The intended outcome of the international conference Women of the mountains is ?to raise awareness and mobilize support from institutions within the U.S. mountain states and global mountain entities to assist in the sustainable development of the mountain communities of the world, particularly as it applies to women and children?. It refers to solidarity between ?mountain? regions/communities, which is not an isolated conception. International alliances of mountain regions/stakeholders have increased recently. Collaborations of the Parties of the Alpine2 Convention with other mountain regions (the Carpathians, the Caucasus and in Central Asia) are an illustration of this trend, just as the creation of mountain stakeholders? platforms such as the Mountain Forum (1996) and the Mountain Partnership (2002) or groups like the World Mountain Population Association (2002). These exchanges are clearly embedded in the process of the international recognition of mountains as a global issue3, illustrated at its best by the inscription of a specific chapter devoted to mountains in Agenda 21 (1992), the action-plan of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and by the proclamation of an International Year of Mountains (2002). Women have had their place in the mountain political agenda. In the ?mountain chapter? of Agenda 21 (Chapter 13), entitled ?Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain development?, it is recommended to ?undertake the above activities, taking into account the need for full participation of women, including indigenous people and local communities, in development? (Ch.13.16.h). ?The need for greater empowerment, equity and equality of mountain women has been expressed as an important concern throughout the period of UNCED and Chapter 13 follow-up; it will receive even greater attention?.
