State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe, Women Economic Forum Australia president Sarifa Alonto Younes and organiser Hassan Younes at the first day of this year’s forum, which was held in Shepparton.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
A forum empowering women to inspire each other was held in Shepparton on Wednesday, November 19.
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The Women Economic Forum Australia is held over four days, with the first day held in Shepparton, and the other three in Melbourne.
Held globally every year, this is the second time the Australian event has been held.
World Economic Forum Australia president Sarifa Alonto Younes said the event brought together distinguished leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business innovators and delegates from across Australia and the world.
The Shepparton day of the forum saw 70 per cent of speakers and panellists from the Goulburn Valley area.
Three different panel discussions made up of local women talked on topics of ‘Breaking barriers — women leading in diverse industries’, ‘Women in regional communities — opportunities and challenges’ and ‘redefining leadership for women — how do women lead differently and why does that matter?’.
Dr Alonto Younes said the theme of this year’s event was to educate, elevate and empower women into the future.
“It’s all about the sisterhood supporting each other,” she said.
“It’s about exchanging ideas and knowledge with each other.
“We become stronger when we know women are around us in good times and in bad.”
Dr Alonto Younes said almost one million people had attended Women Economic Forum events throughout the world since its inception in 2015, and she was pleased that the Australian event could spend part of its time in Shepparton.
“I hope that after the conference people of Shepparton will have new friends and relationships to take them to the next level,” she said.
“I hope that everyone will feel more confident.”
Among the prominent figures attending this year’s forum in Shepparton were Bosnia and Herzegovina ambassador to Australia Kemal Muftic, as well as the investment and development agency of Latvia Australian representative office head Sabine Kazaka.
Moderator, State Member for Shepparton Kim O'Keeffe, leading a panel made up of local women Vicki Scott, Linda Nieuwenhuizen and Emmersyn Rea, who were discussing the opportunities and challenges for women in regional communities.
State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe spoke at last year’s forum in Melbourne and advocated to have part of the forum be in Shepparton this year.
“I thought it would be good to tell the regional story,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“It puts a bright light on the region.
“I know they (attendees) will walk away with great insight.”
Ms O’Keeffe was one of the speakers at this year’s forum, where she spoke about personal branding and branding of the area, which formed part of her push to get the forum to come to Shepparton.
“You can’t just stand back and wait for things,” she said.
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