• The global summit of women leaders will gather representatives of women’s organizations from around the world.
• Gender equality is one of UNESCO’s priorities.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, agreed to be patron of an international conference on women, which the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria plans to organize early next year in Sofia.

The invitation to Mrs. Bokova was extended during a meeting with members of the Council of Women to discuss current topics related to the general objectives of the Council and UNESCO. These include increasing women’s education, promoting gender equality, support for young people, and others. The Director-General of UNESCO received a certificate of honorary membership and a Council badge in recognition of her work and achievements.

The initiative for the global forum on women leaders was presented by Lidia Shuleva, who stressed the need for organizing such a conference. Open to similar organizations around the world, the forum will discuss key issues related to promoting the role of women in management and business, overcoming personal barriers and social prejudices, successful practices of women entrepreneurs, personal branding, and others.

Irina Bokova endorsed the initiative and noted that our country had never hosted such an event. She said she would send a representative to assist the Council in matters related to the organization of the forum.

UNESCO’s Director-General stressed that gender equality is one of the priorities of the organization headed by her. She spoke about the activities of UNESCO, aiming to promote the education of young women, greater representation of women in science, education, media and other initiatives, and about the work of similar organizations. According to Irina Bokova, half of the deputy directors of the organization, appointed during her term, were women.

Diana Maneva, board member of the Council of Women in Business, presented the activities of the organization, focusing on the Council’s Leadership Academy for training women in managerial positions. She pointed out that the initiative was gaining popularity, as twice as many women have applied for this year’s Leadership Academy 2015/2016.