In the Strategic Plan, Zonta Says NOW is identified as Zonta’s campaign to address climate justice. Climate justice is about putting gender equity and human rights at the core of decision-making and action on climate change. How we do this is shown in Zonta International’s Statement on Climate Change: A gender equality issue. Zonta Says NOW aims to implement the recommendations in the Statement.
In the Intercontinental Think Tank meetings, we share our stories and discuss opportunities for action.
On this page, you will find the ‘working documents’ and videos for the Intercontinental Think Tank. When the documents have been finalised, they are uploaded to the Zonta Says NOW pages on the Zonta International website.
Intercontinental Think Tank meetings are mostly held on Sundays (this will be Saturday night in the USA for the 3 am UTC meetings).
In the 2024-2026 biennium, meetings will be held in every ‘odd-numbered’ month. Download pdf of meeting dates and registration links.
The meetings will rotate through three different time zones:
- North and South America 6 pm UTC (March, September)
- Europe and Africa 10 am UTC (May, November)
- Asia and Oceania 3 am UTC (January, July)
If you would like to be added to the Intercontinental Think Tank’s mailing list, please click the button below.
Intercontinental Think Tank, Sunday 11 January 2026
Hosted by Zontians from Asia and Oceania, we explored how cities can lead a just and climate-resilient future. This session brought together two exceptional speakers driving sustainable urban transformation across our region: Huey Yoong, Head of Implementation for C40 Cities in East and Southeast Asia and Oceania and Krista Milne, Director of Climate Change and City Resilience and co-Chief Heat Officer for the City of Melbourne.
- Meeting slides [pdf] and [video]
- Huey Yoong with Q and A [4:44 to 37:25]
- Krista Milne with Q and A [37.25 to 1:09:40]
- Flyers [jpeg] and [pdf]
- Intercontinental Think Tank UPDATE December 2025
Zonta Says NOW Virtual Art Gallery
Submissions are now open. Entries received before 8 March 2026 will feature in the 2026 Collection that is launched on Earth Day (22 April). Please share this promotional video.
Intercontinental Think Tank, Sunday 9 November 2025
The theme was Earth for All: How gender-equal climate justice could stop wars and conflicts. Wars fuel climate change and deepen inequality. Our speakers, Zontian Lyubov Maksymovych (Luba) from Ukraine, Young Women in Leadership Awardee D27 Hadise Jafari, whose family fled Afghanistan, and Dr Elizabeth Kostas-Polstan, US Air Force veteran nursing specialist, share powerful perspectives on women’s roles in shaping peace, equality, and a sustainable future.
- Meeting slides [pdf] and video [1:34:34]
- Voices from the ground
- Lyubov Maksymovich, Ukraine [12:45 to 24:30]
- Hadise Jafari, Afghanistan, Iran, Greece, Luxembourg [24:30 to 43:28]
- Women’s Health, Military Service, and Climate Change
- Dr Elizabeth Kostas-Polston [44:05 to 1:06:43]
- Discussion [1:06:43 to 1:34:34]
- Flyers [PDF] and [PNG]
- Link to UN Video [2:29] Resolution 1325 – Why does Peace Last Longer When Women are at the Table?
- October UPDATE
Intercontinental Think Tank, Sunday 14 September 2025
This Think Tank focused on the toxic truths about plastic, pollution, and health. Guest speakers shared the alarming impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on our health and the environment. We learned how Zonta contributes to the Global Plastic Treaty and how we can advocate for a more sustainable future.
- Meeting slides and video [1:36:33]
- Plastic pollution and health
- Dr Megan Wolff [6:38 to 26:18]
- Teena Halbig [29:11 to 38:40]
- Issues and Solutions
- Errick Elavia [46:43 to 58:30]
- Joan Kabayambi [1:02:33 to 1:15:00]
- Flyers: [pdf] [jpg]
- Video links:
- Links:
- September UPDATE
Intercontinental Think Tank, Sunday 13 July
Many island nations in the Pacific are struggling with rising sea levels, violence, and poverty – all issues exacerbated by climate change. Carole Shaw, the CEO of the UN Asia Pacific Women’s Watch described the role of this organisation and how it advocates for gender equality in the five regions of the Asia Pacific. We also heard about the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), based in Bangkok.
