The Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) is hosting its first US conference at Washington DC in partnership with the World Bank as part of its efforts to explore opportunities for women’s advancement in the Arab world.

The three-day conference titled 'Partners for Change: Realizing the Potential of Arab Women in the Private and Public Sector,' begins today (June 22).

The event will stress the importance of education as the most effective means to overcoming socio-economic challenges and barriers.

It will also encourage dialogues on the Arab women’s role in making the Millennium Development Goals a reality, said an AIWF official.

Through 'Partners of Change,' AIWF is widening its debate to include the development of Arab women in public and political life. It is engendering intercultural connectivity and opening a dialogue between Arab and international policymakers and entrepreneurs to remove roadblocks to women’s gainful participation in Arab politics, economies and societies.

“Partners of Change, is an important milestone for AIWF. This conference examines opportunities for the entrepreneurial, political and economic engagement of Arab women and the collaboration of our partners in the Middle East, United States and beyond,” said AIWF founder and chairman Haifa Al Kaylani.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the agenda for women’s advancement in the Arab world moves forward,” she noted.

Kaylani said AIWF shared the World Bank’s objectives of fostering an environment of progress, peace and prosperity for all the world’s citizens.

It supports the World Bank’s role as a catalyst for growth in global infrastructure, gender, ITC, private sector development, health, education, poverty reduction and other key areas.

Partners for Change will bring together AIWF (partners and members), government representatives, business leaders, academics and professionals from the Arab world, US and Europe.

Eminent regional and international speakers will identify the key issues of contributions that women in business make to global economic growth and their increasing engagement in public life and government, drawing upon the experiences of global corporations and international institutions.

“I welcome the opportunity for the World Bank to partner with the AIWF and to host such a distinguished group of committed women and men from inside and outside the Mena region, coming together at this conference to contribute to the economic empowerment of women,” said Daniela Gressani, vice president, Mena, The World Bank.

The conference programme also incorporates the official US launch of the book, 'Domains of Influence: Arab Women Business Leaders in a New Economy.'

Supported by AIWF, the book was produced in partnership with The World Bank as a unique testament to the impact of Arab women in today’s global environment of entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.-TradeArabia News Service