We would like to thank our parents, students and friends who attended our International Women’s Day Dinner on Wednesday 9 March hosted by our Bridge Restaurant Hospitality students.
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day this year is, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, recognizing the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.
Advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. And here at Merici we are very conscious that the issues of climate change and sustainability have had, and will continue to have, severe and lasting impacts on our environment, economic and social development.
As our United Nations partners have outlined, those who are amongst the most vulnerable and marginalized experience the deepest impacts. Women are increasingly being recognized as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on the natural resources which climate change threatens the most.
At the same time, women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. They are involved in sustainability initiatives around the world, and their participation and leadership results in more effective climate action. Continuing to examine the opportunities, as well as the constraints, to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability is essential for sustainable development and greater gender equality. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future, and an equal future, remains beyond our reach.
We would like to thank representatives from the United Nations Women National Committee for attending our dinner. We welcomed our guest speakers Alicia Louise Lillington and Lily Harrison to our celebration. It was also a pleasure catching up with ex-student Georgia Brennan who is also a part of the UN National Organising Committee.
Lily Harrison is a public speaker, social enterprise innovator, advocate and public policy student. While her interests are diverse, Lily’s passion is in gender equality and youth empowerment – particularly girls and womens’ rights to education, equal opportunity and safe menstrual health.
Alicia is an acclaimed technology, culture and change management leader. As a young female executive in the technology industry, Alicia empowers others to embrace change where culture meets technology. She is recognised as an intellectual and cultural leader, with experience building a vibrant and extended community of allies, supporters and champions.
We would like to thank Lily and Alicia for their truly inspirational addresses, both wonderful role models for our students and we look very forward to further contact in the future.
Full gallery here.
