High-quality leadership is at the heart of successful response to challenges, which are now amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. WPL is appointing Global Ambassadors, renowned women who will contribute their expertise and knowledge to help drive global discussions on topical issues such as vaccination and climate.
WPL Global Ambassadors are:
- Aminata Touré, Prime Minister of Senegal (2013-2014)
WPL Global Ambassador for Vaccination - Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, President of the Republic of Croatia (2015-2020)
WPL Global Ambassador for Vaccination - Loren Legarda, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Philippines
WPL Global Ambassador for Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change and Environment
As high-level representatives of WPL who hold influential positions of political leadership, WPL Global Ambassadors will draw on their international experience to advocate and support WPL in its mission to advance positive change and progress for the betterment of society.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed our collective economic, social and political systems in permanent ways. The socio-economic toll of the pandemic is disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable members of our societies, further reinforcing existing deep-rooted inequalities: the crisis has become an alarming reminder of the social fragmentation of our global community. While the crisis has inadvertently highlighted how the social and cultural inequalities might prevent equitable access to immunisation, climate change – to which no one is immune – continues to be a catastrophic risk and a shift towards a greener economy cannot be delayed any longer. The daunting consequences that characterise the health emergency we are now facing might otherwise fit another global crisis in the near future: climate change.
Prioritising women’s rights, needs, perspectives and leadership will not only serve to strengthen the response to the unresolved challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified, but will also foster the implementation of policies through an inclusive approach that supports the ultimate political, cultural and socio-economic shift towards a “new normal”, in which inequality is no longer a defining component.
“The world needs high-quality, life-saving leadership that enables international cooperation through an empathic and mindful comprehensive lens” says Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President & Founder of WPL. “Leadership traits required to ensure solidarity are at the basis of collective crisis-response and have been largely demonstrated by women leaders across the globe”.
