Fostering the Next Generation

April 25, 2012 - Over the last week, CEDPA welcomed a cadre of women leaders from the Middle East to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) Fostering the Next Generation of Women Leaders program, sponsored by the ExxonMobil Foundation. The twenty five remarkable women from the U.A.E., Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are recognized in their countries and in the region for their many achievements.

Among the ranks are ministry officials, members of civil society, CEOs, doctors, NGO leaders and lawyers with roles in community organizations and civil society. With more than 200 years of combined experience, this group of women has tremendous expertise to share with the next generation of women following in their footsteps.

One example is Mawahib Shaibani (pictured above) of the U.A.E. who worked in finance for many years until a friend encouraged her to take a course that changed her life. The course was with The Art of Living Foundation, and made her realize that she could do something to improve other people’s lives. She began working at the foundation and now is CEO of the Gulf and the Middle East region.

The foundation works in many countries throughout the region. This includes working with widows in Iraq. Mawahib’s decision to leave the world of finance was reaffirmed with a simple comment by one of the Iraqi widows she worked with.

“They told me, ‘Before we only knew the art of dying. You have taught us the art of living,’” said Mawahib.

Ayesha speaks about her work inspiring young people in Qatar

The youngest of the group at 28 years old is Ayesha Al Mudehki (pictured left), who not only is the Executive Director of INJAZ Qatar, but, also, is a founding member of the Roudha Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Through both of these organizations, Ayesha inspires the young adults of Qatar to reach beyond what they think they can do and embrace new ideas.

Ayesha, Mawahib and their fellow participants understand the need to be role models for the young women of their country. Over the course of the week in Washington, D.C., they shared their experiences and obstacles with each other and reaffirmed their commitment to develop emerging women leaders.

The program was designed to strengthen personal leadership skills, analyze and assess approaches and models that create professional opportunities for emerging women leaders, and engage in strategic thinking and action planning to adapt and implement these approaches in their respective environments.

Part of the program included visits with Ambassador-at-Large Melanne Verveer; Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi; U.A.E. Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba; Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, Tina Tchen; Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro; Congresswoman Yvette Clarke; Congressman Chris Murphy; and many other distinguished leaders.

This week, the program continues in Abu Dhabi where the participants will meet with special guests. The program will culminate in a reception and closing ceremony hosted by ExxonMobil in honor of the amazing women leaders.

"Investing in women is vital to creating strong communities," said Suzanne McCarron, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation. "We are honored to provide these distinguished women with the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and help them to strengthen the impact of their organizations in the community."

ExxonMobil Foundation has been a generous sponsor of CEDPA programs and workshop since 2005.

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