Berlin, 07/26/2017

Women’s Network a Guest at Bertelsmann

Plenty of opportunities for an exchange at the "Women in Digital" meeting
Nico Rose gave the guests an introduction to Bertelsmann in his welcome speech
The podium discussion dealt with the issue of digital education
Nico Rose, Brigitte Zypries and the two WIDI founders Tijen Onaran and Constanze Wolff (from left)

Subject: Society
Country: Germany
Category: Project

The network “Women in Digital”  (WIDI) has set itself the goal to bring together women from the digital sector and give them more attention. The nonprofit initiative offers female startup entrepreneurs and decision-makers from companies, the media, politics, organizations and associations a platform for cooperations, projects and an exchange. “Women in Digital” now has Bertelsmann’s support: the company provided its representative offices in Berlin as a venue for the WIDI event titled “Fit for Future – digitale Bildung als Schlüssel zur Karriere!” (Fit for the Future - digital education as key to a career!).

Nico Rose, Vice President Employer Branding and Talent Acquisition of Bertelsmann, welcomed the guests and provided an overview of Europe’s largest media group and the history of building Unter den Linden 1. He also introduced the different programs and offerings through which Bertelsmann supports the education of its employees, including Lynda.com, the Bertelsmann University and the “Digital Lounges” in Berlin and New York.

German Minister of Economics a Guest Speaker

A podium discussion about digital education formed the core of the event. Alongside top caliber managers from companies including Siemens and Ebay Deutschland, representatives of universities and schools also participated. With Tine Schlaak, Business Development & Partnerships Manager at Udacity in Berlin, a Bertelsmann employee participated in the discussion moderated by WIDI founder Fijen Onaran. The organizers were able to recruit the German Minister of Economics Brigitte Zypries to appear as a guest speaker for the concluding lecture. “Digital education is a prerequisite for digital participation. It belongs to academic, vocational and life-long learning,” Zypries said.

Nico Rose summed up the event: “The ‘Women in Digital’ initiative has established a remarkable network among women in Germany and their supporters with a digital affinity in just one year with enormous verve and dexterity. We are pleased to have accompanied another step of WIDI’s fresh path with this successful event. I am certain that this partnership will help us in the future to strengthen Bertelsmann’s digital competence as well as our efforts in the field of diversity.”