Missions

· Instigate a regional gathering to enable Asian women to share their experiences, learn from each other and interact.

· Highlight the key role of these women in the economies and societies of Asia.

· Stress the issues that are specific to this dynamic region.

· Generate innovative, down-to-earth strategies for encouraging contributions from these women in society and for promoting diversity in the work place and society as a whole.

Theme & Programme

‘Growth and Sustainability: How women are making a difference‘ is the theme of this inaugural Forum. Discussions will focus on various themes: demographics, the environment, economics and education:

· What does China’s emergence mean in building a new world?

· Fighting against a two–speed world: how women’s responsibility can make a difference.

· Climate change and sustainable development: how do we face up to these two issues?

· The new challenges in education.

· Megalopolises or ‘sustainable cities‘?

· The dangers of social inequalities: how can women take advantage of micro–financing?

· Cultural identity: women’s essential role for imagining the future

Key information

· Three days format event held in Pudong Shangri La Hotel.

· 750 top–drawer participants from the worlds of business, politics, culture and academia, opinion leaders.

· 80 acclaimed speakers.

· An international Forum composed 50% of Chinese and 50% of other nationalities.

Disover and learn at the Women’s Forum Asia 2008

· The Discovery programme: ‘off‘ programme of the Women’s Forum Asia, composed of a series of workshops and ground-breaking discussions with world-renowned artists, writers, scientists and experts.

· The French Delegation: 30 French women as ambassadors of the economic, social and political world in France.

Substantive projects

· The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards: an international entrepreneurship competition for women created by Cartier and the Women’s Forum in partnership with McKinsey and INSEAD business school.

· The Rising Talents: a programme aiming to create every year an international network of 25 talented women between 25 and 35 years old, to identify the talents of tomorrow.