On 4 and 5 July 2023, Zagreb hosted an international conference on "Strong Women for a Stronger Adriatic-Ionian Region" as part of Croatia’s EUSAIR/AII presidency, which was organized by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
The conference brought together a broad spectrum of participants from nine countries and EU institutions who presented their work in four fields: robotics and STEM, business, rural entrepreneurship, and civil society (strengthening the role of youth in the region).
The opening session saw, among a number of Croatian and international participants, State Secretary at MVEP Andrea Metelko-Zgombić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds Zrinka Raguž, Head of Government Office for Gender Equality Helena Štimac Radin, Tourist Board System Director at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Monika Udovičić, Helena Sundblad Schäfer from EC DG REGIO, and Head of the AII Permanent Secretariat Fabio Pigliapoco.
Participants in the STEM panel drew special attention, pushing the envelope with their innovativeness in previously male-dominated fields of astronautics and robotics.
The two-day conference, which saw 25 speakers and more than 150 participants, sent a strong message on the importance of empowering women for the development and advancement of the Adriatic-Ionian Region.
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