If you think BPW – The Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women isn’t for you, THINK AGAIN! This is an organization that not only addresses the needs of women working in various sectors of business and professional life, BPW also works for women at all levels. As Marshall McLuhan, a famous Canadian educator, philosopher and scholar teaching at University of Toronto predicted, our world would become a “global community”. The transcendence of all of Business and Professional Women’s activities and our intercommunication around the universe now link us beyond the borders of the municipal, provincial, national to the international. Through the devices of the current age of social media and technology, BPW is, on a grand scale, living in that global community in this organization.
A case in point, recently a Canadian delegation of eighteen women participated in the XXVII BPW International Congress in Helsinki Finland from June 17 – 21, 2011. Out of the six current members of the BPW Canada Virtual Club our representation of two members was impressive; Tara Dawood went not only as a member but also as a speaker on Entrepreneurial Innovation: Leveraging Your Creativity and Flexibility to Tap into Emerging Opportunities and Vi Andersen attended as a Canadian Delegate. Another Canadian BPW presenter was Maureen McIntosh from New Brunswick.
For some from our Canadian delegation, the program seemed daunting but for others, like President Doris Hall, it was just another comfortable ‘old hat’ experience. The following three streams of workshops highlight and depict through a snapshot overview, the morning plenary sessions and ensuing workshops throughout the five days of Congress 2011:
· TRACK I…A New Breed of Leaders
o Women on Boards – What will happen when women finally gain critical mass at the highest levels. Speakers from Nokia, Sanoma Media, Norwegian Ministry of Equality and Social Inclusion, and the Global Summit.
o Corporate and Organizational Culture: A Fresh Look into Breakthrough Working Environments.
o Emotional Intelligence: Deepening self awareness for effective engagement and communication at work.
o Social Change: What will happen when women lead world decisions?
· TRACK II…Equality Means Business
o Principles into practice: Focusing on the Facts
o 2015 Countdown: Utilizing women’s empowerment principles to Fast-track the realization of the millennium goals (MDGs)
o WEPs Future Visions: From the change masters mapping the future
o Action and Implementation : Bringing the WEPs to life. Your life.
· TRACK III…Actionable Advocacy
o Harnessing Your Leadership & Mentoring Skills for Maximum Impact
o Raising Your Voice for Change: Practical Advocacy Strategies
o Advocacy Tips & Tools: Learning advocacy skills and campaign best-practice from BPW Clubs around the world
o Award-Winning Project Leaders Share Actionable Insights on Successful Projects
Moments of inspiration during these workshops and plenary sessions abounded with phrases resonating through the halls and corridors of Finlandia Hall during the lunches and breaks. No one would walk and talk without echoing words now a pattern within the aroused consciousness of all. For example,
· Special focus on women in societies is warranted…
owomen have a right to be born, to be educated, to live in a society with enhanced standards for authenticity and integrity, coalition building collaborative culture, creative approaches to quality of life and decreased tolerance of violence against women
- · Throughout history women’s voices have been faint and cacophonous despite the collectivity of sounds; today, though women’s voices are louder and clearer and are bringing on changes to improve life for society as a whole
- · Women have more impact with more women in the global supply chain
- · Landscape of women and business in Smart Economies is changing
- · Women who have had no hope of opportunities in the past work in textiles and other business ventures now operating successful business ventures as a result of micro financing, NGO assistance and trade support institutions
- · Post modern woman engages in work and family, and as a result, she influences the economy and society improving the lives of all family members
- · Women on boards and in companies positively affect businesses and boards by having a huge impact on the bottom line and corporate culture
- · Women in upper management positions, according to stats, enhance productivity and growth in their respective working environments
- · Gathering complex data about women in society raises the importance of gender specific policy debate and social policy analysis which enables governments to do something differently.
- · Of greatest magnitude of importance is the opportunity for women to help in the fight to alleviate women’s poverty.
- · Women at the United Nations work to alleviate women’s universal struggle to move up the value chain.
Towards the end of the Congress’ workshops and plenary sessions, participants, having examined the ‘What’ and the ‘So What’, shifted focus to ‘What Now’. Workshops of note were Keeping up with Technology, Emotional Intelligence and Corporate Social Responsibility. Technology worldwide is moving rapidly into new areas. “Clouds” will appear where one attaches data and uses new internet tools for data management and transmission. Through social networking we are transforming the world around us. In that mix, the person’s need for personal self awareness increases and will be mitigated with deeper awareness and training of personal development skills to be able to lead more effectively.
Lastly, on those final days before we departed Helsinki, the women were leaving feeling inspired and motivated. Those final messages still ring true to many….”go after the things you want to get, have a heart and leave a footprint!”
Time to be in awe of what membership in BPW Canada can mean for you. So think again…join a BPW Canada club or BPW Canada Virtual club.
For more information check the BPW Canada website at www.bpwcanada.com
Please note that this document does not reflect any of the business, resolutions and elections of the XXVII Congress 2011. For more information on those aspects of the Congress, please view www.bpw-international.org
See also for photos:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Business-and-Professional-Women-of-Canada-Virtual-Club-BPWVC/126330644054619
