Book Launch - Maritime Women: Global Leadership
In recognition of International Women’s Day, on 13 March, WMU hosted a launch of the new WMU publication, Maritime Women: Global Leadership. Based on a compilation of papers from the 2014 conference hosted by WMU, also entitled Maritime Women: Global Leadership (MWGL), the book is the first of its kind and focuses on detailed experiences of women in the maritime sector at the global level.
In order to determine the ‘post-2015 agenda’, the UN Millennium Development Goals Task Force published the report on ‘A Million Voices: The World We Want’ in 2013. The report highlighted the dignity of people as the key element of equality and non-discrimination. In conjunction with the launch of the book, the International Women’s Day event provided a forum to discuss ‘The Maritime World We Want’ by addressing Beijing+20 with various guest speakers from the maritime industry. The editors of the publication were all present at the luanch and included Dr. Momoko Kitada, Nippon Foundation Assistant Professor, WMU, CDR Erin Williams, United States Coast Guard, and Dr. Lisa Loloma Froholdt, Assistant Professor, WMU.
The forum was open to WMU staff and students and the welcome address was delivered by WMU Acting President, Professor Neil Bellefontaine. Distinguished speakers included Mrs. Pamela Tansey, Senior Deputy Director, Technical Cooperation Division, IMO, alumnus Ms. Meenaksi Bhirugnath Bhookhun, President, WOMESA, Dr. Layla El Saeed, Professor, Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT), and Mr. John L. Connors, Chief Executive Officer, Council of Marine Professional Associates. The topics focused on policy, career, education, leadership, and sustainability, to stimulate discussion for the future maritime world.
The forum also included a screening of the new IMO video: "Making Waves: Women Leaders in the Maritime World”. The video highlights continuing efforts by IMO and WMU to promote the advancement of women in maritime professions and includes perspectives of several speakers from the MWGL conference.
In the afternoon, discussions continued within a WMU Women’s Association (WMUWA) workshop. Speakers from the morning returned for more informal presentations focused on personal development, coexisting in a male-dominated industry, and the value of female leadership in the maritime industry. WMU student perspectives were presented by Ms. Janelle Teresita Meloney, President, WMUWA, and Commander Christine Pauline Diciano, Vice President, WMUWA. The workshop was moderated by WMU alumnus, Mrs. Aspasia S. Pastra, Research Analyst, Gnosis Management Consultants.