Regional Summits

Since 2007, we have convened women leaders in our Global Leadership Network for regional summits to consider pressing challenges, share ideas and develop future action plans to move women and their communities forward socially, politically and economically. Having the opportunity to gather together has strengthened existing networks of support and spurred new collaborations across sectors.

We have held summits in Eurasia, Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, where we have been joined by issue experts, government representatives, and leading advocates from around the world.

Read coverage and view photos from our 2010 regional summit, held in New Delhi, India.

 

VITAL VOICES OF ASIA:
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING SUMMIT

In September 2010, in partnership with the U.S. government and corporate sponsors, we hosted Vital Voices of Asia, a regional summit and training program in New Delhi, India. The summit called attention to the critical role women in South Asia and East Asia Pacific can and must play in improving the region’s social, political and economic growth.

Delegations of women leaders from 20 countries across Asia were selected to attend the summit. They are social service providers, media professionals, lawyers, parliamentarians and small business owners.

Each participant engaged in targeted trainings and strategy sessions as a member of one of three tracks:

  • Women as an Economic Force
  • Women in Political Leadership and Public Life
  • Safeguarding Women’s Human Rights: Combating Violence Against Women

The sessions highlighted challenges, shared best practices and developed new ideas and action plans for future programs to be implemented through ongoing initiatives for South Asia and East Asia Pacific. 

Following the summit, Vital Voices will continue to foster the growth of our network of women leaders throughout the region. Their expanded leadership capacities will result in strengthened, vibrant civil societies and more stable democracies and economies.

 

VITAL VOICES OF THE AMERICAS:
WOMEN AS A BRIDGE TO A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE

In October 2008, we convened 200 women leaders in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Government representatives, top businesswomen, advocates from civil society and the NGO community all came together to form regional strategies on women’s social, economic and political advancement.

The summit was centered around five tracks:

  • Leveling the Playing Field for Women’s Social and Economic Progress
  • Women Artisans Export Development Program
  • Public-Private Partnerships: Women Leading the Path to Sustainability
  • Women Promoting Health & Safeguarding Human Rights: Combating Violence Against Women, Advocacy and Public Awareness
  • Women in Political Leadership: Fostering Good Governance and Transparency

During expert-led training sessions on effective leadership, advocacy, media and communications, participants shared experiences and expertise, and developed plans for future action in their home countries. A delegation of young women from throughout the region was engaged in Rising Voices, a mentoring program for the next generation of women leaders.

This summit was made possible with the generous support of various partners: Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, Avon, Bagues, Cadbury, CH2M Hill, Chandon, Citi Group, The Coca Cola Company, Drimer Chocolates, Embassy of Argentina, ExxonMobil Foundation, Gender Action Plan, Goldman Sachs, Helena Rubenstein, Humanity United, Inter-American Development Bank, MGH, Nivea, Nokia, Perfumum Bue, San Juan de Ullum, Taeda, Tempus Alba, U.S. Department of State, Wanama, and World Bank.

Since the 2008 summit, alumnae have gone on to foster or strengthen regional coordination on initiatives to advance women’s leadership. Our network has expanded considerably, and members now lead active chapters in nine countries, including Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. 

 

VITAL VOICES OF AFRICA:
A PAN-AFRICAN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

In January 2007, we brought together 225 women leaders in Cape Town, South Africa. Gathered to discuss women’s critical role in solving the continent’s major challenges, participants represented different cultures, professions and generations. 

The summit focused on three themes:

  • African Women as an Economic Force
  • Women Safeguarding Security and Human Rights
  • Women’s Leadership in Public Life

Plenary sessions led by regional and international experts were used to guide collaborative strategy-building sessions among smaller working groups. On the last day of the summit, 25 girls were paired with 25 established women leaders for Rising Voices, a mentorship program for young leaders.

This summit was made possible with the generous support of several partners: The Coca Cola Company, Eskom, ExxonMobil Foundation, Global Fund for Women, Hewlett Packard, IFC, MAC, Nike Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, the South African Government, Standard Chartered Bank, Starbucks Coffee Company, Susan Bacher Fund, Telkom, U.S. Department of State, and Vital Voices Connecticut Council.

Following the 2007 summit, we launched the African Businesswomen’s Network to support women’s economic development across the continent. Alumnae of the summit are now managing thriving Network Hubs in six countries, including Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda.

 

VITAL VOICES OF EURASIA:
WOMEN LEADING CHANGE IN PUBLIC LIFE

In November 2007, we gathered 150 women leaders in Kiev, Ukraine. Aspiring and established leaders in politics, business, civil society, women’s health and human rights joined together for leadership development training.

The summit was framed around three topics:

  • Women as an Economic Force: Advancing Entrepreneurship, Building Strategic Partnerships
  • Women Safeguarding Human Rights: Government and Civil Society Collaboration
  • Women Leading Change in Public Life: Promoting Civic Engagement and Political Participation

Keynote speakers addressed some of the greatest challenges faced by the region, including human trafficking, economic development and violence against women. Sessions on mentoring and building networks of support fostered collaboration among participants from a range of sectors.

This summit was made possible with the generous support of various partners: Anti-AIDS Foundation and founder Elena Franchuk, Avon, CH2M Hill, Chevron, The Coca Cola Company, ExxonMobil Foundation, LexisNexis, Liz Claiborne, Microsoft, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ukraine Procter & Gamble, UNESCO: National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO, and the U.S. Department of State.

The 2007 summit held particular significance considering our organizational history. In 1997, the first Vital Voices conference was held in Ukraine, Vital Voices: Women and Democracy. Our name and mission both emerged from that first gathering. Following the 2007 summit, our network members in Eurasia have contributed to legal and economic reforms while advancing women’s leadership across all sectors of public life.