FCEM took an active part in the grand international Forum TourismAfrica 2006, organised by S.B.M. (Strategic Business Meeting S.A) September 10 to 15, 2006 at Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland.

During two days -- the 14th and 15th of September – that were dedicated to the world association, FCEM organised a conference and animated workshops and a partnership marketplace on the global theme: « Promoting and reinforcing of the initiative of women entrepreneurs for the development of African tourism».

The FCEM World President Françoise Foning in her opening speech underlined the need to intensify the strategies of partnership, cooperation and communication between the women entrepreneurs of the five continents to benefit from and participate in the development of African tourism, and the preservation of African patrimony.

The Minister of Tourism of Cameroon pronounced welcoming and encouraging words, El Hadj Baba followed by a presentation given by Laura Frati Gucci, AIDDA President, Italy and FCEM Vice-President.

The conference programme included animated discussions and enriching interventions given by different African Ministers of Tourism, Environment, and Culture, experts from financing institutions, NGOs and other competent authorities during the strategy defining panel chaired by Ingrid Vanore-Speer, Former United Nations Director and Principal Advisor on Gender and Trade.

Dagmar Steinmetz, CEO DDS Consult G.m.b.H., Germany and President of the international section VIT of the German Association of women entrepreneurs VdU presented the project Dual Training for the development and training of Tourism sector human resources. A presentation on « Information and Communication Technologies» was provided by Micheline Briclet, President of FCEB Belgium, who gave an overview of the FCEM-CandGo, Stratinfo Platform and the applications of ICT and the Internet serving the needs of associations and the individual entrepreneur.

At the side of President Françoise Foning, were members of the FCEM Steering Committee, including Etta Carignani, FCEM Secretary General and Regional Commissioner for Europe, who presented a document on the role of women in tourism in general and notably in Africa.