A Share and Dare Affair

The Women's Forum for Economy and Society emphasised not the weaknesses, but the strengths that women have to make a positive difference

Archana Kapoor Deauville France

For many years now, the Alpine village of Davos has been defining the context of globalisation and capitalism. Aude Zieseniss de Thuin, a French businesswoman did not like the fact that her ample credentials were not enough to get her an invite from the cold and spiffy Davos based World Economic Forum. Stung by the rejection, she decided to start a forum for herself and for those who shared her values and concerns. And unlike the cold and wintry Davos, she chose the warm and sleepy picture postcard town of Deauville, founded by Napoleon's half brother, in Normandy, France.

A few hours from Paris, Deauville is situated around a low hillock that rises a little distance away from its white sand beach. It is a resort of the rich and famous as evidenced by its large villas that line the gentle slope of the low hills, casinos and night clubs.

 Such an expansive and stylish backdrop to the Women's Forum for Economy and Society clearly states Aude's vision and intent. She is no bleeding heart new age feminist. She believes that women, who comprise 50 per cent of the world's population, need to look powerful and conduct power in the same way as men do. It was Deauville answer to the power setting of Davos, but with a big difference. The conference venue had Women written all over it, with outlets of cosmetic giants Lancome, L'Oreal, HR, Printemp, Om, Elle and others promising enduring beauty to the participants. The Forum, its fourth so far, had ‘India' as its focus.

For three days in October, at Deauville's resort Royal Barrière Hotel, women converged from 88 countries. India, being the official delegation,  had a large contingent comprising 47 women of substance such as Congress leader Margaret Alva, actress Nandita Das, Thermax's Anu Aga, dancer Mallika Sarabhai, Araghyam's Rohini Nilekani besides women CEOs, top executives, scientists, authors, activists and lawyers.

The forum provided an opportunity for women from different fields to participate, share and network. Contemporary issues were discussed, reflected upon and strategised -issues ranging from science to fashion and a discovery corner. What was interesting was the way many of the ‘celebrities' were welcomed with anonymity or competing aggression. The inflated egos were quickly deflated with simple questions like "what do you do for a living?". The conference in more than one way was a great leveler indeed. 

The official Indian delegation was given a lot importance. It included a visit to French President Nicolas Sarkozy's official residence, Palais de l'Elysée. The president could not meet the delegation, as he was busy handling the global economic crisis.

On being asked why she chose ‘Progress to share, future to dare' as the theme for this Forum, Aude said her idea was to look for answers to questions like "what is progress after all? Where does it lead us? At a time of major change and rupture in the international system, we should explore and decide what progress we want, how we can make sure its benefits are shared by all, what promises it offers for our future. Deauville will be the place where conventional wisdom on progress and its merits will be challenged, both at a collective and individual level."