By Christine Ockrent

Trust is the very backbone of our societies. Without trust, our institutions crumble, our companies lose their footing, our social fabric is torn apart, and our media lose credibility. Without trust, scientific and technological progress becomes suspect. Without trust, violence, poverty and ecological damage only worsen. In wealthy as in poverty-stricken societies women now play a major role. Their ideas on these issues are worth defending, their views are worth confronting and their proposals should be heard. On all these issues their voice is both legitimate and indispensable.

The world cannot progress without trust, and the world cannot progress without women. This is why during 3 days in Deauville, from October 11 to 13, 2007, Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society has invited business and political leaders, NGO managers, experts, innovators and journalists from around the world to discuss the current state of the world and how best to build trust in our societies.