The two biggest events of IANSA’s year are fast approaching. The Global Week of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons will be held from 6-12 June. The Biennial Meeting of States will take place in New York from 11-15 July. It is vital that the Women’s Network makes its voice heard at both events. If you have suggestions for ways the Women’s Network can be involved in either event (or would just like to be involved) please email women@iansa.org as soon as possible.

Manchester, UK: 5-6 May
Hegemonic Masculinities and International Politics
This 2-day conference hosted by the Manchester University Centre for International Politics aims to bring together scholars whose work deals with masculinities in International Relations/International Political Economy. The conference will be structured around the following core issues: (1) Bringing the concept of hegemonic masculinities into the study of global politics, (2) Sites and sightings of hegemonic masculinities in global politics, and (3) Recognising and resisting hegemonic masculinities. For information: juanita.elias@manchester.ac.uk.

Bangkok, Thailand: 2-13 May
Gender-based Violence: Communicating Information & Good Practice Interventions to Policymakers
The Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR) in collaboration with the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) have organized this South Central and Southeast Asia regional workshop. It aims to develop policy communication and advocacy skills among program officials, researchers, and advocates working in the area of gender-based violence. The objective is to increase skills in using data and information to improve policies and programs to combat gender-based violence. For information contact Rhonda Smith, Deputy Director for International Programs at PRB, rhondas@prb.org.

London, UK: 10 May
An Evening with Mrs Kirsty Gusmao, First Lady of East Timor
Mrs Kirsty Gusmao, the wife of the President of East Timor, will speak about the role of women in the development of an emerging nation in an event organised by St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. East Timor (Timor Leste) is the newest member of the United Nations and is still battling to overcome the destructive legacy of 25 years of Indonesian occupation. Women are playing a vital role in that recovery. More information.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: 5 June
Global Health Summit
The summit will help develop the Call to Action on Global Health, and seek advice on needed collaborative action by national and international stakeholders in advancing the health of the citizens of the world. Focus issues will include maternal and child health, indigenous and multicultural populations, and social equity, among others. More information.

Worldwide: 6-12 June
Global Week of Action against Small Arms
IANSA’s website will contain periodic updates.

Washington, DC USA: 19-21 June
Conference: When Women Gain, So Does the World
The 8th International Women’s Policy Research Conference, at the Institute for Women's Policy Research, Washington DC, USA. More information.

UN Headquarters, New York: 5-22 July 2005
33rd Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Governmental reports on national implementation of CEDAW will be considered from Benin, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Gambia, Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Guyana, Ireland, and Israel.

UN Headquarters, New York: 11-15 July
Second Biennial Meeting of States (BMS) to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects at the National, Regional and Global levels
Periodic updates on the BMS here

UN Headquarters, New York: 19-21 July
Global Conference: From Reaction to Prevention: Civil Society Forging Partnerships to Prevent Violent Conflict and Build Peace
Many IANSA members will be taking part. More information.

UN Headquarters, New York: 25-29 July
Pre-Sessional Meeting of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Jerusalem, Israel: 12-16 August
International Women in Black Conference
The 13th International Conference of Women in Black will include: lectures, workshops and multi-cultural events, an exhibit of Women in Black materials from around the world, fact-finding tours of Palestinian occupied areas, events to express opposition to occupation, war, and violence. Deadline for registration: 1 July 2005. To reserve space, write to wib2005@netvision.net.il and for information visit here .

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 27-30 August
Global Consultation on the Ratification and Use of the Optional Protocol to CEDAW
The Consultation aims to provide information/knowledge on CEDAW and the OP-CEDAW and their uses, identify strategies for ratification and access to justice, create opportunities for regional processes for ratification and use of the OP-CEDAW, and to launch the CEDAW toolkit. For information, contact: IWRAW Asia Pacific (Janine Moussa or Lee Wei San) at op-cedaw@iwraw-ap.org or visit here.