The 3 documents in this series are all designed to be read on-screen:
- Research paper – an in-depth analysis of the problems, solutions and what Zontians can do. This contains many hyperlinks to references and sources of information
- Fact sheet – 2 pages that provide a summary of the situation.
- Infographic – 1 page of key statistics.
The papers are also available on the Zonta Says NOW Resources page of the Zonta International website. Many thanks to all the members of the Working Group who contributed to these valuable resources.
Intercontinental Think Tank 11 May 2025
The May Think Tank was hosted by Zontians from Europe and Africa and featured:
- Dr Chris Ugwu, Executive Director, Nigeria Society for the Improvement of Rural People and former West Africa Regional Focal Point for the World Bank/UNDP Global Environment Facility NGO network.
- Mr Kayinga Muddu Yisito – Network Coordinator of COTFONE and African Regional Representative on the MenEngage Global Environment and Climate Justice Working Group.
Dr Chris and Kayinga are both working on the frontlines of gender-equal climate justice in Africa – and shared their first-hand experience of the devastation that climate change brings on their local communities and the massive disruption and injustice it causes. Through their activities with the MenEngage Alliance they advocate for gender equality, and enrol men and boys to be climate justice champions. Learn about their inspiring work.
- Slides
- Video [1:21:00]
- Dr Chris Ugwu from [21:56]
- Mr Kayinga Muddu Yisito from [40:46]
- May UPDATE
- March/April UPDATE
March – No Intercontinental Think Tank as it is the NGO CSW69
- NGO CSW 69 Zonta Says NOW to climate justice solutions from the heart – Workshop slides (pdf)
- Science Moms Video
- Register here for the virtual NGO CSW69
- Find out more in the January and February UPDATEs below.
- Virtual Art Gallery flyer (pdf)
- February 2025 UPDATE (pdf)
- January 2025 UPDATE (pdf)
Intercontinental Think Tank 12 January 2025
Hosted by Zontians from Oceania and Asia, this meeting focused on Menstrual Health and Sustainability. The guest speaker was Dipisha Bhujel, a social entrepreneur and menstrual equity advocate from Nepal. Dipisha showcased the ultimate sustainable menstrual cycle – Project Sparsa – a not-for-profit she founded that makes compostable sanitary pads from banana fibre. [Sadly, due to technical issues, Dr Jessica Kind, climate scientist and artist from Guatemala was unable to connect on the day.] The meeting also promoted the Zonta Says NOW Virtual Art Gallery.
- Slides of meeting (pdf)
- Video of meeting [1:15:20]
- Dipisha Bhujel [15:55 to 43:32]
- Virtual Art Gallery promotional video [4:30]
- December Update
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Resources
How climate change contributes to violence against women – slides.
USA Caucus videos for the 16 Days of Activism on: climate change and human trafficking, child marriage, and violence against women. There is also a video about child marriage in the USA. Check them out!
November Update (pdf)
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting 10 November 2024
Hosted by Zontians from Europe and Africa, this Think Tank explored How international financial architecture impacts gender-equal climate justice. They delved into the facts and figures behind the economic gender gap, analysed the economic structures that led to this situation, and discussed the consequences on women in Sweden, Germany and Uganda.
- Slides of meeting [pdf]
- Video of meeting [1:19:18]
- Speaker 1 [14:46 to 31:10] Jennie Sinclair, an entrepreneur, investor and board member of the Swedish Ownershift Foundation
- Speaker 2 [31:32 to 53:00] Saadat Nakyejwe Kimuli, PhD. With a phD in Business Administration and Sustainability, she is passionate about fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Uganda.
- October Update (pdf)
- Video advertising the Think Tank to use on social media (45 seconds)
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting 8 September 2024
Hosted by Zontians from the USA Caucus, this meeting focused on having conversations about the effects of climate change through the lens of women’s health.
