Global Power Women Conference (GPWC) 2023 Post-Event Report
Conference Working Theme: Advancing Resilience and Transformational Women Leadership for Sustainable High Performance and Global Impact
Date: September 2023
Location: New York
Key Themes
The Global Power Women Conference (GPWC) 2023, held on September 21st, 2023, at the New York Hilton Midtown, was a remarkable success. This event aimed to gather global women leaders and gender diversity champions to discuss strategies for increasing women’s representation in leadership roles worldwide. The conference featured inspiring speakers, innovative discussions, and the launch of the Global Power Women Yearbook. Key outcomes included new partnerships, actionable strategies, and a diverse exchange of perspectives.
The primary objectives of the GPWC 2023 were to bring together influential women leaders and gender diversity champions to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions globally and to launch the World We Want for Women (4Ws) Initiative. These goals were successfully achieved, as evidenced by the high-level participation, engaging discussions, and the launch of initiatives aimed at fostering women’s leadership.
Event Agenda
Dr. Ibifuro Ken-Giami, Executive Director of the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) welcomed all attendees, emphasizing the conference’s mission to redefine leadership and impact through the perspectives of women globally. She highlighted a shared vision where women are not only participants but also leaders and doers. Dr. Ken-Giami acknowledged the significant contributions of women leaders who challenge conventions, disrupt norms, and pave the way for future generations.
Dr. Ken-Giami noted that the conference transcends a mere gathering, celebrating collective strength, shared vision, and unwavering belief in women’s power. She stressed the importance of diversity and transformational leadership, recognizing each participant as a beacon of change. The conference aimed to present inspiring stories and insights from women who have overcome significant challenges and achieved remarkable success.
Her Excellency Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu – President of Kosovo presented a compelling keynote address on the theme; “Advancing Resilience for Transformative Leadership for Global Impact”.
In her speech, she emphasized the critical importance of advocating for transformational leadership that values and celebrates the contributions of women equally alongside their male counterparts. She highlighted that such leadership is essential for creating a world where women are not only participants but leaders who drive significant and positive change. Dr. Osmani-Sadriu’s address underscored the necessity of recognizing and honouring the achievements of women, advocating for their rightful place in leadership roles, and ensuring their contributions are acknowledged and valued on a global scale.
Dr. Osmani-Sadriu also stressed that advancing resilience for transformative leadership is not just a goal but a collective responsibility that we must all nurture within ourselves and the future generations. She articulated a vision where resilience meets adversity, resulting in leadership that fosters lasting and positive change, with women at its core. Her call to action was clear: to cultivate these qualities and ensure that leadership is synonymous with enduring impact and that women are central to this transformative process. Her keynote address resonated with the conference’s theme, urging attendees to embrace and promote resilience and transformational leadership as fundamental principles for global impact.
Key lessons Learned:
Key lessons learned from the event include the importance of early and consistent communication with stakeholders, the need for flexible planning to accommodate unforeseen circumstances, and the value of diverse participation to enrich discussions. Future events can benefit from these insights by implementing more robust logistical plans and ensuring diverse representation.
Panel Session 1:
Kasia Reterska – Executive Vice President, Social Impact & Sustainability – Weber Shandwick opened the Session 1 with an outstanding and intriguing presentation on the topic- Being the Female Pioneer in a Male Monopolized Terrain – a Lesson in Resilience and Strategy.
Another key highlight of the GPWC was the First Ladies on a Mission Session- an exciting high-level session that enlightened participants about the laudable projects and social courses undertaken by First Ladies and the impact these projects on the people of their nations.
HE Melissa Santokhi-Seenacherry – First Lady of Suriname
HE Melissa Santokhi-Seenacherry – First Lady of Suriname addressed the audience on the critical issue of mental health. Emphasizing the profound impact of COVID-19 on global mental health, Her Excellency highlighted that mental health has increasingly gained attention since the pandemic. Despite these advancements, alarming statistics reveal that Suriname has had one of the highest suicide rates in the region and ranks in the top 10 worldwide over the past five years, with a population of only about 600,000 citizens. This concerning trend underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues, particularly within cultures that have strict emotional taboos. In Suriname, young people often internalize feelings of shame or guilt when discussing their emotions with adults, leading to ineffective communication, misunderstandings, and strained relationships. This environment exacerbates stress, anxiety, and depression, and seeking psychological help remains heavily stigmatized and disapproved of within the community.
In response to these challenges, Mrs. Melissa Santokhi Seenacherry launched a program titled “How We Feel,” in partnership with UNICEF Suriname. The program aims to provide society, especially young people, with tools and tips to recognize and understand their emotions. The initiative addresses various emotions such as anger, fear, sadness, and happiness, along with their triggers. A safe, nonjudgmental environment is created where children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and challenges. The program emphasizes the importance of listening to the youth, validating their emotions, and ensuring they feel heard and understood, thereby empowering them.
Additionally, The First Lady, introduced the “Me Time” mindfulness program in schools, which includes mindful breathing exercises and positive affirmations to foster a positive mindset and resilience. These exercises encourage children to focus on their inner selves and develop a strong sense of self. Mrs. Melissa Santokhi Seenacherry believes that sharing tools to build resilience and prevent persistent sadness and depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts, is crucial. By empowering the youth with healthy coping mechanisms and emotional strength, Mrs. Melissa Santokhi Seenacherry aims to break the cycle of depression and advocate for building inner strength and resilience among young people.
HE Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of Burundi
HE Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of Burundi spoke about the “UMUGIRANEZA Good Action Foundation”, which caters for vulnerable people and promotes formal and non-formal education as well as good maternal and child health in Burundi.
