Frequently Asked Questions
- Intended Audience
- Interpretation and Translation
- Registration
- Scholarships
- Proposal Submissions
- Conference Program
- Pre-Conference Institutes
- Exhibits and Satellites
- Sponsorship Opportunities
- Volunteers
- Conference Venue
- Travel to Washington DC
- Meals
1. Intended Audience
Who’s invited?
- Grassroots activists and advocates who work with victims of violence in safe spaces, such as shelters, refuges, transition homes, and women’s centers.
- Practitioners or service providers who work on violence against women issues, including but not limited to, domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, honor-related violence, and forced marriages.
- Organizations that support advocates and shelters or provide support to victims of violence such as, programs, women’s centers, transitional homes, healthcare facilities, micro-finance, legal and educational organizations for women and girls.
I’m not part of a program or shelter nor do I work with victims of violence against women. Is this conference applicable for me?
The conference will be geared toward individuals who work on violence against women issues, specifically employees or volunteers of programs that support or provide services, resources or shelter for victims. The conference will also address broader issues, such as technology, economics, and the law, as it relates to violence against women. If this is something you are interested in, you are welcome to come.
We don’t have a shelter but we do provide services to victims of violence against women. Should we attend?
Yes. Although the title of the conference is the World Conference of Women’s Shelters, many places don’t have the capacity or resources to open or run a shelter. However, they still provide valuable, life-saving services and resources and we invite them to attend.
Our shelter or the services we provide aren’t just for women. They are for women and their children and families. Should we attend?
Yes. Many shelters and programs provide services for more than just the victim. They often provide services to the victim, her family, and the entire community. As long as the issue you work on are related to individuals who have been victims of gender-based violence, this conference will be applicable to you.
We work with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) victims. Will there be space at the conference for us?
Absolutely. The conference includes workshops that address services for LGBTQ individuals who are victims of intimate partner violence.
How do you define violence against women?
We follow the United Nation’s definition of violence against women, which is violence against women encompasses but is not limited to the following: (a) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation; (b) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution; (c) Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.
2. Interpretation and Translation
What languages will be used at the conference?
The 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters will be in English with translations into other languages based on demand and funding. While we will make every effort to provide the conference information and materials in languages other than English, the majority of the conference sessions and materials will be in English. We will try to translate the conference website into English, French, and Spanish. However depending on our translation volunteers, the Spanish and French pages may not be updated immediately.
Read More about Conference Languages.
3. Registration
How do I register to attend the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters?
Registration is now open!
What is the registration cost?
The registration cost is determined on your profession (student, NGO delegate, other) and the country from which you are traveling. As much as we can, we adjusted the registration cost to fit your budget. Click here for a breakdown of the cost.
What does the registration include?
The registration includes attendance to all the workshops and plenarys, evening events, and conference meals. The registration does not include the pre-conference institute, which will be held February 27, 2011, or other private receptions.
Are the hotel and flight costs included in the registration?
No. The hotel and flight costs are separate.
What type of payment will you accept?
We will accept payment in US Dollar. You can pay with a credit card when you register or you can pay with a credit card or in cash when you arrive at the conference. We will accept a check payment if you are with a U.S. organization.
How do I register as a group?
On the registration form, you will be given the option to register as an individual or as a group. To register as a group, you must have three (3) or more delegates attending the conference. You will register and pay for all three delegates together.
How do I register as a member of media reporting on the conference?
Members of the media are encouraged to contact us directly for information on conference registration.
Do I have to register in advance, or can I register on site?
While we strongly encourage delegates to register in advance in order to best provide information and materials, there will be on site registration.
4. Scholarships
Do you have scholarships available?
Yes,we will have limited scholarships available. The amount of scholarships available will depend on our sponsorships. Sign up for more information and you will be notified when scholarship application process opens.
How many scholarships will be offered?There is no set number of scholarships available. However, scholarships are funded on a rolling basis dependent on sponsorships, so applicants are encouraged to apply early. We strongly encourage delegates to seek other funding.
How do I apply for a scholarship, and what kind of funding will I receive?Once the scholarship applications are available, they will be posted on the conference website and announced through our email updates. (Sign up for email updates, if you haven’t already.) Those interested in applying for a scholarship must complete the online application form. Applications will be accepted and funded on a rolling basis, and applying early is encouraged. Scholarships are funded by various sponsors and decisions are made based on available sponsorhips and demonstrated need of the applicant.
