The European Leadership Academy's Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age 2022 - Key note speech

Esteemed guests and students,
Dear Deputy Minister Ondrej Profant,

It is an honour to be with you today. As president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), I am delighted to see so many engaged young women together.

Allow me to shortly explain the EESC's role. The EESC is an EU institution advising the European Commission, Council and European Parliament. We represent the voice of organised civil society organisations at EU level. That amounts to around 90 million businesses, workers, and other NGOs representing, amongst others farmers, environmental and human rights NGOs. We are working on the basis of consensus and are bringing the knowledge and experience of employers, workers and CSOs at large from the ground to the other EU institutions shaping European policies. I'm happy to bring you our perspective today.

The rapid invention and spread of new technologies is permeating all aspects of our lives – both on a social as well as professional level. European Commission data show in fact that a basic level of digital knowledge is now required for 90% of professional roles. Additionally, predictions show that automation will affect 50% of jobs in the next decade. That requires a change in the skills sets needed. Clearly, being equipped with digital skills is no longer optional. That is why programmes like this summer schools are so important.

And yet, we know, that not many girls opt for an education in information and communication technology. Even less decide to pursue a career in this sector: only 1 in 5 ICT specialists are women in the EU. There are also considerable variations among Member States. On the one hand, some 2.5 million young people are unemployed in Europe; and, on the other, a shortage of highly qualified STEM graduates, especially engineers. This problem will increase in the near future – not only due to demographic changes. We need to urgently set and implement measures to attract more women students to engineering studies in the EU on a wide-ranging scale. In addition, women's participation in the ICT sector should be encouraged from a very young age. What boys and girls are taught to play with, already has an impact. More female role models and mentoring systems are also important in overcoming stereotyping.

Businesses with women in decision-making positions are proven to have better governance styles, which encourage diversity and innovative thinking. The fact remains that female entrepreneurs have higher mountains to climb in their working lives. These barriers need to be removed and more incentives need to be set. Female entrepreneurship must be supported by improving access to and quality of social protection measures. Entrepreneurship education should be mainstreamed into education and training. We must provide women with the necessary skills to kick-start their businesses.

At the same time, we must ensure equal access to both private financing and public funding – that is not a reality yet. The proposal of the Commission to launch a gender-smart financing initiative to stimulate funding for women-led companies is a step in the right direction. But more needs to be done: real change requires recognition, ownership and constant commitment by all actors of society. The same can be said for achieving the European Green Deal. You focused this week in particular on how to support SMEs in the green transition. A very timely topic!

SMEs are an essential part of the solution towards a competitive, climate-neutral, circular and inclusive EU economy. Many of them lack knowledge on the continuously evolving legislative requirements to deliver on achieving climate neutrality. I strongly believe that there is an urgent need to support SMEs in understanding and managing the green transition in the best possible way. This is what our European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform is all about: bringing together stakeholders to drive, guide and scale up strategies and practices that regenerate our economy. There, you will find 700 cases, including businesses of all sizes – and many SMEs - putting the circular economy into practice. SMEs lead the European Union’s economy. They account for more than 50 percent of GDP and 65 percent of employment. Our SMEs must successfully embrace the green transition, resulting in a thriving and competitive economy. Only then can Europe act as a frontrunner, to be emulated by the rest of the world – and ensure that nobody is left behind in Europe.

I mentioned many challenges ahead of us. I would also like to emphasise how much we have achieved within one generation. When I started my professional career as a lawyer in Vienna, I would never have dreamed of the opportunities that opened up to me. And now I am speaking to you as president of an EU institution. Seeing so many interested young students here, gives me joy. Be courageous, experiment, listen and continue to learn. I learnt more from my failures than my successes. And never give up! If you do not believe in yourself – why should others? Remember you are not alone, there are many people, initiatives and programmes like this summer school out there and ready to support you.

We need a change in culture in order to make real change in our society and economy – whether this is about female leadership or putting the green and digital transitions into practice. I am confident that you can be the driver of the change!

On my side, the European Economic and Social Committee remains committed to amplifying women's voices to make them heard at EU level. Only together can we make concrete progress towards a more gender-equal society and greener economy.

I would like to conclude, by wholeheartedly congratulating not only the organisers but also the participants at this year's summer school. By attending you demonstrated your willingness to go the extra mile and to prepare yourself for becoming leaders. As Beyoncé said 'Power is not given to you. You have to take it.' I wish you all energy and success to continue this path and to become inspiring leaders.

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The European Leadership Academy's Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age 2022 - Key note speech

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