Today, we are witnessing steady growth in women’s participation in economies throughout the world, helping to promote socioeconomic wellbeing and tackle demographic and social issues in the countries concerned. Increasing access to education, introducing digital technologies, and implementing programmes to overcome gender inequality all enable women to realize their creative, entrepreneurial, and managerial potential in various sectors of the economy. However, a number of obstacles to the fully fledged development of women still exist in the form of stereotypes regarding their role and opportunities compared to men, and the qualitative participation of women in the labour market. According to Grant Thornton International, Russia’s score on the Gender Inequality Index has not changed significantly over the past three years (68.1% in 2015 and 68% in 2017), the wage gap stands at 30%, and women lead only 26 organizations included in RBC’s index of the 500 largest companies.

How can broadening the opportunities open to women in business, the economy, and other areas contribute to economic growth, the sustainable development of society, and social innovation?
What needs to be done to overcome existing barriers?
What patterns of behaviour should be followed by women who want to become leaders in business, politics, and other areas traditionally dominated by men?

Moderator:
Elina Tikhonova, TV presenter, RBC

Speakers:
Anna Akparova, Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District
Victoria Panova, Vice-Rector for International Relations, FEFU
Anastasia Tsvetkova, CEO, Lake Baikal Foundation
Ekaterina Kumanina, Member of the Management Board, Director for Strategic Communications, RVC
Ekaterina Rybakova, Co-Founder, President, Rybakov Foundation
Anna Vysotskaya, Head of Far Eastern Branch Orient Express Bank

Ensuring equal access to public facilities and services for people with disabilities, and creating an environment that facilitates their integration into the society and improves their quality of life is one of the most pressing challenges faced by government social policy. However, simply building the appropriate infrastructure is not sufficient to enable people with disabilities to fully engage. It is necessary to create a culture where people with disabilities are treated appropriately and, more importantly, where people with disabilities feel included and able to live an active lifestyle.

How can cinema, theatre or music be used to help people with disabilities integrate and socialize?
What are the most successful examples of projects designed to establish an inclusive environment, including increasing the accessibility of cultural institutions?
Which interesting international practices exist in this area?
How can social communication help to improve sociocultural inclusion?

Moderator:
Elina Tikhonova, TV presenter, RBC

Speakers:
Ksenia Dmitrieva, Head, Osobiy Vzglyad (Special View) Programme, Art, Science, and Sport Charitable Foundation
Maria Antonova, Audio Describer
Anna Yakovleva, Director of Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre
Yuri Bausov, Chairperson, Association of Youth Disability Organisations
Elena Grekhova, Chairperson, Primorsky Territory Federation of Sports for People with Musculoskeletal Disorders
Olesya Fedortsova, Director, Champion Kamchatka Sporting Dog Breeding Club
Yulia Zimova, Member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation