DAY 9 at CSW69: Creativity and Compassion
- Sarah E. Flynn
- Mar 20
- 6 min read
And… we’re back! Took me a couple days yo rebound but I’m here and ready to go! Started off with a couple of great virtual sessions and wrapped up with super inspirational time with
Women Leading SDG goals for Gender Equality and a Better Future
In a powerful gathering of international diplomats and thought leaders, the Federation of Consular Corps (FICAC) hosted a dialogue that cut to the heart of global challenges facing women today. The conversation was nothing short of nail-biting (as exciting as diplomacy can be), blending critical analysis with some rather frank and honest insight.
Honorable Krista Bard, Chancellor of the Consular Corps College in the US, came in with a guns-blazing critique of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, delivering a provocative statement: "Problems are never solved with the same kind of words that created them." Her analysis revealed how language itself can be a barrier to progress, arguing that the current SDGs are "too many in number, negative, contradictory, and too complicated to be realized."
The discussion dove deep into the multifaceted challenges women face globally. Honorable Nathalie Mimoun's powerful address on violence against women brought to light the brutal realities of captivity and exploitation, sharing heart-wrenching stories of women kidnapped and traumatized. "Every year, millions fall victim to human trafficking, forced labor, and sexual abuse," she emphasized, calling for urgent global action.
Perhaps one of the most fascinating perspectives came from Dr. Elif Vatanoğlu-Lutz, Professor of Ethics and History of Medicine at Yeditepe University, who introduced a biological lens to diplomacy through her exploration of oxytocin. "Oxytocin is the hormone of love and empathy," she explained, arguing that women's high oxytocin levels contribute to their unique leadership capabilities. I especially connected with these words:
"I believe women are born artists and born diplomats. When we look at the world at the moment, we see too much violence. On one hand, we tell our children 'don't hit, use your words,' but on the other hand, we see political leaders ordering the taking of life."
This quote beautifully encapsulates her broader point about oxytocin, empathy, and the unique leadership potential of women. Her core message was the need for more humane approaches to global challenges, emphasizing communication, empathy, and peaceful resolution over violence and conflict.
Natalie de Haan brought a critical environmental perspective, connecting ocean conservation directly to women's empowerment. Her powerful quote encapsulated the interconnectedness of global challenges:
“The health of our oceans and the advancement of gender equality are two sides of the same coin."
Key Takeaways and Recommendations:
1. Fix the Global Goals: Simplify and reframe sustainable development goals using positive, actionable language to be more accessible.
2. Prioritize Compassionate Leadership Skills: Empathy, creativity, and human connection are essential for solving complex global issues.
3. Immediately Combat Violence: Develop comprehensive strategies to protect women and girls from exploitation.
4. Embrace Interdisciplinary Approaches: Connect health, environment, diplomacy, and social development.
5. Leverage Biological Insights: Understand how hormones like oxytocin can inform leadership strategies.
6. Promote Inclusive Decision-Making: Ensure women are not just included, but empowered to lead.
7. Address Technological Challenges: Ensure AI and technological advances don't deepen existing inequalities.
8. Celebrate Cultural Creativity: Recognize women's creative contributions as a form of economic and social empowerment.
9. Focus on Ocean Conservation: Integrate gender equality into environmental sustainability efforts.
10. Challenge Existing Narratives: Continuously question and reframe approaches to global challenges.
The conversation was more than a meeting – it was a blueprint for a more compassionate, innovative, and inclusive future. As Honorable Orli Naschitz, ECOSOC Committee Chair at FICAC, eloquently concluded,
"Together, let us continue to harness the power of collaboration and advocacy to create a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for all."
The magic of change begins with conversations like these – bold, unfiltered and unapologetically hopeful. This was one of the first moments I saw anyone speak truth to power, and I loved it!
My Questions:
I keep hearing creativity pop up at sessions. Is this just my selective hearing, or is it a theme that people are actually beginning to recognize as critical to world peace and gender equality?
What would it look like if I began a Creative Collective of artists committed to finding a way to transcend language barriers, empower women to speak their truth, and to claim the power that’s rightfully theirs? How do I do this?
Who is the mentor I would need for this project? I don’t know anything about non-profits or working across borders.
Who are my key artist friends that have the training, interest, enthusiasm, and freedom to work on a project of this scope?
Where would I get funding?
(Ok. That was a lot of questions. Humor me.)
