The Fourth Summit of
First Ladies and Gentlemen
September 12, 2024 – H.E. Mrs. Rosanna Briceño, the esteemed wife of the Prime Minister of Belize, attended the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv, Ukraine. The summit, hosted by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, is brought together global leaders to discuss critical issues affecting families and children worldwide.
H.E. Mrs. Rossana Briceño made a significant impact at the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv, Ukraine on September 12th, 2024! This pivotal summit, founded by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, brought together global leaders to address a critical issue: ‘Protecting Childhood: Ensuring a Safe Future.’
The summit focused on safeguarding children from the multifaceted challenges they face today, including the impacts of war, family issues, bullying, online harassment, and environmental concerns.
First Ladies and Gentlemen from Belize, Guatemala, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Finland joined the summit in person, while video messages were shared by their counterparts from Austria, Israel, Germany, Poland, Türkiye, France, and Japan. Together, they engaged in meaningful dialogue aimed at creating actionable solutions.
The Summit featured a special dimension on ‘Child Safety in the Family,’ highlighting parenting challenges and mental health support. H.E. Mrs. Rossana Briceño, alongside esteemed colleagues such as Dr. Lucrecia Eugenia Peinado Villanueva, Diana Nausėdienė, and Tamara Vučić, contributed valuable insights into enhancing family support and welfare.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the summit's significance, stating, “This Summit, in particular, and all the efforts of Ukraine and our allies in general, prove that child safety today concerns each and every one of us.”
Interviews with First Ladies and Gentlemen for the Autumn Issue of ELLE-Ukraine
Source: Elle-Ukaine Magazine
The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, founded by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, in 2021, has occurred for the fourth time and has grown into a powerful international global platform. ELLE Ukraine magazine had the exclusive opportunity to speak with nine First Ladies and Gentlemen who came to us despite all the challenges of wartime.
In her speech at the opening of this year`s Summit, dedicated to children`s safety, Ukraine`s First Lady emphasised: 'Armed conflicts and wars are ongoing in the majority of regions around the world. And when children die anywhere, it is a challenge to all human rights.` The thematic panels specifically addressed the issue of children`s safety during the war, within the family, at school, in the virtual space, and in the environment. 'A painful subject for Ukraine, where Russian aggressors kill and injure children daily and have already kidnapped 19,000 of our young citizens. But even though the war continues and remains Ukraines greatest sorrow, our country is focused not only on itself but also on seeking new solutions to overcome global threats and challenges. After all, children`s safety is multidimensional,` stated Olena Zelenska.
This year`s Summit was attended by the First Lady of Guatemala, Lucrecia Peinado; the First Lady of Estonia, Sirje Karis; spouse of the Prime Minister of Denmark, Bo Tengberg; the First Lady of Lithuania, Diana Nausėdienė; the First Lady of Serbia, Tamara Vučić; the First Gentleman of Slovenia, Aleš Musar; the First Lady of Finland, Suzanne Innes-Stubb; and the spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize, Rossana Briceño.
Photo credit: Anton Kulakowskiy, Den Glibov.
During the cover shoot, we had the opportunity to get to know our distinguished guests more closely. The Bakery Museum in St. Sophia of Kyiv, where the symbolic exhibition Art — the Highest Form of Hope was being held, proved to be the perfect setting for finding answers to key questions: how do our guests shape the image of their countries through soft power, why is it essential to hold initiatives such as the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, and how do they perceive their personal missions?
Rossana Briceño, spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize
When First Ladies and Gentlemen champion causes that align with global priorities, they demonstrate their nation`s commitment to being responsible, cooperative and compassionate members of the international community. As the spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize, I am deeply aware of my responsibility to not only represent the views of my husband and his administration but also to embody the spirit of Belize and its people. Therefore, through my actions, initiatives and partnerships with other countries, I serve as a reflection of the values and priorities of my nation, through which I strive to project a positive and accurate image of Belize to the world.
While each country has its unique approach to child safety, our challenges are not always unique. Therefore, when we join forces, we can better address these challenges that no single country can solve alone. By working together, we provide an avenue to share our knowledge, resources and best practices toward building systems of protection that are more resilient and effective at ensuring the well-being of children everywhere.
When we come together to ensure the protection of children, we send a compelling message that, regardless of where they are from, their safety and well-being should always remain a fundamental aspect of every nation`s mission.
Through this esteemed platform, initiated in Ukraine, First Ladies and Gentlemen can connect with diverse audiences, both domestically and internationally, thereby cultivating lasting relationships that transcend mere political or diplomatic ties. Therefore, by participating in the 4th Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, we are helping to generate a positive impact beyond our borders, demonstrating our commitment to global solidarity and shared prosperity.
My primary motivation for going to a country at war to participate in the Summit stems from my unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of children. My mission is to shed light on current challenges and to listen and learn from the experiences of others, ensuring that we are continually improving our strategies.
The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform
REPORT & NEWSLETTER
Fourth Summit Report
Sept. 2024
This report details the 2024 summit held in Kyiv, Ukraine, themed "Protecting Childhood: Ensuring a Safe Future." Initiated by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, this event gathered global leaders to address child protection issues, such as impacts of war, family violence, bullying, online risks, and environmental challenges. Belize's Special Envoy for Families and Children, H.E. Rossana Briceño, represented the country, sharing Belize’s child welfare efforts and collaborating on strategies to improve global child safety.
Newsletter
Oct. 2024
The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform has released its Newsletter, offering a comprehensive overview of key topics. It includes detailed coverage of the 4th Summit, complete with links to photos and videos from the event. Additionally, the newsletter provides insights into the upcoming Summit of the Future at the United Nations and shares the latest updates on FLG activities and news.
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