At two high-level gatherings, the message was that only via integrated efforts could empowering women, encouraging development and promoting peace be sustained. Reem Nafie reports Despite numerous obstacles, Arab women have managed to succeed in different economic sectors and domains. That was one of the themes being discussed at a high-profile businesswomen's forum taking place in Cairo this week under the auspices of Mrs Suzanne Mubarak. Titled "Investment in time of peace", the three- day meeting was organised by the Council of Arab Business Women (CABW). It addressed economic development issues with a focus on stimulating investments to facilitate women's integration in business. During her inaugural speech on Saturday, Mrs Mubarak emphasised that without safe internal and external environments, entrepreneurs would not be interested in investments. Establishing and promoting peace thus needed to be the cornerstone of any project aimed at increasing the availability of investments in the region. CABW Chairperson Sheikha Dr Hussah Saad Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah told the forum that the Arab world needed to "intensify and coordinate various efforts, so as to develop economic relations among different active sectors of a secure socio-economic environment -- to encourage investment, and accommodate the promising economic role of women." For Mrs Mubarak, the cornerstone of that concept involved putting forward common and constructive initiatives. The region "should unite to establish a positive entity that can be effective on the international level," she said. To succeed, the burden had to be shared by the government, private sector, civil society and development concerns. The solutions proposed by the forum ranged from providing support for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) projects, to seeking guidance from successful and pioneering experiences from around the world. Also atop the suggestion list was ensuring that educational institutions direct younger generations towards increased economic awareness. A key factor in any effort would involve attracting a new generation of experts and entrepreneurs, mainly by integrating their visions and aspirations with global trends, and offering support for active and integrated economic entities. Many of the Arab business leaders in attendance promised to support the forum's goals. Saudi Prince Al-Walid Bin Talal said he had dedicated tremendous effort towards empowering women, combating sexist behaviour, and helping women become fiscally independent. His overall goal was increasing women's participation in the economic decision-making process. A lecture organised by the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement (SMWIPM) this week also focused on the connection between development and peace. Here again, Mrs Mubarak emphasised that "only through collective efforts did seeds of peace grow on the national and international levels." Since its foundation in 2003, SMWIPM has cooperated with civil societies and NGOs to provide underprivileged areas with basic necessities like education, health and housing. The movement also aims to "spread the culture of peace into everyday behaviour, language and discipline," Mrs Mubarak said. One of the movement's goals involves helping young people feel hopeful about their future. As part of this effort, SMWIPM is establishing the region's first Peace Studies Institution. Mrs Mubarak said the initiative would be launched from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in 2006.
