Read more about the YWL Beirut Conference
Read a participant's story
Day 1 Topic: Early Education for Girls in the Gulf States
The major theme of the 1st Regional conference was to advance the capacities of young women leaders in the Arab Gulf States to advocate for early girls' education, equal social security laws, equal employment opportunities, women starting and managing small businesses, and establishing women associations' networks. 30 applicants were selected to participate from Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, KSA, Tunisia, Iraq, and Lebanon.
The 3 day conference began with a reception by Dr. Nabelah Haraty, YWL project coordinator, who welcomed the participants, summarized the purposes of the conference and its intended outcome, particularly to present best leadership practices for young women activists in the Gulf States. Dr. Imad Salamey, YWL program director, explained the challenges that Arab women in Gulf states are confronting to attain leadership role and stressed on the significance of the conference that brings together activists and emerging leaders from the different Arab states for the purpose of highlighting ways and means to advance the status and capacities of young women leaders in the Gulf States. He stressed the importance of networking as an essential medium to facilitate communication, share experiences, and provide support for emerging young women leaders. This is the ultimate goal that this conference seeks to accomplish.
From 09:45a.m until 11:00 a.m. the YWL-Yemen team presented their experience. The team consisted of Ms. Shadya Hobeishi, Ms. Nisrine Fazae, Mr. Yaseen Hamzah, and Ms. Majda Awasah. Dr. Garene Kaloustian, an expert in early childhood development and education moderated the session. The YWL group in Yemen with the sponsorship of the Family Social Association for Development (FAD) developed a plan to raise awareness on girls' education especially in the area of "Bani Hareth" at two schools. Workshops were conducted with parents and school teachers to examine the reasons of girls dropouts from schools and to come up with solutions to prevent girls' dropout in that region as a first step and then throughout all Yemen. The Yemeni project was a great success as many parents returned their girls to schools and both parents and students became active in motivating girls' education. 30 girls were returned to schools in "Bani Hareth" and the Yemeni team expressed their hopes to expand their project to the national level.
After a fifteen-minute coffee break, another session took place from 11:15a.m till 01:15p.m. Dr. Garene Kaloustian moderated the session. Dr. Fayza Babakhan and Ms. Juan Hussein showcased the Iraqi experience which is not very different from that of the Yemeni. The tribal Iraqi society, the security crisis, and the limited freedoms resulted in high continuous illiteracy rates among women. The most recent statistics show that 4 out of ten women complete their elementary education. Since 2009, activists have pressured the government to reactivate and expand education throughout Iraq. As a result, the Presidency issued a decision to eliminate illiteracy with a plan to examine the reasons behind girls' dropouts from schools, inserting additional educational programs in the curricula, giving out educational funds and financial aids…etc. Community Schooling became popular whereby women teachers would train other young women to become teachers. Community schooling was advocated as an alternative way to encourage other women to become teachers, as the public schooling and universities present obstacles for women teachers.
Day 1 Topic: Young Women Activism in the Gulf States
After the one-hour networking lunch, the 2:15p.m. session started and ended at 4:30. The Bahraini experience was represented by Dr. Wajeeha S. Baharna followed by Mrs. Mariam Al-Rowai. They discussed the networking process and their national campaign on nationality rights for the children of the Bahraini women. The Bahrainis explained how the campaign for women giving the nationality to children started and how it ended with positive results. The campaign started in Beirut with different Arab countries participating among which was the Bahraini group. The Bahrainis showcased their experience in that campaign under the slogan of"جنسيتي حق لي و لأبنائي". i.e my nationality is a right for me and my children. The Bahraini campaign left a great impact as the King of Bahrain gave the nationality to 275 women and the CEDAW committee demanded that Bahrain give the Bahraini women the right to nationality and the modification of the Bahraini nationality law.
The day ended with a rap-up of best leadership practices attained from the various experiences and action proposals. Participants completed day one evaluation.
Day 2 Topic: Women Economic Empowerment in the Gulf States
The Saudi Experience represented by Ghadeer Al Sobahi, Lana Komsany, and Esraa Al Safadi: How to Start a Small Business, Job Interviews, Writing a CV
The second day began with the presentation of YWL- Saudi Arabia team who shared its experience with the participants, focusing mainly on the professional life of women and the starting of small businesses. Members explained how they developed a manual and conducted workshops to help women start small businesses: defining one's own interests, following the legal processes, specifying the administrative steps…etc. The Saudi YWL gave a detailed explanation on their work in terms of conducting workshops in KSA, teaching women the different aspects on how to set up a business, and giving women suggestions on how to become leaders in their own communities. The Saudi experience also provided the teaching of how to write a CV and a biography. It also covered the process of job interviews.
Dr. Faiza Babakhan, former member of the Iraqi Parliament and Legal advisor in Human rights Ministry in Iraq, moderated the second-day sessions.
The Yemeni speakers, Anhar Al Hanani and Balqis Ahmed Kibsi stressed the importance of building the capacity of woman to start and manage her own business as to have a respectable and efficient job that would provide her with a fixed income and help her family out of poverty. They noted that information technology, communication, and services which are not available to the poor society pose a challenge for women to enhance and expand their abilities. The lack of education is another big problem. They presented various projects that can help women to start small businesses using local resources.
