Technology has become a defining factor in global geopolitical affairs, shaping foreign policy and diplomacy. Digital issues have become intertwined with discussions on everything from national security and defence, to content regulation or artificial intelligence. No matter what item on the global agenda we are looking at, technology is part of the challenge and the solution.
Like technology, gender and diversity are also integrated into Europe’s response to these global challenges and its contribution to a rules-based multilateral order. As the European Union pushes for greater women’s empowerment and gender equality through its 2020-2025 Gender Action Plan (GAPIII) including via its commitment to ensure 85% of all new actions throughout external relations will contribute to gender equality and women's empowerment by 2025, Conversations Unscripted will take stock of Europe’s progress towards promoting gender equality in its external action. Including, how the Brussels Effect is also shaping the gender equality agenda globally. This event will discuss how nations can further integrate gender perspectives into their external action - specifically within the nexus between technology and foreign policy, including how the EU and its Member States look at technology and what governments are doing to address systemic inequality in these fields.
Conversations Unscripted will also reflect on the importance of cooperation amongst likeminded stakeholders, including the opportunities in existing international and bilateral fora such as the Trade and Technology Council, NATO or within the UN Cyber diplomacy discussions and how can this play a role in driving the gender equality agenda forward.
The session will foster a discussion around the role of women in AI, the importance of addressing gender biases in AI technologies, and suggest ways to address the gender gap in this space. The session will also focus on the practical side of AI and how women can be more involved in developing and implementing AI technologies. The Panel will identify the challenges and opportunities for women in AI, including issues related to education and training, career development, and access to funding and resources. Participants will also explore strategies for increasing the participation of women in AI research and development as well as in the broader AI ecosystem. The decisions arising from the panel discussion may include corresponding recommendations for policy and other changes to promote AI gender diversity.
This session seeks to delve deeper into the multifaceted role of women in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It aims to shine a spotlight on the impact of the war on women and other vulnerable groups, examining the gender dynamics at play and exploring effective strategies to support civilians and highlights the specific challenges faced by women in this conflict.
This panel will highlight the needs of women affected by the war, will discuss potential solutions and interventions to address the unique circumstances faced by women in the conflict. The complex gender dynamics will be analysed, examining how gender norms and roles influence the dynamics of the conflict in Ukraine. By examining these gender dynamics and identifying effective strategies to support women and other marginalized groups, this event aims to contribute to efforts that promote gender equality, empowerment, and protection of women's rights in the context of armed conflicts.
This workshop is designed to promote gender equality and female empowerment in the fields of research and innovation. The workshop focuses on providing practical tools and strategies to address the underrepresentation of women in these fields and to promote diversity and inclusivity.
The workshop will bring together experts and professionals from various disciplines and industries to share their experiences, insights, and best practices on how to advance women's careers and promote gender equality in research and innovation. Participants will learn about the challenges faced by women in these fields, including biases and barriers, and explore strategies to overcome them.
Throughout the workshop, attendees will participate in interactive sessions, group discussions, and skill-building exercises designed to enhance their knowledge and skills in promoting gender equality and female empowerment. By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained practical tools and strategies that they can implement in their workplaces to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in research and innovation.
This workshop is ideal for individuals working in research and innovation who want to promote gender equality, including researchers, policymakers, educators, and industry professionals. Join us in this important conversation and take action towards creating a more diverse and inclusive research and innovation community.
Meet some of the speakers sharing insights at our May event.
Software Engineering Manager, Founder of Syrian Women in Tech (SWIT) and Chair of the Brussels Binder Database Team
BiographyCLO, Head of Public Policy and Governance Affairs - Board Member at Women in Tech
BiographyStaff Officer, NATO International Military Staff, Office of the Gender Advisor
BiographyEEAS Ambassador for Gender and Diversity, European External Action Service
BiographySana is an award-winning, gender expert, women advocate, and public speaker on feminism and women issues. She is author of “Invisible Women of the Middle East”. She has spoken in 50 countries at universities, panel discussions and international events.
In 2016, she established Womenpreneur Initiative that aims to advance women’s place in entrepreneurial scene, technology, innovation & society. Since its establishment, Womenpreneur has trained 16,000 women in Belgium and MENA region. Through her work, Sana reached thousands of women, to drive visibility, social impact, and resources for women in the ecosystem and beyond.
For the past 7 years, Sana advised United Nations, European Commission, corporate institutions and organisations on gender issues. She was heavily involved in SDGs discussions, she helped drafting several resolutions and recommendations on gender in New York, Bali, Geneva, and Paris and presented to UN representatives.
