Prosperity through Partnership:

Women Leaders in Modern Syria, the Arab World
and the International Community

Damascus, Syria
14 – 17 May 2010

Under The Patronage of HE Dr Diala Al Hajj Aref
Minister of Social Affairs and Labour
The Syrian Arab Republic

The subjects of economic competitiveness, sustainable human development and the empowerment of women through partnership, increased connectivity, innovation and collaboration, lie at the very heart of the mission and vision of the Arab International Women’s Forum.

The Arab International Women’s Forum was founded in 2001, as an independent non – profit organisation, to serve as a voice for Arab women; showcasing their development promoting cross cultural diversity and creating greater public awareness of women’s success and prospects in the Arab world.

AIWF has members and contacts in more than 45 countries and links Arab business and professional women with each other and their counterparts in the international community to exchange knowledge, experience and develop their business potential. It is through ‘Building Bridges, Building Business’ that AIWF contributes to peace, progress and prosperity in the communities of its members.

Through its work and global initiatives, AIWF has explored timely themes to promote the role of women in the economy and in public life providing a focus on capacity-building, training and information exchange, stressing the need for synergies between governments, corporations and civil society as the only way to achieve educational, economic and political empowerment for women in the Arab world.

As a powerful advocate for the political and economic inclusion of women in the Arab world, AIWF mobilises action at the highest level and on the ground to promote and advance legislative rights for and the political participation of Arab women. Its growing role has been distinguished by many collaborations with, among others, the League of Arab States, the European Commission and European Parliament, United Nations organisations and agencies, the World Bank, the OECD, women’s business councils in the Arab States and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office – to which AIWF presented two landmark Reports and Recommendations in 2005 and 2007, on Women as Engines of Economic Growth in the Arab World.

AIWF places great strategic importance on the development of its global networks and the establishment of key alliances with multinational corporations across all sectors.

AIWF Global Partners are deeply engaged in the Arab region and uphold strong diversity policies that enhance the recruitment, training and development of women as key contributors to the Arab human capital pool, in raising awareness and strengthening its connections with global media AIWF is proud to have a special partnership with the Financial Times (FT) cooperating from June 2007 through to 2010) on the FT special reports, which recognise the Arab world’s emerging women business leaders. AIWF has supported the publication of Domains of Influence:

Arab Women Business Leaders in a New Economy, the first book of its kind and a unique testament to the impact of Arab women in today’s global environment of entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

The Board of Trustees of the Arab International Women‘s Forum consists of women successful in all fields of public life, business, and civil society giving their support and advice voluntarily to AIWF.

Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani (Founder and Chairman of the Arab International Women’s Forum, London, UK), Hon. Mme. Saida Agrebi (Member of the Tunisian Parliament, Chairman of the Tunisian Mother’s Association, Tunisia/ WFO VP for Communication and Public Relation Affairs), Assilah Zaher Al Harthy (Founder-President & Managing Director of the InterLynx L.L.C., Oman and Head of Corporate Affairs at The Oman Oil Company, Oman), HH Sheikha Hind Salman Al-Khalifa (President of the Children and Mothers Welfare Society, Kingdom of Bahrain), HH Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi (Minister for Foreign Trade, Government, United Arab Emirates), Khalidah Ahmed Al-Qatami ( Chairman, Al Khunaini Al Qatami General Trading Company, Kuwait), HE Maryam Al Roomi (Minister of Social Affairs, Government, United Arab Emirates), Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby (Secretary General & CEO, The Arab British Chamber of Commerce, UK), HH Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khalid Al Thani (Founder and Chairman AMWAL,Qatar), Engineer Nadia Hassan Bakhurji (Interior Architect and President of Riwaq of the Kingdom Co. Ltd, Saudi Arabia), Debra Davis (Director, Public Affairs & Communications, Birmingham City Council, UK), Bineta Diop (Director General, Femmes Africa Solidarité, Geneva, Switzerland), Raghda Kurdi (Managing Director & Vice President, Hayat Pharmaceutical Industries, Jordan), Peta Payne (Managing Director,International Women of Excellence (IWE) London, UK), Sylvia G. Perry (Finance Director, AIWF, Past President and Trustee, BPW International, UK), Inge Relph (Managing Director, Buy To Benefit, UK), Dr. Deisi Kusztra ( President of the World Family Organisation, Brazil).