American regional conference: Women in business and management

Background

Latin America and the Caribbean region is referred as the "bright spot" for women in business and management. It is the region in the world where the most substantial and fastest progress for women to hold more senior management and executive positions is predicted by 2025. Moreover, closing the gender gap is an opportunity to boost the region's GDP by US$2.6 trillion. However, this is not to say the region is completely winning the battle. A deeper understanding is required to reap the economic benefits in full and ensure the momentum continues.

The ILO and CONFIEP are bringing together company and representatives and experts from across the region to discuss and share practical solutions in the context of Latin America and the Caribbean and strategize how national employers' organizations can act as a catalyst for breaking the glass ceiling.

As background document for the conference, ACT/EMP has prepared a regional report on Women in Business and Management: Gaining Momentum in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition two guidebooks and a survey report will be released as follows: » Gender diversity journey: Company good practices » Promoting women in business and management: A handbook for national employers' organizations » A global snapshot: Women leaders and managers in employers' organizations

Agenda

The conference will commence with the opening by:

•	José Manuel Salazar, Regional Director, ILO Regional Office for Latin America and Caribbean
•	Deborah France-Massin, Director, ILO ACT/EMP
•	Roque Benavides Ganoza, President, CONFIEP

The keynote speech will be delivered by Ana María Romero-Lozada, Minister of Women Affairs, Government of Peru.
Thereafter a high-level panel discussing global trends for women in business and management will take place with:

•	Deborah France-Massin, Director, ILO-ACT/EMP
•	Ronnie Goldberg, Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC)-OECD
•	Anna Ferry, Ambassador of Sweden in Peru

The conference will proceed with three panel sessions composed of business executives and employers' representatives discussing the following:

What is the business case for gender diversity and women's leadership in the workplace and how can it be strengthened? What are the challenges in attracting and retaining female talent? How can women be promoted in employers and business membership organizations?

The overall agenda promises an interactive day, aimed at experience sharing and focusing on the business case for advancing women in management.