Geneva, 20 October 1999
ECE/GEN/99/25
WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP
East-West Cooperation
(Brijuni, Croatia, 21-22 October 1999)
The Conference on Women's Entrepreneurship organized by the
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) in cooperation with the
Government of the Republic of Croatia and the OECD Leed Programme will be opened tomorrow
in Brijuni within the framework of the Central European Initiative (CEI). The Conference
is the follow-up to one of the recommendations made at the Meeting of the Heads of
Governments of the CEI Member States held in Croatia, in November 1998.
The main objectives of the Conference are:
- to promote the development of women's entrepreneurship and
entrepreneurial skills in the countries in transition (CITs);
- to convince and encourage policy makers in CEI Member States to
give more attention to an enabling environment for greater contribution of women to
transition processes;
- to strengthen the existing networks by preparing bankable
project proposals and to review and propose the support measures by governments, regional
and local authorities; and
- to encourage closer cooperation with the international
organizations on women's entrepreneurship.
Following the opening addresses by Ms. Danuta Hübner, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN/ECE, Mr. Sergio Arzeni, Head of the OECD
Leed Programme, high-level representatives of the Government of Croatia including Mrs. Dunja Pastizzi-Ferencic,
Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former UN/ECE Deputy Executive
Secretary, as well as the Secretariat of the CEI, the conference will discuss the
following issues:
- Overview of the present situation of women's entrepreneurship in
CEI countries;
- New approach to women's entrepreneurship;
- Review of the best practices;
- A way ahead - Proposal for support measures by governments,
regional and local authorities and financial institutions;
- Women entrepreneurs in the 21st century; and
- Adoption of the Final Statement.
UN/ECE prepared a Discussion Paper on "A way ahead - Proposal
for support measures by governments, regional and local authorities and financial
institutions" (OPA/AC.14/1) which can be obtained from the UN/ECE Coordinating Unit
for Operational Activities (see address below).
The outcome of the Conference will be reflected in a short Final
Statement which will highlight the main proposals that should be forwarded for endorsement
to the forthcoming meeting of the CEI Heads of Governments during the 2nd CEI
Economic Forum to be held in November 1999 in Prague (Czech Republic).
For more information please contact:
Mr. Antal Szabó
Regional Adviser on Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Coordinating Unit for Operational Activities
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Palais des Nations, Bureau 440
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Telephone: + 41 22 917 2471
Telefax: + 41 22 917 0178
E-mail: [email protected]
Institute for International Relations
Ms. Sanja Malekovi and Mr. Mario Poli
Ul. Lj. F. Vukotinovia 2
10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Telephone: + 3851 482 6522
Telefax. + 3851 482 8361
E-mail: [email protected]