STEM WOMEN CONGRESS MONTREAL 2024
STEM Women Congress launches first edition in Canada
On September 20th, 2024, Montréal will host the first edition of the STEM Women Congress (SWC) in Canada, marking a significant milestone in the global movement towards gender equity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This event not only represents the launch of the Canadian Chapter of the STEM Women Association but also highlights Canada’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within these critical fields.
STEM Women Congress, founded six years ago in Barcelona, Spain, has grown into a vibrant global network of over 6,000 women in STEM. With chapters now established in six countries—Canada, Colombia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil—the SWC has become a beacon for women in STEM worldwide, advocating for gender equality and promoting initiatives to bridge the gender gap in these fields.
A GROWING GLOBAL NETWORK FOR CHANGE
The establishment of the Canadian Chapter of the STEM Women Association marks the beginning of a new era for women in STEM across the country. With its roots in Barcelona, the SWC has a strong track record of mobilizing women in STEM, offering visibility, and fostering community connections across borders. The Canadian Chapter will join this powerful network, providing Canadian women in STEM with a platform to share their experiences, challenges, and achievements, while also contributing to global efforts to close the gender gap in STEM.
In its relatively short history, the STEM Women Congress has already made significant strides in advancing the cause of gender equity. The organization was recently honored with the Women Changing the World Award, supported by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, in May 2024. Additionally, in 2023, the SWC received the prestigious DONA TIC Award from the Government of Catalonia, recognizing the initiative as a leader in driving change within the STEM community.
UNIQUE INSIGHTS AND GLOBAL IMPACT
One of the SWC’s most notable contributions is the STEM Women Annual Report, an unparalleled resource that offers a comprehensive overview of the initiatives working to increase the participation of women and girls in STEM across the globe. “This report, produced using a unique methodology developed by the SWC, provides valuable insights into the current state of gender equity in STEM, identifying gaps and proposing targeted actions to accelerate change. The report serves as a vital tool for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders seeking to make informed decisions that will drive progress in this area” says Eva Diaz, CEO of the Global STEM Women and the STEM Women Congress.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GENDER EQUITY IN STEM
Promoting gender equity in STEM is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential for the advancement of these fields and for the development of innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Studies have shown that diverse teams, particularly those that include women, are more creative, make better decisions, and produce more impactful results. Despite this, women remain underrepresented in many STEM fields, both in Canada and around the world.
“In Canada, women represent only 23% of workers in STEM occupations, highlighting the critical need for initiatives like the STEM Women Congress. By increasing the representation of women in these fields, Canada can tap into a broader range of talents and perspectives, ultimately driving innovation and economic growth” says Zara Hakima Yahi, president of the Canada Chapter of the STEM Women Association.
The Canadian government has recognized the importance of addressing this gender imbalance, and initiatives like the Canadian Chapter of the STEM Women Association are crucial in supporting these efforts. “Through events like the STEM Women Congress, we can inspire the next generation of women to pursue careers in STEM and ensure that their contributions are recognized and valued” says Eva Diaz.
A PLATFORM FOR LEADERS AND INNOVATORS
The first edition of the STEM Women Congress in Canada will bring together a diverse group of speakers, including leaders from academia, industry, and government, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in STEM today. The program includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and inspire action.
One of the highlights of the event will be the official welcoming of Canada to the Global STEM Women ecosystem. In a symbolic gesture of this new alliance, the Ville of Montréal will receive the “Knowledge Stairs of Ramon Llull,” a sculpture presented by the Spanish Embassy in Canada. This artwork represents the journey of knowledge and the continuous effort to climb higher in the pursuit of understanding and innovation.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
As we prepare to launch the Canadian Chapter of the STEM Women Association, we invite women in STEM, as well as allies and supporters of gender equity, to join us in this important endeavor. Together, we can build a more inclusive and innovative future for STEM in Canada and beyond.
Host:
Darren Jones, EVP, Clients and Markets, Valencia Risk
8:30 h OPENING DOORS AND IDENTIFICATIONS
9:00 h WELCOME WORDS
Marie-Ève Marchand, Manager, Research Enablement at ServiceNow AI Research Group
Eva Diaz, CEO of GLOBAL STEM WOMEN and STEM WOMEN CONGRESS
Zara Yahi, President Chapter Canada of the STEM WOMEN Association
9:20 h MONTRÉAL: NEW STEM WOMEN CONGRESS CITY
Carlos Ruiz, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Spain in Canada
Despina Sourias, City Councilor of the Ville de Montréal
9:35 h WHAT IS THE STEM WOMEN CONGRESS
Mar Porras, Global President of SW Association
Susanna Cabos, Global President of SWC Annual Report
9:45 h TALKS
Talk 1 with Laura Marsal, Ph.D. Candidate at Goodman Cancer Institute
Talk 2 with Marta Creus, Naval and Maritime Engineer at Triton Submarines LLC
10:20 h COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
10:40 h INITIATIVES IN CANADA TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN STEM
Moderator of the panel: Mélissa Canseliet, Cyberpsychology and Innovation expert, founder of Humanet
Stéphanie Jecrois, Co-founder and Executive Director of Technovation Montréal
Team Curtis Technologies: Eva Batal, Madeleine Siwick, Julia Xing, Jiaqi Sun
Q&A session
Talk 3 with Marinella Montanari, Board member of Olympes de la Parole Canada.
11:15 h HOW TO FIX THE UNDERREPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE STEM SECTORS
Moderator of the roundtable:
Malia Kounkou, Journaliste multiplateforme URBANIA MEDIA
Celine Ho, Information Security Manager Governance Risk and Compliance at COGECO
Amanda Henry, Head of Technology at On Side Restoration
Stefania Pecore, Director of AI development at Sardo
Victoria Gadis, WITT Team Leader at WITT Hub
12:00 h CLOSURE