23 October 2003
Arab society is changing dramatically and women are emerging as a vibrant new force in business and society. There is now clear evidence that Arab women from every background are enthusiastic about change and capable of participating in the decision-making process. Arab governments, civil society and the private sector are all encouraging such participation.
Women in the Arab World: Windows of Opportunity Opening Wider in Business and Public Life, the second annual conference sponsored by the Arab International Women’s Forum will be held on 22-25 October 2003 at The Carlton Tower in London.[RM2] Several distinguished Arab, UK and American speakers and top female achievers in business, politics and academia will highlight these and other pertinent issues facing Arab women.
"This conference will showcase the evolving role of Arab women and create a greater awareness of Arab women and Arab society," says Haifa Al Kaylani, Chair of AIWF, " Building capacity, widening horizons, creating partnerships, and building bridges between women in the Arab world and internationally is what our conference is all about. Working together with all our members, partners, supporters and friends, I firmly believe that we can secure the economic development, the prosperity and the peace that we all aspire to in our societies.”
The Arab International Women¹s Forum was set up as a non-profit organisation in London to link the Arab business and professional women in the 22 Arab countries with each other and with their counterparts in the international community. To date AIWF has attracted members from all the Arab countries as well as members from as many as 15 countries world wide including countries in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Japan, and South Africa. This unique network gives members and their business activities greater international exposure and success in the global market place.
The growing influence of the Arab International Women’s Forum is recognised by many leading organisations, including the United Nations, the European Commission, The Commonwealth Business Council, UNESCO, The British Council, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, UNIFEM, National Women¹s Commission in the UK, the National Council of Women in Egypt. AIWF has been represented at meetings and conferences of the Arab Labour Organisation, the World Economic Forum, the First and Second Arab Women¹s Summit sponsored by the First Ladies of the Arab World. AIWF has worked closely on the Women for Peace Initiative led by HE Mrs Suzanne Mubarak. Many of our members are involved locally in their respective business associations, Chambers of Commerce, government or civil society organisations.
Windows of Opportunity Opening Wider in Business and Public Life is kindly sponsored by Pepsi International, Procter & Gamble and Jumeriah International.
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Arab society is changing dramatically and women are emerging as a vibrant new force in business and society. There is now clear evidence that Arab women from every background are enthusiastic about change and capable of participating in the decision-making process. Arab governments, civil society and the private sector are all encouraging such participation.
Women in the Arab World: Windows of Opportunity Opening Wider in Business and Public Life, the second annual conference sponsored by the Arab International Women’s Forum will be held on 22-25 October 2003 at The Carlton Tower in London.[RM2] Several distinguished Arab, UK and American speakers and top female achievers in business, politics and academia will highlight these and other pertinent issues facing Arab women.
- Her Excellency Suzanne Mubarak, First Lady of the Arab Republic of Egypt, will be the Keynote Speaker and Guest of Honour at the Opening Session.
- HH Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty The King of Bahrain, and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women, will also be a Special Guest of Honour.
- Senior UK Government Minister, the Rt Hon Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Minister of State for the Middle East, International Security, Consular Issues and the FCO Personnel, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has also accepted our invitation.
- From the United States, Elizabeth Cheney, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State, and the Hon. Patricia Harrison, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, USA, will be special guest speakers.
- Also confirmed are Mervat Tallawy, Secretary General, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Lebanon and Dr Zahra Shojaie, Advisor to the President, Centre for Women’s Participation, Iran. A full list of confirmed speakers is attached.
"This conference will showcase the evolving role of Arab women and create a greater awareness of Arab women and Arab society," says Haifa Al Kaylani, Chair of AIWF, " Building capacity, widening horizons, creating partnerships, and building bridges between women in the Arab world and internationally is what our conference is all about. Working together with all our members, partners, supporters and friends, I firmly believe that we can secure the economic development, the prosperity and the peace that we all aspire to in our societies.”
The Arab International Women¹s Forum was set up as a non-profit organisation in London to link the Arab business and professional women in the 22 Arab countries with each other and with their counterparts in the international community. To date AIWF has attracted members from all the Arab countries as well as members from as many as 15 countries world wide including countries in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Japan, and South Africa. This unique network gives members and their business activities greater international exposure and success in the global market place.
The growing influence of the Arab International Women’s Forum is recognised by many leading organisations, including the United Nations, the European Commission, The Commonwealth Business Council, UNESCO, The British Council, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, UNIFEM, National Women¹s Commission in the UK, the National Council of Women in Egypt. AIWF has been represented at meetings and conferences of the Arab Labour Organisation, the World Economic Forum, the First and Second Arab Women¹s Summit sponsored by the First Ladies of the Arab World. AIWF has worked closely on the Women for Peace Initiative led by HE Mrs Suzanne Mubarak. Many of our members are involved locally in their respective business associations, Chambers of Commerce, government or civil society organisations.
Windows of Opportunity Opening Wider in Business and Public Life is kindly sponsored by Pepsi International, Procter & Gamble and Jumeriah International.
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© Press Release 2003
