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Addressing 21st Century Challenges to Gender Equality: Beijing+30
Wednesday, March 12
Join the Institute of Global Politics Women's Initiative at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, GWL Voices, Vital Voices, and Wellesley College for a convening to mark the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where 189 nations adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—the most comprehensive agenda for gender equality in history—and recognized that women’s rights are human rights.
This event will highlight the transformative impact of the Beijing Conference, feature young activists at the forefront of the women’s movement, and offer lessons from world leaders on how to move forward in a time of regression on gender equality.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
4:00–6:15 p.m. ET
This program is by invitation only, and invitations are not transferable.
Schedule
4:00–4:10 p.m. ET
Welcome Remarks
Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean, Columbia SIPA; Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Relations; IGP Faculty Advisory Board member
4:10–4:45 p.m. ET
Historic Breakthroughs: Assessing the Impact of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Panel Introduction by Yasmine Ergas, Senior Lecturer of International and Public Affairs; Director of the Specialization on Gender and Public Policy, Columbia SIPA; IGP Faculty Advisory Board member
Ruchira Gupta, Founder, Apne Aap Women Worldwide
Alyse Nelson, President and CEO, Vital Voices Global Partnership
Mu Sochua, President of Khmer Movement for Democracy and former Minister of Women's Affairs, Cambodia
Melanne Verveer, Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security; Former Ambassador-at-Large, Office of Global Women’s Issues, US Department of State
María Fernanda Espinosa (moderator), Executive Director, GWL Voices; President of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
4:45–5:00 p.m. ET
From 1995 to 2025: Reflecting on Progress and New Challenges
Errin Haines, Editor-at-large, The 19th News
Jennifer Klein, Professor of Professional Practice; Director of the IGP Women’s Initiative, Columbia SIPA
5:00–5:30 p.m. ET
Forging the Path: Young Leaders Advancing Gender Equality in the 21st Century
Renata Koch Alvarenga, Founder and Executive Director, EmpoderaClima
Aya Chebbi, Founder, Nala Feminist Collective
Phumzile Van Damme, Technology and Human Rights Consultant; Former Member of Parliament in South Africa
Nika Kovač, Founding Director, The Research Institute of 8th March
Rachel Vogelstein (moderator), Associate Professor of Professional Practice; Director of the IGP Women’s Initiative, Columbia SIPA
5:30–6:10 p.m. ET
The Road Ahead: Addressing Global Backlash and Fulfilling the Promise of the Beijing Conference
Panel Introduction by Paula Johnson, President, Wellesley College
Michelle Bachelet, Former President of Chile; IGP Inaugural Carnegie Distinguished Fellow; GWL Voices member
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia SIPA; 67th Secretary of State and Former Senator from New York; IGP Faculty Advisory Board Chair
Susana Malcorra, Former Foreign Minister of Argentina; Cofounder, GWL Voices; IGP Carnegie Distinguished Fellow
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia (joining virtually)
Christiane Amanpour (moderator), Chief International Correspondent, CNN; IGP Carnegie Distinguished Fellow
