On March 8th 2008, International Women's Day, Association des Chercheurs Iraniens (ACI) will launch a year long programme of celebrations to honour the courage and achievements of Iranian women under oppression.

Faced with social and legal discrimination, as well as cultural barriers, in achieving their equal rights Iranian women have found creative and inspirational ways of working to bring about change. Despite facing extreme, many times violent, opposition to their rightful demands they have remained at the epicentre of social change.

Without a doubt, international awareness and recognition of their achievements will offer them moral support and relative protection. The focus of ACI's roundtable is the important role international organisations can play in supporting and empowering grassroots organisations and NGOs in campaigning for equal rights. We invite you to join us and look forward to meeting you on 8 March.

Organisations and individuals participating in the roundtable are:

(in alphabetical order)

• Tahirih Danesh – Human Rights Researcher/Documenter

• Roya Kashefi -  Human Rights Committee - ACI

• Elizabeth Sidney, OBE

• National Alliance of Women's Organisations – NAWO

• United Nations Development Fund for Women – UNIFEM UK

• Women's Federation for World Peace – WFWP (General Consultative Status of ECOSOC and DPI Associates with the United Nations)

The proceedings will open with Shirin Razavian, exiled poet and campaigner for free press in Iran, who will recite two of her poems.

ACI is proud to present Shirin a 17-year-old Iranian-British singer who will perform her song 'Nothing can change' which she has written in honour of International Women's Day inspired by women and their struggles all over the world, especially Iran. The message of her song is one of women coming together to strive for equality and an end to the violence and suffering that affects not only women but in fact everyone on the planet.

 ACI is also happy to welcome Divine Divas to its celebration on 8 March 2008. 'Divine Divas' are an ensemble of talented musicians dedicated to promoting songs for and by women who have been brought together from various corners of the planet to share a new song with a positive message to mark IWD '08. 'Women Awake!' celebrates the role both men and women can play in establishing a new culture of equality essential for our survival.

please email IWD2008@aciiran.com to reserve your seat as space is limited

Location: Frontline Club – 13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ - Paddington Underground Station

Time: 14:30 – 17:00

Date: Saturday 8 March 2008

Further information:

Contact:          Roya Kashefi

Email:              rkashefi@aciiran.com

Mobile:           +44 (0) 7960 945 970

Landline:       +44 (0) 20 7328 8415

The event is free

Watch it LIVE on E2 (US and Canada)

or WWW.PAMTV.US

Event's web page: www.aciiran.com/iwd.htm

... Payvand News - 03/01/08 ...