Fatma Al-Sidiqi from Bahrain discussed the growing number of women in Bahrain joining IT relevant positions. She noted that IT provides women a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and obtain access to global information. IT can play a major role in advancing women economic position in society where IT is accessible.
Day 2 Topic: Women Empowerment under Difficult Circumstances
Ikram Bin Said form Tunisia presented her topic Women, Education, Work, Discrimination/Amal Organization for Family and Children. Since Tunisia's independence, the country focused on education as a means to combat discrimination between males and females. The results were tremendous as women were pioneers in education, work and different aspects of life as statistics showed. However, many obstacles remained among them is the traditional mentality which restrict women to child caring and house-keeping. As we go towards rural areas in Tunisia we find that the gap is large between women living in the city and those living in the rural areas. The Tunisian experience focused on creating a balance between the professional life and the family life of women. Women in Tunisia tend to quit their jobs right after marriage as they fail to achieve that balance. What was interesting in the Tunisian experience was the issue of single mother. The AMAL organization, which Ms. Said heads, aims at housing children of single mothers, and throughout 2001 till 2009, AMAL was able to house around 300 single mothers and their children and keep them from separating.
Abdul Nasser Abdul Wali Mohammed from Yemen presented a national plan that stresses on the partnership between civil society and government in order to establish sustainable community based job market for women. He presented a pilot proposal to be implemented in two local towns.
Ms. Mira Daher, a participant of MEPI Emerging Leaders program at LAU, presented the issue of the right to nationality for women and their children campaign. In Lebanon, 1375 women are married to non-Lebanese and are constantly marginalized. As a result, equality between men and women is still incomplete and Lebanese activists place this issue as a priority and a primacy to satisfy human rights. The national campaign "جنسيتي حق لي و لأسرتي" aims at awareness, networking among different groups and civil society, and modifying laws relating to women rights.
Other speakers presented plans to empower women in local communities.
Dr. Wajeeha Al-Baharna, moderated the session.
The day ended with a rap-up of best leadership practices attained from the various experiences and action proposals. Participants completed day two evaluation.
Day 3 Topic: Advocating for GOSI reforms in Bahrain
The Bahrain YWL team consisted of Fatima Al Hajari, Sayed Adnan Ahmed, Huda Radhi.
Mentor: Dr. Ghaniya Alaiwi. YWL introduced their project, talked about their mission and its objectives. Ms. Huda Radhi highlighted the importance of the Family Day which was a great achievement. She discussed the role of the media throughout the process. Ms. Fatima Hojairi talked about legal advocacy and how the team managed to achieve their objectives in bringing up the topic to a nationwide legal discussion. She revealed a 7-minute video showing a media interview with the Bahraini team. Mrs. Amena Abdullah then explained how the project was implemented. The audience showed a great interest and was asking the team members questions about the challenges facing the project and whether the project will be extended to include other aspects.
Drs Mona Al-Mahakery Ghaniya Alaiwi moderated the session.
Day 3 Topic: Empowering Young Women in the Gulf States
Fatema Ali – Bahrain discussed the major gap existing between the rate of women college graduates and that of hiring in Bahrain. Still, she explained that women education remains a priority for women emancipation in Bahrain. As more women receive higher education the greater the pressure that is building to accommodate women in professional positions. She presented a plan to establish a network for professional and highly educated women to act as a pressure group to advocate for greater access for women professional positions.
Amna Al Habsi – Oman, discussed here personal experience upon graduating from college in Oman with an average GPA to enter the job market. Her frustration with the various male dominated hiring requirements and nepotism led her to seek alternative ways to penetrate the market. She began by assembling likewise young women to discuss the problem and seek solutions. Eventually a group of Omani young college graduates decided to establish the women job seeker net which continuously maps the job market demand and provides tips and information to women seeking jobs throughout Oman. Many young graduates, as a result have obtained jobs.
Rahma Al Shawesh – Yemen revealed various successful experiences from which women were able to achieve economic empowerment through small scale enterprises. These experiences reflects the importance of relying on small and local resources that make women economic empowerments in rural and traditional settings possible.
Noor M. Mearaj – Bahrain discussed the various challenges that were confronted upon the creation of the Bahraini 'Nahda' organization, the first women organization in Bahrain, which was formed in 1955 by Ms. Aisha Yatim. Later on many other organizations were established as: the Child and Maternity Welfare Organization, Aisha Yatim Organization for Family counseling…etc. The lessons learned throughout the struggle for women rights to organize and achieve their rights to emancipation in Bahrain were highlighted.
LAU Associate Professor of Business Dr. Josien Sreih moderated the session.
Topic: Launching the Young Women Leaders Network
The participants were divided into working groups as to discuss and summarize lessons learned from the conference and to present main guidelines for best leadership practices. After discussion participants declared the followings as among the best leadership practices:
-
Maintaining compatibility with social and cultural environment.
- Partnership between private, public, and local sectors.
- Relentless initiative and vigorous pursuit.
- Permanent self-assessment at the work place.
- Seeking sustainable development.
- Listening to the needs, advice, and experiences of others.
- Building on Lessons learned from past experiences.
- Setting clear goals in order to reach tangible results.
- Specifying the priorities in the proposed action plans.
- Capacity building in communication skills.
- Developing appropriate skills for strategic planning.
- Attaining of firm but flexible decision-making skills.
- Preserving fairness among the group.
