Ms Bonino opened the proceedings, expressing the hope that the forum marked "the beginning of a journey that will take us to Dubai Expo 2020", starting with the "ability to network while safeguarding our identities. We are not all equal, we are not a category, nor do we wish to be one. Each of us has our own projects, we must accept our diversity and convert it into a strength." She took the opportunity to display some female pride and have a dig at the men 'who matter': "We should be able to make sense of the past while looking to the future, and this is the task of the great statesmen, although there are not many of them. Perhaps if women were allowed to try, they would do better." She also said that "if women want to climb to the top they should accompany some man to the door," and hoped that the participants would provide "a joyful presence, because pushing the world forward did not mean being tiresome. A pinch of irony helps us not to take ourselves too seriously." With this she was referring to the masculine universe being the nerve centre of power. Italian Government Commissioner for Milan Expo 2015 Giuseppe Sala, Expo President Diana Bracco, and Minister of Agriculture Maurizio Martina were all present at the launch of the project. "This is one of the most interesting and powerful Expo projects. The mere idea of plotting a useful course for Expos to come, ensuring that women always take a leading role, makes Milan Expo a vehicle for change. I regard it not as an adjunct but as a central strand of the work being carried out here", concluded Mr Martina. (AGI)