- September Update (pdf)
- Slides of meeting (pdf)
- Video of meeting [1:23:47]
- These two videos were shown during the meeting:
- Video: The secret to talking about climate change [3:56]
- Video: The most important think you can do for climate change: talk about it. Katharine Hayhoe [3:57]
- August Update (pdf)
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting 21 July 2024
Hosted by Zontians from Asia and Oceania. Sadly, riots interrupted online communications in Bangladesh, so were unable to have the presentation from Dipisha Bhujel. Dipisha will now speak at the Think Tank on Sunday 12 January at 3.00 am UTC.
Meeting Theme: The power of education to create a more sustainable world
- Video
- Slides (pdf)
- Speaker 1 [ 9:30 to 55:35]: Dr Eugene Cordero, Founder Green Ninja, Professor in Department of Meteorology and Climate Science at San Jose State University, California, USA
- Speaker 2 [ 56:41 to 66:20]: What’s Ahead in 2024-2026? Carole Theobald
- July Update (pdf)
- Train slides shown at Convention (ppt)
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting 23 June 2024
Hosted by Zontians from Europe and Africa.
Planetary health is women’s health.
- Video [1:13:35]
- Speaker 1 [9:40 to 22:10]: Prof. Dr. med. Eva Kantelhardt. Head of Global and Planetary Health AG, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in Germany
- Speaker 2 [22:42 to 40:30]: Melvine Otieno. Environmental health scientist and Founder of the Planetary Health Eastern Africa Hub in Kenya
- Intercontinental Think Tank Update June (pdf)
Zonta International Convention Face-to-Face Workshop 27 June 2024
- Slides (pdf)
Zonta International Convention
Pre-Convention Virtual Workshop 24 May, 8.00am CDT (Central Daylight Time)
EARTH DAY SOCIAL MEDIA
22 April is Earth Day – please share these social media posts and immerse yourself in the Zonta Says NOW Virtual Art Gallery:
- Earth Day video reel (MP4)
- Virtual Art Gallery is Open! (PNG)
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 21 April 2024
Celebrating Mother Earth Day, hosted by Zontians in Australia
Meeting resources:
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 17 March 2024 (NGO CSW 68 Presentation)
This presentation to the NGO CSW 68 forum replaced the March meeting. Our presentation explored the theme of How gender-equal climate action works to end poverty: the Zonta story. At the forum there were many Conversation Circles and if you would like to see them visit the CSW68 YouTube Channel. Two Conversation Circles were co-moderated by members of the Zonta Says NOW Working Group and the links to these are below.
Presentation resources
- Video [1:42:43]
- Slides
- Toolkit containing links to all resources used in the presentation
- Conversation Circle: Poverty and Climate Change, co-moderated by Julie Trone [1:27:30]
- Conversation Circle: Debt Crisis and Impact on Women, co-moderated by Karin Lange [53:05]
- Intercontinental Think Tank Update – March 2024
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 18 February 2024
Meeting resources
Presentation 1: Interview with Mwanahamisi Singano, Program Manager, Global Policy, WEDO
- Join the Women and Gender Constituency Advocacy List
- Get the Gender Climate Tracker
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 21 January 2024
Meeting resources:
- Video of entire meeting [1:12:09]
- Slides of entire meeting [pdf]
- Draft leaflet: Guide to environmentally responsible air travel
- Draft leaflet: Why are women and girls more vulnerable to the impacts of disasters?
- Draft leaflet: Is your household disaster ready?
- Agenda
- Notes from December Meeting
- Registration link for January meeting
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 17 December 2023
Meeting video [1:04:51]
Includes introduction, actions from last meeting, presentations on the UNEP and CSW 68 and feedback on COP28.
Slides of December meeting (pdf).
December meeting papers:
- Agenda
- Notes from November meeting
- Registration link for December meeting
- List of meetings for 2024.
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 19 November 2023
Meeting video [1:14:26]
Includes introduction, actions from last meeting, presentations on how climate change contributes to violence against women and how we can create change through art.
Slides of November meeting (pdf)
Presentation 1: How climate change contributes to violence against women.
Video: Karin Lange Zonta Club of Berlin 1989, District 27, Germany and Pia Hultgren, Zonta Club of Lidingo, District 21, Sweden [25:28]
Presentation 2: How we create change through art
Video: Julie Trone, Zonta Club of Fort Collins, District 12, USA [17:12]
November meeting papers:
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 15 October 2023
Meeting video [1:13:06]
Includes introduction, actions from last meeting, presentations on food and water security and the results of the Member Survey.
