Beijing -- More than 100 women leaders from China and around the world took part in the Special Brainstorming Session on Wednesday in Beijing organized by the Women's Forum for the economy and the society, a global initiative focusing on building woman leadership.

"If women were in charge of all those institutions, we probably would not have those financial crisis!" said Joseph Stiglitz, the 2001 Nobel Prize economist, after giving a speech on the crisis, its impact on business and the role of women in shaping changes.

Participants at the Special Brainstorming Session take group photo on the sideline of the forum in Beijing Wednesday May 13, 2009. From left, Alex Wan, Senior Advisor, Women's Forum Asia; Caroline Puel, Asia Bereau Chief, Le Point; Yan Lan, Partner, Gide Loyrette Nouel and Vice Chairman, Women's Forum Asia; Tian Wei, Anchor, CCTV International; Josephine Chien, General Manager, Cartier China; Zhang Xin, CEO, Soho China; Claude Smadja, President, Smadja & Associates Strategic Advisory; Christine Ockrent, General Director, Audiovisual Exterieur de la France; Prof. Joseph Stiglitz, Columbia University, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economy; Huang Hung, CEO, China Interactive Media. [chinadaily.com.cn]

"The women's forum's unique vision brings positive value to the society,' said Zhang Xin, CEO of Soho China, one of the sponsors of the forum.

"The women's forum believe that women, in conjunction with men, have a key role to managing this crisis and in shaping the paths leading not only to recovery but to shaping a better future for all. said Aude Zeiseniss de Thuni, Founder and CEO of the Women's Forum.

Three finalists from Asia presented their cases at the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards during the session.