A policy program of the Aspen Institute, the Council of Women World Leaders is a network of current and former women prime ministers and presidents established in 1996 by Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, President of Iceland (1980-1996), and Laura Liswood, Secretary General.
The Council's mission is to mobilize the highest-level women leaders globally for collective action on issues of critical importance to women. Through its networks, summits, and partnerships, the Council seeks to promote good governance and to enhance the experience of democracy globally by increasing the number, effectiveness, and visibility of women who lead at the highest levels in their countries.
provide a platform for Council members to participate in high-level summits, to increase the visibility of the gender perspective of pressing global issues, and to raise other issues of critical importance to women.
support ministerial-level exchange and action on global issues in an effort to advance women's leadership, gender equality, and excellence in governance.
offer internationally acclaimed experts and women leaders a forum to address timely issues and provide a catalyst for future action.
allow students to collaborate with global leaders, ministers, prime ministers, presidents, and international organizations on important global issues and to observe first-hand the ways in which women's leadership is manifested.

Public Health Graduate Fellowship Program
The Council places students from top-tier graduate schools of public health in ministries of health and international organizations to work on projects related to women's health globally. In 2010, the Council will launch its newest Graduate Fellowship Program, the Environmental Policy Graduate Fellowship Program. More »
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