During her presentation, HE Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of Burundi, emphasized the role of the Office of the First Lady for Development and the Bonne Action UMUGIRANEZA Foundation in enhancing the well-being of the population. The foundation’s initiatives range from the “zero malnutrition” program for children under five to high-level forums for women leaders and the National School Food Program, demonstrating a commitment to address cultural barriers that marginalize women.
Her speech reads:
“The Office of the First Lady for Development and the Bonne Action UMUGIRANEZA Foundation support the government in improving the population’s well-being, with a particular emphasis on women, children, young people, and the elderly. They have initiated several community programs and activities, including the “zero malnutrition” program for children under five, high-level forums for women leaders, and the National School Food Program. They also support Burundian youth through awareness sessions and assistance visits to the most needy people, including older people and children.
The foundation focuses on addressing cultural barriers that often marginalize women, such as obstetric fistula. They have carried out awareness and screening campaigns, extended the Urumuri Center, and addressed issues such as obstetric fistula management, infertility, menstrual hygiene, and mental health. They have introduced the first fertility centre in the country, the UMUGIRANEZA Polyclinic, and a medical centre for listening and psychosocial care. The ultimate goal of these actions is to transform lives and restore smiles and dignity to the population they serve. The foundation hopes their actions inspire many women and girls who look to their elders.”
Furthermore, it is always easy to ignore significant individuals such as the first ladies who put in many hours of labour behind the scenes in the frequently glamorous field of politics where leaders take centre stage. Beyond the glamour of political stages, first ladies like Her Excellency Angeline Ndayishimiye continue to champion impactful changes. The Bonne Action UMUGIRANEZA Foundation’s testimonials from beneficiaries and participants echo the profound impact on various facets of Burundian society, from healthcare to education. Her vision extends beyond rhetoric, evident in testimonials from beneficiaries from diverse walks of life.
The f4Ws Launch
Framing The World We Want for Women (f4Ws)- an initiative of CELD targeted at girls and young women with lofty ambitions and a dream for the future of women- was also launched during the GPWC 2023, kicking off with a panel session on “Harnessing 5D and the Future of Healthcare for Women in Developing Regions”. The speakers during the 4Ws launch session include Dr Ifeanyi G. Egbunike-Chukwuma; Pharm.D, BCPS, BCACP, Director of Pharmacy Services at UNNC Midtown Campus, the University of Maryland Medical System; Dr Laura Sleeper, Dean, School of Dental Sciences, Plaza Colege, NY; Dr Nkiruka Iloh MD – Medical Director, Psychiatry Emergency Department Garment Health Medical; and Ms Chioma Ohakam – Manager Public Engagement, Office of the Mayor of New York.
The Global Power Women Yearbook Launch
The GPWC 2023 also hosted the launch of the highly anticipated Global Power Women (GPW) Yearbook. A timeless compilation of success stories, achievements, innovations, and impact generated by the world’s top Power Women, powering impact across the globe, with the primary aim to present a strong narrative of the impact of women’s leadership across diverse sectors and regions of the world.
During the launch and unveiling of The GPW Yearbook Volume, Dr Mrs Ken-Giami emphasised that “It is indeed not a cliché to boldly say that this book is no ordinary yearbook; It is a timeless chronicle of courage, a testament of tenacity, and a tribute to the women trailblazers who dared to defy norms and shatter glass ceilings. Each page of this novel book is a journey through time, each story a beacon of inspiration.
She also mentioned that “whilst writing and compiling these inspiring stories of impact, we discovered that the relentless contributions and achievements of women who are privileged to sit on key world decision tables cannot be contained nor fully captured in a book; so this is more than a book, it is indeed a movement a platform, a network, and a resource for anyone who wants to be inspired, informed, and empowered by the power of women leadership. It is also a recognition, a tribute, and a gratitude to the women who have paved the way for us and those who are leading us forward.” CLICK HERE to access the GPW Yearbook Launch Video.
Holistically, the GPWC 2023 provided networking opportunities for the participants and other intriguing activities aimed at empowering and inspiring women worldwide. In expressing gratitude, Dr Giami and Stella N. Uwechia, the GPWC City Host stated, “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to this year’s GWPC. Witnessing the gathering of trailblazers and achievers, with the sole purpose of supporting each other and celebrating their accomplishment is truly inspiring.”
Feedback from attendees, stakeholders, sponsors, and partners were overwhelmingly positive. Attendees appreciated the high-quality speakers, the relevance of the topics discussed, and the networking opportunities provided by the event. Surveys and social media comments highlighted the event’s impact and suggested areas for future improvement, such as increasing the number of interactive sessions and extending the event duration.
The Global Power Women Conference (GPWC) 2023 was a significant success, achieving its objectives of fostering discussions on women’s leadership and launching impactful initiatives. The event’s high-profile speakers, diverse participation, and innovative outcomes highlighted its importance in driving the agenda for gender diversity in leadership. Recommendations for future events include enhancing logistical planning and increasing interactive sessions to build on this success.
Gallery
Call to Action
The Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) UK and Amazons Watch Magazine believe that events such as the GPWC are pertinent to promoting, empowering, and uniting women from all walks of life, and it looks forward to the September 2024 edition. The organizers remain committed to their mission of empowering women and will continue to host events and initiatives that contribute to the growth and success of women from all backgrounds.
For more information about the GWPC/yearbook launch and future events,
please visit https://celd.org.uk/ or
contact us at: info@celd.org.uk;
Phone Number: +447471066570
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