Council of Women World Leaders
The Council of Women World Leaders was created at a 1996 summit meeting of 11 of the world’s then-current and former presidents and prime ministers. The first convening of the council took place in 1997 at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
The Council is hosted at the UN Foundation. Members are nearly all current and former Female Heads of State . President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania serves as Chair of the Council.
“Through its networks, summits, ministerial initiative, partnerships, fellows, and programs, the Council promotes good governance and gender equality, and enhances the experience of democracy globally by increasing the number, effectiveness, and visibility of women who lead their countries. The Council’s goal is to use the symbolic importance of women leaders and the substantive experience of its members to support women’s full participation and representation in the political process at the highest levels, and future women leaders.” United Nations Foundation, Council of Women World Leaders, http://www.unfoundation.org/features/cwwl.html
The Council is has uniquely positioned itself to utilize men and women at the forefront of business, government, academia, media and civil society to foster dialogue on gender issues. Our direct access to global leaders and concise mission differentiate the Council from peer organizations, and elevate the impact of the dialogue we seek to create.