Laila Deeb is a Software Engineering Manager at Esko and the founder of (SWIT) Syrian Women In Tech, an organization that aims to connect the top women software engineers from Syria with the Belgian job market.
She is also the chair of the Database team in the Brussels binder the go-to resource for women experts for improving gender diversity in policy debates, and a guest lecturer in the international computer science program at KdG.
Previously, she worked as a full-stack software engineer, Product Owner, and Scrum Master, while lecturing at the software engineering department at Tishreen University in Syria. Laila’s aim is to encourage more women to pursue a career in tech.
Elena has a technical background and experience as a software developer and evolved to a leadership position within Cegeka, being responsible for the Applications and Data Solutions Division for the European Delivery Center. In the same time, as a social entrepreneur dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change through technology, Elena is empowering women in technology and leadership by being a mentor and Board of Advisors for the Romanian chapter of Women in Tech, a global movement with over 200,000 members. She is an active member of a venture capital that invests in women owned companies, targeting in this way to minimize the gender gap within the investment world! In addition to her day-to-day business engagements, Elena maintains a constant online presence, sharing valuable knowledge from her firsthand experience through online mentoring sessions and inspirational content on social media platforms.
Ms. Irene Fellin was appointed NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security in 2022. She is the high focal point on all aspects of NATO's contribution to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, with the aim to facilitate coordination and consistency in NATO's policies and activities and to take forward the implementation of the NATO/EAPC Policy and Action Plan on the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions.
She is a Gender and Security expert and peacebuilder with more than 15 years of experience in the field of international security. She was instrumental in establishing and coordinating the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network (MWMN), a project promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy aimed at fulfilling the need to increase the number of women involved in peacemaking efforts and at facilitating the appointment of high-level women mediators at local and international level.
Ms. Fellin is a strong supporter of female leadership and in 2016 she founded the Italian chapter of Women In International Security (WIIS), an organisation dedicated to advancing the leadership and professional development of women in the field of international peace, security and defence. Under Ms. Fellin's remit are also the five pillars of NATO’s human security approach, namely the protection of civilians, cultural property protection, children and armed conflict, combatting trafficking in human beings and conflict-related sexual violence.
Roman Gojayev, Co-Founder and Development Director, Gender Hub Azerbaijan. Roman Gojayev is a gender activist, international facilitator and trainer; co-founder & development director of Gender Hub Azerbaijan , a youth-centred feminist organisation working towards strengthening a multistakeholder approach to achieve extensive gender equality and women's rights in the country. Roman is the 2023 Barack Obama Leader; Roman is the Board Member of the Generation Connect Visionaries Board of the International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations . Previously, a member of the Expert Group on Youth Rights at the European Youth Forum.
Kristina Lunz is co-founder and co-executive director of the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (CFFP).
After a bachelor's degree in psychology, she received her first master's degree MSc Global Governance and Ethics in London and completed a second master's degree in diplomacy as a full scholarship holder at the University of Oxford.
After graduating, she worked for the United Nations in Myanmar and for an NGO in Colombia. Kristina has (co-)initiated various activist campaigns and received several awards and fellowships in renowned institutions.
She is a member of the Advisory Group of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Goalkeepers Initiative and was named one of Forbes' "30 under 30" in Europe and DACH in 2019. Her bestseller "The Future of Foreign Policy is Feminist" (Ullstein/Econ Verlag, 2022) was widely received. Kristina and her work are regularly featured in international media such as Vogue, Spiegel, ZDF or The Guardian.
Miriam Maurizi joined the YPFP team as a Security & Defence Officer in May 2022. She holds a B.A in Political Science and International Relations and a M.A in International Relations with a special focus on Global and Security Studies. Before moving to Brussels, she collected different experiences abroad, namely in Kosovo, the Netherlands and the Russian Federation. In Belgium, Miriam worked at NATO Headquarters, NATO - SHAPE and at the European Defence Agency. Currently she works for the Middle East and North Africa Section at the NATO Headquarters - Political Affairs and Security Policy Division.
Marisa Monteiro Borsboom is a true Renaissance woman. Her life has 4 strong pillars: family, legal and business career, philanthropy and advocacy . She is actively engaged in technological entrepreneurship and seeks to use it as a force for positive societal change. She is a proud board member of Women in Tech and Head of Public Policy and Governance Affairs and CLO of Women in Tech - Global movement. Currently she leads Humanity of Things Agency, while being the CEO, and general counsel of MQM Legal and co-founder and partner of Inov@legal. In her business dimension she is the founder and director of PortHollandia – Chamber of Commerce Netherlands Portugal.
