Copenhagen, Denmark | 2. – 4. May 2025
A first short review of a wonderful Zonta European Interdistrict Seminar com 2-4 May 2025 in Copenhagen.
Thanks to the organisers from District 13.
A total of 350 participants registered for this seminar, including many Zontians from District 29!
The seminar was held at University College Copenhagen and was chaired by PIP Maria Jose Landeira Oestergaard.
The steering committee was comprised by the Governor of District 13 Ruta Jasioniene, Past International Director Ragna Karlsdottir, Past International Director Heddy Tangen Steffensen and vice AD from Denmark Susanne Sondergaard.
The organization team included also Marianne Due, Bente Lindgaard, and many Danish Zonta volunteers in addition to PIP Maria Jose Landeira Oestergaard and vice AD from Denmark Susanne Sondergaard.
On Friday the 2nd, a visit to the UN City hosted by Mette Strandlod from UNFPA was arranged. There was also the possibility to join a guided tour in Copenhagen Center “Women in History” including a visit to the Danish Parliament to see the Tribute to women politicians in Danish politics.
The Opening Ceremony was held at Copenhagen Townhall by Maria Sofie Petersen, Deputy Chairperson of the Employment and Integration Committee in the Municipality of Copenhagen and member of the Citizens’ Representation for the Unity Party.
Zonta Past International Director and Past Governor Karin Nordmeyer held a speech about the European Zonta Seminars, with the themes and experiences from those seminars.
The final speech, given by the ZEIDS chair, Zonta Past International President and Chairperson of the Women’s Council Maria Jose Landeira Oestergaard, focused on the current challenges women face and included encouragement to continue our Zonta work.
The seminar with keynotes and workshops was held on the 3rd of May
The seminar included two key-notes:
- Wellbeing economy, by Mads Falkenfleth | https://www.wellbeingeconomylab.com/
- Be a Champion of Allyship and Counter Ethnic Minority Stress, by Muneeza Rosendahl | https://www.ligeadgang.dk/
After each key-note workshops were held, facilitated by where participants discussed 6 key-issues:
Wellbeing Economy
- How can Zonta members promote activities that focus on people’s wellbeing and address how environmental disasters disproportionately impact women?
- How can Zonta members help others understand new ways to measure progress, not just using GDP?
- What are the first 2-3 actions your club could take tomorrow to make a difference?
Allyship and Countering Ethnic Minority Stress
- How can Zonta members learn more about the challenges ethnic minorities face and how it affects their mental health and job opportunities?
- How can Zonta clubs support efforts to reduce discrimination and encourage diversity and inclusion in workplaces and communities?
- What are the first 2-3 actions your club could take tomorrow to create safe spaces for ethnic minorities in your community?
The workshops were facilitated by members of the different European districts.
During the seminar dinner, the oldest Zonta Club in District 13, Zonta Copenhagen 1, was congratulated for its 90 years anniversary and received a certificate from Zonta International President Salla Tuominen.
The seminar ended with excursions on Sunday the 4th in Copenhagen and at Kronborg castle in Helsingor.
Text: taken from the seminar brochure of the Zonta EIDS 2025 | see below – with many thanks to: Irene Wiese von Ofen (District 29 Historian), Karin Saeger, Eva Nielsen (Zonta Historian), Eva Nielsen and Maria Jose Landeira Østergård
Fotos: © Zonta International, District 29
