Women at the forefront
Forbes 30/50 Summit, International Women's Day 2024, Abu Dhabi
It was only at the Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi that I realized the importance and power of the award I received at the beginning of the year when, as the only representative from Croatia, I was included in the prestigious 50 over 50 list. The world's outstanding women over fifty who have proven that for women “experience and wisdom and leadership mean that success no longer has an expiration date. Forbes defined them as a precious collection of women who reject the conventional wisdom that their best years are behind them. More than 400 women from 45 countries of the world gathered in Abu Dhabi. Among them the listers (those on the list selected for 2024) from the 50over50, but also women from the 30under30 list who have already established themselves as entrepreneurs, human rights activists, artists, experts in social networks and other professions. There were also many others who came to share their experiences and connect with each other through fellowship, mentorship and knowledge exchange.
The summit was dedicated to International Women's Day, and the 4 intensive days were filled with adrenaline, emotions and the desire to network with as many attendees as possible. Each of these women has a unique story behind her, and not only those who were speaking on the stage. Their life stories were amazing and confirmed to me that I am privileged to be among them. I could write pages and pages about the women at that magnificent Summit, but I will mention only a few, such as the former president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, who at the age of 85 is still fighting for the progress of her country, and especially for the education of women and children. At the Summit, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Along with her, a special award was given to Shania Twain, a 59-year-old Canadian singer who still rules the world of music, and her hit "Man! I feel like a woman!” became our anthem in Abu Dhabi.
As Nebal Farsakh spoke about the horrors of the war in Gaza, the hall fell silent. The words of the young head of communications of the Palestinian Red Crescent and the International Red Cross left us breathless and with tears in our eyes. Just like the story of the Ukrainian actress and activist Ivanna Sakhno, who spoke about the war in her homeland.
All those inspiring women, as well as many others whom I have met in these few days, will remain in my permanent memory. With some of them we are already planning joint projects that will bring us together again.
