WPL Summit programme
WPL Summit 2024 programme of events
Below you will find our programme of events available over the two days.
Programme is subject to change.
Registration & Badge pick up
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
(Delegates registered to attend President’s reception must pick up badge)
Bus shuttle service commences from NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Welcome Reception
Venue: Presidential Mansion
Hosted by H.E. the President of the
Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou
Bus pick up point: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Limited capacity, by invitation only.
Dress code: Strictly Formal
Bus shuttle service back to NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Arrival of Delegates & Badge pick up
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Opening of the WPL Summit
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Welcome words by:
- Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism of Greece
- Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President & Founder, Women Political Leaders (WPL)
- Obiageli Ezekwesili, Chair of the WPL Board
Video Message: Amina J. Mohammed Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Panel 1: Representation Matters: More Women to Power – More Power to Women
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Unlock the power of women’s representation in political leadership and its profound impact on societal progress. Delve into research findings revealing the correlation between greater representation of women and advancements across various dimensions. Explore the persistent barriers hindering women’s access to decision-making positions and discuss strategies for systemic change. Join us as we amplify the voices and experiences shaping legislative reforms and policy decisions, driving towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Speakers:
- Goedele Liekens, Member of the Chamber of Representatives, Belgian Federal Parliament; WPL Country Ambassador
- Rozaina Adam, Member of Parliament, Peoples Majlis (Parliament of Maldives); WPL Country Ambassador
- Simonida Kordić, Member of Parliament, Montenegro
- Tsitsi Gezi, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Parliament of Zimbabwe
Moderator: Amanda Ellis, ASU Wrigley Global Futures Lab, Former UN Ambassador and Lead Specialist Gender World Bank
Keynote: Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Panel 2: Politicians 2.0: Reinventing Leadership for the 21st Century
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Explore the future of political leadership in an era of rapid technological change and global challenges. This panel discusses the need for ethical leadership, transparency, and inclusivity to meet constituents’ expectations. Join global leaders as they forge a visionary path towards responsive and innovative governance for the 21st century.
Speakers:
- Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives, Republic of Cyprus; WPL Country Ambassador
- Fatimazhra Belhirch, Member of the Senate of the Netherlands
- Olga Cebotari, Member of the Executive Committee of the Moldovan Party of Socialists, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova for Reintegration
- Louise O’Reilly, Member of Parliament, Houses of the Oireachtas, Ireland
Moderator: Athanasios Dimadis, President, The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA (AFPC-USA)
Video message: Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia (2016–2021); Global Advocate of the UN Secretary-General for Every Woman Every Child
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Panel 3: Raising Voices, Lifting Barriers: Tackling Violence Against Women in Politics
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Explore the critical issue of violence against women in politics. Delve into the complex challenges it poses to democracy, human rights, and gender equality. Explore the imperative for holistic strategies to combat physical and digital violence, empowering women’s participation and fostering equality.
Speakers:
- Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair FEMM Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (EPP, Greece)
- Hafida Benchehida, Founding Member of Arab women parliamentarians for Equality and Equity ; Former Senator, Vice-President of the Legal, Administrative and Human Rights Committee of the Senate, Algeria
- Thorbjorg Sigrídur Gunnlaugsdóttir, Member of Parliament of Iceland
- Karla Yuritzi Almazán Burgos, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico
Moderator: Linda Robinson, Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy, Council on Foreign Relations
Keynote: Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Policy focus sessions (Rooms 114, 214, 314, 714)
Lunch
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Optional bus tour around Athens city
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
(pick-up/drop off point NJV Plaza Hotel – registration required)
Time for bilateral meetings
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Transfer to the Acropolis Museum
Pick up point: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Welcome to Acropolis Museum
Venue: Acropolis Museum
Welcome by the Museum’s General Director Prof. Nikolaos Stampolidis followed by a private guided tour of the Museum for the delegates.