- Maintain team work spirit.
Finally, the working groups established main strategic goals for their sought partnership that is based on the conduct of best leadership practices and launched the Young Women Leaders Network (YWLN) whose purpose is to seek the empowerment of women in the community through the following goals:
- Work to develop educational sectors including girls' rights to education and combating early dropout from schools. Obtain partnership with civil society to achieve the YWLN goals.
- Work to establish and develop laws that protect women's right to work and provide for their professional development.
- Empower women economically and encourage women to start small businesses.
- Advocate for the modern concept of literacy which implies comprehensive and rounded cultural and educational knowledge.
- Correct misconceptions about women in society, and work to update and mainstream gender within educational curriculum.
- Expand women's awareness about political, social and legal rights within their own social and culture environment.
- Develop and enact laws to protect women from violence in all its forms.
- Promote legal awareness campaigns for Women.
- Reform laws relating to the rights of girls, particularly on the subject of early marriage, and women's right to give citizenship to their offspring.
- Join efforts to identify sources of funding, supporting resources, and providing professional consultancies to achieve the above goals.
- Strengthen and expand networks to ensure continuous communication and exchange of ideas between women leaders.
Mrs. Mariam Al Rowai moderated the session.
Participants completed day three evaluation.
Participants signed YWL founders declarations.
Closing Ceremony-30 November 2010- LAU Business School, Room 904
The Closing ceremony took place at the end of the 3-day conference and was attended by all participants, YWL program director and coordinator and different country representatives and the Ambassador of Yemen Mr. Faysal Abu Ras. Dr. Haraty, YWL project coordinator, welcomed all the invitees. A short film on the Yemeni two-day traveling road showcase was displayed. Dr. Samira Aghacy, Dean of Arts and Sciences at LAU expressed her admiration for the YWL program. Participants from different Arab countries provided a feedback on their 3-day experience at the Beirut Conference. Dr. Imad Salamey, YWL program Director gave his final word. The Beirut Conference ended with the distribution of certificates and the reception.
Day 1
| Time |
Topic |
Moderator |
| 9:00 – 9:30 |
Registration, Name Tags & Contact Information |
|
| 9:30 – 9:45 |
Welcome Word from Dr. Imad Salamey-YWL Director |
|
| 9:45 – 11:00 |
Topic: Early Education for Girls in Yemen
YWL Yemen Group:
Majda Awasah, Shadya Hobeshi, Yaseen Hamzah.
Mentor: Nassreen Fazea
|
Dr. Garene Kaloustian |
| 11:00 – 11:15 |
Coffee Break |
|
| 11:15 – 1:15 |
Topic: Early Education for Girls in the Gulf States
- The main obstacle for early education for girls
Dr. Faiza Babakhan – Iraq
- Education of young women in Iraq
Juan A. Hussein – Iraq
- Re-integrating girls who drop out from basic education
Mona Al-Mahakery – Yemen
|
Dr. Garene Kaloustian / Ms. Nassreen Fazea |
| 1:15 - 2:15 |
Networking Lunch |
|
| 2:15 – 4:30 |
Topic: Young Women Activism in the Gulf States
- Entelak Program - Youth Leadership Development Foundation
Sawsan Al Refai – Yemen
- Women and citizenship: The citizenship campaign as a model
Dr. Wajeeha Al-Baharna – Bahrain
- Youth activism in Bahrain
Mariam Rowaie - Bahrain
|
Dr. Faiza Babakhan |
| 4:30 – 5:00 |
Wrap-up & Evaluation |
Ms. Tracy Sahyoun |
Day 2
| Time |
Topic |
Moderator |
| 9:00 – 11:00 |
Women in Small Businesses & Business Positions in KSA
YWL KSA Group:
Ghadeer Al Sobahi, Lana Komsany, Esraa Al Safadi
Mentor: Dr. Aisha Natto
|
Dr. Aisha Natto |
| 11:00 – 11:15 |
Coffee Break |
|
| 11:15 – 1:15 |
Topic: Women Economic Empowerment in the Gulf States
- Social Entrepreneurship from conceptual framework to applications
Reem Al Buainain – UAE
- Starting and managing small businesses
Anhar Al Hanani – Yemen
- Economic empowerment of women & their employment
Balqis Ahmed Kibsi – Yemen
- Women empowerment through IT
Fatma Al-Siddiqi - Bahrain
|
Dr. Aisha Natto |
| 1:15 – 2:15 |
Networking Lunch |
http://www.ywl.lau.edu.lb/newsevents10.php |
| 2:15 – 4:15 |
Topic: Women Empowerment Under Difficult Circumstances
- A plan to train and educate Yemeni women
Abdul Nasser Abdul Wali Mohammed – Yemen
- Shelter for women and children born out of wedlock
Ikram Ben Said – Tunisia
- The early education of young Arab women
Fatima Ezzat – Egypt
- Empowerment of young women in rural areas
Badria Al Marzooq - Bahrain
|
Dr. Wajeeha Al-Baharna |
| 4:15 – 4:45 |
Wrap-up & Evaluation |
Ms. Tracy Sahyoun |
Day 3
| Time |
Topic |
Moderator |
| 9:00 – 11:00 |
Topic: Advocating for GOSI reforms in Bahrain
YWL Bahrain Group:
Fatima Al Hajari, Sayed Adnan Ahmed, Huda Radhi
Mentor: Dr. Ghaniya Alaiwi
|
Dr. Cedar Mansour |
| 11:00 – 11:15 |
Coffee Break |
|
| 11:15 – 2:00 |
Topic: Empowering Young Women in the Gulf States
Transformation through education (A vision)
