The 5th Athena40 Global Conversation Announcement

The 5th Athena40 Global Conversation

Engaging high-impact women from around the world

on International Women’s Day 2023 | March 8, 13.30 GMT

Innovation, Change & Education for Women in the Digital Age

Defined by UN Women and CSW67 as a priority theme: Innovation, Technological Change, and Education in the Digital Age generated the main questions for our 5th Athena40 Global Conversation. Innovation, tech and education are significant factors for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Athena40 connected live again leading thinkers and influencers from the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to discuss how we can promote and enable women’s inclusion in the digital era, and how across the different countries we can capitalize on the development of new technologies and the opportunities these offer to achieve full and equal access for women, putting an end to the gender digital divide.​

The multi-city event was organized together with partners hosting individual panels discussing at an angle that raised also local issues and challenges for women.​

The Athena40 Global Conversation is an initiative that cultivates solidarity and understanding among women, shining a light on the variety of issues and challenges, highlighting reform needs in different societies and cultures. Launched by the London-based non-profit Global Thinkers Forum, Athena40 is an SDG 5 (Gender Equality) platform creating access to new networks and engaging grassroots organisations and leaders in the space of SDG5.​

The London panel at the Conduit Club featured: Elizabeth H. Filippouli, Author and Founder of Athena40, Paola Diana, Author and Founder & CEO of Artemide Recruitment, Dr Chen Mao Davies, Founder & CEO of Anya, Sonal R. Patel, Partner & Executive Producer of the Brunswick Group and Liz Perkins, Night News Editor of the Daily Express.​

Supporting organisations included: The Conduit Club, Evening Standard, London Press Club, INJAZ Jordan, Arab Institute of Women Lebanon, Malmö University Sweden, Ziauddin University Pakistan and National Incubation Center Karachi.

Among the speakers in previous years: Elif Shafak; Nawal El Saadawi; Baroness Patricia Scotland QC; HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan;  Dame Stephanie Shirley; award-winning author, film director and LGBTQ rights activist Shamim Sharif; Entrepreneur & Author Annabel Karmel MBE; CNN Commentator Ayesha Hazarika; Economist & Author of ‘Women vs. Capitalism’, Vicky Pryce; Rwanda High Commissioner to the UK, Yamina Karitanyi; Margery Kraus, Founder & Executive Chairman APCO Worldwide; Mary Carlin Yates, Ambassador (ret.) of the U.S. Department of State; May Chidiac, Former Minister & President of May Chidiac Foundation; Manoah Esipisu Kenya High Commissioner to the UK; BBC World presenter Tim Willcox; Athena40 Founder/Journalist Elizabeth Filippouli;Doug Wills, Editor Emeritus Evening Standard; Mpho Tutu Van Furth; MPs, Ambassadors and civil society leaders. All cities around the world connect live to the headlining panel in London creating a global conversation of wider impact and a special opportunity to raise awareness, develop new partnerships and access new networks.