PRESS RELEASE 14-15-41
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
SHERINE SMITH, LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT (949) 497-7700 EXT. 5202
LBHS TEACHER SELECTED TO ATTEND THE 59TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT UNITED NATIONS
Laguna Beach High School French teacher Odile Dewar was selected to attend the 59th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in March. Superintendent Sherine Smith remarked, “This award reflects Odile’s dedication and passion and we are proud she has earned this incredible recognition.”
This is the 20th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which was adopted by 189 governments. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is considered a comprehensive benchmark for advancement of women’s rights. CSW59 reviewed the international implementation and challenges of the Beijing model in addition to evaluating gender equality and circumstances of women today.
Dr. Dewar is an active member in the San Diego Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America, a program of the United Nations Foundation. She remarked, “Meeting women from all over the world with diverse backgrounds, cultures and languages who were united in their goals to help make life better for women in every corner of the globe was inspirational.”
The experience was life changing for Dr. Dewar. “During the conference I had the opportunity to experience many great meetings between Saturday and Monday which will enrich my curriculum for my classes at LBHS. I also made contact with other UN representatives to discuss possible internships for our high school MUN students,” she stated.
In January, Dr. Dewar invited the UNA-USA San Diego, UN Foundation President and CEO Bettina Hausmann as a guest lecturer to speak about the UN goals to the high school’s AP French class and Model UN (MUN) students. Ms. Hausmann’s interactive and engaging presentation prompted much student discussion about the role of the UN in their everyday lives. Dr. Dewar emphasized that as citizens of the world, students can choose to be active participants of positive global change throughout their lives.
Born in Madagascar, Dr. Dewar has lived and learned in places all over the world including Cameroon, the Soviet Union, and Western Europe. Her father was a judge and a French diplomat, d’outremer. She is fluent in four languages including French, Italian, English and Russian, and speaks some Spanish, Madagascar and Ewondo. Dr. Dewar earned her doctorate in education at Alliant International University.