Seminarhaus Seebenstein, Austria

June 8th - 10th 2007

The “Dignity of Women” was the topic of a weekend meeting at Seminar House Seebenstein on June 8 – 10th 2007. Over 40 international¹ women came to the idyllic setting in Lower Austria at the invitation of T. Martina Coombs, International Vice President of Women’s Federation for World Peace International.

Lectures, presentations and promotional materials prepared by Ingrid Lindemann - Germany – President: Frauen Föderation für Frieden and Christine Sato were launched and distributed.

The women who came from all over Europe* were inspired by the depth of the historical analyses of the situation of women and moved to discover their inner Queen Dignity through a meditation led by Ingrid Lindemann. The interreligious group of women including Ambassadors for Peace from Eastern countries² were moved at the common path women can take to promote the dignity of womanhood and inspired to meet with other colourful yet like-minded women.

The first presentation on Saturday Living Our Dignity, internal spiritual aspects of womanhood by Ingrid Lindemann, sparked off a lively discussion. The comment that for many women prostitution is a free choice, led to consideration of the issues of human trafficking, sexual tourism and the meaning of true freedom of choice. It was pointed out that modern women are also customers of sex tourism with a counter comment that we should not be quick to judge but rather foster a motherly heart including a grandmother’s heart in order to embrace others. The situation of Holland was described as being the prostitution centre of Europe with a 25% homosexual rate.

The second presentation by Christine Sato: “The dignity of women in the course of history” described the historical turn when males proclaimed the power to take life to be higher than the power to give life. The launch of gender mainstreaming in Peking in 1995 was also addressed.

In the third presentation Tina Coombs asked: “Is it possible to have peace?” Brigitte Wada – France presented a PowerPoint presentation about the Middle East Peace Conferences and there was also a DVD presentation about Reconciliation and the Bridge of Peace.

In the meditation “My way to the inner queen” Ingrid Lindemann referred to her learning experience from her recent back operation and recuperation period.

In Session 5 the presentation of the project, “The Dignity of Women” was followed by substantial discussion and resolutions for action in each country. Ingrid Lindemann agreed to coordinate the European level campaign and was eager to set up a web site for the Dignity of Women.

At the official close certificates and CDs with promotional information and presentations were distributed to all participants including 2 gentlemen. The meeting participants committed to come together again by 10^th June 2008 to plan the next stage with commitments from national representatives to build public awareness through public relations, presentations, lectures, media campaigns, leaflets, signature campaigns, advertisements, writing letters, setting up book tables and educational campaigns.