Fatema Ali – Bahrain
Women job seekers net
Amna Al Habsi – Oman
The Yemeni woman and her participation in society
Rahma Al Shawesh – Yemen
The creation of young women associations
Noor M. Mearaj – Bahrain
|
Ms. Mona Al-Mahakery/ Dr. Ghaniya Alaiwi |
| 2:00 – 4:00 |
Topic: Launching the Young Women Leaders Network
Networking Lunch
Wrap-up & Evaluation
|
Ms. Mariam Rowaie
Ms. Tracy Sahyoun
|
| 5:30 – 7:30 |
Closing ceremony
- Welcome word by Dr. Nabelah Haraty - Project Coordinator
- Short film
- Word from Dr. Samira Aghacy - Dean of Arts & Sciences
- Word from YWL participants
- Word from Dr. Imad Salamey – Program Director
- Distribution of certificates
- Reception
|
|
YWL Conference Administrators
Program Director, Dr. Imad Salamey
Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and the current Director of the Young Women Leaders at the Lebanese American University. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from WayneStateUniversity in 2003. His research interests focus on topics of ethnicity, democracy and governance. He has various publications related to the advancement of ethno-sectarian relations, democracy and electoral reforms in Lebanon and the Middle East. Dr. Salamey has taught in both Lebanon and the U.S. courses and graduate seminars in American Government, Democracy and Development, Globalization and Political Change, Middle Eastern politics, Iraqi Crisis in International and Regional Context, Transition toward Democracy in the Middle East, and Women in Politics. He has been active in establishing a wide network of civil society organizations committed to democratic change throughout Lebanon and the Middle East. He has assisted in various USAID Democracy and Governance assessment projects in Lebanon in areas such as the rule of law and parliament.
imad.salamey@lau.edu.lb
Program Coordinator, Dr. Nabelah A. Haraty
Lecturer of Communication Arts at the Lebanese American University. She received her MLA from the University of Western Maryland and her Ed.D from the University of Brunel. Dr Haraty teaches Fundamentals of Oral Communication and English as a second language. Her publications and research are related to the field of oral communication and sociolinguistics. She has given many workshops in her areas of expertise and co-authored a textbook on teaching English as a second language. Her present interests include; Critical Thinking, Communication and Public Relations, Communication and Leadership, and The Laughing Classroom.
nharaty@lau.edu.lb
Program Administrative Coordinator, Ms. Tracy Sahyoun
Current Program Administrative Coordinator of the YWL and Graduate Student at the Lebanese American University majoring in Political Science/International Affairs. Ms. Sahyoun is currently working on her MA thesis researching community policing models as a means to mainstream the Child Rights Convention within Lebanon. Her thesis aims at finding ways to enhance the juvenile justice system in Lebanon. Ms. Sahyoun has received her BA from LAU majoring in Political Science/International Affairs with an emphasis on Diplomacy and Consular Services.
giorgio.tarraf@lau.edu.lb giorgio.tarraf@lau.edu.lb
Conference Administrative Coordinator, Mr. Giorgio Guy Tarraf
Current Conference Administrative Coordinator of the YWL and Graduate Student at the Lebanese American University majoring in Political Science/International Affairs. He was awarded a BS in Biology from the AmericanUniversity of Beirut. He served as a Junior Ambassador of Culture and Peace for 10 years.Tarraf is also a founding member of Save Beirut Heritage, an NGO that works to preserve the architectural heritage of Lebanon.
giorgio.tarraf@lau.edu.lb
Day 1: Presenters' Bios
Majda Ahmed Awassa (Yemen)
Ms. Awasa has been working as a coordinator at the Early Childhood Development Resource Center at Higher Council for Motherhood and Childhood since 2005. She worked as a financial assistant in the National Safe Motherhood Alliance. She received her BA in English Language from Sanaa University in 2004.
ecd-rc1@hotmail.com
Dr. Faiza Jabbar Babakhan – Iraq
- Lawyer & Legal researcher. Leader in the International Human Rights Law Institute in Kurdistan/ Iraq.
- Former Member of Parliament. Legal advisor in Human rights Ministry.
- Played a great role in the amendment of the Iraqi personal statutes.
- Member in the highest judicial session in the Ministry of justice.
- Played great role in the development of women issues and situation in Iraq.
- Published many books and researches in Baghdad such as:
The Legal position for Women in the Iraqi Legislations- comparative studies- Baghdad in 2009.
- Iraqi Laws leads with women according to the International convention CEDAW- comparative Studies, Baghdad on 2009.
fbabakhan@yahoo.com
Wajeeha S. Al-Baharna - Bahrain
Vice-President of Bahrain Women's Association, focusing on Women Empowerment Programs. She is also Board Member of Innovation Cultural Society (Al- Tajdeed), focusing on Innovation of Islamic thought. Board member at Arab Women leadership Institute (AWLI), Jordan and Bridging the Gulf Foundation, Netherland.
