1. Zonta and the Council of Europe Anne Kraus, Council of Europe Committee

2. Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.

3. The Council of Europe (CoE) is Europe’s leading human rights organization

4. The Council of Europe (CoE) is NOT an institution from the European Union! (EU) Separate organizations

5. The CoE has 47 member states and 6 observer states, such as Canada, Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico and United States of America It represents more than 820 million citizens Hereunder more than 400 million women and girls 28 member states are also members of the EU

6. European Convention on Human Rights All 47 member states have signed the treaty A treaty designed to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law The European Court of Human Rights oversees implementation in the member states

7. Where does the CoE hold its meetings? Strasbourg, France

8. Global cooperation The Council of Europe co-operates with: the United Nations (UN) the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) The Council of Europe co-operates with: the United Nations (UN) the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) The Council of Europe works with the European Union (EU) The Council of Europe co-operates with countries worldwide The Council of Europe co-operates with countries worldwide

9. www.zonta.org Take time to watch the Corporate Film – “Inside the Council of Europe”! http://www.coe.int/en/web/about-us/who-we- are http://www.coe.int/en/web/about-us/who-we- are

10. Within the structures of the Council of Europe there are several bodies. The Committee of Ministers (decision-making body) The Parliamentary Assembly The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities The Conference of INGOs The European Court of Human Rights The Commissioner for Human Rights Within the structures of the Council of Europe there are several bodies. The Committee of Ministers (decision-making body) The Parliamentary Assembly The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities The Conference of INGOs The European Court of Human Rights The Commissioner for Human Rights Council of Europe structure

11. The Conference of International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) is recognized as an institution of the CoE The Conference is one of the four institutional pillars of the Council of Europe “quadrilogue” and is composed of about 400 INGOs The Conference is the chief body representing INGOs with participatory status, the official voice of Europe’s civil society The Conference of INGOs

12. Member of the Conference of INGOs Zonta is one of about 400 INGOs enjoying “participatory status” with the CoE These very different INGOs discuss and work together as partners Zonta’s representative is officially invited to speak out

13. Added value to ZI through its participatory status Visibility and trust Contributes directly to debates, resolutions or recommendations Part of the consultation processes Participates in international conferences, seminars and projects Participates in the World Forum of Democracy Introduces specific themes to be raised/discussed at INGO Conference Votes and influences decisions Actively supports gender equality issues amongst the most important representatives of Europe’s civil society

14. The work of the Conference of INGOs

15. Who represents Zonta? ZI Council of Europe Committee Karin Nordmeyer (Chairman) Irma Ertman (Vice- Chairman) Frieda Demey Anita Schnetzer- Spranger Anne Kraus

16. Zonta’s participatory status at CoE Zonta has the right to approach and work “individually” with all bodies of the CoE Zonta has the right to approach and work “individually” with all bodies of the CoE Zonta participates in meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee (PACE) Zonta participates in meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee (PACE) Zonta can approach directly Parliamentarians and make our issues known to them Zonta can approach directly Parliamentarians and make our issues known to them

17. Further information or questions Karin Nordmeyer, Chairman, D 30 Zonta Club of Freiburg-Schauinsland, Germany knordmeyer@gmx.de Irma Ertman, Vice-Chairman, D 20 Zonta Club of Helsinki II, Finland irma.ertman@formin.fi Frieda Demey, Member,D 27 Zonta Club of Brussel Zavel, Belgium Frie.demey@skynet.be Anne Kraus, Member, D 27 Zonta Club of Luxembourg- Multiculturel, Luxembourg krausanne@hotmail.com Anita Schnetzer-Spranger, D 28 Zonta Club of Mainz, Germany schnetzer-spranger@gmx.de