ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM


AIWF 10th Anniversary Celebration

To be held on Wednesday 11th May 2011

at

The Mansion House
at the kind invitation of

THE INCOMING LORD MAYOR
OF THE CITY OF LONDON

ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

Arab International Women’s Forum forges a partnership with
MEMAC Ogilvy & Mather LLC

The Arab International Women‘s Forum is delighted to announce an exclusive strategic communications alliance with award winning regional agency, Memac Ogilvy & Mather LLC Dubai.

The partnership aimed at creating greater public awareness of women’s success and prospects in the Arab world was formalised when Mrs. Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, Founder and Chairman of AIWF, and Mr. Edmond Moutran, Chairman and CEO of Memac Ogilvy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 July 2010 to mark the partnership.

Mrs. Haifa Al Kaylani said “We are delighted and look forward to working with Memac Ogilvy, an internationally acclaimed integrated communications provider and a leading organisation within its industry”. She added: “we are jointly aiming to raise awareness of women’s achievements in the region and to forge a successful partnership”.

Mr. Edmond Moutran commented: “We are thrilled to be working with the Arab International Women’s Forum and hope to highlight the importance and progress of women’s successes in the Arab World”. He added: “As one of the leading agencies in the Middle East and North Africa region, we feel it is our duty to promote and support the cause of women’s empowerment and participation in the regional economics. My team will develop and execute the most advanced and innovative PR techniques to progress the mission of AIWF”.

Please click to visit the Sponsors (Partners) Page for full details

ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

Prosperity through Partnership: Women Leaders in Modern Syria, the Arab
World and the International Community

شراكة في النجاح

قيادات نسائية في سوريا الحديثة والعالم العربي والمجتمع الدولي

Damascus, Syria
14-17 May, 2010

The 2010 Arab International Women’s Forum Conference entitled Prosperity through Partnership: Women Leaders in Modern Syria, the Arab World and the International Community was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus under The Patronage of HE Dr Diala Al Hajj Aref, Minister of Social Affairs & Labour and with the valued support of Business Women Committee at Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Syria.

The invitation to hold the first AIWF Conference in Syria was warmly extended by Her Excellency, Dr Diala Al Hajj Aref, under whose inspired leadership, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, the Syrian Arab Republic provided thoughtful arrangements and support that provided a special and generous welcome to Syria, identifying it as a country that cares for women’s advancement and the aims to which we all subscribe.

Her Excellency, Dr Diala Al Hajj Aref, was extremely generous with not only the time she spent at the Conference but also with her degree of participation, which was a very great privilege and pleasure for all concerned. Participants learned throughout the Conference of the commitment and valued initiatives by Her Excellency to foster socio-cultural and economic development in particular for the women of her country.

It was a very great privilege and honour to have the valued interest of and provide a briefing for Her Excellency, Mrs Asma Akhras Al-Assad, The First Lady of the Syrian Arab Republic about the Conference, at a Special Reception which Her Excellency kindly hosted for Honoured Guest Speakers and Key Participants on Sunday 16 May 2010.

The Conference Programme started with a Welcome Reception for AIWF hosted by Ambassador Simon Collis at the British Embassy Residence in Damascus on Friday 14 May, the eve of the opening of the Conference, thereby setting an appropriate tone for the proceedings the next day.

The Ambassadors and Heads of Mission of the thirty countries from which the participants had come were present at the impressive Opening Session of the Conference. Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, Chairman of the Arab International Women’s Forum, commenced the proceedings by delivering her Welcome Address and Introduction, setting out the AIWF aims for the conference: the encouragement of business growth, innovation and intercultural collaboration, building and strengthening regional and international cooperation and stimulating public-private partnership to ensure that skills education and workforce development become a permanent priority on the Arab economic agenda.

The Keynote Address from the Conference Patron, Her Excellency, Dr Diala Al Hajj Aref, Minister of Social Affairs & Labour, The Syrian Arab Republic incorporated a special and generous welcome to Syria and set the very high tone of the conference. This outstanding Opening Session also incorporated Keynote Addresses from Her Excellency Ms Anne Marie Idrac, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, France, Her Excellency Mrs Hala Bsaiso Lattouf, Minister for Social Development, Jordan and Her Excellency Emma Bonino, Vice President of the Italian Senate.

The Plenary Sessions covered the timely and very relevant themes of Empowering Women in Public Life: Effecting Change; Education, Training and Capacity Building: Preparing the Next Generation of the Arab Work Force and Supporting the Role of Women in Business and Women as Investors. These topics were discussed by very distinguished Guest Speakers, all of them eminent in their field and within the international arena.

A much applauded feature of this conference was a set of two Business to Business Information Exchange Sessions looking at The Role of Women in Rural Economies and Tourism and The Importance of Partnership, Innovation and Creativity in Fostering International Investments & International Trade.

The veritable highlight of the second day of the conference was the opportunity to learn about the excellent work that is being advanced for women and their communities in Syria, when Her Excellency, Dr Diala Al Hajj Aref brought to the attention of the conference, the Programme of Women’s Economic Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation. This documentary and special presentation by Her Excellency of the projects being inspired through her leadership and with the cooperation of important agencies gave rise to a particularly spirited discussion on how this was providing women with the chance to overcome challenges, gain confidence and financial independence.

Participants at the Conference welcomed the opportunity to meet outstanding and high profile Syrian women business leaders and many expressed their great delight at the chance to network and learn from this interaction and declared it one of best forums offered at any AIWF conference. Such opportunities for networking were provided on the first day of conference by a Networking Luncheon, generously hosted by the Business Women Committee and then on the second day a similar chance to interact was a luncheon very kindly hosted by the Damascus Chamber of Commerce at the Orient Club.

High profile guests from thirty countries worldwide, including many distinguished speakers, ministers and other government representatives, international business leaders, academics and esteemed AIWF members and Global Partners, joined AIWF for this major event in Syria.

