Bank of America is sponsoring a global initiative that mentors women in business and social enterprise.

The Vital Voices Global Partnership is convening a week-long program in London focusing on women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Eastern Europe. This effort, which is part of the ongoing Global Ambassadors Program (#GlobalAmbassadors), a Vital Voices and Bank of America partnership, will include one-on-one mentoring sessions and strategic workshops focused on building organizational management, financial acumen and leadership skills.

Program participants -- who are promoting social change and economic growth in countries facing humanitarian crises, fractured economies and unstable governments -- will discuss challenges and share strategies to achieve their goals, which support increased stability and prosperity in their respective countries.

This is the fifth year that Bank of America has sponsored the program. Since the Global Ambassadors Program launched in 2012, mentoring programs have been held in Poland, Northern Ireland, Mexico, Qatar, Singapore, Brazil, India, South Africa, Haiti, Japan and now London, reaching women from more than 40 countries. Future locations will be announced this year.

The Global Ambassadors Program is part of Bank of America's commitment to invest in women's leadership development -- a goal guided by the belief that strong leaders are important to healthy, vibrant communities including advancing economic growth. Over time, mentors help their mentees develop critical communications, advocacy and business skills and strategies to advance their work.

Vital Voices and Bank of America will host a public forum, "Women, Progress and the Global Economy," that will convene stakeholders and thought leaders to discuss contemporary issues concerning women's economic and social empowerment, with a special emphasis on women in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe.

It will examine how women's leadership and entrepreneurship have the power to address urgent societal issues. The forum will be broadcast live on Feb. 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. GMT via www.bankofamerica.com/womenlead, and followers can join the conversation using #WomenLead.

"Women play a crucial role in advancing the global economy,” says Anne Finucane, vice chairman, Bank of America, in a release. "By connecting women leaders from the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe to mentoring for skills-building and broader networks, we can help bring more stability and prosperity to these regions."