Slides of October 2023 meeting (pdf)
October Meeting Papers
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 17 September 2023
Meeting Video [1:05:56]
Includes introduction, actions from last meeting, speaker presentation and discussion.
Slides of 17 September 2023 meeting (pdf)
September Meeting Papers:
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 20 August 2023
Videos:
Meeting Video [1:26:12]
Includes introduction, actions from last meeting, speaker presentations and discussion.
Video showing links between climate change and increased child marriage [2:55]
Presentation 2:
Video with subtitles of audio presentation from Marisa Mason-Smith from the Zonta Club of New Providence in The Bahamas. [13:05]
August Meeting Papers:
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 16 July 2023
Videos:
Meeting Video [1:05:46]
Includes introduction, actions from last meeting, speaker presentations and discussion.
Presentation 1:
Video of Speakers: Mari Delos Santos and Bing Carrion, Zonta Club of Makati Central Business District, the Philippines [21:11]
Presentation 2:
Video of Speaker: Errick Elavia, Zonta Club of Bombay I, India [17:16]
July Meeting papers:
Other resources:
- Links to Zonta Says NOW leaflets on Zonta International website
- Action Guides:
- Quiz: Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 18 June 2023
Meeting papers:
- 00 Agenda
- 01 Notes from 21 May 2023 Meeting
- 02 Draft leaflet – Framework for Gender Equal Climate Action (updated 6 July)
- 03 Draft leaflet – FAQs Framework for Gender Equal Climate Action (updated 13 July)
Video links:
- Meeting Video [1:06:37]
- Slides of 18 June 2023 (pdf)
- Presentation: Dr Judith Ainsworth, Canada Caucus [26:29]
- Quiz: Beat Plastic Pollution
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 21 May 2023
Meeting papers:
Video links:
- Meeting video [1:18:06]
- Slides of 21 May 2023 meeting (pdf)
- Presentation 1: Shahnaz Nathani, Zonta Club of Colombo II, Sri Lanka [22:47]
- Presentation 2: Pamela Morgan, Zonta Club of Essex County, USA (Zonta International representative at the United Nations) [34:06]
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 16 April 2023
Meeting papers:
Video links:
- Meeting video (1:19:17)
- Slides of 16 April 2023 meeting (pdf)
- Presentation 1: Anastasia Gbem, Zonta Club of Lagos I, Nigeria [23:03]
- Presentation 2: Hasna Moudud, Zonta Club of Dhaka I, Bangladesh [24:48]
- Notes of turtle project (pdf)
- Presentation 3: Angela Brokmann, Zontal Club of Louisville, USA [22:03]
Intercontinental Think Tank – 19 March 2023
Meeting papers:
- 00 Agenda
- 01 Notes from February 2023 Meeting
- 02 Final draft Zonta Says NOW Fact Sheet
- 03 Zonta Says NOW Frameworks
Video links:
- Meeting video (1:48:26)
- Presentation 1: Helen Bowie, Zonta Club of Wellington, New Zealand [16:28]
- Presentation 2: Aba Amissah Quainoo, Zonta Club of Accra II, Ghana [19:07]
- Presentation 3: Annette di Rosa, Zonta Club of Lausanne, Switzerland [19:00]
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 19 February 2023
Meeting papers:
- 00 Agenda
- 01 Notes from November meeting
- 02 20230212 Zonta Says NOW Fact Sheet Climate Action Draft V3
- 03 Law and Policy frameworks – Christine Trenorden
- 04 My take on COP27 – Hasna Moudud
- 05 Technology and the Environment
- 06 Technology in Rural Areas
Video links:
- Meeting video [1:09:29]
- Slides of meeting video (pdf)
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 20 November 2022
Meeting papers:
Video links:
- Meeting video
- Slides (pdf)
Intercontinental Think Tank Meeting – 23 October 2022
Video and slides ofthe first meeting:
- Meeting video [1:39:15]
- Slides (pdf)