Much appreciated was the generous support of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, the Ministry of Tourism, the Damascus Chamber of Commerce and its Business Women Committee, PepsiCo International, Shell International Upstream, Manpower, Joud, Byblos Bank, MTN, UG, Enana, Levant Motors, Jetee and Chaoui & Co. AIWF is also grateful for the support of Ambassador Simon Collis, in particular for his kind hosting of the Welcome Reception at the British Embassy Residence.

It was indeed an impressive conference with high profile contributions from all the speakers offering their expertise and sharing their experiences in public life, education, business, particularly in the financial sector. The importance of partnership in all aspects but significantly in fostering innovation and creativity was the base from which many new relationships were formed.

Opening Session

WELCOME ADDRESS AND INTRODUCTION TO THE CONFERENCE
Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani
Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum  (Size:171Kb)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE CONFERENCE PATRON
HE Dr Diala Al Hajj Aref
Minister of Social Affairs & Labour, The Syrian Arab Republic

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
HE Ms Anne Marie Idrac
Minister of State for Foreign Trade, France

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
HE Mrs Hala Bsaiso Lattouf
Minister for Social Development, Jordan

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
HE Emma Bonino
Vice President, The Senate, Italy (Size:111Kb)


Plenary Session l
Empowering Women in Public Life: Effecting Change

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
HE Dr Bouthaina Shaaban
Advisor at Syrian Presidency for Media & Political Affairs

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
HE Mrs Hala Bsaiso Lattouf
Minister for Social Development, Jordan

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mrs Anna Maria Corazza Bildt
Member of the European Parliament, Sweden


PLENARY SESSION II
Education, Training and Capacity Building:
Preparing the Next Generation of the Arab Work Force

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
HE Mr Ahmed Luqman
Head of the Arab Labour Organisation, Egypt

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Ms Abeer Shubassi
Senior Country Officer, Education for Employment Foundation (EFE), Washington DC (Size:1000Kb)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Ms Hilary Rantisi
Director, Middle East Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, USA (Size:99Kb)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Ms Aysha Binbraik
HR Manager Middle East, Shell Upstream International, United Arab Emirates (Size:179Kb)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Ms Dina Khairo
Scientific Regulatory Affairs & Nutrition Director, Middle East & Arab Region
PepsiCo, United Arab Emirates


PLENARY SESSION III
Supporting the Role of Women in Business and Women as Investors

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mrs Sonia Khandhi Cachecho
Board Member of Damascus Chamber of Commerce
President of the DCC Business Women Committee, Syria

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mr Luc Debieuvre
Managing Director and Administrator of Bank Audi Saradar, France, SA, France

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Ms Nevven El Tahri
Chairperson, Delta Holdings for Financial Investments, Egypt


BUSINESS TO BUSINESS INFORMATION EXCHANGE – SESSION I
The Role of Women in Rural Economies and Tourism

DOCUMENTARY AND SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON PROGRAMME OF WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION
HE Dr Diala Al Hajj Aref
Minister of Social Affairs & Labour, The Syrian Arab Republic

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mrs Nadereh Chamlou
Senior Advisor, Office of the Chief Economist MENA, The World Bank, USA

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Eng. Samira Al Zoughbie
Researcher, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria (Size:1Mb)


BUSINESS TO BUSINESS INFORMATION EXCHANGE – SESSION II
The Importance of Partnership, Innovation and Creativity in
Fostering International Investments & International Trade

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mrs Chiara Corazza
Managing Director, Greater Paris Investment Agency, France (Size:39Kb)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mrs Raja Easa Al Gurg
Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, United Arab Emirates

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mrs Chiara Corazza
Managing Director, Greater Paris Investment Agency, France (Size:3Mb)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mr John Edwin Mroz
President & Chief Executive Officer, EastWest Institute, USA

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Ms Ellen McLaughlin
Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Women’s Leadership Board, Harvard University, USA  (Size:22Kb)

2010 DAMASCUS CONFERENCE BOOKLET (Size:823Kb)

2010 DAMASCUS CONFERENCE BOOKLET SUPPLEMENT (Size:550Kb)

 

ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

PEPSICO BECOMES EXCLUSIVE “BENEFACTOR”
OF THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FORUM

SUPPORTING ADVANCEMENT OF BUSINESS WOMEN IN THE ARAB WORLD

The Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) is delighted to announce an exclusive agreement to make PepsiCo, AIWF’s first and only partner with Benefactor status.

The agreement, was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a Signing Ceremony on 4 January 2010 in Dubai, UAE and signed by Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, Founder Chairman, the Arab International Women’s Forum and Mr Saad Abdul - Latif, President PepsiCo AMEA in the presence of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE Minister for Foreign Trade and a valued founding Member of the AIWF Board of Trustees. On this significant occasion many colleagues and friends gathered in the Dubai headquarters of PepsiCo AMEA to witness an important milestone in the PepsiCo and AIWF long-standing relationship.

Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani said “AIWF and PepsiCo reached an early understanding about our mutual strategic goals and PepsiCo has been steadfastly with us on our journey as AIWF delivered its message to influential policymakers, AIWF is indeed proud and greatly honoured that PepsiCo has accepted the invitation to enter into this enhanced key alliance by which PepsiCo and AIWF will be a major force in upholding strong diversity policies, assisting and encouraging the region’s emerging female business talent to participate and make a difference in all aspects of economic and public life in the Arab World”

Making the PepsiCo commitment, Mr Saad Abdul Latif said, “We are here to mark the beginning of a new era of partnership between PepsiCo and the AIWF, to advance a cause that I personally care about deeply, and that PepsiCo as an organization considers a high priority…and that is the empowerment of women in the workplace and in public life. Through this exclusive level of partnership, we hope to help AIWF build the power of professional women in the Arab world.”

The MOU signing underscores the long-standing relationship between AIWF and PepsiCo, which began in 2002, as well as PepsiCo’s unwavering commitment to the region. AIWF and PepsiCo share a common determination to break stereotypical views of women and create greater public awareness of their capabilities and potential internationally.

