BDT Director's Corner: Speeches

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• It is truly a pleasure to join you today as we gather for the closing ceremony of the Her CyberTracks program.  
• I extend my warmest greetings to the exceptional cohort that has been on this journey.  
• As the Director of the BDT, I take pride in having launched Her CyberTracks as one of the first initiatives under my leadership. Witnessing the growth of this program and the accomplishments of its participants has been a source of great satisfaction.  

• I would like to congratulate each and every one of you on successfully completing the Her CyberTracks curriculum. 
• Over the course of 4 months you have been trained, mentored, and empowered to meaningfully contribute to the cybersecurity field. You completed technical trainings, hands-on exercises, got inspired by role models and mentor. Of major importance, you networked with your peers – creating lifelong connections. 

• Throughout the program, you have engaged in mentorship sessions. The mentorship component of Her CyberTracks has been instrumental in shaping the professional trajectories of our participants. 
• Mentorship goes beyond the transfer of knowledge; it is a relationship that nurtures personal and professional growth, as we see today in the success stories that will be presented. In my view, this is top-level learning in action, the ultimate learning experience in cybersecurity. 
• As our final request, I would like you to reflect particularly on this experience. I am very interested in how we will drive ICT industry leadership capability in the future. 
• I have already mentioned networking and collaboration with your peers. But I am thinking particularly about behaviours. What behaviours in your mentors did you admire? How did they manage their challenges? What have they learned from their own experiences? What are the leadership behaviours that you now need? 

• Our outcome objective is simple: we want to see meaningful female inclusion and representation in the cybersecurity sector. Our dedication to diversity is not just a checkbox; we want impactful actions that foster positive change. 

• Her CyberTracks is a model initiative for not merely addressing the gender gap but actively contributing to bridging it. Your partnership is very welcome here. 
• The Her CyberTracks programme would not be possible without our trusted partners. I must thank our donor, the German Federal Foreign Office, and our implementation partner, GIZ. I must also thank partners that have supported our trainings and activities on the ground, outside and visiting tutors, and of course the programme staff.  

• We must also look towards the future. The cybersecurity landscape is particularly dynamic. It evolves and changes every day. There are many formidable challenges emerging globally. 
• Your present and future roles as cybersecurity policymakers are crucial in safeguarding and protecting our digital world.  
• Please carry forward your new knowledge and skills from this programme. Most of all, carry forward your behaviours. Be active contributors to the ongoing efforts in making the field more diverse, secure, and innovative. 
• Big opportunities lie ahead for you. After your participation in Her CyberTracks, you are in the position to shape cybersecurity policies nationally and internationally. You are the new changemakers wherever you are. Today's mentee will become tomorrow's mentor.  
• We want this initiative to kickstart new moves, ideas, and aspirations in the lives and careers of women everywhere. And we want to see new impact in cybersecurity as a result. 
• Tomorrow, you will make those moves, ideas and aspirations manifest. I look forward to witnessing them. I also look forward to welcome a new cohort next year for the next edition of the Her CyberTracks programme. 
  
  Our best wishes to you all!​ 

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