WASHINGTON, D.C. — The potential for technology to open more opportunities for women in democracies around the world will be discussed here May 29 by a panel of experts including Ping Fu, chief strategy officer for 3D Systems; Shelly Esque, vice president at Intel Corporation; and Stephanie Cutter, former deputy campaign manager for the 2012 Obama campaign and partner at Precision Strategies.

The panelists — who have expertise in technology, politics and media — will talk about how technology has changed political communications and how it can be leveraged to help more women around the world participate as activists, voters and candidates. Discussion will include the possibilities presented by technologies such as social media, websites, data management systems and radio, as well as the constraints of technology, especially in places where women have limited access or education to take advantage of it.

Esque will discuss Intel’s recent study conducted with the United Nations and the State Department, “Women and the Web,” which explores the difference in Internet access between men and women in the developing world, and calls for doubling in three years the number of women who have access to the Internet. Fu will share her experiences investing in cutting edge technology, and discuss how women, through education, can empower themselves to use technology to lead in politics and society.

The panel, organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), will also feature former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, NDI chairman, and Laura Inés López Padilla, president of the board of Mexico’s Network of Support for Women Municipal Leaders (REAMM). Tina Brown, editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast and Newsweek, will moderate.

At a luncheon following the panel, López Padilla of REAMM will accept the 2013 Madeleine K. Albright Grant, awarded to REAMM in recognition of its efforts to further the participation of Mexican women in local and national politics.

American filmmaker and philanthropist Abigail Disney will deliver the keynote address.

The luncheon also marks the launch of the Madeleine K. Albright Project, a new global fund in honor of NDI’s chairman that will support and enhance NDI’s work helping women globally to participate, compete and lead in democratic politics.

The event will stream live at www.ndi.org/live. Follow the discussion at #NDIMKA.

WHAT:

• Panel discussion - Women, Technology and Democracy:  How Women are Being Impacted by Technology Around the Globe
  • Madeleine Albright, former secretary of state and NDI chairman
  • Tina Brown, editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast and Newsweek
  • Stephanie Cutter, former deputy campaign manager for President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign, former senior adviser to the President of the United States, and partner at Precision Strategies
  • Ping Fu, chief strategy officer, 3D Systems
  • Shelly Esque, vice president at Intel Corporation,  global director of the company’s Corporate Affairs Group, and president of the Intel Foundation
  • Laura Inés López Padilla, president of the board of Mexico’s Network of Support for Women Municipal Leaders (REAMM).

• Madeleine K. Albright Luncheon
  • Keynote Speaker - Abigail Disney, filmmaker and philanthropist
  • Madeleine K. Albright Grant awarded to REAMM

WHEN: Wednesday, May 29.

• 10:30 a.m. - Panel Discussion
• 12:30 p.m.- Luncheon  

WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd St., NW, Washington, D.C.

NDI is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. For more information, visit www.ndi.org.

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