A special issue of AIWF News February 2010 contains the full detail of this significant occasion.




 

Please click to visit the Sponsors (Partners) Page for full details

ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

Panel Discussion:
“The Importance of a Strong Accounting Profession in the Middle East”
hosted by

The Arab British Chamber of Commerce and The Arab International Women’s Forum in cooperation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales

The Arab British Chamber Commerce
43 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 2NJ
22 February 2010
 

The Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) and the Arab British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) were pleased to hold their first joint event in 2010 when they joined forces with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) for a Panel Discussion on the topic of The Importance of a Strong Accounting Profession in the Middle East at The Arab British Chamber of Commerce, Upper Grosvenor Street, London on Monday 22 February.

Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Secretary General and CEO of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, in welcoming, on behalf of AIWF and ABCC, members of all three organisations and guests from professional and business circles to a programme of presentations on the benefits of a chartered accountancy qualification and how it is used to build a strong professional ethic and business growth in the Middle East said “We are very proud to have the cooperation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and PricewaterhouseCoopers and commend their work in promoting excellence in the accounting profession, particularly in the Middle East.”

In her opening remarks, Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman of the Arab International Women’s Forum, stated, “Along with our international partners, we remain committed to putting solid, world-class standards of finance and business squarely onto the Arab business agenda”.

Mrs Al Kaylani went on to highlight some key points relating to the Arab world in particular, namely, that the Arab region had experienced unprecedented business and social progression in the previous decade and that the transition to a new set of accounting standards would undoubtedly be a timely and important process and that Boards across the region remained committed to hiring the best-qualified finance and accounting teams, and this was where organisations such as the ICAEW and PricewaterhouseCoopers had the greatest influence to impact positive change, enhancing opportunities for accounting professionals in the region as they related to the wider business community.

The President of the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales (ICAEW), Martin Hagen, set out the role that the Institute plays in the accountancy profession within the UK as an educator, a regulator, a thought-leader and a contributor to governmental policy development.

Vernon Soare, ICAEW Executive Director Professional Standards, was able to share his experience of working with local organisations and governments globally in establishing credible and reliable professional bodies, increasing capacity and introducing local qualifications of the highest standard to create an independent centre of excellence rather than a culture of dependency.

Amanda Line, ICAEW Regional Director in the Middle East, who, in recent months has been responsible for the Institute’s first office being opened in Dubai, UAE, spoke of the business expansion in the Middle East and the work they are doing to encourage more young people to join the profession.

"For nationals in the Middle East to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential as future business leaders, it is important that they are equipped with the right skills.”

She went on to explain that, because of the global recession, economies in the Middle East had lost confidence and that, in order to restore confidence, there was a need to enhance the quality of financial reporting within a strong ethical framework to encourage surveillance, disclosure and transparency.

David Blondel, Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers Learning and Development Team explained how PricewaterhouseCoopers, an AIWF global partner, had, almost from inception, been inextricably linked with the development of the ICAEW. He also expressed his belief that the ICAEW greatly contributed to business growth.

Aida Emadi Allahyar, a Senior Associate in the PwC Banking & Capital Markets Assurance practice and a newly - qualified ACA shared her experience of undertaking the ACA programme in a very fluent and enthusiastic presentation in which she recognised that accountancy is a very rewarding profession in which to be engaged.

After the panel presentations, there was a very spirited interactive session, moderated by Mrs Sylvia Perry, Founder Board Member and Finance Director of AIWF, with questions from the assembled guests.

In commenting on behalf of AIWF and ABCC on the success of this first event in 2010 of the Programme of Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding that AIWF and ABCC signed in July 2009 to promote Arab-British trade and economic cooperation, Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum, paid tribute to the Institute of Chartered Accountants: “The ICAEW has played a key role in shaping standards of accounting and auditing and driving ethics within the profession by working closely with accountancy bodies and governments across the globe to enhance the accountancy profession by ensuring financial information is as technically rigorous and ethically robust as possible”. She also commended PricewaterhouseCoopers when she said, “We are also honoured to have the participation of PricewaterhouseCoopers and acknowledge their many successes in the MENA region in developing women as well – qualified financial professionals".

Speakers

Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Secretary General and CEO the Arab British Chamber of Commerce

Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, Chairman Arab International Women’s Forum (Size:141Kb)

Martin Hagen, ICAEW President

Vernon Soare, ICAEW Executive Director Professional Standards

Amanda Line, ICAEW Regional Director Middle East

David Blondel, Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers Learning & Development Team

Aida Emadi Allahyar, Senior Associate in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Banking & Capital Markets Assurance practice (Size:27Kb)


Press Releases

• English  (Size:144Kb)

• Arabic  (Size:294Kb)
 

ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

AIWF New Year Reception

Supported by the Maybourne Hotel Group

Thursday 28th January 2010

Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman, and the Members of the Board were delighted to welcome distinguished guests to the Arab International New Year Reception at the Connaught Hotel in London on Thursday 28 January.

Among the guests were AIWF members, global partners, Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps, peers and others representing government, business, institutions and universities, including some from overseas.

This was a timely opportunity for Mrs Al Kaylani to launch the 2010 Programme Prosperity through Partnership and to announce the new Pepsi Co status on becoming the AIWF Benefactor at the Signing Ceremony in Dubai held in January.

The newly forged relationship with Deutsche Bank as the latest AIWF Global Platinum Partner was announced and Ms Eileen Taylor, Head of Global Diversity, Deutsche Bank, who was attending her first AIWF event introduced.

The Chairman spoke about the honour of meeting HE Mrs Asma Al Assad, The First Lady of the Syrian Arab Republic, during a special visit to Damascus in January 2010.

The rapport and support from the Syrian valued official partners and hosts, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour and the Business Women Committee at the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, for the AIWF Conference in Damascus in May was acknowledged and Mrs Al Kaylani urged everyone to attend saying it would be a really outstanding conference.

