Boym Institute: Ada, you have founded the WICCI’s India-EU Business Council in 2022 together with over twenty experts from Europe and India. The Council aims to connect and empower women who strengthen the India-European Union business corridor. Tell us what were the main initiatives you have taken since the launch of the Council?
Ada Dyndo: The Council is a unique platform that not only connects women experts, but also supports their substantive voice and leadership. I founded the Council in March this year to connect incredible women with whom I have worked with for the past years in India. I started the Council with an objective to make a positive impact on business collaboration between both regions.
As an example, the WICCI’s India-EU Business Council, together with the European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) (advisory organisation in the Europe-India Business Corridor) and UN Women, have organised the panel discussions on “Sustainable Future Through Gender Equality”. The session brought together experts, diplomats and entrepreneurs from diverse fields who support gender equality in the Europe-India business corridor. As the Council, we were also involved in events such as Perspektywy Women in Tech and Women Economic Forum to highlight women’s leadership in innovation, technology, as well as examine best practices for a diverse and inclusive business environment.
Recently, we have also announced a new partnership with Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), a New Delhi think tank. Together we have agreed to establish a program supporting women researchers working on business and trade relations between India and the EU. In November, we will publish together a Special Issue, covering chapters written by our Members and female scholars.
Okey, let’s talk about MANELS – what can be done to prevent them at the conferences, and what are the biggest obstacles?
“Manel” is a term that is used to refer to a panel which consists entirely of men. The absence of women means that significant expertise is lost simply because of gender bias. Diversity, gender balance and inclusiveness are critical for more nuanced debates and discussions as well as present an additional perspective on any subject, leading to growth and better decisions.
WICCI’s India-EU Business Council takes a positive action in the India-EU business corridor and contacts the conference organisers where not a single woman or not enough women experts have been listed. Inspired to improve the underrepresentation of women in public debates. We prepared an open letter to the organisers of business events to bring their attention to the necessity of equal gender representation in discussions. We also offer them our support in finding the relevant female speakers. In this way we bring attention to the problem of manels and bring more gender diversity to business and debates.
Having an inclusive event should be a principle for any modern organisation. To make that possible, it’s required to have a diverse organising committee who will set ground rules for the organisation, structure and running of panels. It’s also important to show that the organisation you work for is an entity which represents diversity, inclusivity and is committed to advancing gender equality.
You are also building up a database of women experts working on India-EU relations.
Indeed, a key initiative of ours is the India-EU Binder that aims to improve diversity and increase the presence of women in public debates. We have created the first of this kind database of experts who are strengthening ties between these two regions. It’s also a practical tool to facilitate contact between conference organisers and women supporting different areas of India-EU cooperation. The Binder covers different sectors and is consistently growing. We invite all the organisations to nominate the right experts. To promote their work and bring attention to the business organisations and conference organisers, we will prepare a series of introductory posts on our social media.
What’s your view on women’s participation in business and trade, especially regarding the ongoing FTA negotiations between EU and India?
The 2020 joint World Bank and WTO report “Women and Trade: The Role of Trade in Promoting Women’s Equality” highlights that women have unique opportunities to benefit from new trends in global trade, specifically the rise in services, global value chains, and the digital economy.
There are several benefits of women’s participation in business and trade. Data shows that enterprises with women in at least half of leadership positions have higher sales growth, are more profitable and get higher return on assets. Creating equal opportunities for men and women to collaborate on decisions also leads to diminished risk-taking, improve employee turnover rates and a balanced approach.
To use these benefits, however, women’s economic empowerment should be enhanced, also through international trade policy. In recent years, more countries have included gender considerations in their trade agreements. All EU trade agreements must include binding and enforceable provisions to ensure respect for human rights, including gender equality, according to a resolution adopted in 2018 by the European Parliament.
And how is the inclusion of gender issues going forward in the FTA’s?
