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​Girls in ICT Day Celebration for Europe

​​​​​​​​​​​The European Girls in ICTs: Leadership event was held virtually on the 25th of April 2024, from 11:00 to 12:30 CEST. This event aimed to inspire and encourage girls to pursue a future or career in ICTs and to empower them with available tools and support to achieve their goals.  

ITU continued its year-round efforts to promote Girls in ICT throughout 2024. This year's theme, "Leadership," was identified in consultation with youth. It underscored the critical need for strong female role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, and an opportunity to inspire young women toward leadership in their tech studies and careers.  

The event engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from European Ministries, NGOs, UN organizations, the private sector, and the Network of Women as well as young women and girls across Europe. 

By engaging the Generation Connect Europe Youth Group representatives, the event aimed to highlight how young women are already engaged in the digital transformation all round Europe, with what challenges they face and what they inspire the most. 

The event provided the space for dialogue between women especially Youth Envoys and the ITU Europe Office representatives, focusing on personal stories and approaches that make a difference in divers digital environments at different levels and in different countries.  ​​​​​​​​​

AGENDA​


11:00 – 11:10

Welcome and introduction of the event

  • Mr. Jaroslaw Ponder, Head of the ITU Office for Europe

    • Special messages
  • ​Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Development Bureau (Video)
  • Ms. Cristiana Flutur, Co-President, CEPT; Chair of Com-ITU; Head of International Affairs Unit, ANCOM
11:10 – 11:15

Statements of leadership: What does being a leader in the digital area mean for you?  

  • Ms. Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania (Video​)
11:15 – 11:20

Open dialogue: What is your experience of leadership as a woman in [indicate the specific area]?

  • Fenna Timsi, UN Youth Representative on Human Rights and Security of the Netherlands 

Moderated by Viktoriia Omelianenko, Consultant, ITU Office for Europe

11:20 – 11:25

Statements of leadership: What does being a leader in the digital area mean for you?  

  • Ms. Valeria Ionan, Deputy Minister for Eurointegration of Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine (Video)
11:25 – 11:30

Open dialogue: What is your experience of leadership as a woman in [indicate the specific area]?

  • Léa Roubinet, Master's Student in Digital Policy at Sciences Po Paris

Moderated by Viktoriia Omelianenko, Consultant, ITU Office for Europe

11:30 – 11:35

Statements of leadership: What does being a leader in the digital area mean for you?  

  • Ms. Belén Sanz Luque, Regional Director for UN Women Europe and Central Asia (Video)​
11:35 – 11:40

Open dialogue: What is your experience of leadership as a woman in [indicate the specific area]?

  • Dorijn Boogaard, MSc 'International Public Management'; MA 'Digitalisation, Surveillance and Societies' 

Moderated by Viktoriia Omelianenko, Consultant, ITU Office for Europe

11:40 – 11:45

Statements of leadership: What does being a leader in the digital area mean for you?

  • Ms. Blanca Gonzalez, Head of Unit at the Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation of Spain (Video)
11:45 – 11:50

Open dialogue: What is your experience of leadership as a woman in [indicate the specific area]?

  • Franka Weckner, Research Assistant at the Institute for international private law and business law

Moderated by Viktoriia Omelianenko, Consultant, ITU Office for Europe

11:50 – 11:55​

Statements of leadership: What does being a leader in the digital area mean for you?  

  • Julia Jasinska, Head of international relations and strategic advocacy, Nokia (Video)
11:55 – 12:00

Open dialogue: What is your experience of leadership as a woman in [indicate the specific area]?

  • Altea Kenuti, Aspiring computer engineer

Moderated by Andrea Matasova, Project Officer, ITU Office for Europe

12:00 – 12:05

Statements of leadership: What does being a leader in the digital area mean for you?  

  • Dr. Lidia Stępińska-Ustasiak, Member of The Group on Capacity Building Initiatives ​​(GCBI) (Video)
​12:05 – 12:10

Open dialogue: What is your experience of leadership as a woman in [indicate the specific area]?

  • Athena Vassilo

Moderated by Andrea Matasova, Project Officer, ITU Office for Europe

12:10 – 12:15
​Statements of leadership: What does being a leader in the digital area mean for you?
  • Dr. Despina Spanou, Head of Cabinet, European Commission (Video)​
12:15 – 12:20

Open dialogue: What is your experience of leadership as a woman in [indicate the specific area]?

  • Natálie Terčová, Ph.D. candidate in Media Studies at Masaryk University 
    ​

Moderated by Andrea Matasova, Project Officer, ITU Office for Europe

12:20 – 12:25
 ​Q&A from the audience and participants

12:25 – 12:30

Closing remarks

  • Team of ITU Office for Europe



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