On 8–9 October 2025, Club de Madrid will hold the regional meeting “Transformative Leadership and Inclusive Democracy: Inspiring Experiences and Necessary Consensus towards Equality” at the AECID – Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation Training Centre in Montevideo (Uruguay).
The event will bring together former Heads of State and Government, national and local authorities, gender experts, and representatives of international organisations to share experiences and build collective commitments towards gender parity and inclusive democracy in Latin America.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action (Beijing+30), this meeting aims to contribute to the implementation of the Beijing agreements and CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40 in the region. It will provide a space for dialogue and reflection on how to strengthen women’s political participation and leadership at all levels of decision-making.
Opening remarks will be delivered by Carolina Cosse, Vice President of Uruguay; Javier Salido, Ambassador of Spain to Uruguay; Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile (2006–2010, 2014–2018) and Vice President of Club de Madrid; and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, President of Spain (2004–2011) and Member of Club de Madrid.
Over two days, discussions will focus on key issues such as political violence against women, young women’s participation in politics, local representation, and the role of care policies and multilateralism in advancing equality. Among the speakers are Bibiana Aído, Regional Director of UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean, Ana Güezmes (ECLAC), Paola Pabón (Prefect of Pichincha, Ecuador), Antonia Orellana (Minister for Women and Gender Equality, Chile) and Beatriz Argimón (former Vice President of Uruguay), among others.
This regional meeting builds on Club de Madrid’s longstanding commitment to promoting inclusive leadership and advancing women’s participation in democratic processes. By gathering policymakers, former leaders and experts, the event seeks to inspire concrete actions and partnerships that contribute to stronger, more representative and equitable democracies in Latin America.
