| September 22-24, 1997
A CIPE International Conference
With the generous assistance of IBM, CIPE hosted a 3-day
international forum to identify the challenges facing
women's business organizations and to develop strategies to
improve their effectiveness. Invitations were sent to leaders
in business organizations as well as top women executives.
The conference was held in Washington, DC, from September
22-24, 1997 at the US Chamber of Commerce.
Topics of Discussion
- Addressing the needs and challenges unique to women entrepreneurs
- Expanding the role of women's business organizations in
a democratic society
- Developing grassroots public policy advocacy techniques
- Using successful media techniques
- Creating educational programs and services
- Facilitating cooperation among women's business organizations
worldwide
Women entrepreneurs are an important and growing force worldwide.
In many newly democratizing countries, women comprise a majority
of the workforce, especially in the informal and small business
sectors. However, as featured in a special edition of
Economic Reform Today their participation in business
and public policy is hindered by lack of representation, legal
barriers, and traditional gender roles.
Effective women's business organizations can help female
entrepreneurs overcome these obstacles, thereby strengthening
the new democracies. However, business organizations dedicated
specifically to women are often weak, lacking institutional
capability, resources, skills and experience to assist their
members and to promote women in business.
CIPE's Program Objectives
- Identifying women's business organizations and the unique
needs of their institutions and membership.
- Building strong institutions which are capable of providing
services, representing members in public policy debates,
and participating in the democratic process.
- Promoting public policy that encourages women's participation
in the business community.
Women's
Business Associations
A special edition of Economic Reform Today
CIPE's Mission
The Center for International Private
Enterprise (CIPE) is an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce
established in 1983 to promote private enterprise and market-oriented
reform worldwide. As a principal participant in the National
Endowment for Democracy (NED), CIPE supports strategies and
techniques that address market-based democratic development.
During the past 13 years, CIPE's working partnerships with
grassroots constituencies in nearly 70 countries have assisted
over 400 advocacy, legislative and business association management
training activities in Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe,
Latin America, the Middle East and the Newly Independent States.
CIPE works with and provides support to a variety of local
institutions, including think tanks, business associations,
educational institutions and media training programs: the
building blocks of a democratic society.
Unless women have an equitable role in the economy
and business organizations, the quality of the democracy suffers.
For Further Information . . .
Additional information related to this program is available:
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