The Zonta International Foundation

Zonta International, through its foundation, supports international service projects and educational fellowships to improve the quality of life for women. The foundation is supported through voluntary contributions by Zontians, Zonta clubs and friends of the Foundation. Following are some of the activities funded by the Foundation.

The Zonta International Strategies to Eradicate Violence Against Women and Children (ZISVAW)

Focuses on prevention, awareness and education and develop innovative solutions to eliminate abuse against women and children. (TOP of PAGE - click here)

Zonta International service projects address specific special needs...such as a co-operative project with UNIFEM in India to provide women with dependable income through raising silkworms...and a partnership with UNICEF in South Africa to improve girls’ education. (TOP of PAGE - click here)

Honours young women who demonstrate a commitment to leadership in public policy, government and volunteer organisations. Awards are given locally and internationally. (TOP of PAGE - click here)

The Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Awards

			Supports outstanding women pursuing graduate degrees in aerospace-related sciences and engineering. Since the program’s inception in 1938 as a memorial to Zontian Amelia Earhart, Zonta has invested more than $US4million in 800 fellowships to women from more than 50 countries.

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Women and Global Policies

Zonta International works to advance opportunities for all women through informed comment and participation as an accredited non-government organisation (NGO) in the United Nations system. Zonta International maintains consultative status with various United Nations agencies, and participated officially in all four UN World Conferences on Women. Zonta International is also a member organisation of Project Five-O, which provides vocational training for women and girls in poor economic circumstances. (TOP of PAGE - click here)

Individual Zonta clubs select, fund and participate in community projects which address issues such as women’s economic self-sufficiency, legal equality, access to education and health, and eradicating violence.  For example:

• Zontians in Australia sponsor a candidate forum and invite women standing for public office at all levels to address the community,
     
• Zontians in Japan sponsor a Women’s Health Day featuring screening tests and seminars on women’s health issues which are open to the public.
     
• Zontians in the United States support shelters for survivors of domestic violence and sponsor community conferences to develop prevention action plans.
  
• Zontians in Europe provide support to Bosnian refugees and maintain a house in Zagreb for displaced women and children. (TOP of PAGE - click here)

Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs develop leadership skills in high school, college and university student members, promote career exploration and encourage members to participate in community, school and international service projects. These programs are sponsored by local Zonta clubs. (TOP of PAGE - click here)

Networking. Zontians are committed to women’s development. Zontians find role models, mentors and like-minded professionals in their Zonta clubs and through international contacts and meetings.

Building leadership skills. Zonta members organise events, chair meetings and facilitate meetings. Zonta builds leaders.

Cross-cultural sharing. Zontians share ideas across cultures and continents, through visits and conversation, in print and in person.

Developing lifelong friendships. Zonta members support one another and share personal and professional milestones and challenges, often across national borders.

Zontians take action. Zontians work together and experience the satisfaction of making a personal contribution to improving women’s lives.

• If you are an executive in your business or profession who wants to encourage other women to pursue success in their careers...

• If you want to help women more effectively in your community and around the world...

• If you want to share friendship and fellowship, and want to meet interesting people in a variety of occupations...

• If you want to build and share your leadership and communication skills in a supportive environment...

• If you want to further a legacy of women’s rights and progress that began in 1919...

Consider seeking membership in your local Zonta Club and becoming part of Zonta International. (TOP of PAGE - click here)

To ensure professional diversity within each club, Zonta membership is by invitation. For more information contact your local Zonta club.

Zonta International Headquarters
557 West Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2206 USA

Tel: (312) 930-5848 Fax: (312) 930-0951

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Zonta in the Sydney Metropolitan Area
Shirley Graham
Tel/Fax: (612) 9660-2162
email: egraham@ozemail.com.au

Consultant on Conflict Resolution to Zonta International
Area 1 Director of District 24 (Qld, NSW & ACT)
Robyn Gaspari
Conflict Resolution Network Community-Based Projects
P.O. Box 195, Chatswood NSW 2057
Australia.

Tel: (612) 9419-8012 Fax: (612) 9419-4305
email: resolvit@gaspari.com.au

Adapted from Zonta International Brochure (TOP of PAGE - click here)