The Sophia 2010 Forum is a welcoming space for online dialogue and conversation regarding the Sophia 2010 conference and related activities. Its primary purpose is to provide an opportunity for members and participants to contribute their insights to the development of the Sophia project, and for leaders and developers of the project to interact with participants and contributors.

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Our banner logo contains two images. The rose on the left is a composition by Sophia founder Penny McManigal -- and the picture on the right is the Greek Amphitheater near Delphi... called Theatre of the Sanctuary...

"At the foot of Mt Parnassus the imposing landscape between two huge rocks, called "the Phaedriades", hosts the panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi and most famous oracle of ancient Greece.

According to an age-old legend, the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to locate the center of the world, met at Delphi. Ever since, Delphi has marked the navel of the earth and not only geographically.

For many centuries this sanctuary defined a spiritual and religious center, a symbol of unity among the ancient Greeks. This is evident from the numerous works of art dedicated here by delegations of city-states as well as individuals.

The beginnings of Delphi are deeply rooted in the historical and mythological past. Literary tradition refers to an early shrine here, dedicated to the goddess Gaia (Earth) and guarded by a fierce dragon, the Python, until Apollo - transfigured into a dolphin and escorted by Cretans - arrived at Kirrha, the port of Delphi. Subsequently Apollo killed the Python and established his own sanctuary.

The myth concerning Apollo's arrival and domination survived in festivals at Delphi, such as the Septeria, the Delphinia, the Thargelia, the Theophania and, of course, the well-known Pythian games, which included musical and athletic competition."

Sophia 2010 World Conference, Wisdom at Work through global and local connections and
partnerships focuses on the far-reaching UN work, to further the equality and
empowerment of women to help all humanity:

     UN Beijing Platform for Action and CEDAW
     UN Millennium Development Goals
     UN Bali Outcome and the Environment

The Arts and Culture Festival will illuminate and celebrate the visual and
performing arts, and highlight the creative works of artists, worldwide, who are
dedicated to bring balance and harmony among all continents and cultures.

United Nations Living Documents

It is not in the United Nations that the Millennium Development Goals {Platform
for Action, CEDAW and Bali Outcome} will be achieved. They must be achieved
in every country by the joint efforts of governments and the people. ~ Kofi
Annan

UN Beijing Platform for Action: Twelve Critical Areas of Concern

Women in Poverty
Education and Training of Women
Women and Health
Violence Against Women
Women and Armed Conflict
Women and the Economy
Women in Power and Decision-making
Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women
Human Rights of Women
Women in the Media
Women and the Environment
The Girl Child

Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

The Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women,
CEDAW, adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an
international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it
defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda
for national action to end such discrimination. The Convention defines
discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made
on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the
recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital
status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and
fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or
any other field.

United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

To halve extreme poverty and hunger
To achieve universal primary education
To empower women and promote equality
To reduce infant mortality by two-thirds
To reduce maternal mortality by three quarters
To reverse the spread of diseases, especially HIV/AIDS and malaria
To ensure environmental sustainability
To create global partnerships for development, trade and debt relief

UN Bali Conference Outcome Agreement and Climate Change

The following statement was issued by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-
General Ban Ki-moon at the adoption of the decision of the Thirteenth
Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) in Bali, Indonesia, 15 December 2007:

The Secretary-General strongly welcomes the outcome of the UN Climate
Change Conference in Bali. At the outset of the Conference he laid out three
fundamental benchmarks for success: launching negotiations on a global climate
change agreement; agreeing to an agenda for the negotiations; and agreeing to
complete them by 2009. The Bali Roadmap that has been adopted achieves all
three of these objectives.

He is also greatly encouraged that agreements were reached that will help the
international community to begin to address key challenges immediately,
particularly with regard to enhanced action on adaptation measures, the
dissemination of technology, and combating deforestation. While these will all be
long-term challenges, he is particularly pleased that work in each of these areas
received a boost in Bali and that accelerated work can begin now.

The Secretary-General believes that the Bali Roadmap that has been agreed is a
pivotal first step towards an agreement that can address the threat of climate
change, the defining challenge of our time. The Secretary-General appreciates
the spirit of cooperation shown by all parties to achieve an outcome that stands
to benefit all humanity.

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