Albaharna is member of Board of Trustees at the following organizations: Arab Thought Forum (Jordan), Arab Network for Non-Governmental Organizations (Cairo), World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (USA), and Network of Democrats in the Arab World (NDAW). She worked as Advisor with Global Fund for Women (USA). She is leading the "Nationality Campaign" in Bahrain in coordination with CRTD (Lebanon), and member in family law committee in Bahrain. Al-Baharna was born in Bahrain, has her PhD degree in Environment, and works as Marine Biologist in the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources and Environment and Wild Life in Bahrain.
wajeeha99@hotmail.com
Yaseen Abdullah Hamzah – Yemen
Mr. Hamzah has been working as a volunteer in the youth and child association over the past three years. He has completed his studies in engineering in Iraq and has been working in Yemen Gas Company since 1996.
yaseensw@yahoo.com
Shadya Abduljabbar Hobeshi - Yemen
She received her BA in Education-Life Sciences in 1996. She got her Diploma in Higher Education in Women Studies from the University of Sanaa in 2000.
الخبرات العلمية:
المديرة التنفيذية لجمعية الأسرة الإجتماعية للتنمية مدربة وناشطة في المجال حقوق الإنسان -مناصرة
استشارية لدى الصندوق الإجتماعي للتنمية
الخبرات العلمية:
القيام بعدد من الأبحاث منها:
عمالة الأطفال في الشوارع
المرأه عبر العصور والتاريخ اليمني
المرأه اليمنية بين الأعراف والنصوص الشرعية
المشاركات:
تم المشركات بعدة ورش ومؤتمرات ودورات تدريبية داخل اليمن وخارجه (كندا، أبو ظبي، أوغندا، أمريكا) وكانت المواضيع الرئيسية
(مفاهيم حقوق الإنسان، أساليب وطرق فض النزاعات- المناصرة، مهارات الإتصال، حوارات دينية
shadya_16@yahoo.com
Juan Abdul Hussien – Iraq
Lead trainer For Women International – Iraq. Works with women of all ages on their social condition. She was a teacher at Summer School for three years from 2005 to 2008. From 2002 until 2004, She worked as a employee at a maintenance computer office.
joan_ali2009@yahoo.com
Nassreen Fazea - Yemen
Nisreene has a Master Degree in Business Administration(MDA) Human
Rescuers Development ( Effectiveness Evaluation of Managerial Training Programs) from the Science and Technology University She is also a member at Yemeni women union and a representative member of family social association for development at Woman National Committee (a had of economical thematic group) .
Finally, she is also a member of the family social association for development at NGOs network.
nassreen78@yahoo.com
Mona Yehia El Mahakery – Yemen
Teacher in Arabic Literature and member of the center for women study at Sana'a University. She graduated from faculty of education (Egypt) and finished her (MA) and (BHD) in Arabic literature in AIN SHAMES UNIVERSITY- EGYPT. She is the publisher and editor in chief of 'AROOS ALYEMEN)' a monthly women magazine. She is a member of 'ANTI QAT SOCIETY' and wrote many articles in newspapers about women and Qat in Yemen. She is also responsible of women studies in Yemen Future Movement Society. She is the establisher and member of the Yemeni literary criticism society.
yzmona@hotmail.com
Day 2: Presenters' Bios
Ikram Ben Said - Tunisia
She has a degree in marketing from the l'École Supérieur des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales in Tunis. She currently works as a manager of a small international fair trade business called FEÉ Tunisie. She is an activist in an NGO called AMAL for Family and Child that supports single mothers and children that were born out of wedlock. The NGO aims to enable women to be independent enough to keep their children by providing them with several resources. "In my NGO, I am a volunteer and I work to raise awareness of children and women's rights as well as violence against women. I am particularly interested in gender issues and children's rights. My different activities in this field have given me the opportunity to participate in several trainings in Tunisia and abroad in addition to my academic training dealing with management and communication. I am passionate about literature and theatre and I love to travel."
Ikram.bensaid@hotmail.com
Reem Al Buainain - UAE
She is the key official responsible for IT activity in General Women's Union since the end of 2004. She is responsible for setting the IT center's strategic direction. She joined GWU in 1999 as System Administrator at the ITC. Since becoming the Executive Manager of the ITC, Ms. Al Buainain has worked to create opportunities to empower women in technology world and help in building Emirate Women future in Information Technology. Currently, Ms. Al Buainain is a member of UAE Women Leadership Program, which is sponsored by Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and supported by Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development (MBRPLD). She is a member of the Women in Technology Regional Leadership Council. She gained numerous recognition certificates on her work and one of her achievements is presenting U.A.E delegation in the 49th session of the commission on the status of Women in United Nations Headquarters. She has been awarded Rashid Award for Scientific Distinction Certificate.
Reem.albuainain@gmail.com
Fatma Ezzat – Egypt
Fatma Ezzat graduated from Ain Shams University in 2000; she achieved two special diplomas in Psychology and a diploma in Hospital management. Fatma has several years of experience in projects working on raising health awareness, especially those related to women and children care to improve their psychological condition and health. She worked as a psychologist and trainer for trainers for children with special needs in cooperation with their families with many organizations like Islamic Relief, Egyptian Ministry of health and el Karma, Sesame street workshop. Through developmental psychology Fatma has a wide range of experience in establishing NGOs which scope of work helps to diminish social problems such as poverty, gender inequality and citizenship rights. She has a proven track record in social activities and she serves as a good will ambassador from USA to other Nations.
