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Highlights of The South America-Africa-Middle East-Asia Women Summit, 2015

SAMEAWS 2015- Cross section of guests

Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) a leading gender empowerment, human capacity,  and development-based organization, renowned as a catalyst and thought leader in developing the theory and practice of leadership, social, educational and economic empowerment particularly in Africa, held its annual South America- Africa -Middle East- Asia Women Summit on the 14^th-15^th December 2015, at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, UAE, welcoming representatives from five regions of the world including the First lady of Niger Republic (Her Excellency Dr. Lalla Malika Issoutou MAHAMADOU), Representatives of the First Lady of Nigeria among many other dignitaries. The summit was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum and in partnership with CEO Clubs Network Worldwide.

The Summit theme “Inclusive leadership: Key to Peace, Security & Prosperity in developing nations” following previous editions held in Dubai, created a platform for stakeholders within these regions to generate strategies and commitments towards new priorities for achieving the Women, Peace Security & Prosperity agenda in the regions with special focus on sustained, economic and political inclusion of women within these regions, propelled by stronger collaboration and support from women to women.

Opening the summit, Executive Director of Centre for Economic and Leadership Development, Mrs Furo Giami said the summit was to map out ways of strategically engaging women in developing nations in the forefront of peace and security issues as well as promoting and supporting the Women, Peace and Security agenda; thereby securing the prosperity of developing nations; and called on all stakeholder to take advantage of the summit to bring, Peace and Security to their respective regions.

SAMEAWS 2015- ED WELCOME ADDRESS

During the opening ceremony, The Founder of the CEO Clubs Networks Worldwide, Dr. Tariq Ahmed Nizami, emphasized on the role of women as drivers of growth and quality leadership, while laying more emphasis on the recent role of the UAE Government in this regard.

The welcome charge from one our strategic partners, the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL WOMEN), USA; was given by Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, Chair, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus & Member of the Georgia General Assembly.

SAMEAWS 2015- REP DEE HAIGLER’S WELCOME CHARGE

Keynote speaker, His Imperial & Royal Highness, Prince Gharios of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII stated that Inclusive leadership: Key to Peace, Security & Prosperity in developing nations can be achieved when all stakeholders understand the dynamics of a given region, citing the Middle East as a case study, using a lucid illustration of the Tower of Bricks and the impact of removing a brick from the tower. He also noted that “religion is like water” which has the ability to kill, and also give life.

The opening day of the summit was gleamed with seasoned professionals and stakeholders as Her Excellency Dr. Lalla Malika Issoutou MAHAMADOU First Lady of Niger Republic delivered a speech on “Keeping peace and winning the battle for the life of her communities: The Niger Republic experience.

FIRST LADY OF NIGER REPUBLIC

CEO, Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Aida Araissi, also enlightened her audience on “Fostering peace through bilateral trade”

SAMEAWS 2015 PIX- AIDA ARAISSI

ile Lamis Al Kaati, Ambassador Women’s News Agency delivered a presentation on “The road to peace through women media”.

The summit continued with an interactive and robust Expert panel session on Championing & Enabling Women Entrepreneurs, with focus on Women in Business: Dealing with access to finances & other issues, led by Dr. Linzi Janice Kemp, Associate Professor of Management School of Business Administration, American University of Sharjah, UAE.

Other panelists on this panel were:

– Sarah Sagredo-Hammond, President of SCI WBC, President of Atlas Electrical, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, & Plumbing Services, Inc.

–Sabetha M.J Mwambenja, Managing Director, Covenant Bank for Women, Tanzania

-Sara Ismail Mohamed, Board member of CEO Clubs Business Women  Division

–Manjusha Mathew Jambhekar, MD FocusM, Dubai-UAE

-Georgia Kartsanis, President, CEO Clubs Greece & Romania

–Houda Naji, COO, Xichlo Mobile

–Alexandra Timotheadi, Director ( Private Banking), Union Bancaire Privee (UBP))

The Founder & Co-Chairperson of Nekotech Global Future Leaders & US Africa Peace & Integrity Academy, Her Excellency, Rev. Dr. Ocansey, also provided insights on- Decent jobs for Women, which she termed a game changer towards global peace and security.

Hon. Dr. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, Former Speaker of the Gambia National Assembly & Consultant on Governance, Gender & Children ; from the standpoint of experience, shed light on The role of women in Parliaments in advancing the ‘Women, Peace and Security’ agenda

As the sessions were regrettably drawing to a close, enlightening presentations from Eunice Ajambo, Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa ( UNECA); on- How Women Rebuilt Rwanda; and Sandra Saksena, Board member of CEO Clubs Women Division on -The focus of Trust- Financial Independence for Women; took the floor                                                                                                                                                                                       

Then, finally, in the last few minutes to end of this highly impactful and rewarding summit, the environment was charged up by Mofoluwaso Ilevbare, the Regional HR Manager, India, Middle East & Africa, Procter & Gamble, Switzerland, who delivered a compelling presentation on “The power of women working with women” stating that women must acknowledge and change their biases towards themselves. The summit experienced other high level informative and motivating presentations from renowned professionals and political leaders.

Then Happiness Ambassador  Gloria Belendez Ramirez gave the closing charge, urging women to stay happy in life , no matter what.  In the end, participants bonded on a greater level than ever experienced.

The second day of the summit kicked off on a relaxed and entertaining note with SAMEA International Fashion Show presentation by the Kristina Fidelskaya brand.

..followed by the dinner keynote presentation by Dr. Stephen Shaya, EVP of Corporate Development & Medical Affairs of J & B Medical Supply.

Then, finally, the moment everyone was waiting for, when His Highness Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, Patron and Chief Guest, Mrs Furo Giami, Executive Director of Centre for Economic and Leadership Development, and Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, Chair, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus & Member of the Georgia General Assembly; gave out awards and the United States Legislative commendation, during the SAMEA Awards,  to well deserving women leaders who are shattering stereotypes, beating the odds; whilst transforming communities, countries, economies, and cultures from these regions.

It was an evening of shining the spotlight on these women and their amazing work as well as celebrating men and organizations whose work in their various regions, contribute in making the world a better place for women.

The Global Women Leaders Hall of Fame Induction 2015 ceremony crowned the summit.

The 2015 South America-Africa-Middle East-Asia Women Summit offered a unique opportunity to frame and influence the discourse, on Inclusive leadership, as imperatives for peace, security and prosperity in developing nations, as well as the need to build a synergy of efforts amongst government and private sector players.