The Nordic sub-forum, brought together 40 scholars from Chinese and Nordic universities to share their visions on women’s status, careers and leadership in different historical, social and cultural contexts. Among the key note speakers was, Saniye Gülser Corat, Director of the Division for Gender Equality.

At the Opening Ceremony, Ms. Corat represented UNESCO with a key-note address that focused on UNESCO’s work promoting gender equality and women’s leadership in all its domains, including in higher learning and research institutions. After a brief evidence-based analysis of women’s leadership in different spheres, she provided concrete examples of the Organization’s initiatives in support of women’s leadership such as the Women Leaders Forum organized in Sofia, Bulgaria on 18-20 May 2016,  UNESCO-Koc University partnership for women’s leadership in the private sector; UNESCO’s collaboration with the Women’s Leadership Academy of China, UNESCO’s pioneer work in promoting women in the sciences, ie., UNESCO-L’Oréal Women For Science.  

The Women’s Leadership Academy of China was represented by its founder, Professor Liu Jinan, who noted in her remarks the particular interest the Academy has in the social and political role of women in the Nordic countries. The Forum included several sessions on women’s empowerment and gender equality in different fields in the Nordic countries. Several scholars from universities in the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Iceland) and China gave interesting and informative presentations that will pave the way for better practices in the future.