BPW International

Dear BPW,

It is with great dismay that we woke to the news of the twin attacks in Norway at the weekend and I convey our deepest condolences to the people of Norway and all those who have lost relatives or been injured in this horrific event. They remain in our thoughts and prayers. This is a stark reminder of the threat we all face from terrorism and is not something one would expect in Norway, famously associated with peace at home and peacemaking abroad.

On a more positive note, there is much interest from Affiliates engaging with the Women’s Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business (WEPs). The WEPs are the new framework we are using to focus our efforts and report on progress during this triennium. BPW Johannesburg, Sth Africa, has reported amazing success of their WEPs launch held in conjunction with the Minister of Trade and Industry.  Read about what they have achieved and how they engaged fifty nine CEO’s to sign the CEO Statement of Support for the WEPs!

In my first address as International President, I attended the charter of BPW Melbourne club last night, in my home city of Melbourne, Australia. There was such enthusiasm and support for the new club that plan to make the WEPs a main focus as they bring the voice of women to business.
There are now only days remaining for members wishing to participate as sellers in the Women Vendors Exhibition and Forum with Leading Multinational Corporations in Chongqing, China 27 – 29 September 2011.  Online applications  must be received by Sunday 31st July - so, hurry!!!!!

[Italian translation | traduzione italiana]

Freda Miriklis
President BPW International 2011-2014