Without choices based on meritocracy and without equal rights, social crises will inevitably prevail.

Gender equality can bring dramatic gains in human development and well-being for individuals, families and societies. The Human Development Index is a widely used measure of achievement in key aspects of individual well-being, encompassing health and education alongside income. There is a strong relationship between a country’s achievements in human development and its level of gender inequality . In terms of benefits for the economy, accumulating evidence suggests that lower levels of gender inequality are associated with gains in terms of income, economic growth and national competitiveness.

Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to build stronger economies, to achieve internationally agreed goals of development and sustainability, and to improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities.

Big business has understood this and now favors the careers of female employees as well as international appointments for women. Statistics prove that greater diversity leads to better results in terms both of GDP and of performance. When women contribute more to a nation’s income, positive effects are also felt in the food sector and in education.

The Aspen Initiative for Europe promotes activities focused on the gender dimension in international relations and in global challenges. The issue has important implications in foreign policy, particularly from a Euro-Mediterranean perspective, given how it conditions any possibility of integration for immigrant communities in Europe.

The main goal is to give women the tools needed for them to reach their full economic potential, inspiring men and women to promote change in this direction and to facilitate networking, learning, and the sharing of experiences, to inspire a new generation that is more aware of its rights and responsibilities.