Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, and Zuzana Čaputová, former President of Slovakia, share profound insights into the essence of leadership in challenging times. Moderated by Mark Vlasic, this session explores the crucial roles of empathy, resilience, and courage in advancing democracy and human rights amid global uncertainty and polarization.

Key Takeaways:
- The Importance of Empathy and Compassion in Leadership: Both Mary Robinson and Zuzana Caputova emphasized the importance of empathy and compassion, especially during times of crisis. They highlighted how showing empathy can help people cope with difficult situations and is crucial to leadership.
- The Challenges of Being a Woman Leader: Mary and Zuzana discussed the unique challenges women face in politics and society, such as gender-based violence, prejudice, and sexism. They stressed the importance of having more women in leadership positions to bring different perspectives and strategies to problem-solving.
- The Need to Protect Democracy: Zuzana expressed concern about the threats to democracy and the importance of protecting democratic institutions. She emphasized the need for cooperation among democratic players, responsible social media practices, and avoiding populistic games.
- The Role of Business in Supporting a Better Future: Mary highlighted the business community’s role in supporting a more connected and cooperative future. She encouraged businesses to stick to sound sustainability principles, promote diversity and equity, and help combat misinformation and harmful rhetoric.