The idea of setting up a Philippine women's network in Europe was born in 1991, during a conference for migrant Filipinos in Kerkrade, the Netherlands. During this conference, it became very clear that there were so many issues affecting Filipinas in Europe, and there was a need to work together.

The first conference of Filipinas in Europe was held in Barcelona in 1992. It was then that the network was formalized and a name adopted - Babaylan. Babaylan is the title given to the priestesses in the Philippines in pre-Spanish times. The Babaylan acted as healers and exercised leadership roles in all aspects of community life.

Babaylan has held conferences every two years since then. It was held in Switzerland in 1994 and Germany in 1996. The 1998 conference was held on 10-13 September 1998 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. This conference theme was: "Filipina: Handa sa Bagong Milenya" (Filipina: All set for the new millenium).

Conferences are occasions where Filipinas throughout Europe exchange experiences and make plans for the future. Also, and most importantly, they are empowering experiences by themselves, and provide a needed boost to the work. It is in recognition of this that Babaylan "echo" meetings are held by the delegates when they return to their country networks.

To quote from the report of the Maastricht conference:
" It is within our power to take a pro-active role by asserting our right to information, protection of the family, freedom to express cultural identity and be proud of our contribution to their (the host country's) culture. The conference confirmed that Filipinas are undoubtedly well equipped to be economically prosperous and independent if the conditions in Europe would permit and they themselves are ready to maximise their capacities, opportunities and take risks."

Babaylan is composed of various Philippine women's groups, women's organizations and women's desks in nine countries of Europe: the UK, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria and France.

Babaylan has activities at the country level. These could either be part of the coordinated activities of the Europe-wide network or of the initiatives of the local network.

Babaylan aims to:

• to promote a liberating education programme for women to tackle issues affecting Filipinas in Europe and in the Philippines;
• to promote women's empowerment through sharing of our experiences, information and resources;
• to establish links and support with women's group of other minority ethnic nationals;
• to provide channels for campaign on women issues
• promote communication and information exchange among Filipinas in Europe and in the Philippines.

Babaylan's proposed activities for 1999-2000 include:

• producing a semi-annual newsletter, starting in June 1999, that will share information and updates on different activities among Babaylan's members;
• holding a Youth Summer Camp;
• conducting trainings on: Basic Women Orientation and Gender Consciousness; Economic Self-empowerment and Entrepreneurship;
• IT training;
• Conference and Congress in September/October 2000 will be held in the UK, with the main theme around Poverty.

In addition, Babaylan will have activities linked with the March 2000, an international project organized by Federation des Femmes in Canada.

In the year 2000, the Babaylan UK network will host the next conference. In this conference, we will share our experiences, talk about our difficulties, and make plans for the future. But most of all, we will celebrate on our achievements.

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