Transcript
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to thank my partners of the United Nations Global Compact, local network Russia for inviting me to share my thoughts about gender equality at this ceremony organized by IFC – International Financial Corporation.
It is a great honor to participate in this Moscow Exchange Event.
My name is Ivana Modena, I have a Ph.D. in Sociology and I am the founder of a Business School based in Switzerland with a strong focus on responsible management.
It is the Sustainability Management School (SUMAS) that offers innovative academic programs for women and men that will transform the traditional way of doing business into more ethically-oriented managerial decisions.
For this reason, SUMAS is completed dedicated to supporting the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations that focuses on three pillars, economic growth, environmental protection and social inclusion.
As you are aware, there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals that have to be implemented by 2030. Gender equality is the 5th SDGs and it stresses the importance to promote empowerment of women and girls all over the world.
Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
For example, Iceland has become the first country to legally require employers to prove they offer equal pay regardless of gender, ethnicity, and nationality.
Also, Saudi Arabia announced that from June 2018 would allow women to drive, ending a longstanding policy that has become a global symbol of the oppression of women
It is indeed challenging and difficult to be a Woman not only in developing countries but also in rich countries, where women suffer from violence, even inside their own home.
Women usually achieve excellent academic results but most of them do not reach the highest levels of career positions as these roles are mainly occupied by men. This is called the Glass Ceiling Effect. It is true that many women are decision makers in many fields but the majority of them do not reach the top managerial positions.
I have decided to become an entrepreneur in the field of business education for two reasons: my passion for academic studies and my motivation to change the traditional education patterns into a more innovative and ethical education style.
It is thanks to the partnership between SUMAS and the United Nations Global Compact, local network Russia, that we are supporting the youth of Russia.
I am pleased to announce that we provide the main funded prize for the unique contest addressed to the youth of Russia called– Business Context. Local Solutions to Global Problems.
The winners of the contest will be awarded scholarships to study bachelors and master’s degrees at SUMAS in Switzerland.
I am very inspired by the Contest idea and I thank again my Russian partners to have launched this important competition.
I look forward to continuing this long-lasting collaboration. SPASIBA ”
