Beirut hosts 'The 3rd New Arab Woman Forum' on the 15th and 16th of October 2009

A press conference was held at the Bristol Hotel to launch the 3rd edition of NAWF in the presence of H.E Minister of Education and Higher Education Mrs. Bahia Hariri, who will assume the Honorary Presidency of the Forum, Al Ikissad Wal Aamal Group Chairman Mr. Raouf Abou Zaki, NAWF Executive Chair Dr. Nadine Abou Zaki, Group Director of Marketing, PR and Commercial at MBC, Mr. Mazen Hayek, and a large attendance by representatives of the media, and the economic, social and cultural sectors.

The much expected and prestigious event will take place at the Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel on the 15th and 16th of October 2009 under the high patronage of the First Lady of Lebanon Mrs. Wafaa Michel Sleiman.

Resuming the trail of ideas aired at the 2008 forum, NAWF 2009 will look at the main issues of the evolving role of women in Arab society under two main headings.

The first day is dedicated to the broad subject of women and leadership in Arab politics, business and society generally, with emphasis on the impact of changing global economic conditions on women's business careers and prospects. On the second day, the forum changes tack to look at issues of women and media, sexuality, education and creativity in the Arab world.

H.E Mrs. Bahia Hariri stated in her speech:

"It is with great honor that I introduce the New Arab Woman Forum to all women leaders in Lebanon and the Arab world in the various fields of science, business, politics, social work, as well as the growing women's civil organizations which are performing an important role in emphasizing the role and responsibilities that can be assumed by Arab women and their rightful share decision making at all levels."

She was followed by Mr. Raouf Abou Zaki, the General Manager of Al-Iktissad Al-Aamal Group who said, "The New Arab Woman Forum is the outcome of the combined efforts of Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group and Al Hasnaa Magazine, in cooperation with the League of Arab States, and many Arab and international ministries and organizations."

"Convening in its third round, the forum has become a regional annual event, establishing itself as an institution specialized in various women affairs. This forum is characterized by its responsibility and seriousness and brings something new in each of its annual sessions. The new element this year is the honorary presidency of HE Mrs. Bahiya Hariri of the forum, so welcome Your Excellency in heading this forum, and highlighting its seriousness and reaffirming your embracement of its aims and ideals," he added.

Mr. Abou Zaki added that, "As in its first 2 sessions, the forum in its third session attracts new leaders and personalities from various Arab countries and the world, and is on its way to become a platform for a series of seminars and activities in Lebanon and the Arab world, and a constant platform for vital and effective discussion and action concerning women and their issues, and Arab society as whole."

"It is my pleasure to meet with you at this press conference to announce the convening of the 3rd forum on the 15th of October 2009 under the patronage of Lebanon's first lady Mrs. Wafa Michel Suleiman and the active participation of H.E Mrs. Bahia Hariri," he added.

Mr. Abou Zaki said, "I would start by stressing the significance of having this major event held for the third year in a row and the increased attention that the forum is attracting from various interest groups and the media. We view this success as the strongest evidence on how much this forum is needed by an Arab world as it goes through major economic, social and cultural change. I would even dare to say that Arab society had been waiting for such a forum to emerge and provide the highest public platform for discussing the predicament of Arab women, as well as the future of the Arab family and Arab society in the broadest sense."

The success of the forum has also been motivated by the noticeable progress achieved by Arab women in all domains and their continuing rise as key players in the economic and social development of the region. The Forum should also be seen as a direct result of Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group's strong interest in the development of Arab woman especially that many of them has now risen to leadership positions in politics, business and society as a whole.

The event, which is organized by Al-Hasna women's magazine (owned by our Group), is also a highpoint of this magazine's continuous campaign, for more than 100 years, for the emancipation and rights of woman as individuals, as anchors of the family, and as a partner in today's economic and business life.

Mr. Abou Zaki ended, "I would like to express our satisfaction that interest in the forum has now gone beyond Arab society to reach neighbouring Europe. This was demonstrated last year by the participation of HE Fadela Asmara, Minister of Urban affairs in the French government and is illustrated this year with the participation of HE. Mahinur Ozdemir, Member of the Brussels Regional Parliament, who is of Turkish origin and who caused a great stir in Belgium for wearing the veil even after she became member of parliament."

Among the VIPs who have also confirmed their participation are: The Secretary General of Workers Party in Algeria H.E. Louisa Hanoun, the Kuwaiti member of parliament H.E. Dr. Aseel Al Awadi, member of FNC in the UAE H.E. Maysa Rashed Ghadeer, the Administratrice Civile Hors classe, Responsable du Pole Migrations, Justice, Sécurite- Presidence de la Pepublique- Mission Union pour la Mediterranée in France Mrs. Nathalie Pilhes, member of the Lebanese parliament Nayla Tueini and Dean of Dar Al-Hekma College in Saudi Arabia Dr. Suhair Al Qurashi. Writers, journalist, actors and actresses and businesswomen from many countries have confirmed their attendance.

The Forum will be attended by more than 600 participants from about 30 countries, same as in the 1st and 2nd forums.

"We are also so gratified to have gained a major supporter in the person of HE Bahia Hariri, Minister of Education of Lebanon, who has kindly accepted the position of Honorary Chairman of the Forum, a move that will lend much momentum and support to this event and strengthen its role in the process of social and cultural development in the Arab region. Apart from her experience and wisdom, Mrs Hariri is herself a major example of the empowerment of Arab women and a beacon in the struggle for the development of our society and its future generations," Mr. Abou Zaki added.

"We are also so gratified to have gained a major supporter in the person of HE Bahia Hariri, Minister of Education of Lebanon, who has kindly accepted the position of Honorary Chairman of the Forum, a move that will lend much momentum and support to this event and strengthen its role in the process of social and cultural development in the Arab region. Apart from her experience and wisdom, Mrs Hariri is herself a major example of the empowerment of Arab women and a beacon in the struggle for the development of our society and its future generations," he said.

"I would like to conclude by expressing our gratitude to our first lady Mrs. Wafa Suleiman for providing her personal support to the event. I would also like to reiterate our deepest thanks to H.E. Bahia Hariri for her active participation and support. We extend our warmest thanks to the General Secretariat of the Arab League for their cooperation and to MBC for their effective role in the support of the event," he added.

In her introduction, Dr. Nadine Abou Zaki, stressed that, "Women's issues are today a cause common to all Arab communities, and that one of the major prerequisites for the continued advancement of Arab societies is that women should be free of all restraints so that they can play a leading role in economic and social development at all levels and in all fields."

This year, the forum will bring together a distinguished group of speakers and participants from both from the Arab world and internationally, including first ladies, government ministers and public officials, business leaders, social scientists, writers and journalists, artists and actresses, heads of NGOs and other social institutions, and other personalities and activists.

In a concluding statement, Mr. Mazen Hayek stated, that the partnership of MBC group with NWAF again this year is a manifestation of MBC's belief in the Forum and its integral resonance from the points of view of sustainability, growth and development in addressing vital concerns of Arab Women today.

After the vigorous debates that characterized the 2007 & 2008 forums, NAWF 2009 will once again provide a unique platform for open a discussion of the many central issues on the evolving role of women in Arab society, political life and business, as well as future prospects and challenges in this regard.

The sponsors: The following companies are sponsoring the Forum: BankMed, Microsoft, MBC (Media Partner) and MEA (Official Carrier)