CONAF, honored at European Forum Wachau, highlights triumph in Romanian women’s entrepreneurship

The National Confederation for Women’sEntrepreneurship (CONAF) marks a triumphant moment, being the first employers‘ organization invited to the prestigious European Forum Wachau, through theRomanian Embassy in the Republic of Austria. This recognition underscores years of hard work and dedication in supporting and promoting female entrepreneurship in Romania.

The event, taking place from June 20 to 22, 2024, at Göttweig Abbey and Krems Campus, serves as a crucial platform for promoting European cultural heritage, international cooperation, and entrepreneurial innovation. With the theme “Rebooting Europe,” the 28th edition of the forum will bring together leaders from various fields – business, culture, politics, media, and diplomacy – to discuss and shape the future of Europe. CONAF’s participation in this prestigious forum is clear evidence of the organization’s impact and influence on the international stage.

Cristina Chiriac, President of CONAF, delivered a message full of enthusiasm and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of this moment for women’s entrepreneurship: “I firmly believe in a fair entrepreneurial ecosystem, with access to financing, mentorship, and policies tailored to the specific needs of female entrepreneurs. By unlocking the enormous potential of women entrepreneurs, we will lead Europe to the finish line of sustainable prosperity and profound social equity. Women entrepreneurs, like Olympic torch bearers, bravely and determinedly run a symbolic race, bringing the light of economic and social progress to a world often dominated by patriarchal prejudices. This moment represents not only a step forward for CONAF but also a tribute to all the women who, through their tireless work and unwavering determination, contribute to building a better European future for all of us.

Improving gender equality could generate approximately 10.5 million additional jobs in the EU and could contribute to an increase in European GDP of up to 3.15 trillion euros by 2050. The reality is undeniable: although women make up almost half of the European Union’s workforce (46.3%), their representation in leadership roles remains low (35.3%), and the percentage of female entrepreneurs is even lower (only 31%). This significant discrepancy is not just a gender issue and in no way a competition of merits between men and women; it is a vast untapped potential for European economic growth.”

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Outstanding Women in Business: Christina Chiriac, President of CONAF

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The CONAF delegation’s manifesto at Wachau will be “We Mean It: Empowering Women, Together We Can Shape the Future of Europe for a Better Tomorrow“! The participation of the CONAF delegation at the European Forum Wachau is a unique opportunity to promote the values and achievements of women’s entrepreneurship in Romania on the European stage, to establish strategic partnerships, and to contribute to shaping Europe’s future.

European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, Federal Minister Martin Polaschek, Federal Council President Margit Göll, and WKO President Harald Mahrer will open the forum on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Education, research, and business are once again at the top of the agenda on the first day of the 2024 European Forum Wachau.

On June 21, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will invite the foreign ministers of the Friends of the Western Balkans and the Western Balkans states to Göttweig Abbey to mark the first anniversary of the signing of the Göttweig Declaration. The discussions aim at closer cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan states in foreign and security policy for the purpose of EU enlargement.

An important event within the forum is the “Danube Salon” organized together with the “IDM – Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe” and the “Vienna Economic Forum (VEF)” on the cruise ship “MS Dürnstein” which will sail on June 21 in the Wachau region, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Austrian Federal Minister for the EU andConstitution, Karoline Edtstadler, and Lower Austria Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner will open the event. This year, the Danube Salon will focus on female perspectives on the future of Europe under the motto “Next Generation is Female.”

Distinguished experts such as Sophia Beiter, Research Associate, Institute for theDanube Region and Central Europe, Cristina Chiriac, President of CONAF, Marina Rožić, Secretary General of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (CCE) and President of theEurochambers Women Network (EWN), Milena Kadieva, Executive Director, DA Foundation – united against violence from Bulgaria, and Ana Revenco, Director of the Center for Strategic Communication and Combating Disinformation from the Republic of Moldova will discuss the benefits of involving women in leadership positions for Europe, the EU, and the Danube Region. Cristina Chiriac, President of CONAF, PhD in economics, entrepreneur, author, and VET ambassador, will highlight the valuable contributions of women entrepreneurs from Romania to European innovation.

During the “Danube Salon,” Romania will be represented by a stand dedicated topromoting Romanian tourism, culture, and gastronomy organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in Vienna, in partnership with the Romanian Embassy in the Republic of Austria. The event promotes Romanian heritage in the context of celebrating “International Day of theRomanian Blouse” through an exhibition dedicated to the blouse, an important symbol of national identity. The entrepreneurs in the CONAF delegation – CONAF President Cristina Chiriac, CONAF Executive Director Gianina Ioniță, CONAF Vice President Nicoleta Munteanu, President of the Romanian Beauty Industry Entrepreneurs‘ Guild (PADIR) Corina Munteanu, CONAF Brașov Branch President Daniela Kasper, CONAF Alba BranchPresident Adriana Duna, CONAF Cluj Branch President Sigina Anamaria Luca, CONAF Gorj Branch President Simona Stănișel, CONAF Member Eli Lăslean, and Vice President of the Medical Entrepreneurs‘ Guild (PAM) Mihaela Venoria Proicea – will proudly wear authentic Romanian blouses, some decades old, symbolizing the richness and diversity of Romanian cultural heritage.

On the third day of the forum, Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler will discuss theEuropean Commission’s priorities with German State Minister for Europe and Climate, Anna Lührmann, Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister, Elena Shekerletova, Croatian State Secretary for Europe, Andreja Metelko-Zgombic, Romanian State Secretary for European Affairs, Daniela Grigore Gitman, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, and Belarusian opposition leader, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya.