»Evil Wins When All the Good People Stop Trying!«
The guests of today` s AmCham Business Breakfast radiated passion for their work and especially for the mission they are carrying out in each of the fields of their work – science, economy, politics, society. They therefore proved to be convincing and credible and as the Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Mr. Pekka Metso said – that he would vote them in every election.
We have in a series of development-oriented AmCham Business Breakfasts already asked business leaders and foreign diplomats for their points of view and advices, however have this time, on the occasion of the International Women` s Day, decided to ask for the opinion women, who are all with their determination, intuitiveness, communicativeness, professionalism and knowledge successful in their spheres of activity and are surmounting obstacles. Are we able also altogether, as a society, to surmount them? In the company of these exceptional women, we got a feeling that Slovenia will soon have common goals, powerful and long-term strategies and vision.
Distinguished guests of AmCham Business Breakfast:
Dr Romana Jordan, Member of the European Parliament and physicist (Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering) in politics
mag. Mojca Kleva Kekuš, Member of the European Parliament and Member of the Committee on Regional Development in the European Parliament
Nevenka Kržan, Senior Partner, who cooperated at creating new strategies of global network KPMG
Medeja Lončar, CEO Slovenia at Siemens, expert in the field of strategic development of sales and marketing
Nataša Pirc Musar, Information Commissioner of the Republic of Slovenia, who raised the awareness of the protection of personal data at a new level
Nina Zidar Klemenčič, Lawyer and Founder of Attorney’s Office Zidar & Klemenčič, who is active also in civil society organizations
They were asked about their views on the future of Slovenia by excellent Jaka Repanšek, MBA.
»We Should Not Shut Ourselves Away, but Open to Knowledge and Economy!«
Dr. Romana Jordan, Member of the European Parliament and physicist (Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering) in politics, pointed out that it is important that Slovenia forms a suitable environment that would maintain the knowledge at home, however should by no means be closed but open outwards in order to get the knowledge also from abroad. She reminded that in the past only a few people had the opportunity for education, which today besides human curiosity, is a necessity.
»Equal Opportunities In Slovenia for Women and Men!«
Mag. Mojca Kleva Kekuš, Member of the European Parliament and Member of the Committee on Regional Development in the European Parliament, to the question raised about equal opportunities for women and men in the society, answered that there are still significant differences among the countries, which need to be addressed systematically at the European level. As an illustration she set out the Scandinavian countries, where safety and health care are organized in a way which enables all women to be involved in all aspects of business and social life with quality. In comparison with other European countries as regards this issue, Slovenia is, according to her assessment, somewhere in the middle of the scale.
»We Need Banks With the Aim to Assist the Economy and Not the Banks with Ideological Goals!«
Nevenka Kržan, Senior Partner, who cooperated at creating new strategies of global network KPMG, from the point of view of a business woman, enlisted what Slovenia needs to achieve positive changes in the business environment:
1. We should also as a country have clear goals and a firm strategy that are present in all companies and management.
2. Since it sometimes seems as if we were afraid of success, it is necessary that we share positive stories of success.
3. We must find an appropriate way of financing. We need banks with aims to assist our companies and the economy and not the banks with ideological goals.
»Everything Became More Ethical Since Women Assumed Siemens!«
Medeja Lončar, CEO Slovenia at Siemens, expert in the field of strategic development of sales and marketing said that the revolutionary changes within the structure of the company` s management, namely in women assuming the management positions, were actually provoked by an interesting factor – a corruption affair. The Management Board thus decided to diversify managers although it was at first difficult to find women with required technical education for top positions. »When Germans opt for radical changes, they take it very seriously and actualize the changes consistently«, assessed the situation Medeja Lončar. She is convinced that these decisions base on the fact that women are simply different – inspirational and more aimed at developing human potential.
The most prominent person in the public sector: »I am literally addicted with transparency! I believe it can change the world!«
Nataša Pirc Musar, is the Information Commissioner of the Republic of Slovenia, who raised the awareness of the protection of personal data at a new level. She is a passionate activist with a clear mission: »I am literally addicted with transparency! I believe it can change the world!« sincerely and passionately remarked Nataša Pirc Musar, who is aware that all the information may not be available at any moment, however at the same time emphasizes that the freedom of accessing information and the freedom of expression should be constitutionally guaranteed basic human rights. She also pointed out that the two rights are closely intertwined as if one is not informed one cannot express oneself. »I am more and more sad over the fact that our government is ignorant and wrapped in a passive silence as it does not want to respond to the questions raised by the public. As a matter of fact I am sad only sometimes, as in most of the cases I am angry because of it. I wish the public would be more persistent and assertive«, was clear Nataša Pirc Musar. »Sunshine Law« is the Law on free access to public sector information and is valid in only 93 countries of the world. Just think about how many countries there are in the world altogether… »she noted the figures in the global statistics. She also recalled the historical fact that the paradigm is changing as in the time of communism nothing was public, only a handful of information was allowed by the ruling elite, whilst, she added encouragingly, the situation today is totally different – everything is public and only a handful of information is “hidden”. She also remarked that many countries do not have information commissioners, whereas there where they are, their greatest challenge is in changing the mentality of administrative bureaucrats. However she believes that we are well on the road in Slovenia as they are taught of different thinking and work also with her help. She concluded with a slightly tragicomic truth: »Let me tell you that the government literally hates me and my approaches and when the same people go the opposing party, they simply adore me. That it is with us.«
»Elites Do Not Want the Rule of Law Function as a Whole – They Want It Would Hold Good Only For “Little” People«
Nina Zidar Klemenčič, Lawyer and Founder of Attorney’s Office Zidar & Klemenčič, who is active also in civil society organizations, frankly spoke about her views on the situation of our legal state: »As Nataša Pirc Musar is addicted to transparency, I am to the »Rule of Law«. If this rule applied equally to all, a lot of bad things would not exist in Slovenia. Our rule of law does not work at all. It is a habit in Slovenia that all the elites hate it – either opposition or fusion and they both do not want the rule of law function as a whole – they want it would hold good only for “little people”, people out of politics« Nina Zidar Klemenčič revealed the situation and offered some solutions that could improve the situation in Slovenia:
1. The credibility of decision-makers, which shows to the people whether they are just talking idle words or thinking and acting seriously
2. The effects of the court decisions should be clear. It is essential to establish the rule of law. Thus people will regain the trust in the system;
3. Most significant above all – if someone does not comply with the law, must be punished! Anyone!
She said that such quality change in our country should soon be noted also by foreign investors who would decide for investing and consequently cut the vicious circle of problems with competitiveness and lack of foreign investment.
»Germans, Austrians, Americans come, try, even in public tenders, but it occurs that in the meantime the government is replaced and consequently everything else and they therefore, although they have already invested certain resources into documentation, market research,… go elsewhere. Therefore, it feels really embarrassing to listen to it at the meetings with foreign investors, which I attend due to the nature of my work. “I wish I could be proud to say that as a country we have something to offer, that we are transparent and not involved in corruptions”, expressed her feelings Nina Zidar Klemenčič. She nevertheless concluded her observations with a positive thought and encouragement for all the good people in our country: » Evil wins when all the good people stop trying. Therefore we should never cease.«
»Men do not listen to women enough«, said H.E. Mr. Pekka Metso, the Ambassador of Finland to the Republic of Slovenia.3
The Ambassador of Finland revealed a very interesting perspective of Finland that namely has more active women as the universal day care for their children is provided. He believes that the quota of women is necessary for the attainment of gender equality. He also expressed his sincere regret that on the occasion of this AmCham Business Breakfast exceptionally the women prevailed which in his opinion again proves the fact that men do not listen to women enough.
»A Promise to Slovenia – Words Today, Actions Tomorrow.«
Another remarkable young woman, Petra Kocjan, Director of Ypsilon Institute, at the end of the round-table presented the project A Promise to Slovenia – Words Toady, Actions Tomorrow.
A Promise to Slovenia is a socially responsible project that encourages all of us to do something for our community. We wish to encourage the entire country to with all the promises helps in creating our common future. Since we need changes and it is high time to take action and since we have to help Slovenia shoulder to shoulder to develop and make progress, it is time to move forward together. We are the ones who can make changes. Promise Slovenia a better tomorrow and be part of the project with its basic idea, denoting that any individual or organization to join the project, gives a promise to do something good for Slovenia within a year. The promise is voluntary and is not limited to a particular area. Companies, organizations and individuals with your promises bind yourselves to within a year do something good, encourage the others and thus help Slovenia. The essence of the project is in your promises that may be seen on the following website www.obljubasloveniji.si and in the activities the promises will actuate. On behalf of young people, we would like to thank you, because you care. A Promise to Slovenia is organized by the Ypsilon Institute, at the initiative of mag. Ajša Vodnik and in cooperation with Pristop d.o.o..
Please, make your promise at www.obljubasloveniji.si»
»Quota Itself is Not the Only Relevant Mechanism. Women Are Simply Good At Business!«
A great epilogue to the AmCham Business Breakfast was given by mag. Dejan Turk, CEO at Si.Mobil: » Quota itself is not the only relevant mechanism. Women are simply good at business!
I know it from great experiences, as women hold half of management positions at Si.Mobil. They are passionate at work, manage to do more things at once and in general have exceptional abilities. Women are simply good at business!«
Intuition, Communication, Emotional Intelligence – Women
Matej Potokar, President of the American Chamber of Commerce – AmCham Slovenia already in his introductory speech said that above all he esteems intuition, communication and emotional intelligence of women and expressed them the following wish: »I wish that every day would be a special day for every woman.«
