International Trade Forum - Issue 3-4/2008
In many nations, the fight against poverty is both an ethical
issue and a security imperative. Women leaders are convening in
Liberia to commit to action to empower women at all levels to
become effective leaders as it contributes to peace and
international security - the precondition for development and
poverty reduction.
Leading the way: the Liberia colloquium
Women leaders will meet at an International Colloquium on Women's
Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and
Security in Liberia's capital, Monrovia, on 7-8 March 2009. It will
be co-convened by Liberian and Finnish Presidents, Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf and Tarja Halonen, in concert with Pan African
Parliamentarians and supported, among others, by the
Council of Women World
Leaders.
Bringing together several former and present female heads of
state, as well as women leaders from all realms of society
including from the private sector, NGOs and international
institutions, the colloquium will focus on establishing ties across
borders and between markets, exchange good practices and innovative
ideas and commit to action to empower women at all levels to become
effective leaders. The colloquium aims to establish a foundation
for increased global security through access to opportunities and
resources for women around the world.
Women leaders have risen to positions of influence in
government, multi-lateral institutions, the private sector and
civil society, where they can increasingly shape approaches to and
priorities of international security - the precondition for
development. Recognizing that extreme poverty undermines democratic
processes and good governance, depletes resources and increases the
desperation of individuals and communities who believe they have a
stake in a stable economy and government, the colloquium will offer
women leaders the opportunity to come together, realize their own
potential and give those who feel they are without options an
alternative to fighting.
Seven key themes will be addressed: United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security; leadership
and networks; Millennium Development Goal three, to promote gender
equality and empower women; economic empowerment and decent work;
the impact of climate change; youth; and migration.
ITC strongly supports the colloquium and is contributing several
events under the theme of Economic Empowerment and Decent Work.
Focusing on women's leadership in business and trade, one of the
colloquium panels will gather ministers, businesswomen and experts
in international trade around the same table and share business
experiences and innovative ideas on how to unlock women's export
potential for trade and development gains. The colloquium will also
feature side events such as project visits, information stands,
performances and workshops.
For more informations see:http://womenscolloquium.org/