Agenda for Maltese female entrepreneurship

The National Council of Women held its annual conference "Equal opportunities 2007: the agenda for Maltese female entrepreneurship" on November 25 at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian's.

The conference and its follow-up aimed to address women's role in entrepreneurship to increase the participation of women in the labour market and in economic decision-making and thus create more and better jobs to strengthen Malta's competitiveness.

NCW president Helga Ellul gave a welcome address. Official speakers included Dolores Cristina, Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Dr Joanna Drake, head of EU Commission's Permanent Representation, and Dr Janet Mifsud, Commissioner, National Commission for the Promotion of Gender Equality.

A very stimulating keynote speech entitled "Women entrepreneurs - an equal opportunity to make an economic and social contribution" was presented by Dr Elisabeth J. Muir of the University of Glamorgan, Wales. Dr Muir spoke about the concept of entrepreneurship, which she has been promoting for many years through research and consultancy.

Shirley Pulis Xerxen, NCW Education Committee co-ordinator, chaired the panel discussion while journalist Vanessa Macdonald was a very challenging moderator.

The panel members included Frank Edwards, principal/CEO of MCAST, who spoke about MCAST and its vision for entrepreneurship; Dr Frances Camilleri-Cassar, who presented findings from her recent publication Challenges for Female Entrepreneurs in Malta; Lawrence Mizzi of the Employers' Association, who spoke about EU employment legislation and the employer; and Dr Sandra Dingli, director of the Edward de Bono Institute, who made a very interesting and forward-looking presentation on innovation and entrepreneurship.

The afternoon workshops included "Networking with EU counterparts, chaired by Dr Camilleri-Cassar, "ICT and Entrepreneurship", chaired by Mario Pace, "Innovation and Entrepreneurship", chaired by Dr Dingli, "Equal Opportunities", chaired by Omar Cutajar.

The conference served as a platform that brought together representatives of the EU Commission, Government, academia, educational and professional sectors.

The contribution of all stakeholders, including representatives of the business sector, small enterprises and employers, provided a holistic approach that is vital to address the theme of entrepreneurship, creating the necessary synergy for the development of a flourishing entrepreneurial environment.

The conference brought to light an innovative and energetic spirit of entrepreneurship among speakers and participants that will serve as a foundation for ongoing initiatives to continue addressing and developing this important theme according to the needs of the Maltese society. Recommendations and proposals will be submitted to the EU Commission.

A full report on the conference and relevant documents are currently being compiled by NCW.