It will be interesting to note emphasis towards gender equality laid in the ongoing negotiations for India-EU Trade and Investment Agreements. India has not included gender issues in any existing FTAs. However, it might change very soon as India is open to including gender issues in free trade agreements to encourage more women to participate in international trade. According to experts from India, the foreign trade policy (FTP) will for the first time include a women’s empowerment and gender equality component.
Earlier this year the UK and Canada were insisting on such a chapter being added to their free trade agreements with India. Including gender components would for sure represent a positive step forward in India’s efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment.
Thank you so much for this insightful interview. You are doing tremendous work!
Ada Dyndo is a seasoned expert on the Indian market, with over nine years of experience living in India. She specialized in bridging Polish and Indian businesses through tailored consultancy services (adadyndo.com). She has held prominent leadership roles, including Head of the Mumbai Foreign Trade Office for the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and Principal Consultant at the European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) in New Delhi. Currently, she serves as Director of the India Desk at the Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCCI). In 2022, Ada launched the WICCI India-EU Business Council, a platform dedicated to amplifying women’s voices in business. Recognized as one of the Top 40 Leaders Under 40 by the Europe India Centre for Business and Industry, Ada has also been honored with the Women Leaders Award by Her Key. An Indologist with two Master’s degrees and fluent in Polish, English, French, and Hindi, Ada brings a rich cultural perspective to her work. Having lived in Pune, Delhi, and Mumbai, she now resides in Puducherry, where she continues to foster impactful business connections between Poland and India.
Więcej informacji na temat: newslettera, polityki prywatności serwisu
czytaj więcej
Polish women do not often become the heroines of media reports in Central Asia. In February 2020, however, it was different. The story of Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, a journalist, "heated up" the headlines of local news portals. More importantly, "between the lines" she talked a lot about contemporary Uzbekistan and the role of women in politics.
Magdalena Sobańska-CwalinaOnline Course: “Conflict Resolution and Democracy”
The course will be taught via interactive workshops, employing the Adam Institute’s signature “Betzavta – the Adam Institute’s Facilitation Method“, taught by its creator, Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman. The award-winning “Betzavta” method is rooted in an empirical approach to civic education, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
Book review: “North Korean Defectors in a New and Competitive Society”
Book review of "North Korean Defectors in a New and Competitive Society", written by Lee Ahlam - assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Human Resource Development at Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio.
Nicolas LeviSearching for Japan’s Role in the World Amid the Russia-Ukraine War
The G7 Hiroshima Summit concluded on May 21 with a communiqué reiterating continued support for Ukraine in face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Although Japan was perceived at the onset of the war as reluctant to go beyond condemning Russia at the expense of its own interests, it has since become one of the leading countries taking action during the war.
Rintaro NishimuraIndian Roundtable – Poland’s Challenges and Opportunities in the Subcontinent
In recent years, India has been the fastest growing among the major countries' economies in the world. (...) In the coming decades, the Subcontinent's largest country may remain one of the pillars of global economic growth. This is one of the reasons why the country is already the most popular destination for Polish foreign investment in the Asian-Pacific region.
At the Boym Institute we are coming out with new initiative: #WomeninBoym, which aims to show the activity of this – often less visible – half of society. We will write about what women think, say and do. We will also publicise what women are researching and writing.
Workshop – Liberalism vs authoritarianism: political ideas in Singapore and China
We cordially invite you to a workshop session “Liberalism vs authoritarianism: political ideas in Singapore and China”. The workshop is organized by Patrycja Pendrakowska and Maria Kądzielska at the Department of Philosophy, University of Warsaw on ZOOM.
The Boym Institute contribution to the Transcultural Caravan project
We are pleased to announce, that our analysts and contributors are among authors of the newest publication - "European Perspectives on the New Silk Roads – A Transcultural Approach".
The Dasgupta Review on Women and the Environmental Crisis
Commissioned in 2019 by the British government and published in February 2021, The Dasgupta Review has been likened to the 2006 Stern Review. Where the latter brought to widespread attention the many failings of the world economy in the face of global warming, the former makes similar points as regards biodiversity – and identifies the unique challenges faced by women.