Family photo with Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the Hellenic Republic
Venue: Acropolis Museum
Delegates directed to Pantheon room for the WPL Trailblazer Awards
WPL Trailblazer Awards Ceremony
Venue: Acropolis Museum
Facilitated & presented by: Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President of WPL
Awardee for 2024:
- Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the Hellenic Republic
Keynote Speech by Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the Hellenic Republic
Venue: Acropolis Museum
End of the WPL Trailblazer Awards Ceremony
Venue: Acropolis Museum
Reception at the Acropolis Museum restaurant
Venue: Acropolis Museum
Transfer to NJV Plaza Hotel commences
Venue: Acropolis Museum
Arrival of Delegates & Badge pick up
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Video Message: Marie-Colline Leroy, State Secretary for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, Government of Belgium
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Panel 1: The Perilous Grip: How Political Parties Threaten Democracy
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Explore the paradox where political parties, meant to represent diverse voices, sometimes and maybe inadvertently undermine democracy. Delve into challenges like misinformation and polarization, and discover strategies for transparency and accountability. How can we counteract smear campaigns and restore public trust? What measures promote unity amid ideological divisions? Join us to uncover solutions for a more resilient democracy.
Speakers:
-
- Gabriela Crețu, Senator, Senate of Romania
- Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová, Member of the European Parliament, (Independent, Slovakia)
- Sarah Adwoa Safo, Member of Parliament, Parliament of Ghana
- Sofia Voultepsi, Deputy Minister of Migration & Asylum of Greece, Member of the Hellenic Parliament
Moderator: Tania Bozaninou, Senior Editor, To Vima Newspaper
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Video Message: Mary Robinson, Chair; Adjunct Professor for Climate Justice, Trinity College Dublin; President of Ireland (1990-1997)
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Policy focus sessions
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel, Rooms: 114, 214, 314, 714
Register here
Video message: Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission (2010-2014), EU Commissioner (2000-2014), Member of National and European Parliaments (1979-2000, 2014-2023)
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Video message: Tarja Halonen, President of Finland (2000-2012)
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Panel 2: Navigating the Nexus: AI, Democracy, and Political Leadership
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Delve into the multifaceted implications of AI for political leadership, voter engagement, and governance transparency, alongside innovative solutions to mitigate online threats. Discover how AI can promote inclusivity, equity, and fair democratic practices while addressing unique challenges faced by women in politics. Join the conversation to shape the future of AI in democracy.
Speakers:
- Maris Lauri, Member of the Parliament of Estonia
- Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Member of the Knesset, Israel
- Sahar Albazar, Member of Parliament, Deputy Chair of the foreign affairs committee; WPL Country Ambassador, Egypt
- Yanna Andronopoulou, General Manager – Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Microsoft
Moderator: Cheryl Novak, Senior Editor, tovima.com – WSJ Publishing Partnership
Panel 3: Democracy Reloaded: Fulfilling Citizen Expectations and Rebuilding Trust
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Explore the critical issue of violence against women in politics. Delve into the complex challenges it poses to democracy, human rights, and gender equality. Explore the imperative for holistic strategies to combat physical and digital violence, empowering women’s participation and fostering equality.
Speakers:
- Cristina Gallach, Member, GWL Voices
- Eleanor Laing, Deputy Speaker, House of Commons, UK
- Glona Labadlabad, Member of the House of Representatives of Philippines
- Lindiwe Thulile Dlamini President of the Senate of Eswatini
- Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Member of the Senate of Pakistan
Moderator: Liz Perkins, Night News Editor, The Daily Express
Keynote Speech: Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism of Greece
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Closing Words
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
- Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President & Founder, Women Political Leaders (WPL)
- Obiageli Ezekwesili, Chair of the WPL Board
Lunch
Venue: NJV Athens Plaza Hotel
Programme moves to the Hellenic Parliament
Welcome and session opening remarks by Constantine An. Tassoulas, President of the Hellenic Parliament
Venue: Hellenic Parliament
Optional bus tour around Athens city
Venue: Pick Point: NJV Plaza Hotel
(Pick-up/drop off point NJV Plaza Hotel – registration required)
National Delegation statements
Venue: Hellenic Parliament
Co-chaired by Sevasti (Sevi) Voloudaki, Member of the Hellenic Parliament; WPL Ambassador, Greece
For officially appointed delegates only.
Guided tour at the exhibition of the Hellenic Parliament “Beholding Liberty! At the Hellenic Parliament two centuries later”
Venue: Hellenic Parliament
(registration required)
Family photo
Venue: Hellenic Parliament
Cocktails hosted by Constantine An. Tassoulas, President of the Hellenic Parliament
Venue: Hellenic Parliament
(registration required)
End of the WPL Summit
Venue: Hellenic Parliament