A delegation of Welsh leaders and advocates travelled to New York to participate in one of the world’s most influential gatherings on gender equality. Led by international speaker and diversity champion Bernie Davies, the group attended the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), contributing to critical global discussions on the rights of women and girls.
Including Helen Phillips MBE, President of Commonwealth Games Wales, Cardiff-based solicitors Gwen Morgan-Evans of Hugh James Solicitors and Jenine Abdo of Duncan Lewis Solicitors, and intern India Dewfield attending as part of TechCeFaCos, an organisation in consultative status with the United Nations, where Bernie serves as Main Representative to the UN.
Each member brought something different to the table. Helen Phillips MBE brought the lens of sport and what true inclusion looks like both on and off the field: “Sport has a unique ability to bring people together across cultures and communities. Being part of these global conversations highlighted the importance of inclusion, representation, and opportunity both on and beyond the field of play.”
From a legal perspective, Gwen Morgan-Evans highlighted how the issues discussed globally are always felt locally, while Jenine Abdo discussed the importance of making sure the day-to-day realities faced by communities are reflective of solutions which are being shaped at the highest levels.
Also joining the delegation were US-based authors and human trafficking survivors Joy Macko and Jan Iverson, whose memoir Savage is out on 31 March 2026. Their lived experiences brought a powerful and deeply personal dimension to the conversations. Joy made clear that real change demands accountability not just commitments, while Jan offered something equally important, hope. Where laws, institutions and leadership come together, she said, change is possible.
Representing the next generation was intern India Dewfield, the youngest member of the group. “Every generation inherits unfinished business and this is ours,” she said and you really couldn’t put it better than that.
For Bernie, the trip was about much more than attendance. “It’s not just about being in the room. It’s about what we bring into that room and what we take back from it.”
Through Mastering Diversity, Bernie continues to build bridges and create pathways for leaders from Wales to engage on a global stage and through TechCeFaCos, the work to address inequality and accelerate progress for women and girls very much continues.
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