Who decides who is awarded a scholarship?Scholarship selection will be determined by the conference planning team.
5. Proposal Submissions
I want to present. How do I submit a proposal?
To present at the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters, please click here.
I have ideas about topics and issues to be included in the conference sessions and workshops. How can I submit my ideas?
Click here to submit your ideas or suggestions.
Who reviews the proposals and decides which will be accepted?
A review panel of shelter advocates and experts on violence against women will review all proposals. The proposals will be measured based on the following guidelines:
- Is the proposal relevant and applicable to shelter advocates and activists who work on violence against women issues?
- Does the proposal fit within the conference objectives, goals and purpose?
- Is the proposal clear?
The review panel will then select which will be accepted based on the purposes, needs, and goals of the conference.
Read More about Proposal Review.
6. Conference Program
What is the Institute Day/Pre-Conference Institute?
The Pre-Conference Institute is a one-day, pre-conference institute. On February 27, 2012, we will offer day-long institutes, where delegates can receive training on specific in-depth topics such as methods for overcoming the economic barriers that prevent women from escaping abuse and building lives free from violence and poverty. The Institute Day registration cost is separate from, and in addition to, the conference registration cost.
Can I see the conference program in advance?
We are currently reviewing proposals. Once all the proposals have been reviewed and selected, we will post the program on the conference website. Please check back for more information.
What topics will be covered at the conference?
The conference will spotlight the Economics of Our Movement; workshops and sessions will also address the following tracks: Shelter Practices & Sustainability, Building Partnerships To Sustain and Enhance Services, Addressing Barriers and Creating Access, International & Cross-Border Issues, Empowering and Supporting Advocates, Activists, and Allies.
7. Pre-Conference Institutes
What are the pre-conference institutes?
The pre-conference institutes are full-day, in-depth workshops that focus on a particular topic. The institutes will include training workshops, panel discussions, and expert keynote speakers. Click here to read more about the pre-conference topics. We will continue to add pre-conference institutes based on interest. Check the website later for more information.
If I want to attend the institute, do I need to register again?
Yes, the registration for the institute is separate from the conference registration.
How much does it cost to attend the pre-conference institute?
Like the conference registration cost, the pre-conference institute cost is determined on your profession (student, NGO delegate, standard) and the country from which you are travelling. As much as we can, we adjusted the registration cost to fit your budget.
Click here for a breakdown of the cost.
Do I have to attend the pre-conference institute to attend the conference?No. The pre-conference institutes feature in-depth trainings and information sharing on specific topics. The in-depth content shared in the pre-conference institute will not be repeated in the conference.
Read More about the Pre-Conference Institute
8. Exhibits and Satellites
How do I apply to have an exhibition booth?
If you are interested in exhibiting at the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters, please contact us.
How much does it cost to host an exhibit?
This cost has not yet been determined. Once we have the cost available, it’ll be posted on the conference website.
What is a satellite session?
Satellite sessions are opportunities for organizations to host their own workshops. The satellite sessions are where delegates will receive information on additional topics reflecting and/or supporting the overall vision and goals of the conference. Satellite sessions will take place onsite at the Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center, but are fully organized and coordinated by the organization hosting the session.
Is there a cost to host a satellite session?
Yes, there is a cost associated with hosting a satellite session. This cost has not yet been determined. Once we have the cost available, we will post it on the conference website.
How do I apply to host a satellite session?
If you are interested in presenting a satellite session at the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters, please contact us.
Read More on satellite sessions.
9. Sponsorship Opportunities
Where can I find out more about the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters sponsorship opportunities?
You can visit the “sponsorship” page of the conference website to learn about the many sponsorship opportunities available. You can become a Signature Sponsor, which provides a sponsorship package that allows high visibility. An Onsite Sponsor provides the opportunity for onsite branding of materials used by all attendees at the conference. You can also become a sponsor by sponsoring a delegate by providing scholarships to fund their attendance at the conference. For more information please visit the conference website or contact Alexandra Kuebler, NNEDV, at 202-543-5566 or email sponsorships@nnedv.org, to discuss other particular requests about how you would like to present your organization at the conference.
