The International Federation of Business and Professional Women (IFBPW) was founded in Geneva in 1930 by Lena Madesin Phillips. Today, the Federation has around 30,000 members and is represented in more than 100 countries on all continents. Swiss delegates of BPW are active in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), as a consultative member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and in numerous UN organisations (WHO, ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNCTAD, UNIDO, FAO and others).
The association of BPW Switzerland is the second largest member of BPW International and belongs to BPW Europe. The member associations of BPW International are divided into five geographical regions, Europe is the largest one with almost 20,000 members in 30 countries.
The representatives of BPW Europe played a key role in the foundation of the European Womens Lobby (EWL). The association has consultative status at the Council of Europe.
Every three years, a European conference takes place; in 2016, it was hosted in Zurich; in 2019 in Galway, Ireland. In May 2022, more than 270 women gathered in Reykjavik, Iceland for the 17th BPW European Conference and the 9th Young BPW Symposium.
On 28 and 29 April 2023, BPW from all over Europe gathered in Brussels for the annual Presidents Meeting and Young BPW Symposium. All reports on the event can be found here in the BPW Europe newsletter.
Kauanne Wisard from BPW Club Zurich, who was awarded the sponsorship for BPW Europe Day and the 10th Young BPW Symposium by BPW Switzerland, was also present in Brussels. Click here to read Kauanne's report about her time in Brussels.
The international congress also takes place every three years. Due to the Corona pandemic, the congress scheduled for 2020 in Orlando was held online.
From 17 to 21 November 2024, the 31st BPW International Congress will be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
This international networking enables members to attend international congresses, to participate in international task forces and to establish contacts and business relationships all over the world. The conferences are open to all members.
More information about BPW International
Click here to register for the Newsletter of BPW International
More information about BPW Europe
Click here to register for the Newsletter of BPW Europe
More information about BPW Hosts