BPW International

International Federation of Business and Professional Women

Henrike von Platen *

BPW Japan Selected More Projects for the "Job Generating Grant by Women, for Women"

We are pleased to report that BPW Japan continues to help working women in the 3.11 disaster area, to increase their economic independence. On February 24, 2013, BPW Japan convened the 3rd ceremony to hand in 300,000 yen each to four qualified groups to the "Job Generating Grant by Women, for Women." The selection committee chose them from among nine projects publicly applied to this recovery support grant. After the ceremony, a networking session was held, inviting past grantees. Participants exchanged their experiences and future perspectives. The local leading media, Kahokushinpo, covered the event on their on-line news.

BPW Japan has thus far sought applicants for the recovery support grant three times since November 2011, when we set up the grant, utilizing the contributions received from BPW members all over the world. Now, 9 local women groups received "Job Generating Grant by Women, for Women." They periodically reported their progress of activities.

The four groups are:
Sanga Iwate, in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture: Promotion of networking among local women through hand craft activities, aiming to help people find their lives for living Minna no Ie (Everybody’s Home), in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture: Sales of products utilizing local disaster relief goods. Iki-Iki Noen (Fresh Lively Farm), in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture: Tofu production. Megumi (Gracious Sea), in Rikuzentakada City, Iwate Prefecture: Fishery processing products

For more on the grant program and other recovery support activities, see BPW Japan web site (English)
www.bpw-japan.jp

Machiko Yanagashita
BPW Japan

BPW Germany Invited by the Federal President .

On the occasion of International Women's Day our Federal President Joachim Gauck received on 7 March 2013 at Bellevue Palace seven representatives of four leading women's organizations in Germany for a dialogue, including Henrike von Platen President BPW Germany and Sigrid Beyer Treasurer BPW Germany. He was informed about ideas and ways how to reduce the disadvantages faced by women in the workforce.

Look at the pictures

UN: United Nations Global Compact Executive Director Thanked BPW International for WEPs Pivotal Role.

On the occasion of the 5th Annual BPW Leadership Summit, I would like to thank BPW International for continuing to play a pivotal role in driving dissemination and global uptake of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). more

Georg Kell
United Nations Global Compact Executive Director

BPW Toulon, France: Women's Talent Exhibition

Jeanine Fenassile and Yvette Chalaye,president and vice-president of the BPW Toulon-La Garde BPW Club in France, are organising the annual Women’s Talent Exhibition which this year is celebrating its 11th anniversary. “The aim of the exhibition is to support and promote solidarity amongst female artists. Women’s Talent provides an opportunity for women to showcase their art. We join them before, during and after the exhibition. Its one big family. ”

Women’s Talent Exhibition
March 13 – 21, open daily, from 3.00pm – 6.30pm – salle Gerard Philipe, Toulon La Garde
Opening, Tuesday March 12 at 7.00pm
More info www.talentsdefemmes.fr

Book Now for the Claire Fulcher Dinner!

Click here to book for the Claire Fulcher Dinner!

BPW Turkey & UN Global Compact Local Network: Event in Turkey

UN Global Compact Local Network of Turkey co-organized the event titled ‘Sustainability and Social Responsibility in Media’ together with Anadolu Holding, Koç Holding and Sabancı Holding. Arzu Özyol, Founding President of Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW) in Turkey, Hansın Doğan, Deputy Director of UNDP Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development, and Faik Uyanık, UNDP Turkey Communications Officer attended the event as panelists.

BPW International: Scholarship to Attend a Leadership Program

BPW International has secured a tuition scholarship, worth GBP2900, for a BPW member to attend the second Passion Purpose Potency leadership program which will be held in London, United Kingdom:
Here is a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of world renowned training in Leadership!

Judy Mulitalo was the winner of our first scholarship and enjoyed every minute of the program so be sure to read of her experiences.

European Commission: 40% Women on Super- visory Boards of Publicly Listed Companies in Europe by 2020

The European Commission adopted on November 14, 2012 a legally binding Directive (law). The objective is clear: 40% women on supervisory boards of publicly listed companies in Europe by 2020. State-owned companies will have less time, until 2018, because they should lead by example.

