International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) collaborated with IRI’s Mexico program to conduct a Women’s Economic Empowerment Network seminar in Mexico City, Mexico from April 25 – 28, 2008. IRI Mexico nongovernmental organization (NGO) partner UNIMOSS also served as co-host and facilitator for the seminar discussion.

Participants included NGO and business leaders from Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru. The seminar focused on best practices in business advocacy with regard to developing grassroots support, working with the media and elected officials. IRI’s trainer reviewed American case studies from “Women Impacting Public Policy” and “The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.” In addition, participants held a brainstorming workshop to explore the idea of a regional network for women’s economic empowerment and to outline parameters of network relations and activities.