GENERAL INFORMATION

What is the AWID International Forum?

Every three to four years, AWID hosts its flagship international event. It is the world’s largest event that wholeheartedly centers feminist and gender justice movements in all their diversity. It is a global gathering of feminist activists, allied movements, scholars, funders and policymakers. The Forums rotate between different regions and countries in the global South.

When and Where will the Forum be?

2-5 December, 2024, Bangkok, Thailand! We will gather at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) as well as virtually online.

Why Bangkok?

Each Forum takes place in a different region, and it is time for the AWID Forum to come back to Asia! We visited many countries in the region, consulted feminist movements, and conducted detailed assessments of logistics, accessibility, safety, visas and more. Eventually, the AWID Board enthusiastically approved Bangkok, Thailand, as the best option. We are excited to come back to Bangkok, where we held the AWID Forum in 2005.

What are the Forum languages?

AWID's working languages are English, Arabic, French, and Spanish. We are adding Thai and sign language, with more languages possible if funding allows. We prioritize language justice and aim to support as many languages as our resources permit. Check back for updates!

I am a funder or an individual donor. How can I support the AWID Forum?

We invite you to get in touch with us about ways of meaningful engagement with the Forum.

REGISTRATION

How do I register for the forum?

You can register online through our official website at https://forum.awid.org/register. Early bird registration rate is available until 2nd September 2024, after which standard registration rates will apply.

I have been accepted to present at the Forum. Do I still need to register?

Yes! Everyone who attends the Forum must register, including presenters. Presenters will receive an email soon with a special registration code along with instructions on how to register.

Do I have to be an AWID member to participate in the Forum?

No, you don't have to be an AWID member to participate but AWID members receive a discounted registration fee as well as a number of other benefits. Learn more on how to become an AWID member.

A few different people from my organization are planning to attend the Forum. Is there a group discount for the Forum?

AWID has a Group Registration to make it easier to register and pay for groups of people (meaning more than 2), but there is no discount for the group. We do provide registration discounts to members however. (Click here to learn more about becoming a member)

Can I switch my registration from virtual to in-person or vice versa?

No, you cannot switch between registrations once you have applied via the portal.

PROGRAM AND SESSIONS

What topics will be covered at the Forum?

The Forum will cover a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, resourcing activism, climate justice, decolonization, economic justice and feminist economics. Detailed session information will be provided closer to the Forum start date.

Can I attend multiple sessions in a day?

Yes, you can attend multiple sessions in a day. The program is designed to allow participants to choose sessions that best fit their interests and schedules.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the program?

For any questions related to the program, please contact our support team at forum15@awid.org. Additional information is also available on our website's contact page.

ACCESSIBILITY

BEFORE THE FORUM

Who can I ask about accessibility before the Forum?

The AWID Forum Accessibility Coordinator will support participants with a wide range of accessibility, disability-related, and harm-reduction accommodations and solutions. Please feel free to contact Denisse at accessibility@awid.org

How will AWID accommodate participants with disabilities traveling with their personal support person?

For Access Funded participants, AWID will cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and registration of personal support persons (but not their professional fees). For all personal support persons, it is essential that names are shared with AWID in order for us to ensure that all support persons are registered and have access to travel and hosting support. Access Funded participants traveling with a support person will be roomed together.

If you are a self-funded participant or presenter with a disability, your personal support person’s registration will be waived by AWID. Please check with your airline regarding specific accommodations that they offer, in advance of your travel.

Since we are sharing rooms, can I request to be paired with my friend or my session colleagues for accessibility reasons?

AWID absolutely welcomes your preferences in terms of room sharing for accessibility reasons. It is important to note here that you would need to communicate with the person you would like to share with to both agree on this. If you have a support person, you will be sharing with them.

AT THE FORUM

What is the Forum venue like?

We will occupy one entire floor (Floor 1) and parts of two other floors (G Floor and Floor 2) of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), the official AWID Forum venue. The QSNCC is very spacious, with high ceilings and long and wide hallways. It features a mixture of short carpeted flooring and large tiles. It is easy for wheelchairs to move around on the surface.

The space could be a little tricky to navigate for visually impaired participants and participants who are neurodivergent or have sensory challenges, so we recommend that you prepare by referring to the venue map and accessibility audit document. We will have various resting spaces along the hallways, as well as various lounges and spaces where you can take a break, rest, and ground yourself. We also have a low sensory zone at the Forum.

Will there be anyone to support me with accessibility needs during the Forum?

Yes. There will be an Accessibility Desk onsite (marked in the program) for any specific support required during the Forum. AWID has waived the registration fee for personal support people for disabled feminists (all participants- self-funded or Access Funded) who have ongoing accessibility needs.

