(Washington, D.C. - May 21) At a first-of-its-kind gathering, women and men, foreign policy experts, activists, and policy makers today called for a "women's lens" on U.S. foreign policy. They maintained that foreign policy should use the different perspectives and values that emphasize the security of people, not just the security of nations. The International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), the organizer of the meeting, released results of a national survey that show American voters overwhelmingly support an approach to foreign policy that focuses on poverty, the environment, and health, education and human rights. Voters believe that women will bring new ideas and new solutions to U.S. foreign policy.

"We are here today to look through a women's lens a perspective that reveals a set of values based on human rights, equality, social justice, and economic security," stated Joan Dunlop, President of IWHC, in her opening remarks. "We are also here to forge a constituency of Americans who care about these values and understand that we cannot build the kind of future we want without the equal contribution of women."

Over 250 participants from around the country attended the day-long symposium, entitled A Women's Lens on Foreign Policy, at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. Speakers addressed U.S. foreign policy in the areas of human rights, health, environment, and economic development. James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, delivered the keynote address. This unprecedented meeting was sponsored by IWHC, in collaboration with the International Center for Research on Women and the Women's Foreign Policy Group.

"American women, especially those of us who participated in recent U.N. conferences on environment, human rights, population, and women, see ourselves as part of the global community," said Dunlop. "We categorically reject narrow-minded isolationism. And together with like-minded men, we call on Congress to allocate the resources necessary to meet the commitments our government made at international conferences in Rio, Vienna, Cairo, and Beijing."

A nationwide survey commissioned by IWHC shows that a majority of American voters support a foreign policy that uses a women's lens. The survey of 1,000 registered voters in April 1997 by Lake, Sosin, Snell & Associates shows that:

• A majority of voters (59%) prefer an approach to foreign policy that emphasizes the security of people, not just the security of nations, by "focusing on poverty, environment, health care, education and human rights." Men (53%) as well as women (64%), and Republicans (52%) as well as Democrats (66%) prefer this approach.
  
  

• Three in four American voters (73%) believe it is important to increase the number of women involved in making foreign policy. One in three (34%) say this is very important.
  
  
• Half of all voters (50%) believe that increasing the number of women involved in foreign policy would bring new ideas and new solutions to the table.

"This survey shows Americans' growing awareness that their lives are linked with the well-being of people in both Northern and Southern countries," said Dunlop. "Madeiline Albright clearly sees the importance of these linkages and we applaud her determination and capacity to connect directly with the American people on foreign policy issues. Americans want to participate in a national conversation on U.S. foreign policy. The perspectives and values of a women's lens offer a clear vision of the direction in which we need to go."

The symposium's active discussion was moderated by Charlayne Hunter-Gault, National Correspondent for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and Lincoln Chen, Vice President of The Rockefeller Foundation. Panelists who presented views of a women's lens on foreign policy in their areas of expertise included:

• James D. Wolfensohn, President, The World Bank --- Keynote Address
  
  
• Devra Lee Davis, Director, Program in Health, Environment and Development, World Resources Institute --- Environment
  
  
• Adrienne Germain, Vice President and Program Director, IWHC --- Health and Population
  
  
• Paula Stern, President, The Stern Group --- Economic Development
  
  
• Dorothy Thomas, Director, Women's Rights Project, Human Rights Watch --- Human Rights

The International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC) is a non-profit organization based in New York City that works with individuals and groups in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to promote women's reproductive and sexual health and rights. IWHC provides technical, managerial, moral, and financial support to reproductive health service providers, advocacy groups, and women's organizations in Southern countries.

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting social and economic development with women's full participation. ICRW works in collaboration with policy makers, practitioners and researchers throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Women's Foreign Policy Group (WFPG) is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to global engagement and the promotion of the leadership of women in international affairs professions. WFPG educates the public on foreign policy issues and on the contributions of women in international affairs.