MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Vital Voices Summit in Argentina honours Chile's Bachelet

Chair and Co-Founder Melanie Verveer of NGO Vital Voices

More than 300 women, successful entrepreneurs, leaders in their workplace with fierce personalities, in smart business suits or colourful artisanal dresses from Latin American and Caribbean countries such as Peru, Panama, Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, Bolivia all exuberant, all very feminine were recently at a conference at the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires: Vital Voices of the Americas: Women as a Bridge to a More Prosperous Future Summit for Latin America and the Caribbean. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner addressed this gathering of government leaders, community and NGO advocates, and leading businesswomen.

Chair and Co-Founder Melanie Verveer of NGO Vital Voices, organizers of the 4-day event, stated, "In the last decade, the increase of female labour participation in Latin America and the Caribbean was the second highest in the world. Women hold almost 25% of minister and cabinet posts in Latin America. Women in the region hold 20% of the seats in Parliament. Nevertheless, there are great disparities in access to economic opportunity. Those living in poverty are especially vulnerable to abuse, including human trafficking, which continues to be a regional and global scourge." President Michelle Bachelet was presented with Vital Voice's prestigious Global Trailblazer Award. Vital Voices was founded by Hillary Clinton who appeared in a video conference message. This summit was backed by the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, Goldman Sachs, the US State Department, the Exxon-Mobil Foundation and others. Emerging and established leaders came together from across countries, sectors and generations to grapple with some of the most pressing challenges facing the region. The Summit also featured training sessions in leadership, advocacy, mentoring, media outreach and communications. Elegant participants representing their countries in spirit and dress attended cultural activities and the world-renowned MALBA and Tigre Museums of Latin American Art and a reception at the US embassy in Buenos Aires. Hosted at the Hilton Hotel was also a Cybercafé and a Women Entrepreneurs Marketplace with artisans showcasing their countries' wares. The Agenda for Vital Voices of the Americas: Women as a Bridge to a More Prosperous Future Summit focused on 5 issues: Levelling the Playing Field for Women's Social & Economic Progress, Latin American & Caribbean Women Artisans Export Development Program, Public Private Partnerships: Women Leading the Path to Sustainability, Women Promoting Health & Safeguarding Human Rights: Combating Violence Against Women, Advocacy and Public Awareness, and Women in Political Leadership: Fostering Good Governance & Transparency. Attendees participated in strategy sessions designed around one of the five issues meeting daily to address the challenges they face and create a strategy for future work based on best practices and innovative ideas. Recognized global leaders shared their experiences and expertise, learned from the Latin American and Caribbean experience, as well as lent their voices to champion the critical issues addressed. During the Summit, Vital Voices hosted the Young Women's Leadership & Mentoring Program, bringing together a group of young women ages 15-20 and women leaders from the region to participate a leadership, training and mentoring program. The young leaders were accompanied by their mentors for guidance throughout the course of the Summit. On the last day of this event, they had the opportunity to discuss their challenges, successes, and vision for the future before an audience of established leaders at the Next Generation Leaders Forum. With the support of their mentors, the young women have the opportunity to return home and educate their peers with lessons learned. During the Closing Plenary on the last day of the Summit, Vital Voices reviewed some of the major outcomes and announced follow-on programs. The on-going Vital Voices Leadership Initiative for Women in Latin America and the Caribbean that will incorporate the commitments was announced. This initiative will enable participants to stay connected through a password protected website – Rising Voices Online. The participants will be able to use the on-line social networking community to share information, resources and continue to build relationships and partnerships. To support this Initiative, Vital Voices will establish an Advisory Board for Latin America and the Caribbean, made up of program speakers and participants. Visit www.VitalVoices.orgfor more information on women's programs and assistance in the region to expand economic opportunities, increase political participation and protect human rights. by Dina Pinos· Dina Pinos is a New York City based Greek journalist of the Foreign Press Association and television producer covering current affairs, culture, food and travel.