This very special event took place in the elegant and beautiful setting of the new Ballroom of the Connaught and was supported by the Maybourne Hotel Group with the cooperation of Ms Natalie Kjellstrom, Director of Sales – Middle East, The Maybourne Group.

The Reception was clearly a very successful business and social networking occasion providing a fitting opportunity for AIWF to maintain its close links with its valued members, partners and friends.
 

AIWF SEMINAR

DIRECTORSHIP, DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY:
CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE
At the Kempsinski Hotel
Amman, Jordan
On Monday, 19 October 2009
 

AIWF JORDAN SEMINAR held on 19 October, 2009 in Amman

Directorship, Development and Diversity: Challenges for Women in Governance was the theme of this Seminar held by AIWF in collaboration with the Hawkamah Institute of Corporate Governance, DIFC and the Mudara Institute of Directors (IOD) and in cooperation with and jointly hosted in partnership with the Business and Professional Women’s Federation-Amman, Jordan and the International Women’s Forum, Jordan Chapter, with the valuable support of AIWF distinguished Global Partners, DLA Piper and the World Bank.

In her opening address, Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman Arab International Women’s Forum, said, “AIWF is firmly committeed to putting corporate governance squarely onto the Arab business agenda. We believe that the development of good governance skills, and the indeed the enhanced participation of Arab women with regard to Board Directorship, are vital to the region’s future economic sustainability.”

A very distinguished group of speakers addressed the theme: Mr Ziad Badr, World Bank Head of Mission in Amman, Jordan, made a statement on behalf of the World Bank who were one of the Seminar Global Partners for this event. Ms Noora Khalifa Al Abbar, Executive Director of Mudara (IOD), Mrs Kalyani Santoshkumar, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Middle East and North Africa, Mr Karl Tabbakh, Abu Dhabi Corporate Partner of DLA Piper – who were also a Seminar Global Partner - and Dr Omar M H Aljazy, Managing Partner/Aljazy & Co. Advocates and Legal Consultants, from various aspects: from raising awareness of corporate governance, to adapting corporate governance to corporate reality in the new Arab markets, with a special focus on the role of women in the corporate workplace highlighting the benefits they are able to bring.

This very illuminating session was followed by a panel of high profile Jordanian women leaders who have achieved success in business, the professions and corporate roles who exchanged ideas and shared information on the theme of Challenges for Women in Corporate Governance in Jordan.

In this part of the Seminar panel speakers Ms Reem Modar Badran, Chairman of Al Hurra for Management and Business Development Co and board member of the Kuwaiti Jordanian Holding Company, Ms Simona Sabella Bishouty, CEO/General Manager of Arab Banking Corporation, Mrs Meisa Batayneh Maani, Founder and Principal Architect at Maisam Architects and Engineers and Mrs Majd Shweikeh, CEO – Orange Mobile/VP JTG, made short initial presentations on the subject of Challenges for Women in Corporate Governance in Jordan followed by an interactive session with the audience able to pose questions and make comments, bringing to a conclusion a very informative and stimulating day. The Moderator for this session was Ms Suzanne Afanah, Director of Communications and CSR ZAIN.

Throughout the event, the high quality of the guest speakers created an excellent interaction with the 140 delegates, thereby fulfilling all the criteria of a highly successful Seminar from which great benefit was derived by all.

The Seminar was a resounding success with delegates attending from Jordan, Palestine and other Arab countries who were able to benefit from the valuable knowledge and experience of such high level guest speakers covering all aspects of corporate governance and focusing particularly on the role of women.

AIWF believes that higher standards of corporate governance (in terms of accountability, transparency, integrity and risk), are an essential part of global efforts towards future economic sustainability, not just for the Arab region but the business world as a whole.

Directorship, Development and Diversity: Challenges for Women in Governance successfully fostered an environment in which successful women business leaders from Jordan and other Arab countries were offered opportunities to enhance their ability to overcome the challenges for women in governance in the Arab region.
 

Opening Session

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani,Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum (Size:133Kb)

The World Bank Statement
Mr Ziad Badr, World Bank Head of Mission in Amman, Jordan (Size:145Kb)


Ms Noora Khalifa Al Abbar, Executive Director of Mudara IOD (Size:145Kb)

“Corporate Governance and the Role of Women”
Mrs Kalyani Santoshkumar, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Middle East and North Africa (Size:270Kb)

Corporate Governance to Corporate Reality in the Arab Emerging Markets
Mr Karl Tabbakh, Abu Dhabi Corporate Partner DLA Piper Adapting

“The Importance of Raising Awareness of Corporate Governance with a special focus on the Women’s Workforce”
Dr Omar M. H. Aljazy, Managing Partner/ Aljazy & Co. Advocates and Legal Consultants (Size:105Kb)


Panel Discussion

"Challenges for Women in Corporate Governance in Jordan".
MODERATOR: Suzanne Afanah, Director of Communications and CSR ZAIN

Ms Reem Modar Badran, Chairman of Al Hurra for Management and Business Development Co, and board member of the Kuwaiti Jordanian Holding Company

Ms Simona Sabella Bishouty, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of Arab Banking Corporation (Size:40Kb)

Mrs Meisa Batayneh Maani, Founder and Principal Architect at Maisam Architects and Engineers (Size:2Mb)

Mrs Majd Shweikeh, CEO - Orange Mobile / VP JTG (Size:389Kb)

Jordan Seminar Booklet (Size:294Kb)

Addendum To Booklet (Size:14Kb)

Jordan Seminar Press Release (English) (Size:53Kb)

Jordan Seminar Press Release (Arabic) (Size:86Kb)

For more information contact the AIWF office
Email: info@aiwfonline.com
 

SIGNING OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE ARAB BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FORUM

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on Wednesday, 1 July 2009 between the Arab British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) at a special reception hosted by the Chamber at their headquarters in Upper Grosvenor Street, London in the presence of a distinguished company of guests from government, diplomatic, business and professional circles joining with members and partners of both organisations.