What is the purpose of the sponsorship opportunities?
Our sponsors join with us in creating a world where violence against women no longer exists through strengthening local shelters and programs that provide safety for victims. As a sponsor, you join the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the World Conference of Women’s Shelters in an active global marketing and communications campaign, reaching exceptional women, men, and grassroots activists and community leaders worldwide. More than 2,500 individuals from around the world will attend the conference, and thousands more will visit our website and other online spaces.
Is it possible to link our website to the conference website?
Our sponsors are more than welcome to link to our website to their own. However, if you want more information on how to promote our conference, please contact Alexandra Kuebler at 202-543-5566, ext 153 or email sponsorships@nnedv.org.
Who are the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters organizers and partnering institutions?
The 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters is hosted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). Located in the United States, NNEDV is a social change organization dedicated to creating a social, political and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. NNEDV was selected to host the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters by the Global Network of Women’s Shelter’s (GNWS). GNWS was founded in 2009 to unite the women’s shelter movement globally to make change to end violence against women and their children.
10. Volunteers
How do I find out about volunteering at the conference?
To volunteer with the 2nd World Conference for Women’s Shelters, please view our volunteer page and then fill out an application.
11. Conference Venue
Where is the conference being held?
Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, Maryland 20745
United States of America
Is the conference located at the hotel?
Yes.The conference will take place in the hotel.
What is the price of the hotel rooms?
The room rate for the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelter will be $224, plus 16% tax per night for a single or double room. For a triple room (a room for three people), the rate will be $244 plus 16% tax per night and for a quadruple room (a room for four people) it will be $264 plus 16% tax per night. Note that triple and quadruple rooms are limited. These rates will be available from February 23, 2012 through March 2, 2012, and may be available for a few days before and after the conference. Check with the hotel when you make your reservation.
When making your reservation please let the hotel know you are attending the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters to ensure you receive the above rates.
Will there be group discounts for the hotel?
The hotel is offering all delegates attending the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters a discounted room rate. To reserve this rate, you must mention that you are attending the conference at the time when you make your reservation.
How can I book accommodations at the Gaylord National Hotel?
You can book your hotel room by contacting the hotel reservations office directly at 1-301-965-4000 to ensure that you get the rates and services available for the World Conference of Women’s Shelter’s group rate. If you are calling from outside of the United States, dial 001-301-965-4000. Be sure to tell the hotel that you are attending the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters to receive the discounted room rate.
Can I stay somewhere other than the Gaylord National Hotel?
Yes, you can stay anywhere you want. There are three other hotels at the National Harbor: Hampton Inn, Residence Inn by Marriott, and Westin Hotel. If you choose to stay elsewhere (in Alexandria, VA or Washington, DC, for example) you will need to drive to the Gaylord since there is no train station near the National Harbor. Although you can get there by train and bus, it will require extra time and planning to transfer between the various means of public transport.
Will you pair roommates if I want to share a room to save costs?
Delegates are welcome to share a room to save costs; however, the conference organizers will not be managing or facilitating this process. Each delegate is responsible for booking her/his own accommodations. Please note that the room rate at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is $224, plus 16% tax per night for a single or double room, $244 plus 16% tax per night for a triple occupancy room and $264 plus 16% tax for a quadruple occupancy room.
12. Travel to Washington DC
Do I need to make my own travel arrangements from the airport to the hotel?
Yes. All delegates are responsible for their own transportation to and from the hotel for the conference.
What are the nearest airports to the conference center?
- Regan National Airport (DCA) is the closest and about 10 miles north of Gaylord National.
- Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 40 miles west of Gaylord National
- Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) is about 55 miles north of Gaylord National.
How do I get to the Gaylord National Hotel & Conference Center from the airports?
Gaylord National has an express shuttle from DCA to the Gaylord every twenty minutes. For more information, click here. You can also get to the hotel by taxi or Super Shuttle. For approximate cost, click here.
Can I drive to the Gaylord National?
Yes. Driving directions are available here.
13. Meals
How many meals will you provide?
The pre-conference insitute registration will cover breakfast and lunch.
The conference registration will cover dinner Monday, Februrary 27; breakfast and lunch on Tuesday, February 28, and Wednesday, February 29; and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Thursday, March 1. Dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday will be on your own.
