Athens, Greece. Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides used a speech in Greece to argue that women’s leadership should be treated as a strategic priority tied to competitiveness, technology and the future direction of Cyprus and Greece.
Message at G100 political diplomatic event
Skourides spoke at the G100 political diplomatic event, an initiative of Olga Pavlides Koutroubis, former vice mayor of Athens, and supported by Cyprus G100’s Maria Militsopoulou. He said societies cannot claim to be ready for the future while leaving part of their talent behind.
The event, held under the theme “Open the Door, Expand the Future,” brought together diplomats, policymakers, founders, innovators, women’s organisations and male allies supporting female leadership. Skourides was invited by Koutroubis to participate in his capacity as a G100 Denim Club Global Advisor on the Global Advisory Council for Humanity, Innovation and Technology.
Linking legacy, inclusion and innovation
Skourides opened by invoking Greece’s historical legacy, describing it as a country where “the very foundations of democracy, philosophy, and civic life were shaped.” He then asked “who has historically been invited to shape that future, and who has not?”
He said women should be seen as agents of change, stating: “From the very beginning of history, the world has often called great change impossible, until a woman stepped forward and made it real.” He added that progress had never been built “by discovery alone,” but by “courage, by vision, and by those who refused to accept the limits placed before them.”
Historical references and continuing constraints
Skourides referred to Hypatia, Aspasia of Miletus, Agnodice and Laskarina Bouboulina, describing them as “architects of possibility.” He also cited Marie Curie and Fei-Fei Li, saying women “are not following innovation” but “defining it.”
He said access to capital, visibility and influence remains constrained.
What steps do you think organisations should take to expand women’s access to capital, visibility and influence?
