UN/ECE PRESS RELEASE [home] [index] ECE/GEN/99/25 Geneva, 20 October 1999
WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIPEast-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: Antal.Szabo@unece.org
Institute for International RelationsMs. Sanja Malekovi and Mr. Mario Poli
Ul. Lj. F. Vukotinovia 2
10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Telephone: + 3851 482 6522
Telefax. + 3851 482 8361
E-mail: msanja@mairmo.irmo.hr