BPW Port Au Prince, Haiti Celebrated its 44th Anniversary

BPW Port Au Prince, Haiti celebrated its 44th anniversary on October 17th. President Marie Andre Etienne presided over the event.
Bessie Hironimus, Coordinator North America & Caribbean

BPW Estonia International Conference “Estonia's Unrealised Opportunity”

BPW Estonia hosted an international conference, “Estonia's Unrealised Opportunity” on 9 November 2012.
“BPW Estonia took the opportunity to host an international conference because we wanted to investigate whether the gender balance of women and men in society affects the livelihood of individuals, businesses and the State.
“We were inspired to organize this conference after researching the successes and failures of gender balance in neighboring countries.

“As a leading women's organisation, we wish to begin a knowledgeable discussion in order to find “Estonia’s path” and the hidden opportunities of gender balance for our own lives, our businesses and in the organisation of State affairs.
“We have seen and lived through all the changes that have taken place in our country and society, it seems only fitting to be part of the solution by opening up untapped opportunities for women and men,” adds Ms Ruul.

International conference “Estonia's Unrealised Opportunity” on 9 November 2012 took place on the M/S Victoria and was an even more important milestone! Four political parties presented in the Estonian Parliament signed the common Memorandum together with BPW Estonia for the zip model for the election lists of candidates. Municipal elections will be next year and elections to the Parliament in 2014. The zip model means that there will always be one man, one woman, one man, one woman and they will be admitted to the office and Parliament in the same order.

The Conference consisted of three modules and the target audience was active and open minded men and women from business, politics, public sector and educational institutions who are interested in expanding their horizons and knowledge base in the discussion on Estonia’s opportunities for the future.

First Module - Gender equality, the benefits to business and society, was opened by Rait Maruste, Head of Constitutional Committee. Rait Maruste spoke about Gender Equality as a Necessary Subject for Estonia. Julia Laffranque, European Human Rights Court Judge opened the subject of Women and the European Legal System. And Eirik Nestås Mathisen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Norwegian Embassy in Estonia analyzed Gender Equality as an Opportunity for Estonia.

Second Module - Women in leadership – European success stories and failures – was lead by lectors from countries with highly developed rate of women in leadership.

Norway – Gunvor Eldegard, Member of Parliament, Norway
Switzerland – Sabine Schmelzer, Europe Region Co-ordinator, BPW International
Island – Hildur Jonsdottir, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Island
Denmark – Drude Dahlerup, Professor Emeritus, Stockholm University
Finland – Tuulikki Juusela, Chairman of the Board, Womco Ltd.

Third Module – What is the opinion regarding the inclusion of women in the management process – was lead by men. Linnar Viik, Estonian Info Technology and IT Visionary, Lecturer at Estonian Information Technology College, Chairman of the Board of the Open Estonia Foundation, who spoke on the subject of possibility of Equality leading to new values and Meelis Virkebau, Vice-Chairman of the Estonian Employers` Confederation, Chairman of the Estonian Clothing and Textile, who by his own experience opened the subject of Leading Women vs Women and Leadership.

The conference ended with the signing of the common Memorandum by four political parties presented in the Estonian Parliament together with BPW Estonia for the zip model for the election lists of candidates.

Celebration of the 20th anniversary of BPW Estonia

BPW of Southeast NB, Canada, Sponsored the "Healthy Communities Health Fair"

For a second year in a row, the BPW of Southeast NB sponsored a "Healthy Communities Health Fair" on Sunday, October 21st in Shediac, NB, Canada. Over 40 exhibitors offered various health related services and products, such as therapeutic music, Healing Touch, Life Coaching, exotic foods and much more. Free and inspiring motivational presentations were held throughout the day. The purpose of the event was to promote women-owned businesses in the broadly-defined health field, and the event was a great success!
Sue Calhoun Past President

