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

First AIWF Conference to be held in Damascus, Syria
15-16 May, 2010

Hosted by The Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour, Syria and Business Women Committee at Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Syria


For more information contact the AIWF office
email info@aiwfonline.com  www.aiwfonline.com
 

ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

AIWF New Year Reception

Supported by the Maybourne Hotel Group

Thursday 28th January 2010
6.30 – 8.30pm

The Ballroom,
Connaught Hotel
Carlos Place, London. W1K 2AL
 

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))