Dr. Siddall explained how, in Australia, the institutional and legislative frameworks have been in place for the last 20 years for non-discrimination and gender equality. Paid parental leave, flexible hours, and child care are usually available. But in reality, progress is slow in Australia too: there still aren't enough female CEOs and senior managers. Institutions are essential, but they aren't sufficient in themselves to effect real change, so Australia has entered the second stage of reform; changing people's attitudes and behaviors. An Australian government initiative called “Male Champions for Change,” in which 21 corporate and government leaders at the highest level have committed to diversity and equality in the workplace, is starting to show results. Some of Australia's top corporations and organizations are committing to broad company-wide change.

Ms. Henderson shared how the British government's “Opportunity Now” program makes the business case for diversity and for women in leadership; communication improves, diversity of ideas increases, and more innovation occurs.

As additional measures to take, Dr. Siddall stressed the importance of going abroad for study or work to broaden one's perspective. She also encouraged the audience to become involved in a mentoring system, as a mentor or a mentee.

Ms. Henderson warmed the audience with a story about Japanese research on monkeys in the 1950s; researchers observed how young monkeys would try new things that older monkeys would then copy. After 100 monkeys adopted the behavior, it spread to other islands almost simultaneously through collective consciousness. She encouraged the women at the Conference to be 100 women that create broad and significant change.