Women leadership training hub envisaged to meet 21st century challenges

Preparing the next generation of women leaders to meet the challenges of the 21st century is the rationale of a project initiative, crafted within the framework of women economic empowerment of the UNDP - sponsored global program WINNER (Women into the New Network for Entrepreneurial Reinforcement). China, specifically the City of Ordos (Inner Mongolia Region), expressed commitment to support the initiative in order to put to action gender equality in the pursuit of development and peace in the context of the MDGs.

Together with relevant authorities of China, in particular the Ordos Women Federation, DEVNET has done preparatory activities, including the sending of a technical mission to Ordos City to confer with local authorities and project collaborators on the possibility of identifying suitable site for the physical infrastructure that would house the project. 

With deep historical roots and rich natural resources, Ordos is fast rising as modern city in the 21st century. The project stakeholders consider locating the hub of the project in one of the areas in the city. 

The project is dubbed as WINNER Women Leaders University, in the framework of the WINNER project that has developed transformative leaders among women from the developing regions of the world.  

Todate, WINNER has benefited over 40,000 women from small and medium enterprises with training courses on information and communication technology, enterprise development and access to new markets.

The planning and realization of the concept of a WINNER Women Leaders University is a timely response to the call raised by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during his address at the Summing-up Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, where he stressed that education is the fulcrum of change in the 21st century.

According with Mr. Milano, WINNER Regional Director for Asia, who conducted the mission to Ordos City , the WINNER Women Leaders University project aims to provide integrated leadership training courses along the themes of the MDGs.

The thrust of the training is leadership role of women, by fully exploiting their capacities and talents and to sharpen these to meet political, economic,  environmental and development challenges of today and the future. The university aims to have state-of-the-art educational facilities and learning laboratories, modern amenities and life enhancing ambiance. It will form a vital part of a global network of academic communities that are dedicated to total human development.