En français
Pour la deuxième année consécutive, les BPW du Club du Sud-Est du Nouveau-Brunswick au Canada ont présenté un Salon sur les Communautés en Santé, le 21 octobre 2012 à Shédiac. Ce salon dure une journée afin de susciter la réflexion et l’échange sur le développement des communautés en santé et promouvoir les entreprises locales qui œuvrent dans le grand domaine de la santé. Les participants y ont trouvé des exposants, des produits et des services santé de qualité, une spécialiste en astrologie-psychothérapie, des traitements spirituels et holistiques, de la musique thérapeutique, des démonstrations et des présentations gratuites.
Sue Calhoun Past President

BPW Cyprus: National Event 'Young Entrepreneurs and Women’s Entrepreneurship: the Road Towards Development'

During the European SME Week 2012, BPW Cyprus in collaboration with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cyprus Employers’ and Industrialists’ Federation organized on October 17, 2012, an important national event with the title 'Young Entrepreneurs and Women’s Entrepreneurship: the Road towards Development'.

Present at this event were officials from the European Commission in Cyprus, the European Parliament and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and a large attendance form young entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs.

During this event there were presentations from women entrepreneurs, members of BPW Cyprus, on how they set up their businesses and what support systems they used. There was also a presentation by BPW Cyprus President Alexandra Galanou of the role and support given to women entrepreneurs by BPW Cyprus through mentoring, networking and exchange of best practices.

BPW Cyprus is proud to announce that Mrs. Irene Loizidou Nicolaidou, President of our BPW Kyrenia Club has been elected Vice-President of the Monitoring Committee of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, during the previous Plenary Session of the Congress which took place in Strasbourg , France , 16-18 October 2012. Irene is a young lawyer and an elected member of the City Council of Engomi, Nicosia.

Alexandra Galanou
President BPW Cyprus

BPW Estonia celebrates 20 years of Empowering Women

The Estonia Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW Estonia) is celebrating its 20th anniversary today. BPW Estonia was founded on 11 November 1992, a year after Estonia gained the re-independence.

BPW Estonia will be celebrating this milestone 8 November in the ancient Tallinn Town Hall. Included in the celebrations will be the awards ceremony for oustanding Estonian women; the Woman of the Year, Woman of the Years and Young Woman Entrepreneur. In addition, BPW Estonia is hosting an international conference, “Estonia's Unrealised Opportunity” on 9 November.

“This is an important milestone for our organisation and we are proud to be almost the same age as our country's independence,” says Pille Ruul, President BPW Estonia
“It is also fitting that we celebrate the outstanding Estonian women who have made a vital contribution to our society.
“BPW Estonia took the opportunity to host an international conference because we wanted to investigate whether the gender balance of women and men in society affects the livelihood of individuals, businesses and the State.
“We were inspired to organise this conference after researching the successes and failures of gender balance in neighbouring countries.
“As a leading women's organisation, we wish to begin a knowledgeable discussion in order to find “Estonia’s path” and the hidden opportunities of gender balance for our own lives, our businesses and in the organization of State affairs.
“We have seen and lived through all the changes that have taken place in our country and society, it seems only fitting to be part of the solution by opening up untapped opportunities for women and men,” adds Ms Ruul.

BPW International Mentoring Program

Task force mentoring | Why mentoring for BPW | Ground rules | Guidelines | FAQ

The International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) develops the professional, leadership and business potential of women on all levels through advocacy, mentoring, networking, skill building and economic empowerment programs and projects around the world.

Titilola introducing mentoring programs to BPW Nigeria club presidents

Working Definition of Mentoring

Mentoring is a relationship which is established with someone who is an expert in their field. The mentor is usually older, but not necessarily in age, and is more experienced than the person being mentored. The mentor offers their knowledge and wisdom to the mentee. The mentee looks to the mentor for guidance, encouragement and advice.

What does mentoring really mean?

