This panel discussion, held on 26 March 2015, was co-hosted by the ANU Gender Institute and the ACT Branch of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA).

The event was fully booked out and due to the popularity of the event the discussion was moved to the China in the World Auditorium at ANU which has a capacity of 200 people.

Podcast available below.

The panel featured four distinguished diplomats:

• The Honourable Penny Wensley AC, an accomplished diplomat and former Governor of Queensland;
• HE Mrs Annemieke Ruigrok, Ambassador for The Netherlands to Australia since September 2012;
• HE Dr Clemencia Forero-Ucros, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Australia since February 2013; and
• HE Mrs Naela Chohan, High Commissioner for Pakistan to Australia since October 2014.

Some of the issues discussed by these successful women were the importance of balancing family and work, taking initiative in promoting gender equality in their relationships with male peers and navigating the diverse cultural constructions of gender norms in different countries.

The discussion was attended by many members of Canberra’s diplomatic community, NGOs, public servants, AIIA members and members of the ANU community.

The panellists were introduced by Ingrid Moses, Vice President of the ACT Branch of AIIA, and former Chancellor of the University of Canberra.

Following individual presentations by each diplomat and panel discussion, questions were taken from the audience. To conclude the event, Dr Fiona Jenkins, convener of the Gender Institute, offered a vote of thanks.