Thousands of advocates for young people will convene in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 28-30 to drive change for girls and women at Women Deliver's third global conference, Women Deliver 2013. Newly announced speakers include: . Graça Machel, Incoming Chair, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health Board . Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance, Nigeria . Chelsea Clinton, Board Member, Clinton Foundation . HE Tarja Halonen, Former President of Finland . HRH The Crown Princess Mary of Denmark These individuals will take part in high-level plenaries at the conference. Other influential global leaders in attendance will include Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Tewodros Melesse, Director-General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, among many others. Women Deliver 2013 is expected to be the largest global meeting of the decade to focus on the health and well-being of girls and women, convening thousands of global leaders and advocates from more than 160 countries. The conference aims to ensure that investments in girls and women remain a global priority in the lead-up to the 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) deadline and in the post-2015 development framework. Notably, the conference will have a strong youth focus. “It is universally acknowledged that girls are critical to global development efforts," said Graça Machel. “Girls who are educated, healthy and empowered take control of their lives and effectively exercise their rights. They can transform their communities, influence social change and pass on the benefits to future generations." With more than one billion young men and women around the world, empowering young people is critical to achieving the MDGs. Girls, in particular, frequently face serious barriers to education and healthcare, limiting their ability to take full part in and contribute to their countries' development. “I believe deeply in the power of this generation of young people to make an impact on the world – and many young people already are making our world a healthier, safer, more equitable and more sustainable place," said Chelsea Clinton. “I am thrilled young people will play such an integral role at Women Deliver 2013." Youth issues will be integrated into all aspects of the conference and specifically addressed in special sessions on youth leadership, health, advocacy, sexuality and education. Investing in girls will be the subject of a high-level presidential session on the first day of the conference, which will feature United Nations Foundation President & CEO Kathy Calvin, Nike Foundation President & CEO Maria Eitel, World YWCA General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda and MasterCard Foundation President & CEO Reeta Roy. Women Deliver has also provided scholarships to 100 Young Leaders from 68 countries who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the health and well-being of girls and women. These Young Leaders will attend a Youth Pre-Conference, which will empower participants with the tools, resources and knowledge needed to advocate effectively during the conference and afterwards in their own countries. Media registration for Women Deliver 2013 is open, and all accredited journalists from print, broadcast and online news outlets are eligible for complimentary registration. Media attendees will have access to all conference sessions, and benefit from a variety of on-site media amenities, including a press workroom and daily press conferences. Nearly 120 journalists from around the world have already registered to attend the meeting, and dozens more are expected. All conference plenary sessions and press conferences will be webcast and archived. A ‘virtual' media room will be available to those who are unable to attend the conference in person. Virtual registrants will have access to all conference materials, as well as webcasts of high-level sessions and press conferences at Women Deliver 2013. Women Deliver 2013 hopes to build on the success of previous Women Deliver conferences in 2007 and 2010, and generate new political, financial and grassroots support for girls' and women's health and empowerment, while fostering the next generation of leaders for gender equality. BN
