IPWIN

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IPWIN 2008-2009 : A Recap of our First Year

The International Professional Women of Istanbul have had a fantastic first year and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the year. Starting a group like this is not always easy and we have been grateful for all the help, effort and words of encouragement from our members and from the time and energy generously donated by our panels.

To recap the events of the year:

The Opening Cocktail Party and IPWIN kick-off was on October 7th at the Dutch Consulate. It was very successful with more than 120 women attending. Mr Onno Kervers, the Dutch Consul-general, made some welcoming remarks and the IPWIN co-ordinators outlined their plans for the year.

The Entrepreneur Panel discussion took place on November 17. We heard 3 successful women entrepreneurs tell their stories of how they built up their businesses in Turkey. Thanks to Alara Hindle, founder of the children’s art studio, Lola, to Tracei Akarlilar, the owner of the children’s lifestyle store, Treeshouse, in Kemer and to Chevral Traher, the owner of English Gardens, a leading landscape Design and Management company in Turkey.

On Wednesday, December 17th, IPWIN members gathered at Harvey Nichols bar to raise a glass and celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

Our brunch at House Café in Istinye Park on Saturday January 24th was well-attended as people enjoyed meeting each other and charting over coffee and pastries.

Our March event, All About Jobs, took place on Tuesday March, 10. Over 60 women came to hear Rhona Yurdakul, Pascale Mourre Tankur and Martha Hooper discuss their experience of working in Turkey. They were able to give invaluable insights into both the process of looking or a job as well as working in Turkey.

Our final event for the year was a discussion on April 28th entitled Can I Make a Living as a Writer. Thanks to our panel, Nancy Ozturk, Pat Yale and Jessika Lutz for a very enjoyable and insightful discussion.

I would like to thank Esbie van Heerden and Mirjam van der Lubbe for all their help with the organisation of the events.

We have some exciting projects in mind for next year and will be working to start with a great program for the 2009 – 2010 season. Some things to look out for:

• Focus on environmental issues, starting with a presentation from the Climate Change Project team.

• A workshop for those women looking to change career focus

• A discussion with Anastasia Ashman about how to use tools like Twitter and Facebook in the publishing arena

• More regular social events and networking

Any ideas or help for the next year would be gratefully received and you can email me at caroline@iwi-tr.org

Thanks again

Caroline McLaughlin