Global Thinkers Forum 2012 prepares to set fresh agenda with Middle East's women leaders and reveals exclusive new partners

The conference is being held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and is a response to the leading positions some women are now taking across communities in the region, while celebrating the current roles and life stories of successful women leaders across professional and public life.

Confirmed speakers and GTF Award Honourees include: Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, HRH Princess Rym Ali of Jordan, HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, H.E. the British Ambassador to Jordan Mr. Peter Millett, Arianna Huffington, Fadi Ghandour, Deema Bibi, Professor Saskia Sassen, Majd Shweikeh, Dr. Hayat Sindi, Dr. Usama Fayyad, Wael Fakharany, Marianna Vardinoyanni, Professor Safwan Masri, Jumana Twal, Margery Kraus and Reem Bsaiso.

Elizabeth Filippouli, GTF 2012 Founder & CEO, comments: 'Global Thinkers Forum 2012 has become an essential platform for the region and its women leaders. We are delighted to help leading brands who want to show their true colours and demonstrate their responsibility to the community. The Forum also offers rich opportunities for media professionals looking for original stories from the region.'

The CEO of Umniah, Ihab Hinnawi stated: "Umniah's partnership with the GTF 2012 as the Strategic Telecom Partner of the Forum is in line with our commitment to support our community, and to reach out to the different segments in our society. We at Umniah always encourage creativity and innovation, with a particular focus on Women and Young entrepreneurs, and we strive to offer them the right economic and social conditions that will nurture their growth; this forum is an important platform and will definitely contribute to that.

Hinnawi confirmed the importance of the topics that will be discussed during this year's forum driven by its unique umbrella theme. He added: "our society in the Arab region is witnessing pivotal social and economic transformations. Women in general played a significant role and contributed to this change, a topic that is worth discussing while highlighting the positive ramifications of these changes. Women who guided this trend are leaders and have impacted the community without any doubt; we need to reinforce all the tools that have been used by successful, inspiring women to ensure the continuity of this positive transformation."

In turn, Jumana Twal, Founder & CEO of Bidaya Corporate Communications, notes: 'The MENA region has no shortage of strong women leaders; what it lacks is large-scale, visible platforms that are capable of advocating a progressive socio-political stance on women's roles, showcasing inspiring success stories and opening the door for effective peer networking. That is why bellwether events such as GTF 2012 are so important, and we at Bidaya are proud to be involved.'

At a time of change for the region many preconceived ideas are changing across Politics, Governance, Business and Society. GTF promotes the extensive participation of women as a necessary and positive imperative for our world and the creation of just societies.

The Global Thinkers Forum Awards for Excellence in Global Thinking, Leadership, Life, Philanthropy, Media, Innovation, Science, Gender Equality, Cultural Understanding, Entrepreneurship, Positive Change, will also be presented following voting and the deliberations of its Board of Advisors: Chris Cramer, Editor At Large Reuters; Lindsey Oliver, International Commercial Director at Bloomberg; Salim Amin, Chairman of A24 Media; Maggie Eales, Senior Vice President of CNN International; Richard Sambrook, Director of the Centre for Journalism at Cardiff University; and Marc Ventresca, Professor at the University of Oxford.