"The Women's Advisory Council is a non party-political organisation which provides a forum for the exchange of opinions with women's organisations on the work of the United Nations, its specialised agencies and UNA-UK.

Membership is drawn from women's national organisations and the women's sections of national and international organisations. Observers are welcome at the Council's meetings.

The Council is a decision-making body which meets in London four times each year; the December Annual General Meeting is often sponsored in the House of Commons.

Events in Iraq bring concentration on opportunities for women to contribute effectively in post-war reconstruction. In the spirit of UN Resolution 1325 we shall continue to explore women's involvement in peace processes, believing with the Security Council that their participation assists the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security.

Our programme reflects UNA-UK's adoption of the Millennium Development Goals as a priority and we focus on the issues that face women in their aspirations towards equality, considering how we can support activities on these topics and influence our members and contacts to press for progress in policy and improvements in practice."

For further information contact the chair, Suzanne Long, on: tdel@globalnet.co.uk