Watch Tekla Dialogue live from Washington

(Broadcast will begin at 7:30 p.m. CET March 9)

Acclaimed Swedish recording artist Robyn and other distinguished panelists will address the problem of underrepresentation of women in technology in a panel that explores ways to empower girls and women by strengthening their roles and opportunities.

The discussion will challenge norms and stereotypes in the tech industry: Who gets to shape our future? What are the roles and responsibilities in closing the gender gap? How can universities and tech companies attract more women? And how do we inspire more young girls to explore technology? Through discussions on the importance of role models, opportunities, responsibilities and consequences of not including or attracting women to STEM, our aim is to jointly move the agenda forward towards real action!

Opening remarks:
Ann Linde, Sweden's Minister for Foreign Trade

Featured panelists, among others: 
Robyn - recording artist and founder of Tekla
Leslie Cruz - CEO of STEMconnector
Yamilée Toussaint Beach - Founder & CEO of STEM From Dance
Kate Rabinowitz - Reporter at the Washington Post
Aerica Shimizu Banksa - Co-Founder of BEACON: The DC Women Founders Initiative
Tom Manatos - Vice President of Government Relations for Spotify
Moderator: Natalia Brzezinski - CEO of Brilliant Minds Foundation and host of Brilliant Minds podcast on Spotify.

The Tekla Dialogue is part of a two-day international launch of the Tekla Festival that was founded by Robyn in 2015 to get more girls involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Tekla festival is organized on a regular basis in Stockholm by KTH Royal Institute of Technology. 

Prior to the panel discussion, on March 8, the first international Tekla Workshop will be launched for girls, 11 – 14 years old, living in disadvantaged areas in Washington, D.C.

The events in Washington D.C. are presented by KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the Swedish Institute and the Embassy of Sweden.