Mentoring is a learning process that involves a skilled or experienced person (the mentor) with a less experienced, less skilled person (the protégée). The goal is to provide opportunities for the protégée to continually develop her skills and knowledge, thereby enhancing her success. Mentoring is based on the sharing of experiences. The protégée wants to learn from the experiences of the mentor. A mentor is not paid for her work.

Knowledge

Professional knowledge (expertise)
functional knowledge (leadership)
General experience in business and profession

This knowledge is shaped through experience and expressed in the emotional intelligence of the mentor.
Mentoring is a combination of many things that can’t be learned only in theory.

The International Mentoring Task Force

Goals of the Task Force

In the course of 2012-2014 Mentoring is known by all clubs and federations as a means of development of potential of women on all levels.The existing projects of Mentoring are made available for the information of BPW clubs and members.
Chair Task Force Head: Marianne Plattner.


Africa : Adisa Titilola	Europe : Plattner Marianne	Latin America : Estefania Ponce	Latin America: Natalia Ficicchia

Asia Pacific : Peggy Kwong

Why mentoring for BPW

Mentoring is one of the tools to realise the aims and objectives of BPW. Our members are from all professions, they have an immense source of knowledge and experience that can be shared. Mentoring between members is a superb means to empower women and to strengthen club life.
BPW sees mentoring as a learning process between two individuals. It offers support to develop a program for mentoring between two people: a mentor and a mentee (called tandem mentoring: two people riding a bike to reach together a goal they agreed on).

Our aim

Every club takes part in the Mentoring Program
Every club or every federation has a person in charge of the Mentoring Program

Why mentoring is important for the clubs

Your members learn in a focused way to fill specific gaps in their professional development
Your club will be more attractive to young women who can profit from the mentoring program
The growth of clubs contributes to society by developing the professional and leadership potential of women.

Forms of mentoring

Formal mentoring

Formal mentoring follows a program that provides a framework to make mentoring relationship successful. This framework includes:

the matching procedure (search of a mentor for the protégée)
an agreement between mentor and protégée about the goals to reach
a limited time target and an evaluation.

Informal mentoring

Informal mentoring starts usually at an early stage in people’s careers. You find a person of whom you admire his or her skills or experience, who has reached a higher level in professional life or who possesses outstanding qualities you admire. You ask this person to tell you how she does things, you ask for advice or even ask her if you could accompany her in her work. Sometimes you only observe and talk with her about your own work. This form has no rules or time limits. It just “happens” and then ends unobserved.

Ground rules

Privacy:
Mentor and mentee respect privacy and keep all information confidential.
Responsibility:
Mentor and mentee are equally responsible for the success of mentoring.
Professional secrets:
Both mentor and mentee keep all professional information confidential.
Date security:
The dates are only for the use of mentoring and the person in charge of the mentoring program.
Evaluation:
Mentor and mentee evaluate their common work in view of the agreed on aims and the quality of contacts.
Responsibility:
The person in charge of the mentoring program evaluates regularly the success of the mentoring.
Problems:
If a disagreement arises, and you are unable to resolve it, then the person responsible for the program must be informed.

Guidelines Mentoring

Formal Mentoring

Note. Not all the clubs are organized in the same way. There may be a board of directors or a club committee, depending on the national structure of BPW.

Responsibilities

Whoever instigates the mentoring is responsible for implementing the programme and seeing it through to the end. This may be a local club, several clubs together or a whole federation. The board (of directors) of the club provides the structure/intent of the programme i.e. rules to show how the programme should be carried out.

The direct contact for mentees/protégées and mentors will be a person appointed by the club. This person in charge of mentoring (or a supporting team) will match people into a mentoring tandem and evaluate the results of the mentoring programme. She will have the support of the board (or club committee) of either local or national clubs.

Programme

There are different possibilities for launching, operating and controlling a programme. It normally depends on the club resources.

Considerations
Setting up a programme takes time. It is a good idea to build up a team of BPW members to set up a programme. The programme has to be approved by the board and the rules have to be communicated to the club. Another point to decide will be who is admitted to the programme: members only or potential members who apply for a testing trial.

