More than 20 Canadian businesswomen were among the 400
women entrepreneurs, business leaders, policy makers and consumers
from 75 countries who took part in the World Summit of Women,
held in London, England, July 23-26, 1998.
The summit provided a forum for the businesswomen to discuss
and learn more about women's increased participation in the
world marketplace. At breakout sessions, conferences, seminars
and workshops, the delegates explored issues such as women's
economic power and leadership.
Building business relationships
Canadian participation began with a pre-summit luncheon at
Canada House, organized in collaboration with the Canadian High
Commission in Britain and hosted by Simone Desjardins, senior
vice-president, of the Business Development Bank of Canada.
Aiming to promote and build better business relationships,
the luncheon allowed British businesswomen, government officials
and media to meet with Canadian businesswomen to learn what
they have to offer to businesses worldwide.
Learning and networking
The Summit provided numerous opportunities for learning and
networking. Absorbing statistics and reports from organizations
such as......
Participants also received valuable information on innovative
ways by which women can raise capital.
Donna Messer of ConnectUs Communications, who co-ordinate Canada's
participation in the Summit, believes that events such as the
World Summit are more than profitable to businesswomen.
"More than ever before, Canadian businesswomen know that
networking with counterparts and going on missions aboard, as
well as working together are profitable and lead to success
abroad."
Canadian participants agreed. Suzanne Lebel, president of Genomics
One Corporation, a discovery-based biotechnology company in
Laval, Quebec, went to the Summit to make contact with women
from around the world and from different sectors. "Not
only did I meet several of them, I also made valuable contacts
with people who can really help me reach markets abroad, such
as Canadian trade commissioners posted in Britain."
Concrete Results
Indeed, members of the Canadian delegation came back with new
contacts abroad, and also with good business opportunities in
the long run.
For Joanna Parris, president of the Association of Image Consultants
International, Toronto Chapter, and chair of the non-profit
Coalition of Visible Minority Women, the impacts of the World
Summit have just started.
"In London, I met with businesswomen from Ghana to Cameroon
who are interested in joint ventures with us. But one of the
most amazing things for me was to make contacts with Canadian
women from coast to coast who are now good friends, as well
as potential clients."
The Summit also gave women a practical tool for networking
on-line. The Global Women's Trade Network, an international
Web site (www.globalwomen.org), was launched during the Summit.
The Canadian delegation has hyper linked this site to Canada's
Businesswomen in Trade Web site at www.infoexport.gc.ca/businesswomen/menu-e.asp.
For more information on the 1998 World Summit, contact Donna
Messer, ConnectUs Communications, tel: (905) 337-9578, fax:
(905) 337-9320, email: dmesser@connectuscanada.com.
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