The XXIX BPW International Congress at Mena House Hotel Cairo Egypt 23 27 October 2017. Another International Congress has finished very successfully reuniting BPW friends from all over the world, giving us knowledge and leaving us with good memories. BPWs from 30 countries and about 650 participants took part in this international event at the famous Mena House Hotel, a stone s throw from the Pyramids, in beautiful halls decorated with arabesque doors and enormous chandeliers as if coming out of an Arabian night tale. Sunday 22/10/17 Reception invitation by the Governor of Giza to the International Board and other guests. Monday 23/10/17 Registrations followed by the Regional Conferences, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America and the Caribbean.
European Regional Conference : attended by BPW Austria, Cyprus, Estonia also as Chair of Danube Net, Spain, Finland, France, Malta, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Turkey. Present Yasmin Darwich International President, Arzu Ozyol International Vice President UN, Catherine Bosshart International Executive Secretary, Ketlin Tackman Young Representative. Karin Raguin the outgoing European Coordinator showed in a video briefly projects realized by the European BPWs Equal Pay, Women on Board, Conferences and Symposia, Lobbying at European level. She gave an emotional speech and thanked everyone who helped her during her term.
Pinella Bombaci the outgoing European Secretary and incoming European Coordinator, showed in a video the work she has done as the tireless ECC Secretary during her terms. She also showed her aims for the future more communication and strengthening relations between the BPWs, creation of task forces to undertake projects, improving the website are some of these aims. Pinella presented the new ECC committee Kikoula Cotsapas ECC Secretary, Benedetta Palermo ECC Young Representative, both voted by electronic vote, Alexandra Preuss Financial Officer, finishing her term in 2018. Pinella, on behalf of the ECC, presented Karin with a lovely present to be enjoyed by her. Kikoula Cotsapas made a short presentation to introduce herself promising to work to the best of her ability. Announcements : Vienna :Danube Net Meeting 17/11/2017 Malta : International Careers day 8 March 2018 Vienna : Training day, Presidents Meeting/GA and Young Symposium 27-28- 29 April 2018 Galway, Ireland Presidents Meeting 2019
Workshops filled up the day before and after lunch e. g resolutions, advocacy at UN, maximize productivity. The Opening Ceremony and Presidents Dinner took place at the foot of the Pyramids with music, singing, dancing and award giving. Followed by the impressive and amazing Sound and Light telling Egyptian history between the Sphinx and the 4 Pyramids. Tuesday 24/10/17 High Level Panel 1 and 2 Economic Empowerment of Women : Many distinguished speakers, the President of Mauritius H.E. Professor Ameenah Gurib Fakim, the Former Deputy PM of Spain Maria Therese de la Vega, the President of the National Council of Women Egypt Maya Morsi, ITC Deputy Exec. Director Dorothy Tembo. Other workshops included Women CEO strategies make a difference, She Trades Connecting to the new opportunities, Women financial inclusion strategies, PILOT Member projects & experts. General observations : 30% pay gap, 46% women in high positions, 30% women presidents in companies. Women must not be left behind. To remedy that women must have the best education i.e. STEM education, as this is what the
labour market wants and pays well for it. If the 52% of women goes into the labour market 12 trillion USD will be created. Wednesday 25/11/17 Plenary and workshops : Advancing women through entrepreneurship, STEM education, BPW making a difference through Leadership and action, Twinning, Women helping women projects around the world and more. General Assembly Reports, Constitution and Regulation amendments, Presentation of Candidates for International President In the evening visit the Citadel Mosque and Gala Dinner with Award Ceremony at the Citadel, with music, operatic arias singing, traditional dancing.
Thursday 26/10/17 Workshops in the morning including IFBPW Business Net The economic empowerment of having a business, BPW Leadership training for women, Effective Advocacy strategy for women, Beyond Equal Pay Day, Women on Boards making a difference, Green Growth strategy, Women, Peace and Security. General Assembly Reports, Election of the International President, Resolutions, Constitution and Regulation Amendments. In the evening the Livia Ricci Friends and Fellows Dinner at Manial Palace and Young BPW Girls Night Our River Nile Cruise Dinner. Friday 27/10/17. General Assembly Resolutions, BPW Budget 2017-2020, Election of 2017-2020 Executives, Wrap up unfinished business The new International Executive Board Dr. Amany Asfour International President Susan Jones First Vice President for membership Catherine Bosshart Second Vice President for UN Giuseppa Seidita Executive Finance Officer Bessie Hironimus Executive Secretary Neelima Basnet Young BPW Representative Hon. Abla Mahdi Coordinator Africa Dr. Narudee Kiengsiri Coordinator Asia Pacific Dr. Pinella Bombaci Coordinator Europe Diana Barragan Coordinator Latin America Dawne E. Williams Coordinator North America and the Caribbean Yasmin Darwich Immediate Past president
Followed by Acknowledgements by outgoing International President Installation of incoming International Executive Introduction of new Executive Board Remarks by new International President Presentation of XXX BPW International Congress in Orlando, Florida, August 2020 Presentation of 2018 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference by BPW Thailand In the evening dinner at Mena House Hotel with multi cultural show and competition.
Saturday 28/10/17 New Executive Meeting and Hand Over Meeting. My best wishes to all of you, Kikoula Cotsapas ECC Secretary