Mentoring is volunteer-based. There are no dues to be paid. The clubs can choose to charge for their help but the mentoring programme itself is free.

Programme outline (step by step to a mentoring programme):

Collate all the necessary data / information:
List of available mentors drawn mostly from their own or a neighbouring club
Registration / admission of mentee (Registration form)
Registration of mentor (Registration form)
Check whether any legal formalities need to be addressed
Search of a qualified mentor (according to the needs of the mentee)
Matching process (Tandem of mentor and mentee)
Mentoring agreement between mentor and mentee (mentoring agreement)
How to deal with complaints
Evaluation (Evaluation form)
Publicity to inform members and attract new members

Supplementary:
workshops for mentees and panels and exchange of experiences

Frequently asked questions / objection:

We don’t have enough persons on the board to take care of a mentoring program.
It is not necessary that a member of the board takes care of the program. If you have members who are teachers at a professional school or who take care of apprentices or trainees in an enterprise, they will be qualified to take care of a mentoring program.

We don’t have time to draft a mentoring program.
We can give you forms and information for a mentoring program and give you instructions to establish mentoring at your club! The most important forms already exist! (Application, Mentoring Agreement, Evaluation).

Are there different possibilities to offer mentoring in clubs?
There are many different ways of offering mentoring. In due time we shall offer you more information about how mentoring is done in different clubs. (Matching programs, Finding a tandem partner at special club evenings or group mentoring etc.)

We are making a list of all clubs that offer a mentoring program and we hope to be able to offer you contact addresses and more information of different programs and ways to take up a mentoring program.
For more information to get or to bring: mentoring@bpw-international.org.

BPW Honored by NY UN Women Awards

Dear All,

It was such a lovely event and a great pleasure to have accepted the Award for BPW International from the Metro NY UN Women Chapter.
We as the United Nations Representatives in New York can be very proud!

UN representatives in New York: (from left to right) Francesca Burack, Harriet Friedlander, Liz Benham, Eva Richter, Susan O'Malley, Liz VanArdenne. New York, oct. 24, 2012.

I also wanted to wish another very happy birthday to Liz Vanardenne who celebrated her 85th birthday on Oct 5th
Happy, Happy, Happy birthday Liz!
We all wish you many, many more!

Kind Regards,

Liz Benham
Immediate Past International President BPW International

BPW Calgary, Canada launches International Day of the Girl awareness campaign

CALGARY, Oct. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today congratulated the Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Club of Calgary for launching, on the inaugural International Day of the Girl, a campaign to raise awareness of the challenges facing girls in Canada.

"I share with BPW a tremendous sense of enthusiasm for this first-ever International Day of the Girl," said Minister Ambrose. "Thanks to Canada's leadership, the momentum has grown, and will continue to surge ahead, to support the worldwide commitment to recognize girls as valued citizens, and as powerful agents of change."

The International Day of the Girl aims to promote equal treatment and opportunities for girls around the world in areas such as law, nutrition, health care, education, training, and freedom from violence and abuse. Throughout the world, girls face higher rates of violence, poverty and discrimination. The International Day of the Girl focuses on finding ways to empower girls to reach their full potential and to overcome gender-based barriers.

On December 19, 2011, the UN General Assembly formally adopted the resolution designating the International Day of the Girl.

October is Women's History Month in Canada. In honour of the first-ever International Day of the Girl, the theme for Women's History Month is "Strong Girls, Strong Canada: Leaders from the Start." For information on International Day of the Girl and Women's History Month 2012, go to women.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

BPW International engages with International Organisation of Employers

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF EMPLOYERS ENGAGES WITH THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN

Press release : in french | in spanish | in italian

Geneva, 12 October 2012

The International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the global voice of business, is pleased to announce its collaboration with the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International), the international voice of business women, with the aim of sharing knowledge, networks and intercultural understanding for the joint promotion of workplace diversity, gender equality and women’s empowerment, across the business community.

