The end of June can mean only one thing—graduation. For young women in the west, the future brims with promise of achievement and success.

This year, that season of personal hopefulness coincides with the “Arab Spring” movement to overcome political oppression and achieve individual freedoms. For young women in many nations, 2011 could be the year their dreams of self-determination come true.

Or not. In the past, democratic movements didn’t always include women’s rights, or those of minorities. In Canada, democracy didn’t acknowledge women as “persons” with the right to sit in the Senate until 1921. And it took the social upheaval of the 1960s to integrate education systems in the southern United States.

But I’m hopeful that women’s voices will be heard in today’s emerging democracies. One reason is the young women who participated in the G(irls)20 Summit last year in Toronto, and those who will participate in the second Summit in Paris later this year.

These are smart, confident young women with strong views on social and economic development. Their debates in Paris will allow them to test and broaden their opinions. The international experience will teach them how to  advocate for the changes they know will improve their own society.

I believe that these “Girls,” and the millions of other articulate young women like them, have the ideas, the energy, and the strength to change the world. Although it’s too late to become a delegate, there’s still a day for you to participate in setting the agenda for the 2011 (Girls)20 Summit. Go to the website today, cast your vote, and add your comments—help to change the world!

Last year, a group of very smart people representing the leading economies of the world met in Toronto to address the significant issues affecting the world. They exchanged ideas and experiences, and they struggled to identify initiatives, investments, and programs that would strengthen communities and nations. And they agreed to meet again in France in October of 2011.

You think I’m talking about Presidents and Prime Ministers? Perhaps future ones!

Once again, the G(irls)20 Summit will bring together young women from the G20 nations and the African Union in advance of the G20 Summit to be held this October in France. Applications to participate in the summit as a national representative are due by April 15, and participants will be announced in early July.

Last year, as part of Catalyst’s support for the event, I was privileged to review some of the applications.  I expected bright, thoughtful young women, but the energy, imagination, and innovation that I found in every application makes me believe that women can indeed change the world!

We can’t all be participants in the G(irls)20 Summit, but we can all participate in the discussion of the agenda—and we can be part of the 3.3 billion ways to change the world!

Traditionally, the world’s 3.4 billion women have been neither seen nor heard when  the predominantly male leaders of the wealthiest and most powerful nations meet.  But some new voices were raised in the lead-up to this year’s G20 Summit in Toronto, when 21 young women representing the G20 nations and the African Union gathered to chart a global strategy to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

I was privileged to review some of the applications for the 21 seats at the table.  After a long flight from Toronto for a business meeting in California, I got up at 4 a.m. to read amazing stories from accomplished and thoughtful young women.  Four hours later, when I left for work, I was refreshed, energized and inspired by their commitment to change the world. 

The professional summiteers could take a few lessons from these young women on establishing clear, measurable action plans.  The G(irls)20 Summit focused  on education, child and maternal health, and economic opportunity — issues that  impact women and their capacity to establish economic stability. 

For those of us fortunate enough to live in Canada, the principle of economic equality for women is supported by an enviable education system and high quality health care.  But imagine the girl who can not go to school because basic sanitation in the form of gender-segregated washrooms is non-existent. Or the child bride who becomes pregnant at 15, with serious implications for her health and that of her child.

These are the barriers to women fulfilling their economic potential.  And it is a huge potential.  In micro-financing initiatives in the developing world, and in woman-owned businesses in Canada, women have demonstrated that they understand the basics of solid investment supported by hard work. 

The young women who met in Toronto in June are part of a powerful new generation who are connected with the world and excited by the opportunities.  Participants were selected through a viral online campaign supported by Catalyst and other organizations that sparked discussion, debate and the exchange of ideas from people in 190 countries. 

That energy and commitment took over in Toronto and resulted in practical recommendations to bring 3.4 billion people —the women of the world— into the global economy. 

Perhaps more importantly, they’ve given us a guide to evaluate the actions and impact of the other G20 Summit.

I’m fortunate to have a job that allows me to live my values—and talk about them—every day. Catalyst’s Canadian members include some of our country’s most iconic businesses. Their leaders understand that strong women make for strong workplaces and healthy profits.

Catalyst is the leading non-profit organization working globally to expand opportunities for women and business.  We invite you to explore Catalyst and Catalyst Canada homepages for more information about what we do.

Catalyst CanCon is an opportunity to extend the conversation in Canada and to share some of my thoughts, experiences, and reactions to change (or lack of change) in our workplaces and our society. (And, by the way, for non Canadians, CanCon is short for Canadian content!) 

I hope you’ll use this space to agree, to argue, or to propose new ideas. Look forward to meeting you here!  –Deborah

Aren’t We Done Yet?

From time to time, a new acquaintance responds to my description of what I do with “But isn’t that an old issue?  Haven’t we solved the problem? Aren’t we done, and ready to move on to other things?”

Short answer?  No. 

Sure, intelligent, capable and talented women are leading organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors, and sitting in some of the most powerful offices in Canada.  We need to celebrate their achievements, because a generation ago they wouldn’t be there. 

But I think of Rosemary Brown’s statement that, “Until all of us have made it, none of us have made it.” And the reality is that a whole lot of us haven’t “made it” — and I’m not only talking about the corporate boardroom, C-suite or Supreme Court. 

I’m talking about women who are paid less than the man at the next desk; women who are willing to take on challenging and interesting assignments, but are passed over.  The recent Catalyst report,  Pipeline’s Broken Promise, reveals that, even with the same education and career goals, women start lower on the career ladder and in salary than men, and they stay behind in both promotions and pay throughout their careers.

Years of experience tell us that achieving and maintaining a cultural shift is tough, slow work.  We can’t afford to take our eye off the ball because some of us have made it.  We have to keep working at gender equity, and not only because fairness and diversity are important principles.   Our economy can not afford to overlook and shut out 50% of the nation’s talent!

Last week, Toronto hosted the first G(irls)-20 Summit  just ahead of the G-20 economic summit.  The delegates, young women from around the world, talked about the challenges facing women, and considered practical solutions such as education and maternal and child health programs.  The world, just like Canada, needs to recognize that women represent “3.3 billion ways to change the world” — and to rebuild the world economy.

We have to keep talking about equity — to men, to women, in corporate settings, in government, and in the public square.

And, I hope we can use this space to keep that conversation going, to exchange stories, ideas and experiences that will inform, motivate and inspire change!