35th European Conference of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association 17th ILGA-Europe conference Zagreb, 24 October – 26 October 2013 Organised in association with Zagreb organising committee ILGA-Europe Conference 2013 ELECTIONS AT THE CONFERENCE This document consists of the following information: 1. Presentation of the candidates to ILGA-Europe Board 2. Presentation of the candidate for the host venue for the 2015 ILGA-Europe conference 1. Candidates to ILGA-Europe Board Below is the list of candidates for the ILGA-Europe Board. Their nominations and election statements are attached at the end of this document. The election procedures are explained in the separate document ‘Guide to elections’ included in this mailing. Name Organisation Country Identifying as Louise Ashworth UNISON UK F Paulo Corte-Real ILGA-Portugal Portugal M Micah RFSL Sweden N Grzywnowicz Yuri Guiana Associazione Radicale Certi Italy M Diritti Sanja Juras Lesbian Group Kontra Croatia F Jasna Magic Informational Centre Legebitra Slovenia F Maria Sundin RFSL Sweden N ELECTIONS AT THE CONFERENCE – THIRD MAILING (Zagreb) There are 3 (three) candidates identifying as female, 2 (two) identifying as male and 2 (two) neither identifying as female nor male. 5 board members (3 women and 2 men) were elected in 2012 for a two-year period, which means that there are 5 vacant places. As the board must have at least 4 but not more than 6 identifying as female, and at least 4 but not more than 6 identifying as male, 1 – 3 female and 2 – 4 male can be elected at the conference. As there only are 2 male candidates, a call for further nominations for male candidates will take place at the conference, re. Standing Order 12.8. 2. Presentation of the candidate for the host venue for the 2015 conference One proposal was received from: OLKE, Athens, Greece as candidate for hosting the 2015 ILGA-Europe Conference. Their presentation titled ‘Candidate for host organisation’ is included with this mailing. ELECTIONS AT THE CONFERENCE – THIRD MAILING 2 Candidates for election to ILGA-Europe Board and their Election Statements Louise Ashworth Member organisation of the candidate : UNISON, UK Organisations nominating the candidate: 1. Lesbian Section SKUC-LL, Slovenia 2. Malta Gay Rights Movement, Malta 3. Casa Rosa vzw, Belgium 4. COC Netherlands 5. COC Haaglanden, Netherlands 6. Commission LGBT d'EELV, France 7. ArciLesbica Nazionale 8. UNISON national LGBT committee 9. Informational Centre Legebitra 10. LGBT Danmark 11. Associação ILGA PORTUGAL Candidate identifies as: Female Skills and talents of the nominee: A member of UNISON’s National LGBT Committee and former co-chair for 6 years, I sit on the International and Campaigns and Policy Development sub-committees which lead the work programmes and provide guidance to the mainstream union agenda on LGBT priorities, nationally and internationally. Roles include developing policy, running campaigns, representing the union at events and working with trade unions globally. At an international level, this has involved capacity building, working with community organisations and trade unions in organising for equality and encouraging trade unions to adopt LGBT equality and rights as priority. As a member of UNISON’s National Disabled Members Committee, I provide guidance on issues affecting LGBT disabled people. As the former International Officer for LGBT Labour and of the Rainbow Rose committee, I have experience of lobbying political parties nationally and at European level. I have worked with sister organisations in setting up LGBT sections. I have a good knowledge of governance of non-governmental organisations, previously being a director of violence against women’s organisation and refuge, a homelessness befriending charity and local LGBT centre. I am an advisor to the police force on equality and diversity focusing on LGBT, young and disabled people. I currently work with young people for a UK-wide children’s charity, some of whom are LGBT, experiencing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. I am a trainer on housing, social welfare, equality and diversity and human rights which has assisted with developing my skills in providing accessible information to a variety of audiences. ELECTIONS AT THE CONFERENCE – THIRD MAILING 3 Possible contribution to the ILGA-Europe board: • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of issues affecting LGBTI people through networking, study, professional, trade union and voluntary work • Verbal and written communication skills addressing a variety of audiences • Knowledge and experience of governance and constitutional issues, including roles of board and staff • Experience of working with members and member organisations • Leadership skills