Dubai Women Establishment announces professional development sessions for 2009

These sessions are in line with the DWE's strategic goal to promote leadership qualities among working women and include activities and training aimed at enhancing individual performance and the career development of women.

The PD sessions for 2009 will focus on Change Management - defining change, leading change and responding to change in an organization; and Influencing Skills - dealing with workplace politics, negotiation skills and techniques to influence people.

The Professional Development Sessions are based on the results of a survey conducted among working women in Dubai in 2008 that highlighted 9 areas that women need to focus on to build up leadership qualities in their professional lives. The PD sessions were developed to help women deal with issues in these areas.

According to Aisha Al Suwaidi, Director- Women Leadership Development,

"The Professional Development sessions reinforce the DWE's commitment to develop the leadership qualities in women by providing a structured, supportive and collaborative environment. The Professional Development sessions will improve the skills and competencies necessary to promote the professional growth of women in line with the UAE's strategic priorities."

The sessions, which were launched in 2008, have so far covered a number of pertinent issues that women face when they venture out into the work place and have identified and discussed problems related to personality dimensions and group dynamics, setting boundaries and dealing with diversity issues in the work place.

Moza Al Serkal, Senior Manager- Women leadership Development, said the PD sessions support the DWE's strategic aim of providing world-class training opportunities to working women in the UAE. "The trainers conducting these workshops bring over 25 years of experience in leadership development and career management across the public and private sector. Their insights will provide valuable guidance to women seeking to move higher up in their careers," she said.

"The expertise of our trainers is unique and by conducting these sessions the DWE hopes to continue to provide valuable opportunities to working women in the UAE to benefit from world-class training programs," added Al Serkal.
The two sessions will be conducted in April by Lorraine Clemes (Ed.D) and Margaret Hart.

Lorraine Clemes has previously worked as a management and executive trainer for one of Canada's leading banks and has delivered several international workshops to business leaders, apart from coaching people on how to influence others and network successfully in the work place.

Margaret Hart is a member of the International Coach Federation and CoachesCanada and has provided leadership through large-scale complex organizational change and has worked with individuals to successfully navigate their own life transitions.