The signatories to this landmark agreement, Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, and Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman of the Arab International Women’s Forum, both expressed their commitment to the spirit and intent of the document to create a powerful coalition to jointly promote trade and enhance business ties between Arab women and their British and international counterparts and to foster economic growth within the United Kingdom, the Arab world’s largest trading partner and the 22 states of the Arab League.

Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, in expressing her admiration for the substantive and growing programme of activities undertaken by the AIWF under its founder and chairman Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, welcomed the new stage in the relations heralded by the agreement between the two organisations. Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, the ABCC and AIWF will combine their interests and expertise in planning joint initiatives on key issues to help enhance the roles played by Arab women in business, finance and the economy by further improving the conditions and opportunities available to them.

Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, in expressing her appreciation for the invitation received to co -sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of AIWF, paid tribute to the work of the Chamber spanning over 30 years in building and strengthening relations between the UK and the Arab world and encouraging and promoting Arab-British trade and economic cooperation. She also commended Dr Al Shuaiby upon her appointment as the first woman Secretary General and CEO in the history of the Chamber.

She stated that the Chamber, established under the banner of ‘Friendship through Trade’, shares many objectives with AIWF whose mission, since it was founded in 2001, has been ‘Building Bridges, Building Business’, both organisations believing strongly that a commitment to innovation, public-private collaboration and fostering business ties will pave the way for progress and prosperity.

Mrs Al Kaylani concluded by emphasising her belief that at a time when economies around the globe are struggling to emerge from the current recession, there are many strong women-led businesses that can make a valuable contribution to economic recovery.

The Guest of Honour at this event was the prominent Arab woman business leader, HH Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khalid Al Thani, Founder & Chairperson, Amwal, a leading Investment Banking, Asset Management and Wealth Management company from Qatar. In her remarks. Sheikha Hanadi said how pleased she was to witness this signing between two organisations, keen to foster business exchange and trade between Arab women and their international counterparts and she was very proud to be a Board Member of the Arab International Women's Forum, and of the recognition that the AIWF work and development had received through this agreement."

Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, the ABCC and AIWF will join in planning a series of events and activities, within the UK and across the Arab region, that will nurture and build connections and partnerships, strengthening the trading capacity of their members. The AIWF-ABCC Programme will be supported by information and training seminars or meetings on key issues to help enhance business and financial expertise and highlight the conditions and opportunities for all types of trading and they plan to have a sharp focus on activities that provide face-to-face connectivity such as trade missions.

While there has been a considerable measure of collaboration between the two organisations, the recognition of a formal partnership will allow the ABCC and AIWF to strengthen the capacity of both organisations in their mission to showcase the potential of Arab women, to promote cross-cultural diversity and to create greater public awareness of women’s success and prospects, demonstrating they can become engines of economic growth in the Arab world.

From Partnership to Prosperity:
Women in the Arab World, France and the International Community

Paris, France
3 - 5 March 2009

Hosted By
Madame Christine Lagarde
Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment, France

and

The Greater Paris Investment Agency
 

The Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) gathered for its annual meeting in Paris on the 4th and 5th of March 2009 at the invitation of Madame Christine Lagarde, the French Minister for Economy Industry and Employment and was hosted by the Greater Paris Investment Agency led by Chairman Mr Thierry Jacquillat.

The conference was attended by a number of influential women in the fields of business and politics, representing delegations from 25 countries including 16 Arab nations. Among the Guest Speakers were five Arab women ministers: HE MS Fayza Mohamed Aboulnaga, Minister of International Cooperation, The Arab Republic of Egypt; HE Suhair Al Ali. Minister of Planning & International Cooperation, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; HE Dr Fatima Al Balooshi, Minister for Social Development, Kingdom of Bahrain; HE Mrs Bahia Hariri, Minister of Education and Higher Education, Lebanon; HE Dr Diala Al-Haj Aref, Minister of Social Affairs & Labour, Syria.

The other eminent Guest Speakers included Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani, Founder and Chairperson AMWAL, Qatar; HRH Princess Mashael Bint Faisal Bin Turki Abdul-Aziz, President of the Board of Business Women Forum in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; Mrs Raja Al Gurg, Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, United Arab Emirates; Mrs Mona Almoayyed, Managing Director, Y J Almoayyed & Sons BSC, Bahrain; Mrs Hosna Rachid, Chairperson Rachid Mashreq Group, Egypt and Mrs Neveen El Tahri, Chairperson Delta Holdings and Country Representative of RBS in Egypt.

The AIWF was led by Founder and Chairman Haifa Al Kaylani, recognised as a high-impact change agent focusing on leadership in cultural and gender issues, encouraging greater cultural understanding between Arab and international communities, and supporting a strong role for women in that process.

Entitled “From Partnership to Prosperity: Women in the Arab World, France and the International Community” the conference, the first ever in France, provided a unique opportunity to bridge Arab and French business communities and to highlight the success and progress of Arab women in different parts of the world.

The conference included debates with field experts on a range of topics including Islamic finance, asset management, private sector growth, the Paris marketplace, corporate real estate, research and innovation and competitiveness clusters. In endorsing the aim of the conference of moving “From Partnership to Prosperity” Minister Christine Lagarde stated “I would like to stress that the importance of your Forum goes beyond your role in the economy. You project a modern international image of the Arab woman.”

The delegates were introduced to Paris as a world-class metropolis presenting excellent “business to business” opportunities for trade and investment partnerships. Major players in all sectors of business including science, education and property within the Greater Paris area interacted with the delegates arranging private visits for the showcasing of the quality products of well-known family owned businesses such as Hermes, Leonard, Mellerio, Daniel Féau Conseill Immobiliser and the Galeries Lafayette. A networking dinner at the Jacquemart André Museum emphasised the innovative concepts that underlined this very special event.

"Never has it been more crucial that we recognize and celebrate the importance of partnership in fostering international trade and with it economic growth, neither has there ever been a better time for the Arab International Women’s Forum to introduce Arab business women to the growing impetus of trade and investment that France is advancing," concluded Haifa Al Kaylani.