What about harm reduction resources at the AWID Forum?

The Accessibility Committee has worked on making harm reduction accessible at the AWID Forum via the Harm Reduction Task Team.

Please go to the INPUD harm reduction guide here for more information. We will also have support from our local partner, the Rainbow Sky Association, who will have a mobile health clinic parked on site where people can get more information on harm reduction. They will also have staff there to refer people to counselling and support services relating to HIV, sex work, substance use, harm reduction, and LBTQI+ experiences and concerns.

Will the Forum be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?

Yes, the venue (QSNCC) is a wheelchair and power scooter-accessible space, with step-free routes throughout.

We worked with an Accessibility Committee to conduct an accessibility audit of the Forum venue, surrounding hotels, and transportation. You can find more information about the size of rooms, banquet table heights, etc. of the hotels on the Forum website.

What are the restroom facilities like?

There are enough restrooms for everyone, with at least five accessible bathrooms on every floor of the venue. All restrooms on the main Forum Floor (Floor 1) where the Forum is being held will be gender-neutral.

Will there be a space to connect with other disabled people and activists in disability justice movements?

There will be a Disability Justice Space right at the Forum venue.

How much walking or standing will be needed?

The Forum venue is a huge space and there could be a considerable amount of walking between sessions. The rooms will have plenty of seating available and in the hallways, there are many opportunities for a short rest on chairs, benches, and couches. Manual wheelchairs will be available for loan (free of charge) - please contact the Accessibility Desk at the Forum to facilitate this.

Will the Forum be a smoke-free environment?

Yes; no smoking is permitted inside the venue and directly outside the main entrance doors of the venue.

Can I bring my guide dog?

Unfortunately, animals are not allowed within the QSNCC premises - the official Forum venue.

Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?

The Forum will have diversely curated and implemented types of sessions from all over the world in different languages. AWID respects every session´s methodology and form of expression. Some sessions might feature loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, and/or other strong sensory experiences.

There will be warnings at the beginning of each plenary session should it contain any loud music, strobe lighting, etc. We will also have a low sensory zone on the main Forum Floor.

What measures will be in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases?

Large in-person gatherings inevitably carry some level of risk and we will implement a multi-layered set of measures to minimize transmission and reduce harm. There will be free onsite COVID-19 testing for all participants with negative results required for entry. Please refer to the COVID-19 protocols.

We will provide high-quality masks in the registration bags. The venue does not have windows that can be opened for increased ventilation, but it does have an approved in-built MERV-13 air filtration system which is always in operation.

What about Mpox?

Mpox is a public health emergency which AWID takes with utmost seriousness. We are closely monitoring the Mpox outbreak and will update on necessary measures and progress.

Will sessions be available in multiple languages?

To accommodate our diverse audience, we offer interpretation services in multiple languages for key sessions. Check the program schedule coming soon for details on language availability.

FUNDING YOUR PARTICIPATION

How much does participation cost?

Your participation costs as an in-person delegate will include your costs of travel to Bangkok, accommodations and per diem, visa costs (including traveling to embassies and consulates if applicable), any accessibility-related costs, and incidentals, plus the registration fee. Please note the following:

Hotels in the Sukhumvit area in Bangkok range from USD$50 to $200 per night, double occupancy. All official Forum hotels include breakfast in the rate.
AWID will provide shuttle buses from and back to the airport, as well as shuttle buses from official forum hotels and designated pick up and drop off points to the QSNCC (Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre)
The Forum will have lunch + 2 coffee/tea breaks (with pastries and finger foods) daily

AWID members receive a discount at registration, so if you are not a member yet, we invite you to consider becoming a member and joining our global feminist community.

Does AWID provide scholarships to attend the Forum?

AWID’s Access Fund offers a limited number of scholarships to fund the participation of session/activity presenters who cannot afford it and don’t have relationships with funders who could cover their participation.

Everyone who applied to the Call for Applications and indicated they needed funding have already been considered for the Access Fund. AWID supports 1500 feminists from 80 countries. They have already been accepted for the Access Fund.

How do refunds work if I'm no longer able to attend? (Eg. visa issues, illness, etc.)

In-person Forum registrations are eligible for a refund (minus a $75 USD administration fee) up until October 31, 2024. There are no refunds for the virtual Forum.

IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION

Does the Forum have a capacity limit for in-person attendance? Will we receive updates so that we can register before the limit is reached?

The capacity for the in-person Forum is 2,500 participants. We will post registration number updates on the Forum website when we get closer to the limit.

Will interpretation services be available for non-English speakers at the in-person AWID forum?

Yes, we aim to provide interpretation services for as many sessions as possible to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for attendees from diverse contexts and backgrounds. In addition to having interpretation, we will also be holding sessions in Spanish, French, Arabic and Thai, in addition to sessions in English.

