The USA Cultural Presentation at the Malaysia Conference
20th International Conference Pre-Conference workshop
PPSEAWA USA Delegation to Conference
N.Y. Chapter Spotlight: Janet Nixon
PPSEAWA New Jersey Chapter Begins
A View on What Happened at the Conference
Solomon Islands Merit Scholarship for Women (SIMSW)
Old Friends (New PPSEAWA Members) Attend Malaysia Conference
To Mani Chari, thanks, Godspeed
PDF Version of this Bulletin
20th International Conference Pre-Conference workshop
The theme of the workshop, Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century was met with keen interest by the participants from 26 countries. The countries represented included Kampuchea, Vietnam, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, and two women from Vladivostok Russia. Arlene Coco and Corrine Pearson represented the USA.Dr. Siti Hasmah, patron of PPSEAWA Malaysia and President of the International Steering Committee on the Economic Advancement of Rural and Island Women, presented the Keynote address. She said that in the past PPSEAWA has concentrated primarily on social and health issues. She now encouraged us to move to the next level of investing in women's capabilities and empowering them to contribute to economic development. She hoped that the conference would generate interest among women to become entrepreneurs. She expressed the hope of seeing the formation of a PPSEAWA women entrepreneurial network, which would assist women to begin and stay in business.
Following her speech, a panel of five Malaysian women business owners shared their experiences. One spoke about the world of banking, one about her experiences in the food business with Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut. The world of craft production, health and natural beauty, and tourism were presented. The next morning, another panel of business women presented their experiences in the worlds of cultural entertainment, private education, trading, and interior design. Much knowledge, information, and inspiration was gained from their lively presentations and "can-do" spirit.
The afternoons were spent listening to ten minute summary presentations of each delegate's country paper. The purpose of each paper was to present the country's unique demographic, economic, and social trends and their effects on women's position and their opportunities for entreprenurial participation, success, and contribution to nation building. Sharing one's own business experience was also part of the workshop. It was a very intense and rewarding two days.