She participated in "Interaction" program leadership in community cooperate with British Council to build around an innovative program of peer learning, constructive dialogue and action by leaders of community from Jordan, Egypt, Tunis ,Morocco, Lebanon, Algeria and Scotland who are passionate about Africa and the UK, their relationship, and leadership. Fatma was elected as an Egyptian Leader in Local community in Africa leadership Forum, Dakar, Senegal in 2009.
fezzat97@yahoo.com
Anhar Ahmed Al-Hanani - Yemen
She has a Bachelor Degree in English Language in 2006 from Sana'a University, Faculty of Education. She is interested in working with International Organization and taking part as much as possible in the global effort to promote the capability of a society towards the elimination of poverty and other obstacles. She is interested to get more knowledge related to women's empowerment issues. She has a long term goal to become a business woman and have the ability to take a part in the prosperity of her beloved country Yemen and try her best to assist those in need.
She believes that if one woman can show her accomplishments and success, she will change the bad view in the eyes of lots of people in the society. She believes that by her success she can impose her respect among men and be empowered in various positions within the country and this is what she really feels.
hananianhar@yahoo.com
Abdul-Nasser Al-Hajj - Yemen
Abdul-Nasser graduated from Taiz University –Faculty of Education –Department of English Language with a Bachelor Degree. He attended many symposiums about women rights in the Women Forum for Studies and Training in Taiz governorate. He was also a volunteer in the Yemeni Observatory for Human Rights.
Nasser also wrote a program to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) about Social Exclusion in Yemen and its impact on Development. He is currently interested in research about "youth participation of women and men in the democratic movement".
nasser.elhaj@yahoo.com
Balqis Ahmed Kibsi – Yemen
-Trained central and essential to the laboratory of basic education and of scientific disciplines (1-9) and school administration (principals and agents) Programme of GTZ.
- Coach of the life skills for rural women to reduce poverty in some provinces of the Republic.
- Trained to plan and implement small income-generating in some governorates.
- Participated in many field surveys for the formation of outreach teams and the empowerment of local communities as planning and participating with the local authority in certain provinces of the Republic.
- Head of Education Services Department for the girls' education office M / Sana.
- Human rights activist and writer in some local newspapers.
balkbsy@yahoo.com
Lana Komsany - Saudi Arabia
Lana Komsany, 30, Jeddah. She has a BA in theatre from Northeastern University. She is an advocate of women issues. She believes that women can be good business leaders. She is currently working as a content developer and editor at Sufrati.com. She is the owner of Lana's catering. She has lived her life in Cairo, Egypt. She has experience in Marketing, directing and play writing.
lkomsany@gmail.com
Ms. Badria Al Marzooq - Bahrain
Ms. Badreya Al Marzooq has been an active advocate of women's issues, equality and empowerment for many years, and is currently working in conjunction with Bahraini Women Union on issues of Domestic Violence,
CEDAW, Status Law in Bahrain.
She is also a chemical Engineer and since 2007, she is the head of an NGO: Al-reef Young Lady Societyt
She is quite interested in touching on all issues concerning society, in particular women and the youth.
badria.almarzooq@hotmail.com
Esraa Al-Safadi – Saudi Arabia
Esraa is a business Service Manager in SADAD project part of HP Company.
Worked for 7y in SADAD project and handled different positions.
Certified in ISO 2000 Quality Auditing.
Attended a lot of leadership and management courses and summits.
She looks forward to developing women skills and open more opportunities for women in society. She is a member of King Saud University Computer Science board for education enhancement.
esraa.alsafadi@gmail.com
Ms. Fatma Al-Siddiqi - Bahrain
Fatma Al-Siddiqi is a board member of the Bahraini Society for Woman's Development and its media manager.
The society is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of Bahraini women to enable the Kingdom of Bahrain to have the conducive environment to empower women. Being in a women society, allowed Fatma to help women and families via the successful planning and implementation of the society's projects. Moreover, the contributions achieved in the society led Fatma to study mass communication and public relation at the university to improve the skills needed and further develop the competencies in the media industry. Fatma is also writing in Al Watan newspaper, a well-known Bahrain newspaper, in the family pages section.
managerb@batelco.com.bh
Ghadeer Al Sobahi - Saudi Arabia
Ghadeer Al Sobahi from Saudi Arabia is the marketing supervisor for Western Bakeries- part of Maraie Group. She received her Master Degree in Business Administration in 2008 from King AbdulAziz University- Jeddah. Her work with the NGOs started 5 years ago in the hearing impaired society in Jeddah and in the awareness campaigns for the breast cancer organization. She also organized and participated in many economic forums in Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia.
Her dream is to expand her position as an active citizen of the world through education, training and developing leadership skills to have a positive impact and to enhance the work on women rights and advocacy. Capturing knowledge and experiences learned and sharing it with others in her community and the world.
ghadeer.alsobahi@gmail.com
Day 3: Presenters' Bios
Dr. Ghaniya Alaiwi
Dr. Ghaniya Alaiwi is Sr. Specialist of Curricula development in Ministry of Education, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Some of her professional experience:
- Training of assistant directors in the administrative apprenticeship diploma.
- Member of the team Enter the Education in Human Rights Education in Bahrain.
