BPW INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 2002
Members from across the world came together in Melbourne in October 2002 for the XX1Vth BPW International Congress. The packed programme of workshops, speakers, debating sessions and social events still allowed time for sightseeing trips to see some of the fantastic local scenary. The introduction of electronic voting revolutionised the voting process and enabled more time for the active programme. 
The many speakers included Felicity Hill of UNIFEM and Pru Goward, Sex Discrimination Commissioner at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission of Australia. The speakers in the Women Leaders' Panel were Amanda Ellis, Head of Women's Markets at Westpac Bank, Elizabeth Urech, Founder of Speak for Yourself and Fiona Sharkey who founded a successful company distributing cosmetics. Young BPW members participated in
a complimentary programme with their own speakers and workshops.
Abiding memories were of the Opening Ceremony with members in their national dress, the Women's Circus performing at the Banquet and the trip to Melbourne Zoo.
At the end of Congress Dr. Antoinette Ruegg of Switzerland was elected to succeed Dr. Pat Harrison of Australia as the President of BPW International. The next International Congress will be in Lucerne, Switzerland in June 2005. |
