The energy sector is a key driver for economic growth. As the population grows and people become more successful, demand for energy will grow exponentially. By 2030, we will need 60% more electricity that today.This demand cannot – for economic, social and environmental reasons – be met through conventional energy sources alone.
Renewable energy offers a sustainable, affordable, feasible solution. As more than 50% of our global population, women must be key players in this this solution, but their participation in the energy landscape remains limited.
To develop and reinforce international support for the empowerment of women leaders in the field of renewable energy, IRENA, the European Commission and UN Women, are organizing a conference on Women in Renewable Energy – Innovative Thinking for Energy and the Future. The conference will be held in Brussels, Belgium, on 18 June 2015, as part of the European Sustainability Week 2015.
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The conference will focus on:
- Existing and potential initiatives to support women’s engagement in renewable energy;
- Policies and strategies to foster new business models to empower women;
- Next steps in advancing the agenda;
- Recommended focus areas for the empowerment and engagement of women.
PROVISIONAL AGENDA
Date: Thursday, 18 June 2015
Time: 14.00 – 17.00
Venue: Charlemagne Building, Rue de la Loi, Room Mansholt, Brussels, Belgium
14:00 – 14:30
Opening Remarks:
- Welcome address by Ms. Salla SAASTAMOINEN, Director for Equality, Directorate General for Justice and Consumers and Mr. Adnan Z. AMIN, IRENA Director-General
- H.E. Hakima EL HAITE, Minister in charge of Energy, Water and Environment (Morocco)
14:30 – 15:30
Session I: Empowering Women in the Energy Sector: Initiatives to Support Women’s Engagement in Renewable Energy Initiatives
- Dr. Annemarije KOOIJMAN, ENERGIA, Coordinator of Gender and Energy Research Programme
- Ms. Antina SANDER, 100% Renewables-Grid Initiative, Deputy Executive Director
- Ms. Gail WATT, Women in Renewable Energy Scotland (WiRES), Chair
15:30 – 15:45
Coffee break
15:45 – 16:30
Session II: Policy-making and Strategies for Fostering New Business Models to Empower Women
- Mr. Claudes TURMES, MP European Parliament
- Ms. Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Deputy of the Brussels-Capital Region and former Minister for the Environment, Energy, Urban Regeneration and Aid to Individuals
- Dr. Rabia FERROUKHI, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Deputy Director of Knowledge, Policy, Finance Centre
16:30 – 17:00
Closing: Next Steps in Advancing the Agenda
- Ms. Marie DONNELLY, European Commission, Director of New and Renewable Sources of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Innovation
- Dr. Nawal AL HOSANY, Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company), Director of Sustainability
- Dr. Yannick GLEMAREC, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), Deputy Executive Director
Networking cocktail: Introductory words by Mr. Adnan Z. AMIN, IRENA, Director-General
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