A Bridge To Uniting Nations
The Annual International Conference for Policewomen - 2003
By Marelene Melford (LECD) and Ellen Boszhard (Police Haaglanden)
The Bridge To Uniting Nations conference
Bridge To Uniting Nations is the creative title of the international conference for policewomen held in San Francisco (US) from 29 August to 7 September 2003. The title was partly based on the fact that areas of the city of San Francisco are interconnected by bridges such as the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. Many years ago San Francisco hosted the foundation meeting of the United Nations (UN).
The conference is an annual event which is organised by the American IAWP (International Association of Women Police). Organisations and policewomen's networks across the world are associated within the IAWP and at this, the 41st conference, women from 26 different countries attended. Policewomen had come from all parts of the world.
Opening and progress of the conference
The conference officially opened with a parade welcoming all women attending the conference. Five hundred policewomen in uniform marched through San Francisco streets. Subsequently, speeches and announcements were made to open the conference. During a joint lunch halfway through the week several participants were decorated for their efficient activities and contributions in their work.
The workshops
There were various workshops that covered subjects as varied as domestic violence; Internet child crime; violent crime analysis; when grief is your partner; the many faces of depression; gay policing and the closet pink in blue. The 'Closet Pink In Blue' workshop had been organised and offered by women of the Haaglanden (the Hague area) corps and the LECD; the KLPD and other parties joined the forum of the Gay Policing workshop.
Gay policing
KLPD joined a forum which included an Australian and a British woman. The idea of the forum was to have policewomen share their experiences on being homosexual in a police organisation.
As most might suspect admitting a homosexual orientation can sometimes lead to difficulties and strain. Contributions that included the Dutch one, made participants understand the significance of for instance an understanding and supportive supervisor. Their accepting or rejecting behaviour within the corps is a crucial element and through proper contact the supervisor can help each staff member feel safe within their team.
The Closet, pink in blue
"The Closet pink in blue" workshop was given twice during the conference. Each workshop was preceded by the transgender community awareness workshop. This was guided by a policeman who had been transformed from a woman into a man and who emphasised that police organisations will be dealing with transgender staff on a more frequent basis because transgender is accepted ever better by today's society. Many organisations are poorly prepared for this although they are expected to be supportive and understand the phenomenon. The Netherlands, as was explained later in ' the closet pink in blue' workshop, is quite liberal towards homosexuality however this is less the case when it comes to transsexualism and transgender, where there is still much work to be done in police organisations.
The presentation for "The Closet, pink in blue" workshop was supported by a Power Point presentation and the Closet (Kast). The presentation gave a picture of homosexuality in the Netherlands and in Dutch police organisations in particular. A handout of the presentation was given to all participants, many of whom were particularly interested in the Dutch situation. Before focusing on gay liberation, police participants were first asked a few lighthearted questions to playfully test their geographical knowledge of the Netherlands. Questions included where it was, its capital, number of citizens and such like. Participants answered questions by holding up cards which were pink on one side and blue on the other side people could choose between a right or wrong pink answer or a right or wrong blue answer - an interactive and relaxed approach and people enjoyed it too. The answers were saved in the computer and the right answer was shown after each round. Where the answer was not completely obvious, people got to see a reaction on screen as to what it wasn't. The right answer was then shown. Participants enjoyed the unorthodox and amusing approach and reacted enthusiastically.
Participants' knowledge of the Netherlands exceeded the workshop leaders' expectations. What were mostly geographical questions were followed by questions about the subject itself. And again a hilarious situation developed when participants found out that they did not know all the answers. Questions included: out of 10 people how many people are homosexual and are homosexual couples allowed to get married in the Netherlands, etc? Finally participants received information about gay liberation in the Netherlands and in Dutch police organisations. Participants were clearly impressed; the questions asked after both presentations regarded religion and homosexuality. Participants wanted to know how Dutch church institutions dealt with homosexuality. Those present applauded when they heard that 80% of the Dutch population largely ignores the Vatican's opinion in this matter. In America, participants said, it is extremely difficult to accept and act normally towards homosexuals because of the overriding religious influence and principles.
