The Women's Forum, founded by Aude Zieseniss de Thuin, provides an annual platform on which men and women decision-makers converse on topics of social, economic and political global growth. The three day event taking place in Deauville, France, from October 15-17 features all-day speakers and panel discussion for the more than 500 attendees to partake in and observe. The Forum's emphasis is on "creativity and innovation, courage and resilience, and practical wisdom. These are traits which women exemplify, and women’s voices feature at the Global Meeting."

w2wlink interviewed some of this year's speakers before the event to get their views on women in business, where they hope to be in 10 years and how they have enough time in the day.

Changhua Wu, The Climate Group’s Greater China Director

1.      A year from now, what one change do you wish for the world?

The global leaders have come together and agreed to a meaningful Copenhagen climate change agreement, which starts to drive policy changes, technology innovation, capital flows and deployment of low carbon technologies and solutions at a pace and scale that would effectively address the climate challenges today.

2.      If there was more time in the day, what would you do with it?

I would spend the time with my 9-yr-old son to learn more of what he has been doing in school and to talk fun stuff.

3.      How are women changing the face of business today?

We started to see more and more, and stronger leadership from women in all sectors of business. I might not totally agree with gender disparity in terms of business leaders, but the successes women business leaders have brought to business are powerful and impactful in many societies and parts of the world. Equally important is the impact of role model for young women around world to see the possibility and potential of their future.

4.      What will people say about you 10 years from now? 

I will be very happy if people say that Changhua has done something meaningful and played a role in contributing to the positive changes in China.

5.      How do you see young women today?

Young women today are smart, more aggressive, and many of them know what they want and want to do with their lives in the future. With all kinds of role models out there, many of them are confident about their future.

6.      What would you not let any woman enter the workforce without: Mentally, physically and emotionally?

Any woman entering workforce would need mental, physical and emotional health and strength, without which it will be hard to succeed in a tough competitive world, in particular for future leadership in the business world.

7.      What was an obstacle or what has been an ongoing challenge in championing your cause?

The challenges I face in my daily life is how to inspire government and business leaders for more aggressive but effective moves and actions so that the solutions would be scaled up at a pace adequately matching the challenges from global warming.

Changhua Wu is The Climate Group’s Greater China Director. Based in Beijing, she leads The Climate Group’s operations and strategic development across the region. Before joining The Climate Group, she was the Executive Director of China Operations of ENSR where she worked closely with multi-national corporations to support their business development in China and also their compliance with Chinese regulations. A China specialist for about 15 years, Changhua is involved in major regional initiatives. She leads a world-wide professional network, Professional Association for China’s Environment (PACE).
She also serves on the Board of the Asia-Pacific Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (APRSCP), the Standing Committee of Environmental Education Committee of Chinese Society of Environmental Sciences, and the Advisory Committee of Clean Air Initiative - China. Prior to returning to China, Changhua directed the Program for China Studies at the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington, DC. She also consulted for multinational organizations like the World Bank, UNEP, and UNDP. She was the 1993 Fellow of World Press Institute and 2004 Fellow of the Temple Law School’s High-level US-China Roundtable on Environmental Law and Policy. Changhua holds two graduate degrees, one in Law from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the other in Environmental Policy from University of Maryland.