An international panel of experts from eight nations is to meet at Train 2000’s Liverpool offices to prepare the framework for the “biggest and most advanced centre for womens’ entrepreneurship and economic development in the world.”
The summit will draw upon the experiences of some of the world’s leading researchers ahead of the £5m WICED (Women’s International Centre for Economic Development) which is due to open in the city in late 2010.
Maggie O’Carroll, Executive Director of Train 2000, said there were a number of key issues to be discussed at the meeting: “It is our aim to create the biggest and most advanced centre for womens’ entrepreneurship and economic development in the world – right here in Liverpool.
“We will be looking at how we can provide innovative support mechanisms to accelerate the pace of creating and growing women-owned businesses.
“We will also be looking closely at the green market and how we can help grow low carbon enterprises.”
The panel will include representatives from Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, the UK, the USA and the Middle East.
The keynote speaker is international expert on women’s business leadership, Professor Patricia Greene of Babson College, USA.
Cllr Flo Clucas, deputy council leader welcomed the group to Liverpool.
She said: “This summit will mark a significant step forward to extend international links between Liverpool and the rest of the world creating not only a world-leading facility right here in the city but the reality of creating thousands of new businesses and jobs across the region.”
The meeting will take place at Train 2000’s Strand headquarters on Thursday, May 14th.
Pictured: Cllr Flo Clucas (left) and Maggie O’Carroll.