www.womens-forum.com - Women's Forum 2006 Edition

I must admit that I am very moved to see so many of you, representing so many different cultures, positions of responsibility and countries – 60 nations are present at this our second Forum.
But first, you know last year I made a promise. I promised participants that I would improve my English at the next Forum. So, I have worked, I have learned and I’m still making progress: so please bear with me…

I created the Women’s Forum to promote Women’s vision in the Economy and Society. This is only the second edition, but I already feel that something is happening, that something is moving.

You all represent a vital force, which is moving the world forward in an era of big change. It is a paradigm shift. And for the next three days we will be immersed in what could be called a revolution. Or perhaps we should be using the word evolution, in the sense of progress.
And here of course we are talking about women’s new responsibility for improving our societies – the theme of our Forum this year.

A year ago, in October 2005, here in Deauville, you were more than 500 women leaders sharing the dream of “building the future with women’s vision”. Two words, two magnificent values belong to that vision: the words “hope” and “energy” . I would like to add a third: the word “ sharing”.

The future is about sharing, about building relationships. And our Forum certainly doesn’t exclude men: we are not “a no man’s land”!
We believe in the essential complementarity between men and women.

We also believe in the diversity of cultures, so that we can all, wherever we come from, create the future together. Think global, act local - as the CEOs of today’s multinationals say.

We want to ensure that this unique, international rendez-vous, provides a platform for shared thinking. For the ideas of the women and men whose responsibilities engage our future, who wield influence in such areas as the economy and business, education, communication and – of course - politics. May I add here that our Forum is private, completely non political.

The Women’s Forum is firmly turned towards the future. And we are convinced that it is high time to recognise the right of women to exercise responsibilities at every level, everywhere, even in the areas normally reserved to men. Not because we are women, but simply because we are equally qualified to do the job.

For instance, why should the appointment of a woman at the head of a major multinational, have caused such a fuss?

The high level of the contributors to this Forum shows just to what extent barriers can be lifted and stereotypes destroyed.

I think each of us feels that a new era has begun. The rules of the game have changed – in both the economy and society. New preoccupations are stirring nations, societies, people. Many major issues concern us all, but some concern perhaps more specifically women: the global demographic revolution, mega-cities, the threat of pandemics.

Another vital factor is the primacy of the individual, as a private citizen and consumer. At no other time have the expectations of individuals and families been so high, the need for identity so strong.

We are living in an age of immense complexity. Decision makers are faced with new and highly charged situations, without any proven solutions.

The exercise of authority in today’s world demands new attributes which are not covered well enough in our educational institutions: openness of mind, flexibility, creativity. And I would also add: generosity and common sense!

We are convinced that women are well placed to confront today’s highly complex issues. Since our Forum last year electors have voted for women leaders in Chili, Finland, Germany and Liberia. Multinationals have appointed chairwomen at the head of their corporations. Women are taking on increasing responsibility in politics and in the economy. All this shows quite simply that the world is becoming a more pragmatic place.

In a few minutes, our first plenary session will explore this « new dimension” of the future, which is the increasing responsibility of women.

What is this new dimension, the female factor? In what way do women business leaders influence the business world? How can the presence of women in responsible positions make a difference?

We will be discussing this very openly.
We will be showing just to what extent Women’s responsibility in politics and business can be a force for positive change.

Progress is not something abstract, it can be measured. It is a concrete evolution. It demands chifts in mentalities. It is based on laws, the reform of systems. It calls for big changes in the recruitment policies of companies in the corporate world. The different approaches to these issues is a subject of debate. For instance: are quotas a solution?

On the other hand as far as educational systems are concerned: everyone agrees that they should be adapted to new economic and social realities. Laurence Parisot, the head of the French employer’s organisation, insisted on developing this essential topic at the Forum.

I would like to add that the Women’s Forum is also open to many issues that are part of our everyday lives. In the framework of our Discovery Programme, participants can meet well-known personalities: writers, film or theatre directors, psychologists, biologists, designers…and so on.

Finally, an exceptional woman is giving us the honour of her presence at this Forum – and for me this will be a very big moment. I am deeply touched that Queen Rania of Jordan has accepted to join us in Deauville. She will be our guest speaker at the dinner tonight. She will be saying how much she regrets the growing divide between East and West and will be calling for greater multicultural understanding and dialogue. Indeed, Queen Rania believes women can play a very important role in bringing societies together.

So: thank you for listening to me. Our success is yours. It is also thanks to our Belgian, French and International Advisory Boards which have all given me such tremendous support. Yes, the world is on the move…

Finally, may I express our many thanks to our sponsors, without whom this Forum would not have been possible.

And now, before I end, I would like to extend a very special welcome to the 20 students from 15 different countries who will be participating in the Forum - and who will be producing a report on their findings. These young women have been selected because of the excellence of their studies and their personal engagement in societal issues. They come from Bosnia, China, Colombia, France, Iran, Japan, Lithuania, Morocco, Russia, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.

They are the voice of the younger generation – and as such they represent our future. They also embody the spirit of our Forum which is to include women of all generations, from the top-ranking student - to the CEO – from all over the world.

And now, it is with pride – and emotion – that I have great pleasure in declaring the second edition of the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society open.

Thank you.