Dubai, United Arab Emirates March 8, 2007: In honor of International Women's Day Al-Mizhar American Academy for Girls (AAG) hosted an inaugural conference to highlight the achievements of women and their developing role in today's society. The US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates began the event with an address discussing Women in decision-making roles and the obstacles they have overcome.  

International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world and is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for paying tribute to past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

The idea of an International Women's Day first arose at the turn of the twentieth century amid rapid industrialization and economic expansion. The first International Women's Day was observed in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

Since the first event, International Women's Day has grown to encompass the needs of women in developed and developing countries alike. Women's organizations and governments around the world have observed International Women's Day annually on March 8th by holding events to pay tribute and raise further awareness for women's rights and equality.

The growing international women's movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women's conferences, has helped make the day a rallying point to build support and participation for women's rights and participation in the political and economic process.

In 1945 the United Nations signed the first international agreement proclaiming gender equality as a fundamental human right. Since then the organization has created expansive strategies to advance the status of women worldwide. Today, a central organizing principle of the work of the United Nations is, "No enduring solution to society's most threatening social, economic and political problems can be found without the full participation, and the full empowerment, of the world's women."

In keeping with AAG's commitment to offer students an education that caters to the unique learning styles of girls, AAG will celebrate International Women's Day each year by hosting an event to highlight the accomplishments of local women. "This event is a wonderful way for our students to meet and hear from local women who have made such a vital impact in our society. It is also a time to reflect on the strides women have made from the days when we did not have the right to work or vote," explained Delice Scotto, Principal of AAG. "Today there are female astronauts, prime ministers and presidential candidates - we have definitely come a long way," continued Mrs. Scotto.

The event at AAG today featured six locally recognized women from numerous professions including Anne Jafrey, Managing Director of Liberty magazine, Samira Stitou, professor of Math at the Higher Colleges of Technology, Wafa Al Hamed, founder of Taste UAE, Dr. Meshgan Al Awar, Director of Research and Studies at Dubai Police Academy, Shaikha Al Shehhi, local primary school teacher and graduate of Higher College of Technology, and acclaimed children's author Julia Johnson.

The panelist discussed such issues as "What it means to be successful and what it takes to achieve success," "Globalization and what it means to be a woman" and "The importance of female role models and how women leaders today can help prepare girls to become future leaders."

With the exceptional and diverse achievements of the panelists the attendees, including local women business groups, parents and students, were inspired and empowered to achieve their aspirations.

"We plan to host similar events each year to promote further the empowerment of women as equal members of society and to encourage our students to become leaders who effect change in the global community," concludes Mrs. Scotto.

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About Beacon Education:
Beacon Education was established to address the growing need for high quality schools in the Middle East. Dubai is the platform from which Beacon Education launched its initial projects, with four schools that opened in September 2005. Beacon Education is financed by Taaleem, a unique Private Joint Stock company, that over the next six to eight years will invest over AED 1 billion in educational ventures across the region.

With quality at the forefront, Beacon Education will tailor each project to answer the specific educational needs of families by offering a comprehensive choice of outstanding international curricula from American to British to the International Baccalaureate. The following schools fall under the Beacon Education banner: Al-Mizhar, American Academy for Girls, The Children's Garden, Dubai British School, Raha International School (Abu Dhabi), and Uptown Primary.

For more information, please contact:
Alice Markson
Beacon Education
Tel: +971 43498806
Fax: +971 43498807
E-mail: amarkson@beacon.ae
Website: www.beacon.ae

© Press Release 2007