She is a board member of the European Legal Tech Association, and Portuguese chapter director. Recently she was part of the founding members of UNA, the Portuguese United Nations Association.
Ayumi is a social entrepreneur committed to driving positive, sustainable change through technology. She is the Founder and CEO of Women in Tech® Global, the world’s leading organization for women in technology, counting over 200.000 members in 6 continents, and on a mission to empower 5 million women and girls in STEM by 2030. Ayumi is a member of the Forbes Business Council, and she sits in the Supervisory board of Autofill, a deep tech meets hard tech company, revolutionizing object inspections with an initial focus on the automotive and rail industries. She grew up in South-Africa under Apartheid with her Brazilian and Japanese parents. A third culture kid, whose upbringing shaped her beliefs on equality, and fueled her drive to defy all norms rooted in oppressive and discriminatory stereotypes, such as gender and race. Ayumi knows firsthand the power of code. In 2008, she was struggling to achieve a healthy life balance, so she quit her high-powered job and taught herself how to code with CD-Roms. Her new digital skills reshaped both her personal and professional life. She created her first company, and in 2018 founded Women in Tech.
She has fully embraced the revolutionary promise of web3 by deepening her knowledge in blockchain and NFT’s while working on the launch of Women in Tech’s first NFT collection. As an international expert in women empowerment and a champion of equality, she regularly takes to the stage at global, industry-leading events, including the World Economic Forum (Davos), PauseFest (Melbourne), LEAP (Riyadh), TEDx Ist (Lisbon), WE Convention (Dubai), UFM Business Forum (Barcelona), and GMI Summit (UAE).
Patricia Nguyen is a Staff Officer in the NATO International Military Staff Office of the Gender Advisor (IMS GENAD) where she supports the integration of the gender perspective and the implementation of UN Resolution 1325 in military tasks and activities. Patricia holds a Master of Global Affairs with a focus in international security from the University of Toronto and has a background working with government and international organisations in anti-crime capacity building and justice.
Emőke is an accomplished EU Public Affairs expert with a demonstrated work history in both public and private sectors and over a decade of proven leadership in the non-profit sector.
She has dedicated the first seven years of her career to bringing a contribution towards a fair society that provides equal opportunities for men and women and protects citizens belonging to minority and disadvantaged groups. During her studies, she started working on minority rights in the German State Parliament in Sachsony Anhalt and joined the cabinet of State Secretary of Interethnic Relations of the Romanian Government after graduation. In 2016 she moved to Brussels to continue working on minority and antidiscrimination in the European Parliament and joined the European Commission Equality Directorate in 2017, where she was in charge of equality, diversity, and non-discrimination policies.
She is passionate about fostering equal opportunities for women’s professional progression and creating a more inclusive future for women of work. She has written her Master’s thesis about “Women on Board: Best Practices and EU-UN cooperation opportunities”, contributed to the recently adopted Women on Board Directive, and organized high-level meetings to advance this goal. She has had multiple leadership roles in the field, being Project Director of the UN Youth Association, Head of AI Ethics at Women in AI, Chairwoman of the Gender WG of FYEG, Ambassador in the EU-US Inclusive Leaders Network etc. Currently, she is leading strategic Partnerships at Brussels Binder in her free time, a Brussels-based NGO created to provide a practical tool to improve gender diversity in policy debates.
Jeremy Rollison is Senior Policy Director, EU Government Affairs, within Microsoft’s Corporate, External & Legal Affairs (CELA) group. Based in Brussels, his work focuses on policy related to the EU Digital Single Market (DSM), with a particular emphasis on data issues and corresponding public policy covering AI, privacy, cybersecurity, cloud policy, and the cross-border provision of online services. Prior to joining Microsoft, he worked in the Government Relations team at Nokia in the company’s EU representative office and was previously Director of the European Digital Media Association (EDiMA) in Brussels. He has over a decade of experience in Brussels at the company, association, and consultancy levels, focusing and engaging with EU stakeholders on issues related to the development and delivery of online services in the Internal Market and corresponding EU regulatory policy.
Ms Stella Ronner-Grubačić [The Netherlands] was appointed on 1 st July 2021 as the Ambassador for Gender and Diversity at the European External Action Service (EEAS).
