In a year marked by escalating threats to democracy, women around the globe are on the front lines, standing firm against rising authoritarianism, fighting for peace, justice, freedom of speech, and transparency.
As we gather in Warsaw, we bring our experiences, resolve, and shared mission to unite and strengthen the Vital Voices network in pursuit of these critical outcomes:
- Empowering Individual Leaders: We aim for 100 concrete actions by 100 women leaders, amplifying impact in their local contexts.
- Fostering Global Connections: We will develop a Playbook of actionable practices and recommendations for countering authoritarianism, drawn from diverse geographies and causes.
- Driving Collective Action: Together, we will create a fundable, actionable campaign that unites our network around a shared goal.
The Summit is made possible through our partnership with the Empiria i Wiedza Foundation, and programmatic partner Council of Women World Leaders.
All conference events will be held at the Belloto Hotel with the exception of the Summit Registration and Welcome Reception, held at Hotel Verte.
Please see all speaker bios at the bottom of this page.
All learning sessions are 50 minutes, except those marked “Double Session,” which are 90 minutes.
Monday, September 9 – Arrival Day
Summit Registration at Hotel Verte
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Welcome Reception at Hotel Verte
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, September 10 – Day 1
Breakfast at Individual Hotels
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Arrive at Belloto Hotel
8:30 am – 8:55 am
Launching the Summit: Overview and Outcomes
9:00 am – 9:15 am
Together we are instrumental in holding the line between democracy and the rise of authoritarianism. Learn about our goals and core outcomes of the Summit.
Leading the Rise: Women Fighting Authoritarianism Around the World
9:15 am – 10:00 am
Hear from extraordinary women with extensive experience building anti-authoritarian movements, expanding civic space and defending freedoms across the globe.
Moderated by Alyse Nelson with Dr. Oby Ezekwezili, Dr. Zoe Marks, and Laura Alonso
Modern Authoritarianism: The Assault on Our Rights and Leadership
10:00 am – 10:25 am
We set the stage for what’s at stake, defining authoritarianism in its many guises and offering insights into the rising threats. We will define the key practices that we know work in countering authoritarianism, tying them to the major themes in the plenary sessions to follow.
Moderated by Kah Walla with Tatyana Margolin, Dipti Singhi, and Saskia Brechenmacher
10:25 am – 10:45 am | Coffee and Connection
Workshops: Part 1
10:45 am – 11:45 am
Workshop Track 1: The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook
Identify practices and real-world examples to counter authoritarianism. The result will be a collection – or playbook – of best practices, and actionable recommendations for countering authoritarian practices.
Workshop Track 2: Collective Action Campaign
Discuss existing campaigns, movements, or actions that the VV network might develop, amplify, and support. The goal is to begin to identify and recommend a single, fundable campaign for VV network women to support.
Making Elections Work: How Women Lead Coalition Building and Unified Opposition
11:45 am – 12:15 pm
The role of women in transformational elections, when democracy was on the line. Hear about successful strategies for using electoral systems to protect and expand rights Stories of hope – and surprise – from recent elections. Learn the key levers that helped turn the tide.
Moderated by Sarah Jacob with Katarzyna Rozenfeld, Ruchira Gupta, and Alida Vicente
Keynote Conversation with H.E. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Former President of Croatia
12:15 pm – 12:30 pm
Moderated by Kah Walla
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch
Inside the Resistance: Women’s Leadership, Violent Conflict and Repression
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Hear from women leaders living through the devastating impacts of violence under authoritarian regimes and conflicts, hear stories of resistance as democracy, and survival during times of war.
- Part 1: Sustaining Democracy: Stories of Resistance from Sudan
- Part 2: Women on the Frontlines: Activism and Resistance in Ukraine
Moderated by Arwa Damon with Kholood Khair, Hanin Ahmed, Nagwa Musa Konda, Halyna Luhova, Kateryna Levchenko, and Liudmyla Huseinova
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm | Coffee and Connection
Workshops: Part 2
2:45 pm – 4:15 pm
Workshop Track 1: The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook
Identify practices and real-world examples to counter authoritarianism. The result will be a collection – or playbook – of best practices, and actionable recommendations for countering authoritarian practices.
Workshop Track 2: Collective Action Campaign
Discuss existing campaigns, movements, or actions that the VV network might develop, amplify, and support. The goal is to begin to identify and recommend a single, fundable campaign for VV network women to support.
