Myanmar is on the cusp of tremendous and profound transformation. From health to education, agriculture, industry and telecommunications, the country is opening to the world. Because social change can be sustainable only when it includes the energy and creativity of women, the Women's Forum Myanmar is dedicated to forging strong bonds between the women of Myanmar and international leaders of corporations, academic institutions, media and grass-roots groups. The goal: to encourage more women to engage in business, the economy and society, becoming agents of positive change. Organized by the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society — the world's leading platform featuring women's views and voices on major social and economic issues — together with the French Embassy in Myanmar, the Women's Forum Myanmar will be the country's first-ever international conference of its kind. It will feature some of the world's most inspiring leaders and will highlight best practices and partnerships from the region and internationally. The real stars of the meeting, though, are the Myanmar speakers and participants. Specific grants will facilitate the attendance of women leaders from all over the country, making this a historic and unprecedented opportunity to meet and establish dialogue with Burmese women of courage, authority and distinction. 450 participants are expected to attend the two-day Forum, exchanging their experiences, pooling knowledge and creating personal links. They will explore topics ranging from generating and identifying responsible international investment that is sustainable and delivers value to the community; how to leapfrog obstacles to better health, schooling and skills training in Myanmar; freedom of expression and the press; and how to include women and women's concerns in peace building. Tightly focused roundtables and breakout sessions will examine market opportunities; financial inclusion; advancing women's rights; engaging the environmental agenda in development; leadership for tomorrow; and contemporary culture in Myanmar, featuring many of the country's leading artists and writers. Practical workshops will coach participants on starting a business, social entrepreneurship, the Internet, women's health, community resilience, vocational training and journalism. The Women's Forum Myanmar (which is also known as the ASEAN Women's Forum) will feature a remarkable range of speakers from countries throughout South East Asia and countries around the world, involved in business, politics, academic institutions, media and grass-roots organizations. Participants will include Dr Daw Myat Myat Ohn Khin, Myanmar's Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement; Nobel Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; France's Minister of Culture and Communication Aurélie Filippetti; International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde; Christophe de Margerie, Chairman and CEO of Total; Umran Beba, SVP and Chief HR officer of PepsiCo AMEA; Chris Viehbacher, CEO of Sanofi. About the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society Founded in 2005, the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society is the world's leading platform featuring women's views and voices on major social and economic issues. Deploying women's experience and expertise across all generations and geographies, it offers practical discussions on how to overcome barriers and create new horizons and opportunities, as well as broad, rich and edgy debate on important ideas. The Women's Forum also promotes the advancement of women world-wide via business and social networks. More information: www.womens-forum.com

• published: 19 May 2014
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