ABU DHABI, 19 May 2013 (WAM)-- The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) recently launched Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Lectureship with an inaugural event on Thursday, May 9th. H.H. Sheikha Fatima Lectureship was established by USIP to recognize the role of women as peacebuilders, and will include one lecture per year for the next five years in order to foster a better understanding of the role women can play in the new era of global security and peacebuilding.
Kristin Lord, Executive Vice President at USIP introduced Noura Al Kaabi , CEO of twofour54 Abu Dhabi, at Thursday?s inaugural lecture, "Messengers of Peace". The lecture addressed the various ways that women can advance peace through media, public diplomacy and film, and featured remarks by Noura Al Kaabi, who spoke about the importance of education and tolerance; her role as a member of the UAE FNC and about the UAE?s progress in elevating the role of women. Joining Al Kaabi on the panel were, US Department of State Undersecretary, Tara Sonenshine, filmmaker Abigail Disney, and Former Special Representative to the United Nations, Margot Wallstrom. USIP?s Kathleen Kuehnast, Director of the Center for Gender and Peacebuilding moderated a discussion where each panelist shared examples of their work and discussed the importance of including women?s voices in conflict prevention, resolution and peace processes. During welcome remarks by USIP President Jim Marshall, the UAE was commended for the country?s commitment to social development, education and humanitarian outreach initiatives. USIP Chairman of the Board, Robin West, also underscored the important role that the Lectureship plays in bringing together leaders from UAE, US and Europe to discuss issues of global importance. It was through the generosity of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the wife of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan ? Founder and First President of the United Arab Emirates, that USIP named the north atrium of the headquarters building the "International Women?s Commons" to advance the progress of women as peacemakers. H.H. Sheikha Fatima is a life-long advocate of social and economic development. As Chairperson of the General Women?s Union of the UAE, The Family Development Foundation and The Motherhood and Childhood Supreme Council, H.H. Sheikha Fatima is known for her leadership and dedication to advancing the progress of women around the world. She has led many efforts to assure that women have equal access to educational and economic progress in the Emirates and throughout the Arab World. The event, held at USIP headquarters, was attended by the UAE Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Embassy diplomats and over 150 senior US government officials, members of the diplomatic community, business and community leaders.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
