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FIRST GLOBAL CONVENTION OF GLOBAL VISIONARY
WOMEN’S NETWORK, JULY 2014
On the 11th
of July 2014, Ewa Sadowska took part to the 1st
Global Convention of the Global
Visionary Women Network, as one of the keynote visionary speakers.
As part of the International Festival for Business 2014, The Global Visionary Women Network
(GVWN) in association with Voice of Nations (VON), welcomed some of the world’s most
successful women entrepreneurs, visionaries, and academics to its 1st
Global Convention. The theme
of the convention was Empowering Nations, and took place in the prestigious IFB Hub, in Liverpool.
Ewa shared the history of her parents who left secure jobs as psychologists in support agencies to
move into a crumbling building in the countryside in western Poland to live with a group of people
who experienced trauma. She spoke about growing up in the community they created and about the
people who were coming from everywhere. The audience was extremely inspired about the
movement borne out of the pioneering work of ‘Barka’ that eventually became a system of social
economy with benefits in the form of local organizations, enterprises and institutions. Ewa also
spoke about some common experiences of Poland (its history of occupation and war) and the African
countries which experienced colonial government and became dependent on the power and the
systems of Europeans. She said that resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit needs to be fully
rebuilt and revived both in countries of transition in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in Africa
and that social economy and social enterprises play an important role in this process. She said that
Europe has a lot to learn from Africa, and especially from its philosophy of “ubuntu” and
“harambee” (I am because you are) . Ewa also said that the biggest asset of Barka are the people who
rebuild their lives and now play the role of mentors to others who are struggling with addiction or
unemployment.
After the speech, Ewa held a workshop were attendees could take part in order to ask her more
questions. Many of the women who themselves came to the conference as key note speaker attended
the workshop and shared their thoughts and express interest in coming to Poland for study visits.

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Ewa Sadowska, CEO Barka UK
Amongst other keynote speakers of the conference were the Queen of Ga Kingdom of Ghana, HRH
Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I, Dr. Annie Lim, HRH Betty Makoni, Katherine Corich, Stephanie R.
Dawkins.
The Queen of Ga Kingdom of Ghana, HRH Queen Naa Tsotsoo I
Her traditional titlw is ‘Amamole Djasee Mayne’ which means ‘King-Maker Queen’. Apart from
ruling a kingdom, Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I is also an Entrepreneur, an Advocate, Educator and
Community Leader. Some of the key projects she is involved in includes rescuing children and
young people from abuse.
During her speech she emphasised her strong belief that education is one of the most important
things in life and has dedicated her time, experience and financial position to ensure those who are
underprivileged benefits from her knowledge.

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Ewa Sadowska, HRH Queen of Ga Kingdom of Ghana and Ioana Tanasescu
Dr Annie Lim
Dr Annie Lim is a serial entrepreneur; a playful and creative individual who lives to serve and touch
the lives of others through coaching, training and transformational work in addition to owning
several businesses in various industries.
She is the founder and CEO of Women Entrepreneur World Summit (www.weworldsummit.com), a
global online live summit connecting speakers and attendees on a global scale to collaborate, inspire,
contribute and inspire women in business while balancing work-life and personal well being.
Dr. Lim talked about women needing to continue to challenge the existing business structures and
models instead of taking on what is existing and trying to fit in. She emphasised that women will
first have to understand that self-care is important and that when they take care of themselves, they
will do better in everything else, including their businesses, friends and family.

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With education, resources including trusted networks and support systems, women will be able to
overcome challenges. In addition, it is important to work collaboratively to shift the way business in
currently done. By moving from a competitive arena to a collaborative one, it is evidenced that by
coming together, we can all create more good for the people, the planet and for the enterprises that
we own.
Dr. Annie Lim, Ewa Sadowska and Ioana Tanasescu

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HRH Muzvare Betty Makoni
Betty Makoni is Founder and current CEO of Girl Child Network Worldwide, a registered
international organisation championing for empowerment and education of girls in Africa since
2009. Millions across the world passionately call her CNN hero as she was the top in 2009 category
for Protecting the Powerless and was honoured by Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman.
Betty Makoni talked about her life in Africa a child that shaped her to be the advocate and champion
for girls rights she is today. Orphaned at age 9, she grew up as one of the most poorest and
marginalized African girls in the early 1980s and the education she attained up to degree level was
through the Work For Your Education program where she became a child labourer at a middle girls’
school in Zimbabwe and it is this experience that shaped her to be the humanitarian she is today.
Katherine Corich
Katherine is the founder and Chair of the Sysdoc Group, a high tech and services company with
operations in 4 countries. Katherine leads global strategy and development of new markets.
Katherine is a regular guest lecture for the Oxford Advanced Executive Management and Leadership
programme of the University of Oxford and Leadership programme of the University of Oxford,
Said Business School.
Stephanie R. Dawkins
Stephanie was the highest African American in the history of AB Volvo in Goteborg, Sweden to
hold a C-Suite position. She is the President and CEO of Stephanie R. Dawkins International (SRD
International). SRD International is an international business consulting firm that works with
organisations in the areas of country infrastructure, business development, mergers & acquisitions
and motivational speaking.

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Katherine Corich, HRH Betty Makoni, Dr. Annie Lim, HRH Queen of Ga Kingdom of Ghana, Nick Small
and Stephanie R. Dawkins
Ms. Dawkins talked about leadership and how a great leader must fully comprehend the culture and
other dynamics of their business environment. She emphasised that an organisation such as Global
Visionary Women is a perfect platform and venue to learn and network with some of the most
influential and highly regarded women in the world. This was the only time that amazing women
from various corners of the world will come together. Not only will women be able to benefit from
the knowledge and wisdom from the presenters, but the participants of the venue have information to
share. We can all learn from each other, continue to exchange ideas and stay engaged. Each one is to
teach one. As we are able to come together and find common ground, the wealth of information and
actions that can be generated from this type of venue are unprecedented. A good team matters more
that a great individual.

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Barka UK would like to express its deep gratitude to Dr. Sylvia Forchap-Likambi, visionary founder
and Chief Executive of Voice of Nations cic, the founder and Global Chair of Global Visionary
Women Network and Little Angels Foundations for her dedication in organising this Global
Conference.
Report by Ioana Tanasescu
BARKA UK assistant
ioana.tanasescu@barkauk.org