Francis Fukuyama once declared ‘A truly matriarchal world (…) would be less prone to conflict and more conciliatory and cooperative than the one we inhabit now’.

Several countries now have a female majority in their legislature, and notions such as the ‘Hilary Clinton Doctrine’ or the HeForShe campaign, which Emma Watson put her name behind at the UN, show that gender issues are moving up the agenda. We are however still a long way from the prospect of a woman leading institutions such as the UN, the World Bank and the WTO, and many parts of the world still remain belligerently opposed to the idea of female participation in the political process. At this special 2030 Series event we will discuss why women still represent a minority in leading foreign policy positions, which barriers and prejudices they face, and what can be done.

Sharing some personal experiences and views we will have on our distinguished panel:

Julie Chappell OBE, Partner at Hawthorn London, former Ambassador to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador

Hilary Stauffer, International Lawyer and Visiting Fellow at Centre for the Study of Human Rights, LSE

Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell, Founder and Executive Director of the Policy Centre for African People

We look forward to having you with us to hear from some these inspiring women and to discuss this timely and critical topic with you.