Declared Thierry Jacquillat, Chairman of the Greater Paris Investment Agency: "I am very confident in the future for Greater Paris. The presence here in Paris of such a large number of outstanding businesswomen gathered by the AIWF is the symbol of the confidence they have in the French economy and of the attractiveness of the French Capital Region."

From Partnership to Prosperity: Women in the Arab World,
France and the International Community
Paris, France
3 - 5 March 2009

Opening Session

WELCOME FROM THE GREATER PARIS INVESTMENT AGENCY
Mr Thierry Jacquillat
Chairman, Greater Paris Investment Agency

WELCOME ADDRESS AND INTRODUCTION TO THE CONFERENCE
Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani
Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum (Size:149Kb)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Mme Nicole Ameline
Former Minister of Equality and Member of the
National Assembly of France

SPECIAL ADDRESS
HE Ms Fayza Mohamed Aboulnaga
Minister of International Cooperation, The Arab Republic of Egypt

SPECIAL ADDRESS
HE Mrs Suhair Al-Ali
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation,
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Size:92Kb)

SPECIAL ADDRESS
HE Mrs Bahia Hariri
Minister of Education and Higher Education, Lebanon (Size:22Kb)

SPECIAL ADDRESS
HE Dr Fatima Al Balooshi
Minister for Social Development, The Kingdom of Bahrain

SPECIAL ADDRESS
HE Dr Diala Al –Haj Aref
Minister of Social Affairs & Labour, The Syrian Arab Republic

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
HE Mrs Anne Marie Idrac
Minister of State for Foreign Trade, France



Plenary Session l
Management for Women Leaders

MODERATOR
Mrs Françoise Malrieu
Administrator ADP and La Poste, Managing Partner, Aforge
Finance, Chairman of Audit for Société Française de Financement
de l'Economie Française (SFEF - French Financing Corporation)

Mr Philippe Lagayette
Vice Chairman of JP Morgan in EMEA and Chairman of
JP Morgan’s Sovereigns Group in EMEA, France

Mrs Mona Al Moayyed
Managing Director, Y.K. Al-Moayyed & Sons,
The Kingdom of Bahrain

Mr Luc Debieuvre
Managing Director, Bank Audi Saradar France SA

Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby
Secretary General & CEO, Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, UK (Size:76Kb)

Ms Neveen El Tahri
Chairperson, Delta Holdings, and Country Representative of
RBS in The Arab Republic of Egypt

Mr Olivier Garnier
Deputy General Manager,
Société Générale Asset Management, France



Networking Luncheon

Highlights of the Mc Kinsey study “Women Matter – Female
Leadership, a Competitive Edge for the Future” by
Mr Georges Desvaux, Senior Associate Director at McKinsey



Plenary Session ll
Innovation through Collaboration: Best Practices in
Biotechnology, Cosmetic Sciences and R&D

MODERATOR
Mrs Nadereh Chamlou
Senior Adviser, MENA Region,The World Bank

HE Mr François d’Aubert
Former Minister of Research,
Chairman, Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, France

Professor Alice Dautry
President Institut Pasteur, France

Dr Jean-Francois Minster
Senior Vice President Scientific Development
TOTAL Gas & Power, France



Testimonial of Women Success Stories

MODERATOR
Mrs Chiara Corazza
Managing Director, Greater Paris Investment Agency, France

HE Ms Emma Bonino
Vice President, The Italian Senate, Italy

Mrs Raja Al Gurg
Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group,
United Arab Emirates

Mrs Patricia Barbizet
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pinault group,
Chairman of Christie’s, Chairman of Artemis, France

Mrs Sonia Khandji Cachecho
Board Member, Damascus Chamber of Commerce,
The Syrian Arab Republic

Mrs Brigitte Taittinger-Jouyet
Chairman, Annick Goutal, France



Gala Dinner at the Jacquemart André Museum

Welcome by Mr Thierry Jacquillat,
Chairman, Greater Paris Investment Agency, France

Keynote speech by HE Mrs Christine Lagarde,
Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment, France

Few words from Prince Gabriel de Broglie,
Chancellor of Institut de France

Concluding remarks by Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani,
Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum (Size:120Kb)



Business to Business Visits

Breakfast and private visit at Hermès HQ
Welcome by Mr Patrick Thomas. Chairman Hermès International
and Mrs Pascale Mussard, Executive Member of the Hermès
Family, Artistic Co-Director at Hermès International

Visit to La Défense, Europe’s prime business district followed by a panel discussion on the opportunities in investing in Greater Paris commercial real estate market

MODERATOR
Mr Alain Béchade
Former Vice President, Atis Real International, France

Mr Frédéric Nouel
Partner, Gide Loyrette Nouel, France

Mrs Aline Sylla-Walbaum
Director in charge of External Affairs and Strategy,
Unibail-Rodamco, France

Mr Jean-Eric Vimont
Chairman, Eurosic, France

Mr François Trausch
Chairman GE Real Estate Western Europe, France



Networking Luncheon and Empowerment Exchange

CO MODERATOR
Ms Holly Taylor Sargent
Founder and Director, Women’s Leadership Board,
Harvard University

HH Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khalid Al Thani
Vice Chairperson and Managing Director, AMWAL

Mrs Hosna Rachid
Chairman, Unilever Mashreq (Size:33Kb)

HRH Princess Mashael bint Faisal,
President of the Board, The Businesswomen's Forum in the
Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Ms Wafa’ Tarnowska
Regional Manager for CSR and Arab Initiatives
DLA Piper Middle East LLP



Quality of Life: Health or Leisure
Visits to

Daniel Féau Conseil Immobilier – residential real estate

Mellerio dits Meller - Europe’s oldest jewellery company

Léonard - family owned fashion brand



Private visit and Closing
Reception/Buffet Dinner in Galeries Lafayette

Welcome by Mr Philippe Houzé
Chief Executive Officer Galeries Lafayette Group

Ms Rima Chammas
MEA Marketing Manager- CSDs, Pepsi-Cola International Ltd
Closing conference remarks

Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani
Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum



2009 Paris Programme Conference Booklet

Conference Booklet (Size:787Kb)

Final Programme (Size:128Kb)

Bios Supplement (Size:51Kb)



MEDIA ARTICLES

AIWF 2009 Paris Conference Press Releases
(English Version) (Size:57Kb)       (Arabic Version) (Size:102Kb)

 

 
DIARY OF AIWF SUPPORTED EVENTS IN 2009

24 May 2009
Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy and Technology, Dubai

Jointly hosted by three renowned energy journals - World Oil, Petroleum Economist and Hydrocarbon Processing - and guided by a prestigious Advisory Board, this conference in Dubai is expected to draw many industry leaders from the world. This conference will feature industry and governmental leaders who will address and discuss the role of energy and technology in today’s geopolitical landscape, leaders’ stewardship responsibilities for the economic, environmental, ethical and social development of global corporations as well as key drivers for ensuring corporate, cultural and personal leadership success. Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman of AIWF, is an invited speaker.

To view the agenda and more information about this conference, please visit www.gulfpub.com/MEWGLC.  If you have any questions, please contact Hadley McClellan at +1 713 520 4475 or hadley.mcclellan@gulfpub.com
 

20 January 2009
Economist Conferences' World in 2009 Executive Forum: Emerging economic and business trends at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

Building on The Economist's annual publication, The World in 2009 Executive Forum brings together innovative thinkers from business, finance and politics. Together, they will debate the key trends set to dominate the world in 2009. Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman of AIWF is an invited Guest Speaker. The closing keynote will be given by HH Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Foreign Trade, United Arab Emirates, who is also an AIWF Founder Board Member.

www.economistconferences.com/08/mea/worldin2009, view the attached PDF or call +43 1 712 41 60


14 - 15 January 2009
Negotiating for Leadership: an Executive Program for Women in Senior Positions, Dubai School of Government

The first executive education program on negotiation for women leaders in the Arab world it is directed by Professor Iris Bohnet, Harvard Kennedy School Professor, Director of the Women and Public Policy Program.

The program is co-hosted by the Women and Public Policy Program (Harvard Kennedy School) and the Gender and Public Policy Program (Dubai School of Government).

Register online:
http://execed.dsg.ae/Executive/Default.aspx

Or contact samar.farah@dsg.ae for more details.
AIWF members who wish to attend may apply to info@aiwfonline.com for special rates
 

‘Domains of Influence’
Arab Women Business Leaders in a New Economy

UK Launch of AIWF Supported Book

hosted by The Arab British Chamber of Commerce

43 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 2NJ

Wednesday 3 December 2008

6.30-8.30pm

DOMAINS OF INFLUENCE
Arab Women Business Leaders in a New Economy

Launched at the June 2008 AIWF Conference in Washington DC

This remarkable collection of photographic 'portraits' of leading businesswomen from right across the Arab world is a unique testament to the impact made on business by prominent Arab women. Art photographer Jacqueline Hassink, internationally recognised for her representations of the world of economic power, expresses these portraits through photographic explorations of the private and business domains of these powerful women. Designed by award winning book designer Irma Boom, this beautifully illustrated, full-colour work is introduced by leading photography critic Charlotte Cotton and includes two important essays by the prominent economist Dr. Heba Handoussa and Mrs Nadereh Chamlou of The World Bank. The book is published in association with the Arab International Women's Forum and supported by The World Bank.

Click HERE to buy the book now from I.B.Tauris Publishers
 

Women at PwC. A global business issue

Closing the gender gap:
Challenges, opportunities and the future

PricewaterhouseCoopers invited global academics, politicians and business leaders to share their views on the world in 2050 and how it will be impacted by the gender gap. Their thoughts are gathered in a thought provoking film which gives a global perspective on diversity issues, what companies will look like in the future, the treatment of women as a barometer of progress and how does diversity link to productivity as a cornerstone to economic growth.

Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman Arab International Women’s Forum, was pleased to be one of the valued interviewees.

The film is available to view online via this weblink
Click to View

UK Chapter AIWF – Get Together

Waterhouse & Dodd, Cork Street London

with an exclusive viewing of two major exhibitions

of Contemporary Middle Eastern & Arab art

‘Routes’ & ‘Crossroads’ featuring 8 leading Arab Women Artists

Wednesday 15 October 2008

6-9pm

ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

Partners for Change: Realizing the Potential of
Arab Women in the Private and Public Sectors

 

22 – 24 June 2008
at
The World Bank, Washington DC, USA

Representatives from both the public and private sector came together at the first U.S.-based conference of the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF), hosted by the World Bank Middle East North Africa in Washington, D.C. on 22 – 24 June 2008.

The conference, titled ‘Partners for Change: Realizing the Potential of Arab Women in the Private and Public Sector,’ drew 180 participants from over 20 countries including government representatives, international business leaders, academics and esteemed AIWF members and Global Partners from the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. It gathered Arab and international policymakers in an attempt to stimulate dialogue aimed at removing roadblocks to women’s gainful participation in Arab politics, economies and society.

Distinguished international Guest Speakers successfully examined opportunities for the entrepreneurial, political, and economic engagement of Arab women in the Middle East, the United States and beyond.

The conference studied the role of women in public life; the challenges to their involvement in politics and the steps that Arab governments are taking to encourage their participation in the political sphere. In a session entitled Empowering Women through Education the importance of education was stressed as the most effective means to overcoming socio-economic challenges and barriers and essential dialogue examined the roles of Arab women in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The event also incorporated the official US launch of the book, Domains of Influence: Arab Women Business Leaders in a New Economy within the Conference Programme. Supported by AIWF, the book was produced in partnership with The World Bank as a unique testament to the impact of Arab women in today’s global environment of entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

Another significant feature was the publication of the FT report Leading Business Women in the Arab World – on which AIWF has collaborated for the second year. This was published on the first day of the conference and available to the attendees and others at the World Bank.

