Ewha Hosts Special Lecture by Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley
The Ewha Global Institute for Sustainable Partnership and Empowerment (EGISE) held a special lecture featuring former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley on the theme “Women Leading Change: Power, Responsibilities, and Global Impact” at the Emerson Chapel in Case Hall on March 13. This was the first session of the “Global Leaders Lecture Series,” commemorating Ewha’s 140th anniversary, with approximately 300 students and others in attendance.
Shipley served as New Zealand’s first female prime minister from 1997 to 1999 and chaired the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 1999, which was a major turning point for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. As a member of Club de Madrid, an organization of former heads of state, and the Council of Women World Leaders, she has presented insights on social integration, diversity, and strategies for a sustainable future. She recently visited Korea as a speaker at the Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF) 2026 at Yonsei University.
After opening remarks delivered by Ewha President Hyang-Sook Lee, Shipley presented key elements of leadership, including morality, clarity of values, critical analytical skills, and consistent leadership philosophy. In particular, she emphasized accountability in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), stating that those who drive technological innovation must also bear responsibility for its outcomes. She also stressed that humans should guide the direction of AI development and emphasized that cooperation between the sexes is crucial for this goal.
Referring to cases of gender equality in the New Zealand Parliament, Shipley also encouraged women to take on a more active role and noted that women’s leadership is essential for making decisions about human-centered technology and a sustainable future. After the lecture, discussion of the role of women’s leadership in the AI era continued through a Q&A session.
EGISE plans to build more platforms for global cooperation and action in the future. Ewha, marking its 140th anniversary, will strengthen global competitiveness in research and education through various commemorative initiatives, including lectures by global leaders, international conferences, and academic exchanges.
