Ambassador
Ambassador Event
U.S. EMBASSY IN BUENOS AIRES SUPPORTS VITAL VOICES OF THE AMERICAS: Women as a Bridge to a More Prosperous Future Summit
October 7, 2008
Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne, together with Chile President Michele Bachelet, Buenos Aires Vice-Mayor Gabriela Michetti, and Vital Voices co-founder and Chairman Melanne Verveer, opened the Vital Voices of the Americas Summit on October 7, 2008 in Buenos Aires.
"...you have chosen an appropriate site for the Summit. In addition to being a fascinating country, Argentina has a distinguished history of women leaders,” said Ambassador Wayne in his opening remarks.
More than 200 women, including government leaders, community and NGO advocates, and leading businesswomen, participated in the three-day summit at the Hilton Hotel in Puerto Madero. The Summit addressed five discussion topics: 1) Leveling the Playing Field for Women’s Social & Economic Progress 2) Latin American & Caribbean Women Artisans Export Development Program 3) Women Leading the Path to Sustainability & Public Private Partnerships 4) Women Promoting Health & Safeguarding Human Rights: Combating Violence Against Women, and 5) Women in Political Leadership: Fostering Good Governance & Transparency.
Among the notable speakers who participated at the Summit were International Development Bank President, Luis Alberto Moreno and Dina Powell, Managing Director, Global Head of Corporate Engagement for Goldman Sachs & Co., who announced their partnership to commission a new study that will make the case for investing in women entrepreneurs throughout the Americas.
Attendees participated in strategy sessions, meeting daily to address the challenges they face and create a strategy for future work based on best practices and innovative ideas. Recognized global leaders shared their experiences and expertise, learned from the Latin American and Caribbean experience, as well as lent their voices to champion the critical issues addressed.
In addition to their participation in the summit, attendees were invited to attend a reception hosted by Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne for which he also invited Argentine women leaders. More 250 people enjoyed the evening. This event allowed women in the region to meet and strengthen their contacts with the key players in Argentina.
The closing ceremony featured Argentina’s first elected female President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner who told attendees that as women, “we have to be ready to take up new roles and responsibilities.” “Accept that we are different, but that does not mean we cannot overcome hurdles and find solutions,” she said.
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