Under the patronage of UNESCO, 350 AIC volunteers from 50 countries throughout the world met in Rome for the International Assembly from 9 to 14 March 2007 with the theme:
“Women and Poverty – Diversity of Cultures”. (The Ladies of Charity USA are members and sent delegates.)

Convinced that every woman has the capacity to change her own culture and find within herself the resources to rebuilt her future, the AIC Assembly drew up its priorities for the next 4 years:
– to encourage the opportunity for people, especially women, to express themselves
– to educate towards a better balance of roles between men and women
– to provide training in human rights especially the defence of women’s rights
– to collaborate with others regarding the promotion of women

Thanks to the enlightening talks by Thierry Verhelst, a consultant in intercultural relations, Bogaletch Gebre, a specialist in women’s rights, Sr. Maria Pilar Lopez, a Daughter of Charity, Anna Casella Paltrinieri, a Professor of anthropology and Oscar Monteza, an International expert in cooperatives, evidence from active volunteers and the results of forums and workshops stressed the interaction between culture and the poverty of women.