Griffith University and the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney are pleased to announce the International Dialogue on Women in Leadership will take place in Brisbane on 16-17 November.
As a G20-related event the Dialogue will bring together world leaders from government, business, and academia to consider ways to encourage and promote women’s leadership in the global economy through a stronger commitment to gender equality and greater involvement in business, politics and international organisations.
The conference will feature an expert panel on the evening of Sunday, 16 November, followed by a full day of debate on Monday, 17 November, exploring how full participation by women can improve economic efficiency and productivity and generate sustainable long-term global growth.
The event reflects the deep commitment made by the two universities to promote a greater leadership role for women both in Australia and globally.
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, will present a keynote address.
“I am pleased to support the International Dialogue on Women in Leadership, which will explore the international effort to support women’s empowerment and increased participation in the global economy,” says Ms Bishop.
“It will also focus on the progress of women in leadership across business, politics, government and the non-profit sectors and address the importance of having more women actively engaged in these roles.
“One of the earliest diplomatic appointments of the Coalition government was to appoint former Senator, Ms Natasha Stott Despoja AM, Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, with a brief to raise the profile of women’s empowerment on the world stage. I am delighted to support the International Dialogue on Women in Leadership event which aligns closely with the government’s agenda,” she says.
Advancing gender equality
The Director of the Women in Leadership Initiative at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, Melissa Grah-McIntosh, says the event will help build on the recent Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) Joint Communiqué, which reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to advancing gender equality and the status of women and girls.
“The International Dialogue on Women in Leadership will be another chance for the United States and Australia to further their goal of promoting women’s employment and economic opportunity, particularly in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.”
The program will include speakers such as University of Sydney Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson, Group Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil Alison Watkins, and Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison. 
Griffith University Chancellor, the Hon Leneen Forde AC (left), who will also address the conference, says the Dialogue would continue the enduring culture of research, discussion, and promotion of issues related to women’s leadership that had been fostered by the supporting organisations.
“Both Griffith and Sydney Universities have strong traditions of supporting issues of women’s empowerment across the full range of their teaching, research and administrative activities
“We are excited to welcome women and men of the highest calibre to Brisbane to advance the discussion on female empowerment around the world.”
More information and registration details are available on the Women in Leadership website.