It was truly an honour and a pleasure for the Arab International Women’s Forum to have hosted its first conference in the United States at The World Bank in Washington, DC. AIWF applauds the initiatives of the World Bank to foster an environment of progress, peace and prosperity in the Arab world – objectives that lie at the very heart of the mission and vision for AIWF.

PARTNERS FOR CHANGE:
Realizing the Potential of Arab Women in the Private and Public Sectors

OPENING SESSION

Welcome from the World Bank
Mrs Nadereh Chamlou, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chief Economist, MENA Region,The World Bank (Size:31Kb)

Welcome Address and Introduction to the Conference
Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum (Size:142Kb)

Special Address
HE Hala Bsesio Lattouf, Minister of Social Development, Jordan (Size:557Kb)

Special Address
HE Dr Sharifa Khalfan Al Yahyai, Minister for Social Development, Oman

Special Address
HE Dr Huda Ali Alban, Minister for Human Rights, Yemen

Keynote Address
Mr Robert B Zoellick, President, The World Bank (Size:35Kb)


PLENARY SESSION 1
POWERING THE PRIVATE SECTOR: ARAB WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Ms Pernille Spiers-Lopez, President, IKEA North America

Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, CEO, Arab British Chamber of Commerce, UK (Size:25Kb)

HE Ahmed Mohamed Luqman, Director General, Arab Labour Organisation, Cairo, Egypt (Size:62Kb)

Dr Ritva Reinikka, Sector Director, Social and Economic Development Group, Middle East and North Africa, The World Bank (Size:492Kb)

Ms Sushma K Bhan, Geosciences (Subsurface) Data Management Team and Discipline Leader at Shell International Exploration and Production, USA (Size:1280Kb)


PLENARY SESSION II
WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE

Ms Daniela Gressani, Vice President for the Middle East & North Africa, The World Bank

HE Hala Bsesio Lattouf, Minister of Social Development, Jordan

HE Dr Sharifa Khalfan Al Yahyai, Minister for Social Development, Oman

HE Dr Huda Al Alban, Minister for Human Rights, Yemen

Dr Fakhria Diari, Former Member of the Shura Council, Bahrain (Size:92Kb)



PLENARY SESSION III
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH EDUCATION

Dr Edward Montgomery, Dean of the College of Behavioural & Social Science, University of Maryland, USA (Size:821Kb)

Mr David Arkless, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Manpower Inc, UK (Size:160Kb)

Mrs Elham Hassan, Senior Country Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bahrain (Size:26Kb)

Professor Lynda Moore, Zayed University, UAE and Simmons School of Management, USA (Size:520Kb)



USA BOOK LAUNCH
‘DOMAINS OF INFLUENCE: ARAB WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS IN A NEW ECONOMY”

Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum (Size:107Kb)

Mrs Nadereh Chamlou, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chief Economist, MENA Region, The World Bank




PLENARY SESSION IV
VISIONS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP: REALIZING WOMEN’S POTENTIAL

Ms Holly Taylor Sargent, Founder and Director, Women’s Leadership Board, Harvard University, USA

Mrs Elham Hassan, Senior Country Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bahrain (Size:30Kb)

Ms Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chair of the Carlson Companies, USA

Eng Widad Ibrahim, Vice Chairperson, Bee Petroleum Company, Sudan (Size:2490Kb)



PLENARY SESSION V
INTERCONNECTED, INFORMED AND INSPIRED

Mrs Patricia Harrison, CEO, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, USA (Size:19Kb)

Ms Hdeel Abdelhady, Senior Associate, DLA Piper, UAE

Mr David Hamod, President & CEO, National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, USA

Mrs Mayra Buvinic, Director, Gender and Development, The World Bank (Size:65Kb)



CONFERENCE LUNCHEON GUEST SPEAKER
Mr Juan Jose Daboub, Managing Director, The World Bank (Size:33Kb)


CONFERENCE GALA DINNER

Welcome
Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman Arab International Women’s Forum (Size:110Kb)

Guest Speaker
Mr Graeme Wheeler, Managing Director Operations, The World Bank (Size:20Kb)
 

2008 Programme Conference Booklet (Size:800Kb)

 

MEDIA ARTICLES
AIWF 2008 Washington DC Conference Press Release
(English Version)       (Arabic Version)

 

Evening Reception at Number 10 Downing Street
hosted by Mrs Sarah Brown
in honour of the Arab International Women’s Forum
on
Tuesday 12 February 2008

A unique and very special occasion marked the start to the 2008 programme on Tuesday 12 February when Mrs Sarah Brown, wife of the UK Prime Minister hosted an Evening Reception, at their official residence, 10 Downing Street, in recognition and honour of the Arab International Women's Forum.

Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani,Chairman, was delighted to present to Mrs Brown, the Board and Members of AIWF, global partners and representatives of business, the corporate sector and leading Arab and international academic, economic and trade institutions from 21 countries. Also present were Baroness Vadera, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Competitiveness, Deregulation and British Business Council and Mrs Maggie Darling, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In her warm welcome Mrs Brown said "I want to congratulate the Arab International Women's Forum for raising public awareness of the need to bring more women into the economic life of the Arab region. The Forum's work has allowed women to exchange knowledge and experience, develop their business potential and to take up positions of responsibility in the public arena.

The 2007 programme Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship, through which the Forum promoted links between the Arab region, the UK and the international sector, has been particularly important in creating an environment for collaboration, giving women the support and encouragement needed to overcome remaining barriers and challenges to their full equality and opportunity".

Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani was pleased to acknowledge this accolade when she said " AIWF is proud to be recognised as an organisation that is at the forefront of effecting change, promoting the role and potential for women, which is vital for growth and stability and developing strategies that create jobs, catalyse economic development and foster social cohesion".

Press Release for Downing Street Reception
(English (Size: 30Kb))  (Arabic (Size: 122Kb))