Owning The Net: The Internet, Online Threats and Going on Offense
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm
Women across the globe have been using digital technologies to fight authoritarian regimes, leading change through organizing online. Join a conversation and interactive Q&A to learn practical tools for countering online threats.
With Seyi Akiwowo and Mohammed Al-Maskati
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm | Closing and preview of Day 2
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Free time
Shuttle service available from hotels to U.S. Embassy Reception
- 5:30 pm from Hotel Verte
- 5:35 pm from Bellotto Hotel
- 5:45 pm from Sofitel Hotel
U.S. Embassy Reception at Ambassador’s Residence
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Return shuttle from U.S. Embassy Reception to hotels
Wednesday, September 11 – Day 2
Breakfast at Individual Hotels
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Arrive at Belloto Hotel
8:30 am – 8:55 am
Keynote conversation with Dr. Vjosa Osmani, President of the Republic of Kosovo
9:00 am – 9:30 am
Moderated by Ambassador Melanne Verveer
Learning Sessions: Block 1
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Advanced Leadership Training: Collective Action - Double Session (Golden Room)
Master trainer and Change Management Leader Joanna Średnicka, Co-Founder of Warsaw-based GameChangers Academy will lead a scenario-based, interactive workshop on maximizing team dynamics and outcomes for collective action campaigns. The two-hour session is designed for participants who are leading, organizing or participating in collective action campaigns, or want to gain new insights on leadership and building.
The Power of Narrative Engagement to Build Broader Coalitions and Long-Term Social Change - Double Session (Yellow Room)
A multi-cultural team of senior activists and narrative strategists will lead this two-hour session on building alliances across differences and achieving long-term social change through Narrative Engagement. This practical workshop will explore how narratives function in society and introduce some techniques to identify both harmful and helpful narratives that can help us to join forces across differences to achieve our goals. This session is designed for leaders working at all levels of society to introduce and practice key concepts to integrate narrative practices in achieving social change. Session led by Julia Roig, Rinku Sen and Kwem Kimtai.
Vital Voices Leadership Journey: Driving Force (Raspberry Room)
Vital Voices Senior Leadership Expert Zoe Dean- Smith leads this high-level introduction to improving individual leadership skills. The session will take a deep dive into one of the essential components of the 7-week, landmark Vital Voices Leadership Journey course, focusing on the concept of a leader’s driving force. The session is geared toward participants aiming to strengthen their applied skillset as changemakers and leaders in the context of the rising tide of authoritarian threats. Session co-led by Regina Da Silva.
Protect Yourself from Bad Actors in the Digital World: Data Theft, Account Hacking, And Spying (Marble Room)
Global digital safety and security expert Mohammed Al-Maskati, Bahraini activist and digital security consultant, Access Now, will lead this master class on improving digital security. With online and digital threats rising, the interactive session is geared toward senior leaders, activists, human rights defenders, and others.
Youth Leadership: Strategies for Movement Building (Fireplace Room)
Nika Kovač will host a conversation with youth leaders, showcasing how youth-mobilized activism is changing the rules and preventing the erosion of civil liberties and freedoms around the world. Nika is the founder of a movement-building organization in Slovenia that uses storytelling and advocacy to confront gender and economic inequalities. She received Vital Voices’ Global Leadership Award in 2024.
Arrest and Detention: Practical Tools and Strategies (Cellar Room)
Memory Bandera, an International Development expert from DefendDefenders, will lead a case-based workshop on tactics and strategies for preparing for arrest and detention. This workshop will explore through a single case and interactive discussion, regional and international standards, procedures and mechanisms aimed at empowering and protecting women. Participants will learn practical strategies to mitigate the risks of arrest and detention, as well as how to leverage the law to safeguard themselves and their organizations.
Learning Sessions: Block 2
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Advanced Leadership Training: Collective action - Double Session (Golden Room)
Master trainer and Change Management Leader Joanna Średnicka, Co-Founder of Warsaw-based GameChangers Academy will lead a scenario-based, interactive workshop on maximizing team dynamics and outcomes for collective action campaigns. The two-hour session is designed for participants who are leading, organizing or participating in collective action campaigns, or want to gain new insights on leadership and building.
The Power of Narrative Engagement to Build Broader Coalitions and Long-Term Social Change - Double Session (Yellow Room)
A multi-cultural team of senior activists and narrative strategists will lead this two-hour session on building alliances across differences and achieving long-term social change through Narrative Engagement. This practical workshop will explore how narratives function in society and introduce some techniques to identify both harmful and helpful narratives that can help us to join forces across differences to achieve our goals. This session is designed for leaders working at all levels of society to introduce and practice key concepts to integrate narrative practices in achieving social change. Session led by Julia Roig, Rinku Sen and Kwem Kimtai.
