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Leading intellectuals to speak on the theme of work-life balance at DWE's Second Arab Women Leadership Forum

Panelists to discuss policies, obstacles, challenges and achievements that have a bearing on the successful attainment of work-life balance

Dubai, 6th of January 2010: Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) announced that it will welcome a distinguished panel of speakers and commentators to the second edition of its flagship Arab Women Leadership Forum, due to take place on the January 12-13, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai.

The two-day conference will host a series of panel discussions by eminent regional and international speakers and leading intellectuals, providing an opportunity for participants to learn, engage in challenging discussions, and network.

This year, the forum will be held under the 'Women's Leadership in Organization: Towards New Conceptions of Work-Life Balance'. The issue of work-life balance will be explored through the prism of organizational and government policies affecting the maintenance of equilibrium between family and work, as well as the obstacles and challenges working women face while attempting to maintain this crucial balance. Recommendations will also be discussed in light of overriding concerns and the experiences of women from different walks of life and from different countries.

Aisha Al Suwaidi, Director of Department of women leadership development- DWE; head of the organizing committee of the forum said: "DWE aims at creating opportunities to engage UAE women in the country's development process. The DWE annual conference is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of outstanding individuals and organizations towards the advancement of women's leadership worldwide. The forum provides a platform to showcase the many outstanding achievements that have contributed to enhancing the image of women leaders, both locally and internationally."

A series of discussions and debates on the theme of attaining a successful work-life balance will be led by several distinguished international women leaders, apart from leading experts in the field of women's leadership.

An exciting agenda has been put together for the second edition of the Forum, with the opening discussion moderated by renowned Al Arabiya News Presenter Najwa Al Qasim.

A panel discussion will follow on 'Successful childcare initiatives: A case study' moderated by Dr Rafia Ghobash, Former President of the Arabian Gulf University, President of the Arab Network for Women in Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates. Panelists on the session include Shamsa Saleh, Director of Strategic Planning and Research, DWE and Feryal Tawakul, Executive Director - Community Affairs and Government Partnership Division, Dubai Customs, UAE.

A second panel discussion will follow under the title 'Policymakers' Perspectives' moderated by Dr Maha Al-Muneef, Executive Director, Family Protection Program, Saudi Arabia, along with a panel comprising of HE Selma Aliye Kavaf, Minister for Women and Family Affairs, Turkey; HE Sara Kanoon Jaraya, Minister of Family Women and Childhood Affairs, Tunis; and Dr Aseel Al Awadhi, Member of Parliament, Kuwait.

Day two will open with a session on 'Negotiating for leadership: Exploring Negotiation Dynamics at Home and in the Workplace' moderated by Dr May Al-Dabbagh, Director of the Gender and Public Policy Program, Dubai School of Government, UAE, with panelists Sara Laschever, author and editor-at-large, and co-author of 'Women don't ask' from the USA; Dr Kathleen McGinn, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Harvard Business School, USA and Soren Viemose, Executive Director, KALOVIG Center, Denmark.

The second panel discussion will focus on 'Recognizing the Role of Men in Achieving Work-Life Balance in a Globalized World' moderated by Dr Mohammed Al-Redha, Head of Planning & Development, Health Data & Information Analysis Department - Health Policy & Strategy Sector, Dubai Health Authority, UAE, with the panel comprising of Dr Suzan Lewis, Professor of Organizational Psychology, Middlesex University, UK; Dr Katty Marmenout, Assistant Professor of Management, EMLYON Business School, France and Aysha bin Breik, HR Manager Middle East HR operations and UAE, Shell, UAE.

The forum will close with a session on 'Re-integration: How to make it Work at Work' moderated by Essa Al-Mulla, Executive Director of National Workforce Development, Emirates Nationals Development Program, UAE. The panel on this session will comprise of Dr Sylvia-Ann Hewlett, Founding President and Chairman, Center for Work-Life Policy, USA; Dr. Zeynep Aycan, Professor of Psychology, Koç University, Turkey and Aniela Unguresan, Co-Founder, The Gender Equality Project, Switzerland.

"Our main goal through this initiative is to facilitate an exchange of experiences, and discuss how the attainment of a successful work-life balance by women in different countries around the world directly contributes to enhancing the role of women leaders," added Al Suwaidi.

Dubai Women Establishment launched The Arab Women Leadership Forum to contribute to the economic and social development of the UAE through gender sensitive policy design, research, leadership development programs, and networking events.

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For more information please contact:
Farah Ibrahim
TRACCS
Tel: +9714 3672530
TRACCS 24/7 Media Hotline: +97150 9448389
Email: farah.ibrahim@traccs.net

© Press Release 2010