After having obtained her Master’s degree (European Studies) at the University of Amsterdam in 1989, and having finished post-graduate studies of International Relations at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague, Ms. Stella Ronner-Grubačić started her diplomatic career at the Dutch Foreign Ministry in August 1991. She worked in the Foreign Ministry’s multilateral department, after which she was posted at the Embassy in Belgrade. Her following posting in Paris was preceded by a year (‘Cycle International’) at the French ‘Ecole Nationale d’Administration’ in Paris. In 2001, Ms Ronner-Grubačić was seconded to the OSCE Mission to the FRY (Former Republic of Yugoslavia). Following that, she became Spokesperson to former Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, at the time when the Netherlands carried out the OSCE Chairmanship. In 2004, she took up the position of Spokesperson for the Dutch EU Presidency. Following various other positions in the Ministry in The Hague, including as Ambassador for the Millennium Development Goals, Ms. Stella Ronner-Grubačić was appointed Ambassador to Croatia in 2010. After having served in The Hague as Director of Communication, she was accredited as Ambassador to Romania and the Republic of Moldova. From Bucharest, she moved to Athens, where she was accredited as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Hellenic Republic in September 2019. She is married to Bratislav Grubačić and together they have one son.
Marijke Schroos, the General Manager of Microsoft Belgium and Luxembourg, is a seasoned leader with a demonstrated history of working in the computer industry. She has a broad experience spanning from marketing, sales and partner management to communication, organizational agility and change management. She has a strong track record in business development and growth strategies, both in Commercial as in Public Sector environments, including EUi and NATO. Marijke is passionate about empowering people to unlock their true potential by understanding their strengths and needs, which she supports through mentoring programs as well as by being the executive sponsor for Diversity and Inclusion at Microsoft BeLux.
Sofiia Shevchuk, Ukrainian based in Brussels, Belgium, is a founder of VONA, an educational and consultancy platform on climate, gender and security, through which she works with governments, think tanks, NGOs and European institutions. Additionally, Sofiia is a member of the Steering Committee of the Women in International Security Brussels, as well as a member of the advocacy team of Promote Ukraine. Sofiia has 7+ experience in women, peace and security agenda, feminist foreign policy, and general topics in geopolitics, diplomacy and foreign policy. She studied at the College of Europe, as well as Ghent University.
Victoria Sarmiento, Policy Advisor, European Government Affairs, Microsoft Victoria joined Microsoft’s European Government Affairs team in September 2020. As Policy Advisor, Victoria covers issues related to critical infrastructure and connectivity. Previously at Microsoft, she provided horizontal support functions to the Vice-President for European Government Affairs and the Chief of Staff, contributing to policy related workstreams and ensuring synergies between advocacy and policy campaigns.
In October 2022, Victoria started working on #ConversationsUnscipted a European Gender Equality Initiative for Technology and Politics. Prior to joining Microsoft, Victoria gained professional experience in a Brussels-based strategic communications consultancy (LOW Europe); the European Parliament; the College of Europe Development Office; the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin.
Victoria holds a Master’s degree in EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies from College of Europe and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University Rey Juan Carlos. She has participated in different academic exchanges, including at the University of Twente in the Netherlands and the National Taiwan Normal University.
Marijke Verhavert has been on board Tomorrowlab for more than four years as practice lead digitalization & innovation designer which she is now leading as the director. She studied commercial engineering in policy informatics at the University of Antwerp and began her career in consulting (KPMG management consultants as well as Siemens Business Services). At the end of 2003, she transferred to the Flemish government as a data architect. Three years lates, she became head of the process and information policy department at Information Flanders, which she stayed for more than twelve years, being responsible for the digital transformation in the Flemish Government. In 2011, she added the role of innovation project leader and in 2017, she took the role of program manager for artificial intelligence.
Sanne Vermeiren is an experienced Manager Digital Transformation and AI. She’s passionate about digital inclusion and sustainability in tech. Technology should improve people’s lives, but we should pay close attention to avoid that technology in itself becomes a limiting factor. As the Young ICT Lady of 2019 and a member of 40 under 40 Belgium, Sanne tries to encourage more women to join the tech scene.
This event will take place in a hybrid format, with both virtual and in-person attendance.
If you are interested in participating in the conference in-person, we recommend that you please express interest for a place as soon as you register. Those attending in-person will be invited to a reception after the final session, to enjoy networking and conversation.