Vital Voices Leadership Journey: Driving Force (Raspberry Room)
Vital Voices Senior Leadership Expert Zoe Dean- Smith leads this high-level introduction to improving individual leadership skills. The session will take a deep dive into one of the essential components of the 7-week, landmark Vital Voices Leadership Journey course, focusing on the concept of a leader’s driving force. The session is geared toward participants aiming to strengthen their applied skillset as changemakers and leaders in the context of the rising tide of authoritarian threats. Session co-led by Regina Da Silva.
Wellness Session: Self-Care Tools to Foster Emotional Resilience in the Face of Adversity (Marble Room)
Learn practical tools and strategies for emotional regulation in the face of ongoing hardship in the field. Trauma expert and former journalist, Shereen El Gazzar, will dive deeper into the ways trauma manifests in the body and explore everyday examples of how to take back control of your mental wellness.
In this workshop, we will understand emotional resilience and explore the brain and body reactions, following adversity in a framework known as “The Window of Tolerance.” We will engage in simple and practical tools that aim to reduce the intensity of emotions. Then, we will conclude by developing a sense of agency through focusing our attention on our circle of control.
Legend of Solidarity: A conversation with Henryka Krzywonos (Fireplace Room)
Anna Nagler of the Vital Voices Poland Chapter will lead a special conversation with venerated opposition activist from 1980s communist Poland. On August 15, 1980, Henryka Krzywonos abruptly stopped the No. 15 streetcar she was driving, cited by many historians as the moment that the Solidarity strike began, ultimately leading to the collapse of communism. A true activist, she has been arrested (with a prison tattoo to show for it) and remains active as a leader today in the Polish parliament. In 2009, she was honored by the Women’s Congress with the title of Polish Woman of the 20th Century.
Climate Advocacy: A Practical Toolkit for Climate Leaders (Cellar Room)
Authoritarian leaders are increasingly on the attack against climate activists. Vital Voices Issue Advocacy Lead Marina Pisklakova-Parker will introduce a practical toolkit for conducting advocacy on climate issue, and countering the authoritarian effort to favor industry favorable to their interests. The session will explore the link between gender and climate change, and the disproportionate and negative impact on women. This toolkit provides a framework of advocacy at the local, national, regional, and global level across four climate verticals: Regenerative Agriculture, Alternative Energy, Climate Education, and Climate Finance.
The Future for Peace?: Women’s Leadership and the Challenge of Israel and Palestine
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Moderated by Arwa Damon with Huda Abuarqoob and Anat Thon Ashkenazy
Activism and Burn-out: Self-care Strategies to Protect Mental Health
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Join a conversation between a trauma therapist and an activist. Learn strategies for emotional regulation in the face of ongoing adversity and hardship in the field. Understand how to minimize anticipatory anxiety stemming from uncertainty by shifting our focus to elements within our circle of control.
With Shereen El Gazzar
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch
Building Movements: Youth Activism and Cross Generational Coalitions
1:30 pm – 2:10 pm
Hear stories of activism and coalition-building that break generational boundaries. Get inspiration from movements with nontraditional models of co-leadership.
Moderated by Kah Walla with Nika Kovač, Nyaguthii Kioi, and Emilie Palamy Pradichit
2:10 pm – 2:30 pm | Coffee and Connection
Workshops: Part 3
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Workshop Track 1: The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook
Identify practices and real-world examples to counter authoritarianism. The result will be a collection – or playbook – of best practices, and actionable recommendations for countering authoritarian practices.
Workshop Track 2: Collective Action Campaign
Discuss existing campaigns, movements, or actions that the VV network might develop, amplify, and support. The goal is to begin to identify and recommend a single, fundable campaign for VV network women to support.
Ignite the Network: Our Collective power
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Review the collective action campaign, playbook practices, and 100 commitments.
Moderated by Kah Walla
4:30 pm – 4:45 pm | Concluding remarks and evening reminders
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Free time
Shuttle from hotels to Ujazdowski Castle
- 7:20 pm from Verte Hotel
- 7:25 pm from Bellotto Hotel
- 7:30 pm from Sofitel Hotel
Closing Dinner at Ujazdowski Castle
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm | Return shuttle from Ujazdowski Castle to hotels