The world exhibition EXPO 2000 will start soon. The topic "humankind — nature — technology" shall be realized using the Agenda 21 as guide lines. All countries taking part in the Expo shall base their country peresentation on this topic . Moreover, a thematic area with eleven themes shall facilitate the development of the solution strategies for the 21st century.

The convention will show among other aspects if this influences also the future of the women working in banana production.

Three organizations have been assigned the responsibility for the first international exchange on gender specific problems in the banana production. BanaFair, Expo-Watch and the Kath. Erwachsenenbildung of Hannover will arrange the conference in close co-operation with affected women, which will consist of four elements: The South - South — Forum, discussing the conditions of their life and banana production, the South-North—Dialogue, debating about possibilities and ways of cooperation, a debate with politicians and trade representatives, and the visit of the EXPO. The Expo-Watch office will work out a "banana path" all over the Expo and will guide the participants of the Southern Countries across the site of the world exhibition.

At the South - South -Forum (June 9 till 10, 2000) female participants from the banana producing countries of Central America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Philippines will exchange experiences and work out strategies helping to change the situation for women working in banana production. Afterwards, among other things results will be presented at the North - South Forum. Furthermore common perspectives will be discussed.

We like to invite all interested people to join the South-North Dialogue and the discussion with politicians and traders in the St. Clemens-Haus on June 13 + 14, 2000.

South-North Dialogue, June 13, 2000

10:00 a.m.	Welcome and introduction
10:15 a.m.	5 years after the Worlds Women Conference — Changes for women working in banana production? lecturer: Rufina Paul, Agric. Ministry St. Lucia
10:30 a.m.	discussion
break
11:30 a.m.	The current situation of women working in banana production Reports from Latin America (COLSIBA), the Caribbean (WINFA), Ghana (GAWU) and the Philippines (Alter Trade)
12:00 p.m.	What has to be changed? Expectations of the Southern Countries — presentation of the results from the South — South — Forum lecturer: Ancelma Rose (WINFA)
12.30 p.m.	discussion
1:00 p.m.	lunch
3:00 p.m.	Successful alliances between Northern and Southern Countries "Blumenkampagne"(FIAN), Women and Development (UNIFEM), European Banana Network (EUROBAN)
3.30 p.m.	discussion
4:30 p.m.	break
5:00 p.m.	How will it go on with the "banana work"? Compilation of all opinions discussed during the congress
6:00 p.m.	buffet and music

Discussion with Politicians and Trade Representatives, June 14, 2000

10:00 a.m.	Welcome
10:15 a.m.	Feature address: Sigrid Mangold-Wegner, Marie-Schlei-Verein
10:45 a.m.	Gender specific problems and startegies for sustainable solutions in the banana industry Summary of the previous parts of the Conference Speaker: Iris Munguia, COLSIBA
11:15 a.m.	Break
11:30 a.m.	Panel discussion Speaker: Marta Gutierrez, German Technical cooperation: GTZ N.N., IUF (to be confirmed) Bernard Cornibert, WIBDECO (to be confirmed) Martín Zuñiga, CORBANA N.N., Chiquita (to be confirmed)
1:00 p.m.	Conclusion
1:30 p.m.	Lunch

Chair: Carolin Callenius

Organizer:

BanaFair e.V.
Expo-watch office
Katholische Erwachsenenbildung, Region Hannover

By gentle assistance of:

Katholische Fonds für weltkirchliche und entwicklungsbezogene Bildungs- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
European Comission
Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
Verband Entwicklungspolitik Niedersachsen (VEN)
Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICOO, The Netherlands)

Enrolment:

BanaFair e.V., Hannover
Husarenstr. 27
30163 Hannover
phone: +49 — 511 — 391224
fax : +49 — 511 — 391675
banafair.hannover@t-online.de

Fee: DM 50,–
(lunch, dinner and materials included)

Please transfer the fee to our account BanaFair e.V. no. 631 797 306 at Postbank Hannover, bank code 250 100 30 mentioning "smile"
You will get your confirmation during the Conference.

Venue:

St. Clemens-Haus
Leibnizufer 17 B
Hannover

Conference office:

cellular phone: +49 - 171 - 6502835
phone: +49 — 511 — 16405-34 or — 40 only from June 9 until 14, 2000

We will be at your disposal for the arrangement of accommodation, as possible.