Women in Power and Leadership Accelerating Advancement Towards Gender Equity
In a high-level virtual summit run by Graduate Women International (GWI) global leaders and feminist trailblazers came together to dissect the current landscape of women's leadership, delivering a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and hope.
Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, former Under-Secretary-General and Security Council President, opened with a thunderous declaration that set a clear tone for the entire conversation: "Democracy without equality in all aspects of law and formal participation of 50% of the population is another form of authoritarianism." His words cut to the heart of the global challenge - women are not a minority to be accommodated, but half of humanity that must be fully integrated.
Ellie Smeal, Founder and President of Feminist Majority (whom you met in my post last week) brought her trademark fierce optimism, boldly stating, "We don't intend to go back. We're only going forward." She reframed backlash as a sign of progress, reminding us that resistance often emerges when meaningful change is happening. She also spoke about the importance of not discriminating within our own diplomacy and feminist movements when it comes to age — young people may be ready to lead and older people may not be done saying their piece. Don’t quiet them!
Irene Natividad, President of Global Summit of Women and Chair of Corporate Women Directors International, offered a pragmatic global perspective, highlighting the interconnected nature of women's struggles. Her most powerful insight? The importance of visibility - "You can't role model what you can't see."
Insights:
- The recognition that women's equality is not just a women's issue, but a human issue
- Understanding that institutional change requires transforming mindsets, not just creating policies
- The critical importance of intergenerational collaboration and mentorship
Recommendations:
1. Develop comprehensive national action plans for gender equality. About 90 countries don’t have them.
2. Mandate corporate diversity quotas (targeting 30% women in leadership roles)
3. Create cross-generational mentorship programs
4. Challenge and redesign institutional mechanisms that perpetuate gender bias
5. Invest in women's entrepreneurship and economic empowerment
6. Develop technology and AI policies that combat gender discrimination
7. Engage men as active allies in gender equity efforts
8. Simplify language around gender equity to make it more accessible
9. Support women-owned businesses through targeted supply chain initiatives
10. Create global platforms for cross-border dialogue and collaboration
The Ambassador's most compelling call to action resonates: "Without women, neither peace nor development is conceivable."
My Questions:
How do we create tools that help change mindsets? Is this a creative project or challenge?
The path to equality is collective, persistent, and absolutely necessary… how can I create opportunities for other people to participate?
Bridging Generations, Fostering Futures: Intergenerational Economic Leadership for Women’s Sustainable Growth
This was United Nations Association’s big session spotlighting the critical role of shaping the next wave of female leaders, so I was incredibly excited to see what the panel had in store! We were honored to have an incredible lineup of facilitators, including:
Dr. Shobana Powell, DSW - CEO, Shobana Powell Consulting (Global)
Delphine Schantz, Representative, New York Liason Office, UNODC
Catalina Cajias - Executive Director, Women Economic Forum (Ecuador)
CeMarr Peterson - Senior Director of Social Impact, Minnesota Black Foundation (USA)
Hon. Kelly Dore - Executive Director, Sierra Cares Foundation (USA & Sierra Leone)
Priestley Johnson - USA Director, Girl Up (Global)
Lanice Williams - UNA Women National Council Advisor
The meeting focused on intergenerational mentorship for women's economic empowerment, highlighting critical challenges in digital spaces and professional advancement. Although the keynote speaker was focused mostly on data and reporting (61% of trafficking victims worldwide are female, and only 15% of AI researchers are women), we still circled back to the idea of mentorship being key. Mentorship emerges as a crucial strategy to address systemic barriers, with research showing women are 4% more likely to stay in STEM fields when they have mentors. The discussions emphasized the importance of trauma-informed, culturally sensitive mentorship that goes beyond traditional hierarchical models to create genuine, supportive relationships.
Key Recommendations:
1. Prioritize reverse mentorship, where younger and older professionals learn from each other's perspectives and skills
2. Create safe, trauma-informed mentorship environments that validate experiences and build confidence
3. Actively sponsor and introduce mentees to professional networks, not just provide theoretical guidance
4. Develop mentorship programs that address intersectional challenges, particularly for women of color and immigrant communities
5. Integrate digital literacy and online safety education into mentorship frameworks
My Questions:
What qualities am I looking for in a mentor at this point in my life?
Who do I want to mentor right now and will I find them or will they find me?
We wrapped up with a lovely dinner back at the Millenium, where we sang happy birthday to Kelly, and I befriended a young woman from Colombia, who may just be the mentee I asked about in the question above! More on that soon…
And with that, sweet dreams — I’ll be back for tomorrow!
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