gained through my paid, trade union and voluntary work • Working knowledge of discrimination, human rights and employment law, national and European • Commitment • Good team player • Experience of working with organisations across Europe including projects in Eastern Europe, organising and capacity building in Central and Southern Europe • Campaigning and lobbying politicians and political parties on LGBTI rights • Extensive knowledge and experience of issues facing under-represented LGBTI people: able to effectively contribute to the diversity work programme • Knowledge of ILGA-Europe • Extensive knowledge of how service sectors impact on LGBTI people from my work in higher education, local government, legal and community and voluntary sectors • Experience of working with trade unions, global labour organisations such as Public Services International, Education International, European Public Services Union and European Trade Union Confederation. Motivation for running: I am passionate and committed to LGBTI rights and to the work of ILGA-Europe. I think it is important that there is some continuity on the board to assist in passing on the knowledge, procedures and skills to ensure that the board remains effective in its governance of the organisation. I am excited about the new strategic plan and would like to be a part of delivering on ILGA-Europe’s future work, particularly around diversity and intersex. At present we are seeing attacks on LGBTI rights due to austerity measures and increasing hostility including propaganda laws, hate crimes, attacks on freedom of association and expression. I wish to support the staff, board and member organisations in continuing our work to claim our rights and challenge discrimination and violations. There is continuing work on governance issues that I would like to complete to ensure the smooth running of ILGA-Europe. With the European elections looming, I would like to contribute to ILGA-Europe’s work on obtaining commitments from candidates to stand up for LGBTI rights. ELECTIONS AT THE CONFERENCE – THIRD MAILING 4 Contribution to the ILGA- Europe board during previous board membership (if applicable): I have been a vocal and active member of the board taking on work including constitutional and standing orders amendments, internal policies and contributing to the diversity work programme. I have been the lead on the governance sub-committee which deals with constitutional matters, developing guidance for the board and updating the constitution and organisational manual. I have been a member of the employment sub-committee which deals with developing policies and staffing matters. I have been a member of the conference working party which works with the staff in organising the conference. I have been a member of the diversity working party developing policies, procedures and practices to ensure that our organisation is reflective of diversity of all our LGBTI members and to make ILGA-Europe accessible and inclusive. I have represented ILGA-Europe at a number of events including a lobby of MEP’s to get them to pledge for LGBTI rights, lobbying political groups, attending the Equality Summit in Cyprus, liaising and networking with trade unions, speaking at events and attending Prides. I assisted in the running of discussion groups at our strategic plan consultation and have chaired workshops at our annual conference. Other information I am disabled and therefore have first hand experience of the intersectionality of being LGBTI and disabled and the discrimination that is faced by disabled LGBTI people. I am a parent and have experience, understanding and knowledge of raising children in an LGBTI household as well as the issues facing parents, children and young people who identify as LGBTI or have LGBTI families. Paulo Côrte-Real Member organisation of the candidate : ILGA Portugal – Intervenção Lésbica, Gay, Bissexual e Transgénero, Portugal Organisations nominating the candidate: 1. Association Informational Centre Legebitra 2. LGBT Danmark 3. Associação ILGA PORTUGAL 4. Malta Gay Rights Movement, Malta Candidate identifies as: Male Skills and talents of the nominee: In terms of professional background, I have a PhD in Economics from Harvard University and I am a Professor in Lisbon. As soon as I returned from the US, I became an activist and I have been a member of the Board of ILGA Portugal since 2005 and President of the Board since 2008. ELECTIONS AT THE CONFERENCE – THIRD MAILING 5 Through the submission of many different projects, we have managed, over the course of the last five years, to go from an organization working exclusively with volunteers to an organization that still depends on volunteers but now also has six staff members. Among our many activities, we organize