After Lisbon, Prague and Valencia, the Polish capital has become the meeting place for participants of the 4th edition of the Summer School on Women’s Leadership in the Digital Age, which precedes the upcoming Polish Presidency of the European Union. Part of Huawei’s global Seeds for the Future programme, the initiative aims to provide women with a space to flourish and enable them to lead Europe towards a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.

During a week of intensive training, 29 students will meet with outstanding experts and mentors to deepen their knowledge and skills in the field of digital technologies and sustainable development. Topics covered will include: Europe’s role in AI development, challenges and opportunities in the development of artificial intelligence, innovations for a sustainable future and digital skills for the green transformation.

– Since 2021, since its inception, our program has evolved significantly. In this year’s edition, we have expanded the part dedicated to artificial intelligence. We want the participants of the European Women Leaders Academy to receive the latest knowledge in the field of key trends. We have also strengthened our sustainability program. We will organize workshops on digital skills and “green” skills that are needed in the next era of sustainability and technology, says Berta Herrero, Director of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at Huawei Europe and Director of the “School for Women’s Leadership in the Digital Age” Program.

An integral part of the “Summer School for Women’s Leadership in the Digital Age” program is a module dedicated to leadership, public speaking and entrepreneurship, because, as Berta Herrero explains, skills related to these areas never go out of style and are useful, especially for women in leadership positions. Students will have the opportunity to develop teamwork skills, learn storytelling and learn the basics of coding. An important element of this year’s event program are activities dedicated to mental health.

29 applications from the Academy participants were selected from thousands of applications sent by students interested in participating in the program. As Berta Herrero explains, when selecting the finalists, the jury mainly analyzed the motivation of the young women. By definition, the program is inclusive and, based on the candidates’ previous achievements or their academic allocations, it would create barriers and inequalities, instead of eliminating them.

Leaders for tough times

– We believe that the power of female talent can change the world – said Selina Wen, Huawei’s Chief Representative to the European Institutions, at the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the “Summer School for Female Leadership in the Digital Age” program. The event opened a five-day series of meetings and workshops prepared especially for the program participants.

As Selina Wen assessed, Huawei can play a key role in developing women’s leadership in the world of technology. – As a technology company, we are committed to unleashing the full potential of women in this field – she stressed. And she added that Huawei wants to support women on their career path from a young age.

Addressing the students, Selina Wen stressed that over the past three editions of the Women’s Leadership Summer School, she had repeatedly heard from participants that participating in the program was a life-changing experience. She encouraged young women leaders to follow their dreams and implement the ideas they believe in, even though they will encounter challenges and difficulties on the way to achieving their goals.

– You will be surprised at what you can achieve – Huawei’s main representative in the European institutions told the students.

Violeta Bulc, former Deputy Prime Minister of Slovenia and former European Commissioner for Transport, spoke about the role women must play in tomorrow’s world at the opening ceremony. As she pointed out, we are living in difficult times where social and digital divisions, wars, inequalities and pollution are increasing, even though we are investing more and more resources to address these challenges.

– Where are the results? – asked Violeta Bulc, emphasizing that women’s wisdom is lacking to solve these problems.

– We live in a time where we have much to learn, many things need to be transformed or reinvented. (…) Women – feel invited to this effort and shape the new world – the former European Commissioner for Transport launched to the young leaders.

According to her, the responsibility for global problems should not be attributed to technologies, which are a tool and not an end in themselves. The judicious use of these tools by humans is one of the main challenges of the future.

Referring to the above-mentioned challenges, the politician highlighted the potential of young women to shape what the world of tomorrow could look like. But for this to happen, young leaders must first get to know themselves, and the Summer School for Women’s Leadership is an excellent opportunity for this.

At the opening ceremony, the young leaders were also motivated by Androulla Vassiliou, former European Commissioner for Education and Health. In her speech, she encouraged the programme participants to take advantage of all the development opportunities that come their way. As she stressed, academic qualifications are not enough to succeed; soft skills, ambition and perseverance are also needed. Opportunities for improvement in this and other areas are created by a programme initiated by Huawei.

– You are the most educated generation, but also the one that will face enormous challenges. (…) Always let yourself be guided by what makes you happy. If you are happy, success will come, said Androulla Vassiliou.

Berta Herrero, Director of the School for Women’s Leadership in the Digital Age program, also spoke about the challenges facing the world. As she pointed out, the world is a complex and polarized place. She also drew attention to the challenges related to the development of technologies – such as artificial intelligence – emphasizing that the future of these technologies lies in the hands of young women.

Berta Herrero also motivated the Academy participants to follow their passion and cooperate with other leaders.

– Each of you is a shining star. However, together you are not just shining stars, you are a constellation that can lead us into the future, concluded the Director of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at Huawei Europe.