.  Also featured will be workshops and cultural activities.  The overall methodology is designed to enable participants to meet and exchange experiences and strategies, to engage in discussions and debates, and to form or further develop coalitions and networks. 

According to the 10^th Encuentro Organizing Commission, “We live in a crucial and historic moment for reflection about feminism and democracy in the Latin American and Caribbean region…[and because of our need to focus on other tasks in recent years], feminism has not been a strong presence in critical thought and political action…” but feminism plays a key role in the construction of democracies and the democratic process.

Feel free to use this press release, but please give credit to Radio Internacional Feminista/Feminist International Radio Endeavour/FIRE.

For further information, go to Radio Feminista’s website at: www.radiofeminista.org or write to oficina@radiofeminista.net.

For further information about the 10^th Latin American and Caribbean Feminist Encuentro, see their website at: www.10feminista.org.br.