September 10–12, 2025
From September 10 to 12, 2025, GLOBSEC’s CEE Her Workshop hosted its sixth edition in Prague, Czech Republic. This edition brought together twelve talented early-career women professionals from across Central and Eastern Europe, alongside women leaders and experts from government, business, academia, and civil society. The participants came from diverse backgrounds — including NGOs, policy, technology, and research — but shared a common interest in how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the region’s security and resilience.
Over the course of three days, the group engaged in fireside conversations, dynamic workshops, institutional briefings, and informal networking. The programme created a space for building knowledge, exchange, and personal growth while amplifying women’s voices in a field still often dominated by men.
The workshop began on Wednesday, September 10, with arrivals and a welcome dinner in the heart of the Old Town. The participants had the chance to meet each other and the organising team in an informal setting. The evening was filled with introductions, first impressions, and discussions of expectations, setting the scene for an intense programme ahead.
The following morning opened with a fireside chat featuring Vlaďka Žáčková, Cybersecurity Awareness Specialist at MSD, and sociologist Vanda Černohorská from the Czech Academy of Sciences. In a candid and thought-provoking conversation, they unpacked whether digital technologies can truly make our societies more equal. Both were critical: diversity is still missing from design processes, women remain underrepresented in IT, and systemic inequalities risk being reinforced by AI. Vanda emphasised that without structural reforms, large programmes, and enforceable legal safeguards, the promises of digitalisation would remain unfulfilled. Vlaďka drew attention to the human side of cybersecurity, pointing out that technologies built historically by men continue to inadequately serve women and minority groups. Both agreed: resilience requires not just women doing more, but society as a whole changing its structures and narratives.
After the opening session, the group reconvened for an interactive workshop on co-creating a vision of secure, resilient tech futures. Participants discussed opportunities and risks in smaller groups, bringing their own experiences and perspectives to the table.
After the workshop session, representatives of NÚKIB, the Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency, paid the group a visit. Berta Jarošová and Jana Bašistová presented the agency’s work in detail, highlighting how cyber diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and critical infrastructure protection can strengthen resilience in countries like the Czech Republic. The presentation offered participants a closer look at NÚKIB’s priorities and approaches to safeguarding Europe’s digital future.
In the late afternoon, the programme culminated in the CEE Her Roundtable “Resilient Futures: The Role of Technology in Strengthening Societies.” Moderated by Lukáš Benzl of the Czech Association for AI, the session gathered speakers from across sectors: Kateřina Lesch (EmbedIT), Kateřina Anna Magnna (Microsoft), Alžběta Solarczyk Krausová (Respectful AI), and Eva Tělecká (MSD Czech Republic). The debate revolved around AI’s dual role: while it can support crisis preparedness, education, and healthcare, it also multiplies risks such as disinformation, deepfakes, and online violence. The consensus was clear: technology mirrors the values of its creators, and women’s leadership brings crucial empathy, ethics, and long-term thinking into governance. The roundtable concluded with a collective call to “stay human” — to ensure AI remains a tool in service of people, not a substitute for them. The day closed with a dinner discussion led by Blanka Šoulavá from Czechia Digital, who shared her perspectives on bridging innovation with responsible governance.
The final day began with the CEE Her Breakfast, “Prepared and Protected in Europe: Women’s Perspectives on the Tech–Security Interrelation,” co-hosted with the Association of International Affairs (AMO). Moderated by Pavlína Janebová, the discussion was kicked off by Diana Rádl Rogerová (Behind Inventions/Luminova Ventures) and Lucie Brešová (Presto Ventures). Both speakers emphasised that defence is no longer a distant concept but a pressing reality in an age of hybrid and cyber warfare. The conversation underlined the urgency of moving beyond purely military approaches, protecting critical infrastructure, and engaging the civilian sphere. Participants stressed that Europe has the talent and ideas to lead in dual-use and deep technologies, but fragmented systems and slow procurement prevent potential from being realised. The group also reflected on Ukraine’s experience, the risks of dependency on external supply chains, and the need for education and awareness-raising to mobilise society.
Following the breakfast, participants spent the day in an intensive upskilling session with the Academy of Critical Thinking led by Hana Skljarszka and Peter Bátor Through practical exercises and theoretical insights, they strengthened their mental resilience, learned to identify and counter disinformation, and explored strategies for effective communication and leadership in uncertain environments. This training anchored the themes of the previous days, ensuring participants left not only inspired but also equipped with concrete tools for their professional journeys.
Over three days in Prague, the CEE Her Workshop once again demonstrated the power of bringing together women leaders from across Central and Eastern Europe. The conversations made clear that technology is a multiplier: it can empower or endanger, include or exclude, depending on the values and safeguards we build into it. For Europe to remain resilient, cooperation across governments, businesses, NGOs, and citizens is indispensable. The workshop confirmed that women — with their perspectives, leadership, and expertise — are central to shaping this future.