Are there any pre-Forum activities or orientations for in-person participants?

Details about pre-forum activities or orientations for in-person participants will be communicated closer to the event date. Please stay tuned for updates.

VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION

What platform will be used for virtual sessions during the AWID forum?

We will use the Zoom Video Conferencing platform for the formal sessions during the Forum week since it is easy to use and broadly accessible to a diverse group of participants, the majority of whom live in places with limited internet bandwidth. In addition, we would like to pilot a metaverse experience in which a group of 20 participants, accompanied by a facilitator, go through a more guided experience: attending the sessions together, collectively sharing their experiences and reflections on the sessions in the same way onsite participants do.

What technology requirements are needed for virtual participation?

The Forum offers both high-tech and low-tech ways to participate virtually.

For the higher-tech version of virtual, participants will need stable internet connection, a compatible device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) and access to common up to date web browsers to participate in the sessions. This will allow participants to watch sessions on video, in real time.

For the lower-tech version – Forum Radio and Podcasts – you will need access to a device with enough internet stability to be able to access audio only. This option will allow participants to listen to sessions via radio, in real time, and via podcasts afterwards.

What sessions and activities will be available for virtual participants?

The virtual experience will include a number of activities; in the lead up to the Forum week, we will have networking opportunities for participants to get to know each other, share feminist resources and hold dialogues. During the Forum week, virtual participants will have access to live streamed sessions, on demand videos on selected sessions, Forum Radio/Podcast and thrilling activities that will be happening on the festival space.

Will there be opportunities for virtual participants to engage with in-person attendees?

Yes, special networking and interactive sessions will be designed to facilitate connections between virtual and in-person participants.

Can I access recordings of sessions after the Forum concludes?

Yes, sessions will be recorded and made available for on demand viewing after the Forum concludes. You will receive communication once the videos have been uploaded.

How can I stay informed about updates and instructions for virtual participation at the AWID forum?

Stay updated by regularly checking our official website and subscribing to our email newsletters for the latest information, virtual program details, and technical guidelines.

CALL FOR ACTIVITIES

How transparent was the process?

AWID’s call for applications selection process was as transparent as possible, and also respectful of the time and passion behind each proposal. The participatory review and selection process involved 24 feminist activists from different movements and regions of the world, as well as 15 AWID staff from diverse thematic areas and consultations with another 22 feminist activists who were part of the Forum Accessibility and Thai Forum Committees. This was to ensure as broad a range of perspectives as possible. The review process was structured in three stages and included criteria such as inclusion & representation, clarity & session interactivity, intersectionality, and relevance to the Forum themes. We also analyzed the final selection for balances around geographic regions, movement, and gaps in thematic representations. The final curated set of sessions was then shared back with the people involved in the participatory review process, including AWID’s Board of Directors.

Why was my session not accepted?

AWID received 1,750 proposals. This is a record number for us and we thank every person who took the time to prepare a session proposal. It was a privilege to read the beautifully crafted proposals which made decision-making very difficult because given the time and space we have in the Forum we could only accept just over 10% of all the proposals.

We put in place a process that was as transparent as possible, and also respectful of the time and passion behind each proposal. We also understand that this question is asked because applicants are either concerned that the issue in their proposal will be absent at the forum or their region or movement will not be represented. A key criterion within the selection process was achieving as broad and varied a confirmation as possible within thematic areas, regions, and movements as well as a diversity from grassroots, national, regional, and global perspectives. We have over 700 presenters and artists from over 115 countries whose sessions were eventually accepted.

My session proposal was not accepted, is it possible to get funded as a participant and are there other funders you can point me to?

While AWID does support activists whose proposed sessions have been accepted, those Access Funds are limited, so we are not able to - at this point - support activists whose session proposals were not accepted.

Other funders might be able to support and we recommend that you reach out to your current funders to ask if they are taking part in the Forum and explore funding opportunities there. You may also keep checking our website and if opportunities do open up, we will share them through our usual social media channels.

TRAVELING TO BANGKOK

I’ve never traveled before. What should I know?

We know that first-time travel can be exciting but also stressful. In recognition of the many challenges involved, we will be providing more information and details about how to get to Bangkok when Registration opens early next year.

What about the visas?

We are acutely aware of the practical hurdles and emotional distress associated with international travel, particularly from the Global South. AWID is working with TCEB (the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau) to support Forum participants with acquiring visas. More information about this visa assistance will be available upon registration, including contact information for where and how to apply.

What if I can’t attend in-person? Will it be hybrid?

Yes! We are currently exploring innovating technologies to allow for meaningful connection and participation.