Countdown to the Women’s Forum Global Meeting 2018 in Paris

Carrousel-du-Louvre-Paris-the-Glass-Pyramid
Carrousel-du-Louvre-Paris-the-Glass-Pyramid

The 2018 Women’s Forum Global Meeting will gather global leaders from society and the economic sector. It is considered to be the 3rd most notable international social and economic forum and highlights how all sectors need to be engaged for progress and to bridge divides and move towards more inclusive progress for all of humanity.

Divisions are widening the gap – between people, countries, political parties, religions, and within communities.

Inspired by women’s leadership, the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society will bring a distinctly female perspective to defining strategies to create the conditions for action. The legendary annual event held for thirteen years in fashionable Deauville at the Atlantic Coast came to  Paris in 2017 for first time.

Some attendees from the Women’s Forum Global Meeting 2017 missed the closeness of Deauville, with powerful breakout sessions, in exchange for huge marble meeting spaces at the Carousel Louvre.

Louvre Photo © E. Lang | eTurboNews | eTN

Louvre – Photo © E. Lang

But what is it all about?

The Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society is a leading platform dedicated to advancing the most important social and economic issues of our time.

Hotel L’Ville Paris France | eTurboNews | eTN

Hotel L’Ville Paris, France

Who is coming?

  • 2000+ influential business, institutional, and political leaders from the EU and beyond, hosting meetings around the world to consider new perspectives and generate solutions at Women’s Forum meetings aimed at bringing together leaders from all over the world – women and men – to consider new perspectives on key issues to create a powerful global network in order to strengthen the influence of women throughout the world; to draw up innovative and concrete action plans to encourage women’s contributions to society; and to promote diversity in the business world.

 

  • influential business, institutional, and political leaders from the EU and beyond, gathering to engage for impact

 

  • this year, topics include: Bridging Humanity, Daring Women, Social Impact, Civic Engagement, Power of Finance, Future of Work, STEM for Good, and Entrepreneurship

Something to look forward to is the  Oxford-style Debate co-curated by the New York Times, which includes statements and responses for a rather explosive topic.

The motion is that this house believes government, not business, should be primarily responsible for ending sexual harassment in the workplace – #nytdebate

Moderators will be Francesca Donner, Director of the Gender Initiative, The New York Times, and Sophie Lambin, Editorial Director, Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society.

Sofana Dahlan Founder of Law Firm in Makkah Saudi Arabia Photo © E. Lang 1 | eTurboNews | eTN

Sofana Dahlan, Founder of Law Firm in Makkah, Saudi Arabia – Photo © E. Lang

Women’s votes matter more than before!

Leading the persistence: Women as a rising force in politics – #womenpersist

A high participation (more than double) of women are running in record numbers (281)  in this year’s US midterm elections.

However, women in national parliaments around the globe might still be the minority, but they’re closing the gap. A gender equality campaign is encouraging women’s empowerment and political activity in the run-up to the 2019 EU Parliamentary elections.

Despite this momentum, gender equality in political leadership, representation, and activity remain badly needed in many countries.

How can the energy of this year’s movement for women increase political leadership and engagement? With over 250 prominent speakers from varied industries and countries.

Let’s take a closer look at the agenda “like Safe harbor.”

Inside Caroussel du Louvre Paris Photo © E. Lang | eTurboNews | eTN

Inside Caroussel du Louvre, Paris – Photo © E. Lang

Women’s leadership in and beyond displaced communities – #displacedwomen

Millions of women are separated from their homes, livelihoods, and families each year by armed conflict or other catastrophes, and frequently suffer severe abuses and hardship while in flight or at their place of refuge.

Whether within or across borders, forced displacement remains a pressing humanitarian concern. Displacement is often a survival mechanism, when fleeing is the only resort women have in order to avoid imminent danger or hardship.

Louvre Paris Photo © E. Lang | eTurboNews | eTN

Louvre Paris – Photo © E. Lang

However, displacement also tends to make women vulnerable, often exacerbating the difficulties they already face as a result of the surrounding armed conflict or violence. Internally displaced and refugee women are torn away from their usual surroundings and social support networks.

Families are often ripped apart and relatives may be killed or go missing. The loss of income, possessions, and official documents leave women unable to meet even their most basic needs in a predictable way or access basic services. Some of them may resort to desperate measures – such as child labor, prostitution, selling their assets, or moving back to dangerous areas – to survive.

Internally displaced and refugee women and girls are often at a heightened risk of sexual violence and exploitation.

 

  • What kinds of gender-responsive solutions are needed to assist, protect, and empower

internally displaced and refugee women and girls?

 

  • How has women’s leadership within and beyond displaced communities smoothed the

transition?

 

  • How can educating and empowering men about gender issues and human rights further

efforts to protect at-risk women?

Town Hall of Paris – Hotel L’Ville Paris France | eTurboNews | eTN

Town Hall of Paris – Hotel L’Ville Paris, France

According to Star Jones, President, Professional Diversity Network, and Moderator, ultimately it is people not institutions who will drive inclusive progress. Mindset shifts are needed across business, civil society, government, and media to reorient our economies and societies to a path of inclusive progress.

With only one week to go to the Women’s Forum Global Meeting 2018 in Paris, France, “Bridging Humanity for Inclusive Progress” (November 14-16, 2018), expectations are high, and there is no better place than Paris to hold the event. Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, will be speaking at the cocktail reception at the most prestigious Town Hall  – L’Hôtel de Ville, Paris.

About the author

Avatar of Elisabeth Lang - special to eTN

Elisabeth Lang - special to eTN

Elisabeth has been working in the international travel business and hospitality industry for decades and contributing to eTurboNews since the start of the publication in 2001. She has a worldwide network and is an international travel journalist.

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