Dawid JuraszekPatrycja Pendrakowska as a participant of Women Economic Forum (WEF) in India
The interactive discussion covers recent projects and collaborations which have contributed to a greener economy in India
To free oneself from the Chinese embrace. On Indo-Russian relations with Nandan Unnikrishnan
Interview with Nandan Unnikrishnan, who has served for many years as a correspondent for Indian media in Russia. Currently he is a research fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in Delhi. The interview was conducted during the Raisina Dialogue 2019 in Delhi.
Krzysztof ZalewskiWe would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Krzysztof Zalewski - the Boym Institute Analyst, Chairman of the Board and Editor of the “Tydzień w Azji” weekly.
Krzysztof ZalewskiChina – USA in the South China Sea
The trade war is just one of the problems of confrontation between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Many aspects of this competition coincide in the South China Sea.
Paweł BehrendtSan Zhong Zhanfa or Three Warfares. Chinese Hybrid Warfare
Cognitive operations are becoming an increasingly significant and common element of non-kinetic military operations. States and other political players deliberately manipulate the way their actions, those of their allies and those of their adversaries are perceived by the governments and societies of other international players.
Paweł BehrendtPatrycja Pendrakowska as a founding member of the WICCI’s India-EU Business Council
By sharing knowledge, business opportunities, and best practices the Council generates awareness of women's contributions in developing the India-EU relations.
Charitable activities of the Vietnamese in Poland: their scope and sources
The scale of assistance provided to medics by the Vietnamese community during the 2020 pandemic inspires admiration and gratitude. It stems from the sense of belonging to Poland and deeply rooted in the culture order to help those in need and repay the debt incurred at the time when they themselves needed such help.
Ewa GrabowskaPaweł Behrendt for 9DASHLINE: The South China Sea – from colonialism to the Cold War
We would like to inform, that 9DASHLINE has published article of Paweł Behrendt - the Boym Institute Analyst, in which he wrote about history of the South China Sea dispute over the 20th century.
Paweł BehrendtWill 2023 be the year of improving relations between Albania and South Korea?
In April 2021, the 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Albania was officially organized in the South Korean embassy in Athens, the capital of Greece. The localization of these official festivities perfectly pictured the nature of the relations between these two countries.
Nicolas LeviVoices from Asia – introduction
We would like to cordially invites all to the new series "Voices from Asia" that is devoted to the Asian perspectives on the conflict in Ukraine. In this series, we publish analysis by experts based in Asia or working on Asian affairs who present their positions on this matter.
Beyond Grey Hulls: Europe’s Role in “Crowdsourcing” Maritime Domain Awareness in the South China Sea
If developments observed in the South China Sea over the recent months are of any indication, it simply means that the situation has worsened. China’s continued aggression towards its neighbors – the Philippines and Vietnam in particular, has continued unabated.
Collin KohOnline Course: “Conflict Resolution and Democracy”
The course will be taught via interactive workshops, employing the Adam Institute’s signature “Betzavta – the Adam Institute’s Facilitation Method“, taught by its creator, Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman. The award-winning “Betzavta” method is rooted in an empirical approach to civic education, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
Indian dream – interview with Samir Saran
Krzysztof Zalewski: India is a large country, both in terms of its population and its land area, with a fast-growing economy. It is perceived as a major new player on the global stage. What would the world order look like if co-organized by India? Samir Saran: India’s impact on the world order is already significant, but […]
Krzysztof ZalewskiHow to deal with gender-based segregation?
Interview on the project Supporting the Economic Empowerment of Afghan Women through Education and Training in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Magdalena Sobańska-Cwalina and Krzysztof M. Zalewski (The Boym Institute) in discussion with: Yakup Beris, Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Maria Dotsenko, Gulnar Smailova,
Zespół Instytutu BoymaIndonesia – between religion and democracy
Indonesia is the largest Muslim democracy in the world. Approximately 88% of the population in Indonesia declares Islamic religion, but in spite of this significant dominance, Indonesia is not a religious state.
Anna Grzywacz