Alibaba Group Holding held its second Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship to continue discussions among women globally on empowerment and gender equality. More than 1,500 participants gathered for the day-one of the conference, themed around “Altruism, Inclusiveness, and Dreams”.
“Our mission is to enable every individual to realize their dreams regardless if they are men or women,” Alibaba Group Executive Chairman Jack Ma told the audience. “Eighteen years since we founded Alibaba, it has consistently been female co-workers that pushed me forward.”
The objective of the two-day conference is to draw on the experience and know-how of successful women business leaders and influencers to enlighten female entrepreneurs, business leaders, policy-makers and role models for future generations on advancement in the SHE·ERA.
Attendees on the first day included, Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women. She was joined by President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, who delivered a keynote speech on woman’s transformative force, after an opening speech by video from The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. Vera Wang, Fashion Designer shared her thoughts to the audience on women and reinvention.
The program comprised of speeches from more than 30 women speakers, all of whom in their own way are redefining the balance between work and social responsibilities, and supporting their families. Topics ranged from global perspectives on women and entrepreneurship to closing the economic inequality gap across the world of business, design and education.
Four breakout sessions will take place July 11 under the SHE themes of SHE Loves, SHE Thinks, SHE Envisions and SHE Future, where distinguished women speakers will share insights, experiences and hopes.
