Addressed by Mrs Leïla Ben Ali, First lady of Tunisia

At the opening of the 48th world Congress of Women Entrepreneurs 

Tunis, October 5, 2000

  In the name of god, the merciful, the Compassionate

  Distinguished guests,
  Ladies and Gentlemen,

  We hereby open the proceedings of the 48th World Congress FCEM of Women Entrepreneurs and extend a warm welcome to Tunisia’s guests who came here from various parts of the world and to whom we wish a very pleasant stay in our country.

  Ladies and Gentlemen,

  Your choice of Tunis as venue for this important women’s conference is a clear sign of the consideration in which you hold our country and your appreciation of its pioneering efforts in the area of human and economic development. It is also an indication of your respect for Tunisian women and for the high level of competence and achievement that they have now reached.

  Thanks to its rich cultural heritage and to a century and half-long reform drive, Tunisia has succeeded in taking forward the situation of women in every field.

  The change of November 1987 marks a quantum leap for this process, as a result of profound and comprehensive reforms leading to a coherent body of legislation being issued on children, the family, and human rights. This legislation was upheld with another set of unique initiatives and programs.

  Today we are proud to assert that Tunisian women have lived up to high hopes placed in them, thanks to their competence, ambition, and dynamism as well as to their fierce determination to contribute, to be useful and to stand out in every field whether in action or in creation.

  We are convinced that the stock of confidence which is today placed in Tunisia by its regional and international environment, and by world financial markets, specialized, international institutions and foreign investors; the stability and security that are its hallmark; the seriousness and consistency that it enjoys, are its many invaluable assets. For us, this is a source of great pride. We also strive to enhance and uphold them so as to make the investment climate and opportunities known to the economic world and, specifically, to women entrepreneurs, so as to consolidate our co-operation and partnership relations with all our brothers and friends.

  We should be legitimately proud of the part played by Tunisian women in promoting our nation’s economy throughout the past few years. In this regard, I should like to acknowledge in particular the young graduate women entrepreneurs who made commendable efforts and showed sighted adaptation to the changes and development now taking place worldwide.

  Ladies and Gentlemen,

  Women have always had, throughout the past and in all societies, an educational as well as a social role, both active and influential. This role has been consolidated since the early days of this closing century through women’s participation in economic life, their integration in the employment market, and the valuation of their capabilities in the various fields of creation and innovation. The position they now hold on the economic scene has been in constant progression ever since, inaugurating with their entrance into business and project development a crucial stage in their social and professional evolution.

  Thus, the second half of the twentieth century saw the emergence of a new breed of women entrepreneurs who, as early as 1945, established a specialized world organization that best illustrates the important steps made by women in the fields of employment and business.

  Today, half a century after it was established, we can but pay homage to the organization for all it has achieved, notably in disseminating the culture of entrepreneurships in the ranks of women worldwide. This explains the growing number of countries joining the organization since its foundation.

  I should like to take this opportunity to express my satisfaction that the Tunisian Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs has, at a very early date, joined this prestigious organization. In this regard, I should like to say how grateful we are for our competent women to act as President of your august organization. 

  Ladies and Gentleman,

  The topic chosen for this conference, “The New Millennium and Equitable and Sustainable Development ”, illustrates women’s awareness in the face of the major challenges inherent to universal progress as well as the importance of preserving the future of our generations in a context marked by co-operation and solidarity between the various peoples of the world.

  We believe that security and stability cannot be achieved in this world without an equitable and sustainable development for all countries and without a sincere international determination to reduce differences between nations. This is what Tunisia has always professed, in all international events, and this is what was crystallized through president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s appeal for setting up a world solidarity fund that that would contribute in addressing the problem of poverty, assist in alleviating the effects of hunger in many countries worldwide, and would turn solidarity into a solid bond between all human beings.

  Distinguished guests,
  Ladies and gentlemen,

  Today, women assume their share of responsibility in bringing people together and in setting up international relations that are more balanced, more equitable, and providing for increased solidarity. The launching of any new partnership project between us, however humble, is in fact a new milestone on the road to increasing opportunities for cooperation and complementarily and in reinforcing friendship and knitting closer relations between your countries. That is why today’s congress is particularly important and that is why major hopes are being placed in it.

  As I reiterate my greetings and welcome, I should like to wish you full success in your congress and for your organization to remain forever a beacon to the world.

  Thank you for your attention. 

Mrs Leïla Ben Ali, 
First lady of Tunisia

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