UNESCO, in collaboration with the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria (CWBB) has organized a 3-day conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, from May 18 until May 20. 

The main objective of the conference will be to identify specific areas where UNESCO, through its existing initiatives in different programme areas and through its networks, can contribute to a better understanding of the conditions that encourage women’s leadership and employ the best educational, cultural, communication and information practices used to promote sustainable development with gender equality. It is envisaged that the Forum will conclude with adoption of the Sofia Declaration on Women’s Leadership. 

The conference will include high-level speakers from business, government, academia and intentional organizations to understand all elements that contribute to women’s empowerment and leadership and to identify the challenges that still lie ahead. The Conference will start with an Opening Ceremony on 18 May that will feature Ms Irina Bokova, the Director-General, who is also an honorary member of the CWBB, H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as keynote speaker and guest of honor, along with several high-level government officials of the host country, Bulgaria. 

UNESCO and the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria (CWBB) share a similar vision to promote women’s leadership and gender equality and have joined their efforts for this objective. The CWBB is the biggest non-governmental organization in Bulgaria whose goal is to implement, document and disseminate good practices and programs to encourage the professional development of women in all spheres of life with focus on business development, establishment of professional values and ethics in education, science, culture, technology and innovation. Click here to find out more about the conference. 

Gender equality is one of two global priorities of the Organization and it is an integral component of all UNESCO initiatives in its areas of competence that include education, the sciences, culture, and communication and information. UNESCO implements its Priority Gender Equality through its Action Plan for 2014-2021 and also has a separate action plan to achieve gender balance in its Secretariat.