- Member of the Committee on Scientific Research Award, Ministry of Education, Bahrain.
- Teaching for high diploma for teacher.
- Member of High Studies Committee-Poly technique, Ministry of Education, Bahrain.
- Participated in writing a book, namely Instruction Guide for Curriculum specialists.
- Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Synchrotron Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) in 2005.
- Accomplished numbers of technical papers in education,
1983-Now:
- Active Member of Bahrain's Young Ladies Association.
- The chair women of Public Relations and Media in Blood Donation Campaign.
- Member of Al-Naiem'Youth Center.
- Member of Al-SHABAB Sporting Club.
- Member of the Arabic net for studying democracy
dr.ghaniya@gmail.com
Fatema Ali – Bahrain
Fatema Ali earned her B.A. degree in English Literature – American Studies at the University of Bahrain, Bahrain. Since 2006, she has been teaching English to girls in her community & in private institutions. . Fatema holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management from Bahrain Training Institute. Her areas of interests are education, teaching the English Language, technology, political science & their uses to improve women & girls status in Bahrain. In 2004, she was part of the MEPI (Middle East Partnership Initiative) program at Georgetown University. In 2008, FLTA (Fulbright language teaching assistant) at Santa Clara University, California, where she taught the Arabic Language & Culture and helped with the development of the AIMES program (Interdisciplinary Minor in Arabic, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies). Subsequently, in 2009 she worked at the Ministry of Culture & Information, Sector of Culture and National Heritage as Content Development Assistant & translator for a UNESCO Project. Currently, she is an English Teacher at the Ministry of Education in Bahrain.
m_4eo@hotmail.com
Amna Al-Habsi – Oman
- B. Sc. degree, Management Information Systems, College of Commerce & Economics, Sultan Qaboos University, graduated in June 2009
- Participated in the 3rd Government Services Exhibition (26-30 April 2010):
- Representing e-Payment Gateway Project: Invited new members and encouraged citizens to use
- Attended in MEPI Alumni Conference in Turkey, Istanbul (11-15 March 2010):
Follow-on Grants MEPI program final projects
- Attended MEPI (Middle East Partnership Initiative) Leaders Undergraduate Student 2009 program in United States, Georgetown University (29 June_5 August 2009):
- Studying leadership, U.S politics and involving in voluntary works in different states in U.S
- Head of Media & Events in KnowledgeOman.com Portal (Spring 09)
a-habsi@hotmail.com
Fatima Al Hajari - Bahrain
A journalist from Mahriq Bahrain who has always worked as a journalist for the majority of the Bahrain Jounalism eg: Alwatan, Alwasat, Bahrain Television and is currently working in Al Aswaq. She started her work in 1994. She is a member of the Journalism Syndicate and "Mourasilat Bilahoudoud" and in the Arabian Journalism Organization. She graduated with distinction in Journalism from the University of Bahrain. Currently she is preparing her thesis on "economic journalism" in the Ahli University.
She took part in covering important events eg: Iraqi War 2003 and witnessed the fall of the plane in Al-Mahriq in 2000. She also took part in many workshops in different Arab Countries. In addition to that she took part in many scientific researches in the Bahrain University and the Ahliyah University about "Deputy Elections and Political Movements" and now she is majoring in Economic Journalism after she had written many reports related to political, social and human issues.
fatyaaah@hotmail.com
Sayed Adnan Jalal - Bahrain
Holds a Bachelor in Management Information Systems from Delmon University- Kingdom of Bahrain. Since 2003 he has been Computer Lab Technician at the Ministry of Education. Mr. Jalal worked as a journalist and photographer at Alwasseet Newspaper and Alayan Newspaper. He is the current president of the Hawar Society and member of the Bahrain Youth Forum Society and the Bahraini Journalist Association.
sajalal@gmail.com
Noor M. Mearaj – Bahrain
Noor Mearaj has a Bachelor degree in dental technology from Jordan University of Science and Technology 2009. She joined the social field since a very young age, participated and will be participating in volunteer work that could help and support women, children and needy to uplift her society. She says that she is an example of unemployed Bahraini ladies who are fighting to seize the job that they deserve and desire.
noor.mearaj@gmail.com
Rahma Al Shawesh – Yemen
- Rahma is a manager of media with The Peace House in Yemen 2008
- She is also the editor of the economic and political news in Yemen TV.
- She also works as a correspondent and reporter for Al Baghdadia, Alaqsa and Alshrqia and other media in Yemen.
- A Social researcher in the field of Yemen Project for family and child healthcare in Ibb city.
- A Sales and marketing Officer and as Secretary and Public relation officer in Al-rwaad Company of Advertisements and marketing.
- She audits poverty survey manually and electronically in Yemen Central Statistical Office.
rahmaali2@gmail.com
Huda Radhi – Bahrain
She is the Director and Distribution Agent of Daskalides Bahrain. She is the Manager at the International Banking Division in the Arab Investment Company. She received her MSC in Systems Engineering and Management and her BA in international Business and French from Richmond, The International University in London. She pursued her mini MBA in Entrepreneurship from Beyster Institute of the Rady School of Management, University of San Diego. She participated in and completed the "Women Entrepreneurship Development and Enterprise Creation Programme" that was organized by The Arab Regional Centre of Entrepreneurship and Investment Training (UNIDO), in association with the Ministry of Industry, Bahrain Development Bank and Bahrain Businesswomen Society. She worked as a Relationship Manager at TAIB Bank, Bahrain, and Independent Consultant at Reuters UK and Credit Assistant at Merrill Lynch UK.
