TORONTO, ON – The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) welcomes the recent announcement of two new initiatives to strengthen Canada’s approach to responsible business conduct for Canadian companies doing business and operating abroad, which aim to set a new global standard for Corporate Social Responsibility.  

The first is the creation of an independent Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), the first of its kind in the world. The CORE will be mandated to investigate allegations of human rights abuses linked to Canadian corporate activity abroad. The CORE will seek to assist wherever possible in collaboratively resolving disputes or conflicts between impacted communities and Canadian companies. It will be empowered to independently investigate, report, recommend remedy and monitor its implementation. The CORE’s scope will be multi-sectoral, initially focusing on the mining, oil and gas, and garment sectors, with the expectation to expand to other business sectors within a year of the Ombudsperson taking office. The second is the creation of a multi-stakeholder Advisory Body to advise the Government and the CORE on responsible business conduct abroad.

“Canada’s leadership in strengthening responsible business conduct abroad reflects the values supported by Canada’s progressive trade agenda where all parties should benefit from economic development, and contributes to Canada’s reputation as an international business partner of choice,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, who made the announcement.

“As supporters of Canada’s progressive trade agenda, OWIT is pleased to see Canada taking this leadership role in promoting responsible business conduct abroad,” says Susan Baka, VP-International, OWIT-Toronto.  “We have been providing input through various government channels on making trade more inclusive for more people and welcome these initiatives that further broaden Canada’s approach to inclusive trade and emphasize respect for human rights worldwide.”

“The fact that this was worked on with different stakeholders including the Canadian Labour Congress is very positive, showing great support for this and demonstrating where the government is going on trade,” adds Tamaika Jumelle, VP, OWIT-Ottawa, who represented OWIT at the announcement in Ottawa, along with VP Ainsley Butler. “By setting new standards, this positions Canada to lead on progressive trade issues and also benefits societies and countries where Canadians do business.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 11, 2016) – A delegation of global trade experts representing policy professionals and women-owned businesses convened in Geneva, Switzerland to engage global officials as well as participate in a high-level panel at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum to urge the acceleration of women-owned businesses in global trade.  Leadership from the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) represented members from across the globe and chapters in Africa, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the United States during the week-long trade mission.

For more details, click here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 15, 2016) – The Organization of Women in International Trade (“OWIT”) will be participating in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) largest annual outreach event which provides a platform for  participants  to  discuss  the  latest  developments  in  world  trade  and  to  propose  ways  of enhancing the multilateral trading system.  Taking place in Geneva September 27-29 and marking the 15th anniversary of this flagship event, the 2016 WTO Public Forum (www.wto.org)  will examine how the WTO can foster SMEs' participation into the global market.  It will also discuss how women can participate more fully in international trade and how they can overcome the constraints preventing them from reaping the benefits of trade.

OWIT will present a panel on Shaping the Rules to Facilitate Active Participation of SMEs and Women in Global Markets on September 27.  Member panelists will share real-world experiences and insights on barriers to participation by SMEs and women-owned small businesses as well as success stories.

As part of the Forum, OWIT will also have a display to promote the benefits of its international network. 

“Since the Forum attracts over 2,000 heads of state and leading global businesspeople, academics and non-governmental organizations to discuss some of the major trade and development issues of the day, it represents an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of 

OWIT and promote our offerings,” says OWIT President Andrea Ewart.

Among these offerings are valuable OWIT webinars that provide timely, relevant and practical information on a broad variety of topics from top expert speakers in international trade and business, including issues specific to women's role in these fields. Fall topics include: 

• The Cultural Considerations for Successful Business in Southeast Asia (Oct. 5)
• How to Create a Risk Mitigation Strategy for Your Global Growth & Success (Nov. 2)
• Doing Business in Africa (Dec. 7)

 Full details and registration can be found at www.owit.org/programs/webinars .

About OWIT

Founded in 1989, The Organization of Women in International Trade International (www.owit.org) is a voluntary, non-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing global trade opportunities for women through networking and educational programs. It is comprised of more than 2,000 members in local chapters operating in the Americas, Europe, and Africa as well as “virtual” chapter comprised of individuals who do not reside or work in localities with a local OWIT Chapter.

Look at what is going on with OWIT International!

• Joining in Designing our Future
• DC Extends Joint Programming Invitation
• OWIT to Present at WTO Public Forum
• New App Facilitates International Trade by Women
• International Board Meeting to Future Panel on Inclusive Trade
• OWIT and GroYourBiz Team Up to Support Women Entrepreneurs

The federal budget included key provisions about Canada’s trade future, tying it to the growth of the middle class, an improved employment landscape, and the ability of companies to compete internationally.

Among the highlights:

For more information about 2016 budget. Click here 

Look at what is going on with OWIT International!

• OWIT's Webinar "Celebrating 25 years of OWIT Past, Present, and Future" Highlights
• OWIT International new website has been launched!
• Introducing our OWIT International Executive Team for 2016-2017
• Kudos to Miami Chapter for hosting our Fall Board Meeting!
• Save the date: Geneva (Switzerland)

In response to the Action Plan for Women Entrepreneurs announced by the Minister of Status of Women in 2015, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is stepping up its efforts to help women‑owned businesses grow and reach their business goals through financing and consulting services.

It has committed to increasing its term lending to majority women‑owned businesses to at least $700 million over the next three years. Details

A new program to increase the competitiveness of Canadian companies, CanExport, was announced on January 5, 2016. It will provide up to $50 million over five years in direct financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to develop new export opportunities, particularly in high-growth priority markets and sectors. For more information, visit the CanExport website.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 1, 2016) – The Organization of Women in International Trade (“OWIT”) is pleased to announce that a team of dynamic and accomplished group of global women elected to serve on the 2016-17 OWIT Executive Committee assumed their roles January 1, 2016.  These Executive Committee members will lead the world’s premier organization for women and men who are focused on sharing global business knowledge and contacts, peer mentoring, professional development and entrepreneurship. More

Joy Nott, President & CEO, I.E.Canada (The Canadian Association of Importers & Exporters), is this year’s recipient of the JoAnna Townsend Excellence Award for Leadership in International Trade, presented at the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) – Toronto Annual Awards Gala.  (news release)