US Mission Geneva

The achievements of the TechGirls exchange alumnae contribute to the U.S. global commitment to advance the rights of women and girls around the world, as well as STEM education.

We need transformational tools, and Geneva Gender Champions is such a tool, uniting the leadership here in Geneva to demand and to drive real change. Some of this change is already visible – such as the increasing number of women on panels and delegations – while other times, this change is more difficult to see, but no less meaningful, such as tackling unconscious gender bias or changing workplace culture. Significant change is being driven by our Champions, who are at the forefront of this initiative.

Although there is no single SDG that specifically focuses on information and communication technologies or increasing Internet access, there is broad acknowledgement that the continued development and deployment of ICTs are critical to realizing the SDGs and also to measuring them.

Ambassador Daniel A. Sepulveda, U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, will serve as Chair of the WSIS Forum 2016 to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, May 2-6, 2016.

The world needs science and science needs women. We have to do everything possible to change the fact that women and girls are vastly under-represented in STEM education, in the ICT sector and in leadership positions generally.

The first two initiatives Ambassador Russell announced focus on research and policy planning. The public and private sectors have worked for years to advance the status of women and girls in STEM education and careers. The United States will support a regional study to take stock of where the APEC region stands on policies and programs to advance women and girls’ participation and access to STEM education and careers.

Earlier this month, the World Bank released its annual World Development Report — “Digital Dividends” — which unequivocally shows that Internet connectivity can boost economic growth across the developing world when accompanied by good Internet policies.

There is nothing more fundamental than what unites us here today, the desire and commitment to combine our strengths and expertise to solve the defining challenges and questions of our time.

Geneva is the operational hub of the UN system – so our goal is to unite the key decision-makers and experts in Geneva into a powerful force for collective action. The issues we’re prioritizing, issues of gender equality, of women and girls’ empowerment, these issues transcend disciplines and organizations and merit a comprehensive and coordinated response.