The first episode of the video documentary “Women Changing Greece” features three Greek women who share how their experiences in business development and entrepreneurship were positively affected by their participation in government-sponsored exchange programs American:
Liana Goutadirector of international government affairs Ελληνικά Πετρέλαια Α.Ε and member of the board of directors of the Association of European Oil Companies, participated in the 2009 edition International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for the development of green technologies and policies. “I was the second female engineer to work in the refinery, and for a few years I was the only female engineer,” Gouta says of her experience entering a strictly male-dominated industry. From her experience in the United States, she recalls an oft-used phrase that “today the new growing economic power, contrary to what most of us think, is not China or India, but the use of an educated female workforce. works and is part of the modern economy.
Magy Kontouco-founder and head of operations at Simple apps, wholeheartedly believes that “a woman in technology is the best thing!” » After her participation in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2016, organized in the United States, she now believes that “there is no reason to be afraid or to delay anything”.
Despina Amarantidouco-founder and communications director of Artion AE Conferences & Events, states that “in Greece, it is difficult for a woman to start her own business, because it is not yet fully accepted by the family environment and society”. Amarantidou participated in the 2011 International Visitor Leadership Program for the development of women as leaders and says “the United States was a great school.”
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Throughout the month of March, in honor of #International Women’s Daythe American Embassy in Athens will present the work of nine women who are #ExchangeAlumni, who traveled to the United States under programs sponsored by the American government. In the videos, they will demonstrate the positive effect their exchange experiences have had on the respective communities they represent. The women all come from different regions of Greece (Attica, Macedonia and Thrace) and work in different fields. Each of the four films in the series shows a different sector in which women are making a difference. This is part of the State Department’s broader agenda. #Be bold for change campaign, pledging support and working towards better opportunities for women and girls. The commemoration of International Women’s Day reaffirms the United States’ commitment to promoting gender equality and advancing the status of women and girls around the world.