Participants also wondered whether gay liberation in the Netherlands was lip service and whether it had led to real concrete results. The presentation made it clear that, despite resistance, gay liberation is making good progress. Undoubtedly there is still much to do in terms of liberation, visibility and acceptance of homosexual people. The presentation came to an end with a dream of Martin Luther King who said, "I have a dream one day we will all be treated as equals." On leaving the room participants received brochures in English and pink souvenirs.
The Closet (de Kast)
To substantiate and support "The Closet pink in blue" workshop and to inform the conference participants we also brought the Kast (the Closet) from the Netherlands to San Francisco. We put the Kast in an area which was visited frequently by conference participants. In this way participants could not but notice it. The drawers contained English brochures, pens, whistles, felt-tips and other promotional gifts offered to visitors. By the end of the week all had gone except for a few brochures. At busy times a Dutch participant would stand next to the Kast to provide information and answer questions. In general people reacted positively with the exception of a number of women who rather avoided the subject of homosexuality. One woman from Australia enthusiastically welcomed the idea of the Kast and said she would like to introduce the idea in Australia.
End of conference
A dinner and the necessary speeches brought the conference to an end. The women of Boston are already preparing the next conference which will take place in Boston in 2004. In 2005 the conference will be held in the English town of Leeds. The Dutch delegation of The Closet has been asked to once again organise a workshop. Politie Nederland (Dutch Police) was once again put on the map, but now in terms of its homosexuality policy. A good example for other countries but let us not forget the fact that the Netherlands too still has a long way to go when it comes to accepting homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender.
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OSLO CONFERENCE - A TRIBUTE TO ANNA LINDH
By Anita Wieman
Policy Advisor - Coordinator
ENP Head Office
From 15th until 16th September 2003 the NBNP (Nordic Baltic Network of Policewomen), in close cooperation with the Norwegian Police, organised a 2 days conference with as topic Gender Equality.
In fact the conference started already on Sunday 14th September, with a day of networking, combined with a cultural excursion. Mr. Ivar Hussby, Assistant Commissioner of the Norwegian Police, showed himself as a superb guide. This networking day was closed by a welcomes reception at the Head Quarters of the Norwegian Police in Oslo. The Norwegian Police Orchestra added lustre to this reception with excellent music.
Opening of the conference
The conference was opened by the Norwegian Minister of Justice, Mr. Dørum by declaring a moment of silence in memory of the murdered Swedish Foreign Minister - Anna Lindh.
Mr. Dørum was very pleased that Norway could host this conference. In spite the fact that Norway is on the right track when it comes to equal opportunities, he pointed out that there is still a long way to go. Crimes that are in focus in Norway, are amongst others organised crime with as benchmarks trafficking and domestic violence. Within these working fields female police officers play a significant and important role.
He was fully aware of the fact that within the Norwegian police the number of female police officers should be increased, especially in higher positions. Therefore he was very pleased with the appointment of the present National Police Commissioner, Mrs. Ingelin Killengren. She is the first woman who has been appointed as National Police Commissioner in Norway and this is not due to the fact that she is a woman, but that she is good, and quoting the Minister: " she is extremely good".
Welcoming speech
The Norwegian National Police Commissioner Mrs. Ingelin Killengren did the welcoming speech and she emphasised that the delegates of this conference should take time to network. Networking and social activities are extremely important to obtain more international contacts.
According Mrs. Killengren, the issue of female leadership should be focussed on the question "Why so few women apply for higher positions'. Women are certainly different, they do have other perspectives. For example men are good in marketing themselves when they candidate for higher positions, while female often underline what they can not do. Certainly female police officers have another approach of solving conflicts, they come to solutions by talking and convincing and this must be equally appraised towards other methods of solving problems.
Programme
The programme of this conference consisted of speeches in the morning, followed by different workshops in the afternoon.
One of the key-note speakers, Mrs. Elisabeth Rehn of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. She gave an impressive and interesting speech about trafficking. Next to this she informed about her substantial working experiences.
WorkshopsThere were various workshops that covered subjects as, and amongst others; Why Policewomen in specialist operational units, Why Policewomen in Police Management, What can male networks within the police do to support policewomen; Structured equality work in order to promote female officers for management .
End of the conference
A special dinner in a marvellous ambiance overlooking the city of Oslo and the fjords, brought the conference to an end.
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