| Across
Cultures: An Inspired Beginning
This business and cultural exchange among business leaders
from the Baltic States and Seattle, Washington was born out of a desire
to build partnerships for learning among the participants and enhance
relationships with alumni of the “WOMEN Decision Makers and Influence
Makers” conference in Estonia which was attended by
the UW Center for Women & Democracy Sweden and the Baltic 2003 Delegation
and Young Business & Professional Women (YBPW) Estonia members.
Program Focus
The focus of Across
Cultures is to introduce participants to various training,
philosophies, trends, and practices that enhance the leadership
potential of women. The four focus areas are:
- Human
Rights—Seminar focusing on trafficking
of women, HIV, and reproductive health.
- Access
to Information—The importance
of increasing access to media, communications, technology
and the Internet.
- Economic
Equity—Leadership training, business mentoring, sharing
knowledge in case study seminars, site visits to organizations
with environmental and sustainable practices.
- Cultural
Experience—Experiencing “each others world” will increase
mutual understanding and result in beneficial working relationships.
Program Goals
Across Cultures supports U.S. foreign
policy goals to work with partners in the Baltic States to
build healthy economies. More specifically, the goals are:
- To raise awareness of human rights.
- To support the development of women-owned small businesses,
promoting efficiency, productivity and sustainability in a growing economy.
- To develop skills and knowledge base of businesswomen,
enabling better management of their businesses.
- To disseminate acquired knowledge to the business
community.
- To promote partnerships between women professionals.
- A second project is proposed to bring a delegation
of US women to Estonia in 2005 as a continuation of this business leader
exchange.
WBE & YBPW: An
Ideal Collaboration
The Across Cultures
host organizations are well aligned in purpose and have a
strong basis for collaboration with the intention of lasting
business partnerships. Women’s Business Exchange is celebrating
25 years of empowering women leaders and encouraging networking
locally, nationally, and globally. WBE serves the Washington
State Puget Sound area community as the largest regularly
meeting leadership and networking organization. Participants
learn to network with heart, lead others with clarity and
intention, and apply practical business skills in a warm and
supportive environment.
Both WBE (www.wbex.org)
and BPW (www.bpw-estonia.ee)
are independent non-profit organizations of women entrepreneurs, managers,
and professionals. Additionally, the organizations
have shared objectives and goals including: mentoring, leadership, networking,
communication, and self-development.
Mission & Objectives: A Comparative Study
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WBE leads the integration
of business and spirit by creating dynamic opportunities
for leadership, learning, community and business development.
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BPW seeks to exercise a greater impact on socio-economic
processes through all-round advancement of women and raising their
status in the society.
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To provide a forum for women seeking to be more powerful in business;
opening the opportunity for the exchange of leads, referrals and
information.
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Maintaining and expanding business and professional women’s networks.
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To redefine networking as the exchange of information about each
participant’s business whether employer or employee and to promote
interaction on all levels.
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Promoting women’s interests and protecting their rights.
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To increase the visibility and recognition of outstanding women
in the business community.
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Familiarizing the public at large with business and professional
women’s achievements and problems, and suggesting solutions.
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To provide training for women interested in leadership development
and to teach them to become role models
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Upgrading women’s skills and knowledge through training and participation
in national and international programs
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To provide a safe, nurturing environment for women to seek personal,
economic and spiritual growth.
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Find interesting ways of doing things together: relaxing, sports,
having fun and enjoying the company of each other.
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To challenge participants to be the best they can be on civic,
personal and business levels.
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Supporting women’s career aspirations and all-round advancement.
Stimulating women’s increased involvement in decision making positions.
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To educate and challenge participants through well-known breakfast
speakers sharing their insights about interesting and timely topics.
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Disseminating experience and best practices for mutual assistance
and support.
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Not Applicable
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Working toward increased understanding and cooperation both nationally
and internationally especially in the view of Estonia’s progress
with EU membership.
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Across Cultures Leadership:
Christina Bruning & Katrin Sulg
Across Cultures is a collaborative venture led by Christina
Bruning, president of WBE and Katrin Sulg, representative
of YBPW. Christina and Katrin both have International Business
degrees and share a passion for leadership, project management,
and the advancement of women.
Christina is one of the 21 Leaders for
the 21st Century, recognized by Women's eNews for stretching
her reach across cultures. Christina served as the Manager,
Project Management for the US Library Program of the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation's US Library Program
was a five-year, $250 million investment in public libraries
throughout the United States, providing approximately 47,000
computers in 11,000 buildings, 62,000 training opportunities,
Internet connections, and support to increase access to digital
information and software tools for underserved populations.
Christina led the coordination of activities
to achieve the program objectives. Contact Christina at: christinabruning@earthlink.net
[full biography]
Katrin has been a
member of YBPW since 2000 and representative since 2003. She
also serves as a board member for the BPW Estonia Tallinn
Club since 2002. Additionally, in May 2003 she proudly participated
in the “WOMEN Decision Makers and Influence Makers” conference
in Estonia which was attended by the UW Center for Women &
Democracy Sweden and the Baltics Delegation. Ms. Sulg is currently
the Product Manager at Krimelte (www.krimelte.ee),
a producer of joint sealants in business since 1994. Krimelte
customers include wholesale and retail dealers of construction
materials, producers of doors and windows, and construction
companies. Katrin enjoys long-distance running as well as
singing, playing guitar, and traveling. Katrin is excited
to promote and participate in the 2004 cultural and business
exchange between Estonia and the U.S. Her business interests
include Project and Product Management, Product Development,
and Marketing. Contact Katrin at: katrin@krimelte.ee
Additional Information
Business
and Professional Women (BPW) Executive Summary
Women's
Business Exchange (WBE) Executive Summary
Across
Cultures Program History
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