Brigid's Day in Paris - Celebrating women in business, politics and the arts
News
17 December 2019
Brigid's Day in Paris 2020
The first of February is traditionally celebrated in Ireland as St. Brigid's Day, the first day of Spring. St. Brigid (451-523) is celebrated as a trailblazing female figure, an early defender of peace and human rights, and contributor to the arts.
Brigid's Day is an occasion to mark the contribution of women in many different fields. On 31 January 2020, the Embassy of Ireland in France will hold its first ever Brigid's Day celebration, with events throughout the day featuring remarkable women who are leading lights in business, peace and human rights, and the arts.
Programme of Events - 31 January 2020
Morning panel discussion: Blazing A Trail - Women Championing Change in Business and Tech
Guest speakers: Fleur Pellerin, Founder of Korelya and former French Minister for SMEs, Innovation and the Digital Economy; Orla Noonan, Chariman of the Board of Advisors, Adevinta; Margot Slattery, Global Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Sodexo; and Sheelagh Daly, Entrepreneur Manager, Enterprise Ireland.
This event will be an opportunity to share perspectives on fostering female entrepreneurship, securing funding for women-led start-ups, ensuring parity at the top and hearing about how multinational companies can play a key role in improving women's rights globally. Enterprise Ireland's Sheelagh Daly will also present the research underpinning Enterprise Ireland's new 2020 Action Plan for Women in Business and explain how Enterprise Ireland aims to increase numbers of women in strategic management positions. Limited spaces - register your interest for this event here.
Afternoon: High-level discussion on the UN and gender
In the afternoon, the Embassy will host a high-level discussion on the UN and gender, with contributions from retired Captain Deirdre Carbery, former Platoon Commander with UNIFIL in Lebanon, and Ambassador Delphine O, Secretary General of the UN Generation Equality Forum.
These two distinguished guests will discuss their experiences of blazing a trail for gender equality in the UN system, from both an Irish and a French perspective. Registration for this event is by invitation only.
Evening: St. Brigid's Day at the Centre Culturel Irlandais
From 19.30, join us for a celebration of women in the arts at the Centre Culturel Irlandais, where renowned actress and writer Olwen Fouéré and celebrated filmmaker Pat Murphy will be sharing their insights and experiences. The Pionnières exhibition on the lives and legacies of Irish diaspora women will also be on display at the CCI on the day. To register for the event, see the CCI's website.
