Who We Are
Soroptimist International is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.
We currently have over 90,000 members in more than 3,000 clubs

in 126 countries and territories.
Soroptimists are women who use the special expertise and management skills developed in their working life to advance the status of women and make the world a better place. Membership offers the opportunity to work with like-minded women throughout the world for human rights for all, equality, development and peace.

Our Mission
Soroptimist International, a worldwide organization for women in management and the professions, is a global voice for women through Awareness, Advocacy and Action.
Through International Goodwill and Understanding, and Friendship, Soroptimists strive for:
  ●  advancement of the status of women
  ● high ethical standards
  ● human rights for all
  ● equality, development and peace

Structure
Soroptimist International, headquartered in Cambridge, UK, is the umbrella organization for Soroptimists worldwide. 
Soroptimist International has four Federations:
  n

§ Americas (SIA)  - Soroptimist International of the Americas (Our Federation)
  n

§Europe (SIE)

  n

§Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI)

  n

§South West Pacific (SISWP)

The four Federations operate under the SI Constitution, although each Federation has its own internal structure, policies and procedures.

Programme

A Global Voice, a Focused Vision
As Soroptimists we are A Global Voice for Women. We have achieved this by working together toward our common goal: A better world for all, by making it a better world for women and girls.

Local, national and international projects
  2 Women Working to Implement the Millennium Development Goals »

These reports are in
PDF format
  2 Soroptimists working for Women and Girls »
  2 Soroptimists uniting to Combat Trafficking of Women and Girls »

Working for global change
Soroptimist International's relationship with the UN is based on the belief that real and positive change can be achieved incrementally, if we are really determined and willing to work together with other organizations and authorities.
Soroptimist International and the United Nations  
The organization has General Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, (ECOSOC) and has representatives at many meetings of its agencies and organs in UN Centers throughout the world.
SI delegations to major UN meetings and forums advocate for policies and actions which support our aims and objects and reflect agreed position statements on the issues under discussion.
The organization is also accredited with a number of ECOSOC's non-specialized agencies and commissions including:
  ► UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  ► UNICEF: United Nations Children's Fund
  ► UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme

UN treaties, conventions and resolutions
Soroptimist International supports the principles outlined in such international treaties, conventions and resolutions as
  2

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  2

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, including the Optional Protocol

  2

The Convention of the Rights of the Child

  2

The Platform for Action

  2

Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development & Peace for the 21st Century (Beijing + 5)

  2

Agenda 21

  2

United Nations Millennium Declaration  (See goals below)
     

Soroptimist International is committed to the furtherance of the Millennium Development Goals, as enshrined in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2000.

  1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger    
  2.

Achieve universal primary education

 

Link here for booklet on
Millennium Development Goals
  3.

Promote gender equality and empower women

  4.

Reduce child mortality

 

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
  5.

Improve maternal health

   
  6.

Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

  Link here to read a report on our tsunami relief fund..................
  7.

Ensure environmental sustainability

 
  8.

Develop a global partnership for development

   
Link Here to read about our Soroptimist Representatives to the United Nations

Working with NGOs and other agencies
Soroptimist International works together with other non-government organizations (NGOs) and various United Nations agencies to promote the changes necessary to make the world a better place for this and future generations.
The organization is represented on the Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO) and has General Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, ECOSOC. By right of General Consultative Status with ECOSOC Soroptimist International  has applied for, and been granted, official relations with United Nations Specialized Agencies including:
  ●

UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

  ●

ILO: International Labor Organization

  ●

WHO: World Health Organization

  ●

UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development Organization

  ●

FAO: Food and Agricultural Organization

Project 5-0 

Project Five-O celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2005!

SI President Lynn Dunning visits a
Five -O project in Phuket after the tsunami.

Project Five-O is a partnership of five international women's organizations:
 

§International Council of Women (ICW)

  International Federation of Business and Professional Women (IFBW)
 

§ International Federation of University Women

 

§Soroptimist International

 

§Zonta International

To learn more please link to the Soroptimist International web sites:
Soroptimist International web site: http://www.soroptimistinternational.org
    On this web site find reports on the success of our global effort.
Link here for information about the The International Soroptimist Magazine