“Nordic countries Iceland (1), Norway (2), Finland (3) and Sweden (4) continue to demonstrate the greatest equality between men and women (…) the level of gender equality in France (46) has sunk as the number of women in ministerial positions has fallen over the past 12 months. The United States (19) closed its gender gap, rising 12 places to enter the top 20 for the first time in the report’s five-year history.(…)”.

Italy, ranking 72 in 2009, further worsens its position ranking 74 in 2010.

If you want to download the report and the ranking, please click here.

Fortune devotes the cover story to “The best advice I ever got”, asking a host of influential leaders to share with us the wise words that changed their lives forever.

The cover article focuses on what it was like growing up Gates as both father and son reflect on the advice that has influenced their careers (read the article “Best advice: Gates on Gates“).

Find both short interviews and videos online

Read the article (in Italian)

 While awareness is growing on the importance of going green, cost can be a stumbling block. A survey of European nations indicated a resistance in a willingness to pay additional costs for use of renewable resources, though a fair amount of respondents would be willing to pay up to 10% more for using these sources for their energy needs.

 Andrea brought forth additional benefits in going green. Not only is it politically correct, it can be good business. He cited examples on companies marketing their green efforts to increase business and mentioned how renewable energy is the only sector during the economic crisis with growing investment. Also mentioned were creative ways to offset carbon footprints; everything from concerts powered by sustainable energy to airlines charging a few extra euros per ticket to passengers to go towards planting trees.

 A good portion of the evening was spent discussing how we can offset increased costs while contributing to the green movement. Individuals and businesses can invest in more efficient appliances, light bulbs, and insulation. Measures such as these easily bring the costs of electrical bills down, eventually overcoming the initial expense.

 Comments from those in attendance included the challenges in costs and efforts in making these changes. Andrea acknowledged that many questions remained unanswered, and that many kinks still need to be worked out, but as we become more used to thinking in this manner, improved options and pricing will be available for all of us in our efforts to go green.

Starting this year, however, you may also designate an additional cinque per mille – 0.05 percent – to any of the non-profit groups on the “approved” list created by the Agenzie delle Entrate. The current list of non-profit groups awaiting approval can be found at www.agenziaentrate.gov.it. The final approved list will be posted there by 10 March 2006.

PWA encourages you to take this opportunity to financially assist a worthy cause without taking an additional centesimo out of your pocket. We are happy to see that Fondazione Risorsa Donna, the charity for which we raised funds at our Holiday Party, is among those listed and we look forward to seeing the confirmation of their eligibility within the next days.

Whichever deserving group you support, please don’t let this opportunity slip away. Make a note of the name and codice fiscale of your chosen eligible beneficiary, add this information to the specified portion on your tax form with your signature, and by doing so, send your tax money to the people you believe will use it wisely and well.

Michel Rapazzini, Chartered Accountant
& Maria Lassila, PWA Vice President

See the most recent data from the World Economic Forum on the Global Gender Gap Report 2008

Those living in the centre of Milan for sure would not welcome a greater influx of people to increase further the “concrete blocks” that already terrorise certain parts of the Milanese skyline. On the other hand, the projects in question are proposed for the periphery like Certosa, Pero, Rogoredo, Settimo Milanese and all services provided “on-site” would ensure that nobody leaves the home! Another issue to consider is viability and whether public transport system and the roads will be developed hand in hand to deal with the mass exodus of inhabitant in and out of the city centre.

A further point that was not considered was whether to promote commercial and office space close by so as to prevent congestion in certain areas.

What is certain is that these projects will go ahead and are being put to tender as we speak. On one hand, it is good news that the Municipal is being active in creating alternative housing to meet the growing gap between the social classes, on the other it could be the start of small ghettos that turn into the likes of Quartoggiaro.

As residents of Milan, I would be interested in your views in this project and maybe we will be able to voice our opinion to the developers and the Comune of Milan.

Hema Mali

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The human cost of almost thirty years war is evident not only in terms of the numbers of people who have lost their lives, but also in terms of the numbers of people who continue to do so. Lack of infrastructure for health care in general, and in particular for women lead to an unnecessarily high mortality rate.

EMERGENCY (an Italian NGO) has been in Afghanistan since 1999. Having seen the number of easily preventable deaths resulting from child birth, EMERGENCY decided to do something for the women of the Panjshir Valley – a mountainous region in the north of the country. After a long period of negotiations with the local health authorities, the go ahead was given to EMERGENCY to construct the Maternity Centre in Anabah within the same compound as the EMERGENCY Medical Centre. The Maternity Centre has been open since June 2003 and has seen over 27,000 women at its clinic and assisted in the birth of 4,300 babies.

The very existence of the Maternity Centre is a bold statement. It shows the community that women have medical needs and above all that they deserve high quality free of charge care. Mothers of post-war nations play a fundamental role in rebuilding the community as they are often the main care giver. The men are often injured or broken by the fighting; it is the women that hold the fabric of society together and strengthen it. Playing Russian roulette with their lives in child birth is negligent and has longer term consequences more far-reaching than evident at first sight.

The Maternity Centre not only provides free of charge high quality medical care to mothers and their new born babies, but also offers on-the -job training to the Afghan national staff who work along side an all-female team of expatriate staff. The Centre is making headway in building capacity in female health care in the region.

I hope that the advent of EMERGENCY’s bold statement that is the Anabah Maternity Centre, marks the beginning of a journey for Afghan women that leads to frequent polite reminders from doctor’s surgeries – their right.

For more information on EMERGENCY please visit www.emergency.it

A note about EMERGENCY
EMERGENCY is an Italian not-for-profit organisation that works in conflict and post-conflict areas. It was founded in Milan in 1994, by Dr. Gino Strada, Teresa Sarti and other friends. The activity of the organisation is predominantly financed by private donors in Italy. In 14 years, only 6.01% of all money raised has been used to cover administrative costs. Since its inception EMERGENCY has treated over 2.75 million people around the world. In Afghanistan EMERGENCY also runs Surgical Centre in Kabul, a Surgical Centre in Anabah and a Surgical Centre for War Victims in Lashkar-Gah along with series of First Aid Posts and Primary Health Centres.

Sobana Nallaiah

“The Clean Energy Scam”, Time Magazine on clean energy.

“Diversity management – a vital strategic resource”, Egon Zehnder International shows that companies with diversity at the top have a clear edge over the competition.
“Passion, skills and dedication – the role gender plays in competition”, Egon Zehnder International presents Wolters Kluwer CEO Nancy McKinstry point of view on what role gender plays in competition
“Women and money”, INSEAD hosted a Forum to try to answer to the question “Are men or women better at investing?”Â
“Interview with Frank Brown”, INSEAD dean, on the global business leader

“Un lavoro si trova, ma dequalificato Italia, il Paese dei cervelli sprecati”, an article from La Repubblica