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Pivotal Role for Viatris at International Women’s Symposium The International Canoe Federation’s (ICF) Women’s Paddlesports Symposium, hosted by Canoeing Ireland concluded with participants from 34 countries agreeing to actions to create equity in sport. The two-day inaugural Symposium was held on September 26th-27th. The two-day inaugural Symposium attracted prominent speakers such as International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, ICF President Thomas Konietzko, Sport Ireland CEO Dr. Una May, Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne T.D., and former private secretary to Nelson Mandela, Zelda la Grange.
Panel discussions and facilitated breakout workshops provided leadership and coaching tools to the over 100 participants, underpinned by the strength of the community as a catalyst for change. Global healthcare company Viatris partnered with Symposium organisers as part of their commitment to gender equity as a driver of building healthier communities. Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne T.D. reinforced the importance and urgency of increasing female participation in leadership roles, "I was delighted to officially open the inaugural ICF 2023 Women's Symposium. It is a great honour for Ireland to host this symposium which has brought together international delegates representing 34 nations.
Keynote speaker Zelda la Grange, former private secretary to Nelson Mandela - Copyright Canoeing Ireland/Matt Browne@Sportsfile
decision-making level in sport. I want to commend Canoeing Ireland and everyone involved in organising this symposium." Event sponsor Viatris assumed an active role in the two-day event, with Melissa Fisher, Country Manager, Ireland Commercial and paddlesports enthusiast drawing on her experience from corporate life to encourage dialogue and share learnings and tangible tools.
“As Sport Minister, I want to see the gender participation gap eliminated wherever it exists, be it on the court, on the pitch, on the water and in the boardrooms too. I welcomed the opportunity to reiterate my total commitment to seeing a minimum of 40% gender balance on the national boards of publicly-funded sporting organisations by the end of this year. I have been fully clear that failure to achieve the 40% target will result in serious funding implications for sporting organisations. It is so important that young girls see women at the
Sport Ireland Chief Executive Dr. Una May - Copyright Canoeing Ireland/Matt Browne@Sportsfile
Viatris Team (L-R) Tilde Pihl, Niamh Brennan, Muireann Byrne, Melissa Fisher - Copyright Viatris
She commented, “I am passionate about female empowerment. At Viatris we are also on a journey to increase women’s representation globally in senior management to at least 35% by the end of 2027. Whether we are on the water or in the workplace, we deal with similar challenges and aspirations when it comes to encouraging female participation. I come away from these past two days with renewed confidence that while changing patterns can be difficult, change is definitely afoot.
Participants at the inaugural ICF Women’s International Paddlesports Symposium - Copyright Canoeing Ireland/Matt Browne@Sportsfile
NOVEMBER 2023 • HPN | HOSPITALPROFESSIONALNEWS.IE
“We heard from IOC President Thomas Bach that the Paris 2024 Olympics will be the first Olympics in history to achieve gender parity. More and more women are feeling empowered to reach their full potential and it’s up to each individual to harness this energy for future generations of female leaders.”
