Women Business Conference says women professionals are catalysts for change in the Middle East business

The important contribution that Leadership can make to a professional women's career is the key theme of the conference organized by Datamatix at the Le Meridian Hotel.

The event was highly successful and helped to break new ground in the Middle East. The conferences explored such issues as:

Identifying key "points of concern" in the policymaking process where women can really make a difference; Prioritizing and promoting those women's leadership issues that are of most concern and to advocate for economic reform and better governance; The Art of Leadership and how women can adapt to leadership requirements.

The conference was opened by Ali Kamali, chief organizer of the Woibex. He said: "Women have been very successful in their professional careers in both government and private sectors of the region, holding a large number of staff and committee posts. This conference provided the opportunity to share and learn from the experiences of others and pick up new skills. It is also crucial in building confidence and creating new networks. This is an excellent way to measure the achievements of women in business and support for their continuing development."

Ms. Laura Liswood, Co-founder and Secretary General of Council of Women World Leaders, Director of The Goldman Sachs Group US, gave the keynote address in Dubai. She noted, "Women have a great role to play in helping to develop a business culture in this part of the world by reinventing their attitude towards leadership." She admitted that women's leadership has a way to go in the Middle East and North Africa, even in Dubai, but she said she is encouraged by what she has seen. She suggested that senior women professionals have a unique niche in the "design and implementation of government policy ".

The sessions of the conference examined the major reform issues facing women and their leadership, including team work. Ms. Ruth Field, Managing Director of Joshua Consulting Group UK spoke on the role of leadership and teamwork in the success of women professionals. Sharing her experiences, Ms. Ruth Field highlighted on the characteristics of leadership. She said that a leader needs to have a clear understanding of where he or she is going, and passion to put this across in such a way as to inspire and influence others.

One other important ingredient for successful leadership is consistent values, Ms. Ruth Field said 'Values represent the way the leader lives his or her life. Being consistent with one's values creates the integrity and respect a leader needs for others to follow willingly'. She added that leaders are committed to developing people and bringing out the best in them. Above all, the leader has an insatiable desire to learn.

Ms. Sana Bagersh, Marketing Services Manager of Thuraya Satellite presented a case study on "ARAB WOMEN AT WORK - A NEW REALITY. She highlighted the various efforts undertaken by the MENA governments in the past decade for closing the gender gap in education. Various governments in the region have spent an average of 5.3 percent of GDP in education, which is considered among the highest in the world.

She added "But although this region is making a significant investment in educating women and their capacity to earn, it has not sufficiently capitalised on this investment. Female employment in the MENA region increased over the past decade, but despite the higher education levels, it has remained at 32 percent—which is among the lowest in the world!"

Ms. Margarette Niloofar Rouhani, Facilitation Manager from the Franklin Covey Qiyada Consultants Dubai UAE moderated the conference which was supported by Zayed University, National Bank of Dubai, Dubai Business Women's Organization and Karima Ladies Centre.