She has memberships and affiliations in several societies in Bahrain and overseas. She is a member in Bahrain Business Women Society- Former Board Member in Bahrain French Club- Founder Member of National Charter Society. She has affiliate members in UK with the Institute of Electrical Engineers and with Institute of Management Consultant and with Global Association of Risk Professionals.
daskalidesbahrain@hotmail.com
Ms. Sawsan Al Refai – Yemen
Ms. Sawsan Al Refai has a BS in general medicine and health sciences and has an MSc in health policy, planning and financing. Currently she is program development consultant and also a member of the Administrative Board of the Youth Leadership Development Foundation and is acting as a Human Rights Program Consultant. She is responsible for conducting surveys assessing the educational and training needs of human rights activists and youth in Yemen, as well as designing and writing proposals for the human rights educational programs. She is a trainer for youth in health, gender, and human rights issues and develops training materials and manuals for HRE programs for activists and youth. She has worked on development work with several partners and international organizations including United Nations, GTZ, OXFAM and others in Yemen.
salrefai@yldf.org
LAU Moderators' Bio
Dr. Cedar Mansour
Dr. Cedar Mansour is the Vice President and General Counsel at LAU, as well as the Special Assistant to LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra. In her capacity as the General Counsel of the university, she is responsible for legal compliance issues in the United States and Lebanon, including all matters related to the operation and overseeing of the university's Board of Trustees. Being a licensed and trained lawyer in both the United States and Lebanon enables Dr. Mansour to navigate both legal systems and ensure the university's compliance with the mandatory requirements in both countries where the university is incorporated and operates.
Dr. Mansour is also responsible for policy creation, implementation, and compliance within the university. She is also involved in all major university initiatives, especially those related to negotiating real property purchases, development of subsidiary entities, and creation of new foundations to support university initiatives and plans for expansion. She has worked on several major affiliation agreements between LAU and other universities and educational institutions, as well as on matters related to the university's role as an academic advisor and consultant for other educational institutions operating abroad. Dr. Mansour also played a major role in securing the university's first bond issuance in the United States, and in its acquisition of controlling shares in a major hospital in Lebanon.
Dr. Mansour joined LAU in 1996 as a Professor of Business Law, the General Counsel of the University and the Assistant to the President. In May of 1999, she was appointed Assistant Vice President for Administration. A licensed attorney in Lebanon, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. prior to joining LAU, Dr. Mansour had a vibrant career as an attorney. As a law student, Dr. Mansour clerked for the Honorable Franklin D. Cleckley Esq. She started her law career at the law firm of Spilman, Thomas, Battle & Kloistermeier, and later moved on to manage a law office in Washington, D.C. until 1996.
Dr. Mansour attained her Doctor of Jurisprudence from West Virginia University College of Law in 1991. She finished her courses for a master's degree in Comparative Education Law from Holy Spirit University in 1986, and attained her License de Droit with honors from the Lebanese University College of Law in 1983.
She is a member of the D.C. Bar Association, the West Virginia Bar Association and the Beirut Bar, as well as a member of the National Association for College and University Attorneys (NACUA). She also chairs the board of the prominent Beirut Baptist School.
cmansour@lau.edu.lb
Dr. Josiane Fahed-Sreih
Dr. Fahed-Sreih is the Associate Professor of Management and the Director of the Institute of Family and Entrepreneurial Business at LAU. Dr. Josiane Fahed- Sreih holds a Ph-D from the Sorbonne and is a full time Associate Professor of Management Department of Business Studies at LAU. She is the founder and current Director of the Institute of Family and Entrepreneurial Business at LAU. She holds the responsibility of the Middle East Coordinator Family Firm Institute USA. She has participated in international conferences, workshops and seminars. She has participated in major conferences locally and internationally and management and family business management issues countries: Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon. Her research interests are in management, family management, and boards of directors' functioning and governance.
She published in 2004 her book in the US Figures concerning Family Business in Lebanon" and many compendiums on Family Business Management East, in articles, chapters in books, book reviews and academic in internationally refereed journals. She is the winner of the International Award from the Family Firm Institute in recognition of outstanding achievement in furthering understanding of family business issues that occur between countries. She currently sits on three boards of shareholders: one as a Chairman of the board, and independent advisor in the private sector; she is also advisor on boards of community service organizations.
jsreih@lau.edu.lb
Dr. Garene Kaloustian
Dr. GareneKaloustian is assistant professor in the Department of Education.Her interests are in the area of children's social-emotional development, focusing on the study of mother–child attachment relationships in preschoolers. She is especially interested in investigating the development of the secure base phenomenon, its relations to the quality of maternal caregiving among "at-risk" conditions (abuse, poverty, war) and children's behavioral outcomes in the preschool setting amongst peers. Most of her research has involved the use of observational methodologies in naturalistic settings (e.g., home, playgrounds and schools).
Academic degrees:
* Ph.D. in Early Childhood Development and Education, 2008, PurdueUniversity, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA .
* M.S. in Early Childhood Development and Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
* B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, 2000, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
garene.kaloustian@lau.edu.lb
|