BPW International is an influential international network, active in over 100 countries in five continents, with consultative status at ECOSOC/United Nations. Founded in 1930, BPW International has advocated for workplace equality, the right to vote, and equal pay, and represents women in leadership and decision-making roles. BPW International brings the voice of women to business by leading the awareness of the Women’s Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business; Equal Pay Day Campaigns and bringing greater economic benefit to women entrepreneurs through the Global Platform for Action on Sourcing from Women Vendors. BPW members are empowered women, leading businesses in communities around the world.

Since its creation in 1920, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) has been recognized as the only organization that represents the interests of business in labour and social policy debate in international forums, and across the UN and multilateral system. Today, IOE membership consists of 150 national business and employer organizations from 143 countries. It is the largest representative organisation of the private sector in the world. The IOE’s work in the support of its members in all countries, at all stages of development, includes the promotion of a wider understanding of the benefits of gender equality initiatives, and the development of women entrepreneurship.

Announcing the joint initiative, IOE Secretary-General, Mr Brent Wilton, said: “We look forward to collaborating with BPW International on harnessing common experiences and business initiatives, and creating an international forum that promotes the exchange of information and good practice in this important area amongst a wider business community.”

“Research has shown that gender diversity increases financial performance and now that we have a strong business case for the empowerment of women in the economy, BPW International is looking forward to working with the IOE to increase the bottom line of their members businesses and improve women's access to markets,” says BPW International President Freda Miriklis.

“The global economy needs sustainable business practice and the empowerment of women to future-proof its continual success and improve the lives of everyone at all levels, from the top and in the local community.

“This collaboration couldn't come at a better time for women, for business; indeed the world”

For further information, please contact: Ms Amelia Espejo, Adviser, International Organisation of Employers (espejo@ioe-emp.org) and Mrs Angela McLeod, Public Relations Manager, BPW International (angela.mcleod@bpw-international.org)

CSW57: Participez au sondage sur la "Violence contre les femmes"

Chères Présidentes de Fédérations et Clubs Associés BPW,
Chères BPW,

Merci de prendre quelques minutes pour remplir le sondage sur la Violence contre les Femmes et les Filles de la BPW International.

La BPW International collecte les informations pour la prochaine Commission sur le Statut de la Femme (CSW) qui portera sur la Violence contre les Femmes et les Filles. La violence contre les femmes et les filles ne peut pas être ignorée.

Nous devons nous unir pour construire un avenir libre de violence. En remplissent cette enquête, nous devons nous demander, SUIS-JE EN TRAIN DE FAIRE SUFISAMMENT? Ce faisant, nous nous investissons dans notre avenir.
Veuillez s’il-vous-plaît, motiver d’autres BPW afin qu’elles participent au sondage.

...

Le sondage a été mis en ligne le 10 octobre: merci à vous qui avez déjà répondu: Chypre, Tunisie, Turquie, USA, Australie !
Aidez-nous à atteindre 500 réponses !

Meilleures salutations,

Huguette AKPLOGAN DOSSA
Première Vice-Présidente, Responsable ONU 2011-2014

CSW57: Llenar la encuesta sobre " Violencia contra Mujeres"

Estimadas Presidentes de Federaciones y Clubes Asociados de la BPW,
Estimadas socias,

Gracias por tomarse uno minutos para llenar la Encuesta Violencia contra la Mujeres y Niñas de la BPW International.

Es coordinada por el equipo del Comité de la BPW International de la Condición de la Mujer de la ONU, para reunir información de primera mano en el tema de CSW 57: Violencia contra Mujeres y Niñas.

La violencia contra mujeres y niñas no puede ser ignorada.
Debemos unir nuestras manos para construir un futuro libre de Violencia contra Mujeres y Niñas.Al llenar esta encuesta, debemos preguntarnos, ¿ESTOY HACIENDO LO SUFICIENTE? Al hacerlo estaremos redimiéndonos e invirtiendo en
nuestro futuro.
Por favor, motiven a otras socias BPW a que llenen la Encuesta en español.

Cordiales saludos,
Huguette AKPLOGAN DOSSA
Primera Vicepresidente, Presidente ONU 2011-2014