What is the

Virtual Centre?

Opened online 27 October '99, the Centre provides powerful, easy to use technology and information tools for work of all kinds to promote women's legal equality.

The Centre aims to  dramatically reduce barriers of distance and resources to bring thousands together in new virtual communities and networks around Australia.

Purpose of the Virtual Centre:

The Centre is strengthening activity and service delivery at a community, regional, state and national level. It is also:

• Promoting women's use and proficiency with new communication technologies by creating a friendly environment to learn and practice.
• Focusing strongly on encouraging virtual communities and networks particularly among those in regional Australia, and
• Actively helping to form new links and partnerships for research, information exchange and peer support

Organisations represented on the NWJC Board:

• Assoc.of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Aust.
• Australian Feminist Law Foundation
• Australian Women in Agriculture
• Australian Women Lawyers
• National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence
• National Network of Aboriginal Women's Legal Services
• National Network of Women's Legal Services
• Women's Electoral Lobby (Aust)
• Women's Services Network

Virtual Centre Activities:

The centre-piece is the large-scale application of advanced email list management technology using an intensive community development approach. The project draws on leading education models and successful grass roots capacity building projects undertaken by major international non-profits.

• the Centre provides email lists, including electronic bulletins and email and web based discussion groups, on self initiated topics from all regions in Australia
• email lists are self directed and list facilitators are trained are mentored in list facilitation techniques
• facilities for on-line training and public and private on-line conferences will be added as the Centre grows.

Funds:

Funds and substantial in-kind assistance have been provided by the Department of Communications and the Arts Networking the Nation initiative and by the Law Foundation of NSW. The federal Office of the Status of Women lent support to the project funding proposal.

Virtual Centre Project Partners and Contributors:

The Law Foundation of NSW is our project partner and is contributing technical skills and hosting facilities. Social Change On-line is building the Centre and work is well underway. Additional contributors include: SoftLaw Community Projects; Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications; Computer Assistance Support & Education; Spinifex Press, & Bellanet / International Development Research Centre, Canada.

Organisations can register to support the project by promoting it through networks and contributing in other ways. To register as a project supporter, please contact the Virtual Centre.

VirtualCentre Launch & Project updates:

In addition to being launched online, the Virtual Centre was launched nationally at the NWJC's conference Through Our Eyes: Legal Needs of Women in Regional, Rural and Remote Australia held in Albury in June 2000. The Centre will be launched in each state and territory. The ACT launch is being held on 11 October 2000. Project sponsors, partners and promoters are invited to participate in the launches with women's organisations and legal sector groups. If you would like to receive project updates and information about the launches, please register with the Virtual Centre and join the free Virtual Centre update announcement list

Proposals from additional project sponsors are also welcome.