Last month, Frends had the opportunity to participate in a conversation on current societal issues when CEO Aino-Maija Fagerlung was invited to speak at a breakfast seminar addressing questions of diversity within the Euroopean business community. Organized by Women in Leadership in Information Society, an international forum for women in information and communication technologies, the seminar focused particularly on the women entrepreneurship and the future of the European labor market. Forty guests, among whom were representatives of the EU Parliament and various international businesses, participated in the discussion that also featured Marina Niforos, director of INSEAD's Gender Diversity Initiative.

In her remarks, Fagerlund spoke of a challenge facing the field of ICT: as Europe prepares for a large segment of its population to retire and its labor force to consequently shrink, technology companies should focus on attracting more young professionals-especially women, who still pursue IT careers in smaller numbers than men.

"The stereotype that working in IT equals a lonely existence in front of a computer screen is no longer accurate, as most IT careers involve interacting with others and working closely in teams. These are aspects that women tend to value most when selecting a career," Fagerlund said in her remarks. "Information Technology is, especially from a Scandinavian perspective, considered a "good" choice of career, and both genders express equal appreciation toward technological know-how," she continued.

For more information, contact Aino-Maija Fagerlund.