Rotary Club Utrecht International celebrated International Women’s day 2008 by hosting a symposium on emancipation and diversity under the title “Androgynous leadership” in the beautiful Academy building on Domplein. The event was organised in cooperation with Utrecht University. Approximately 70 professionals gathered to discuss what characterises an inspiring leader. Iteke Weeda, professor in Gender Studies at Groningen University, argued that today’s society calls for an equal balance between the masculine and the feminine poles in professional organisations. Typical female traits such as adequate use of intuition and the ability to handle emotions are being revalued: inspiring leaders are those who are able to integrate prototypical masculine and feminine related styles resulting in androgynous leadership. Weeda typifies the feminine style as the softer, emotional, group oriented approach versus the masculine’s harder, more focused, ego-centered style.

Panelists Yvonne van Rooy, president of Utrecht University, Alex Geert Costerman, president of the Committee of Equal Treatment, Rahma El Hanouffi, independent diversity consultant and Carel Maasland, director of human resource management at Ikea’s head office in Sweden reflected on the issue from their personal perspectives.

Proceeds raised from this event – approximately 2260 euro’s – will be donated to Solace Ministries, a grass roots organization founded by and for survivors of the genocide in Rwanda. It offers trauma counseling, education, micro financing and medical aid to widows and orphans. Solace has been able to make an incredible change for hundreds of women and children who are now rebuilding their lives and are subsequently helping others in need, forming an exemplary chain reaction.