FY06Q4 PROGRAM EVALUATION: U.S. SPEAKER DR. SARAH BREWER

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004121 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP(BJACKSON),NEA/PPD (DBENZE),IIP/NEA/SCA (SLECHTENBER-KASTEN),NEA/PI (ORICCHI),G/IWI ABU DHABI - PASS TO MEPI REGIONAL OFFICE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL KMPI XF KU FREEDOM AGENDA SUBJECT: FY06Q4 PROGRAM EVALUATION: U.S. SPEAKER DR. SARAH BREWER INSPIRES WOMEN POLITICAL LEADERS IN KUWAIT ¶1. Summary: On September 17 - 20, 2006, PA Kuwait hosted U.S. Speaker on women and politics, Dr. Sarah Brewer, for a five-day intensive speaking tour in Kuwait. The associate director of American University's Women and Politics Institute effectively engaged Kuwaiti female political activists ranging from progressive liberals to religious conservatives during her four-day program. The feminist intellectual enthused women activists as well as future leaders at a variety of women's and youth organizations. The speaker's engagement with Kuwaiti audiences generated new ideas for advancing democracy, including proposing MEPI projects, stimulated networking between Kuwaiti USG-funded exchange participants, and encouraged linkages between American and Kuwaiti universities and organizations. End Summary. Program Description -------------- ¶2. Dr. Sarah Brewer, the associate director of the Women and Politics Institute at American University in Washington, D.C., visited Kuwait September 17-20, 2006. She conducted rousing, impressive lectures on women and politics before mixed audiences of students and faculty at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) and the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST). The speaker spent time with members of The Women's Network, a liberal, professional women's rights organization helping them to refine their goals and objectives. She learned details about the campaign process and the aftermath of the elections from former candidate and president of the Kuwait Economic Society, Dr. Rola Dashti. Dr. Brewer aided Post's alumni networking efforts by delivering remarks at the Alumni USA event in honor of Kuwaiti USG-funded exchange program participants (IVLP, VolVis, Fulbright, and MEPI) on the importance of nurturing the next generation of leaders, strategies for establishing links between U.S. and Kuwaiti institutions and the value of U.S. higher education. Hosted by the Ambassador and organized by PD, this special USG alumni reunion was attended by more than 250 prominent guests representing a broad swathe of Kuwaiti society. Reinvigorating the Audience -------------- ¶3. Dr. Brewer delivered an uplifting, encouraging message of hope and perseverance: "Do not give up your fight and do not lose your momentum. There is an opportunity for Kuwaiti women to hold political office, as in other countries in the region." She discussed the possibility of incorporating a "quota" system, to ensure their participation in future parliamentary elections. She encouraged Kuwaiti women and youth to pursue education in the U.S. particularly at her alma mater American University. She also promoted the idea of working with her Center, raising the possibility of co-sponsoring MEPI projects and conducting distance education programs on leadership and civil society for Kuwaiti women. Supporting Movement in the Right Direction -------------- ¶4. Dr. Brewer engaged in dialogues with more than 400 Embassy contacts at program events, including an exclusive luncheon with eight female candidates and activists in the 2006 elections. Her two lectures were well attended and welcomed by students and faculty. Many female students appreciated her stirring remarks and viewed her as a positive role model. Her talks received excellent press coverage including a full page, in-depth exclusive interview appearing in the Kuwaiti daily, "Al-Rai Al-Aam" on October 1. Dr. Brewer also met with the ten-member board of directors of the Women's Cultural and Social Association, one of the leading, progressive Kuwaiti women's NGO's that supported women's full political emancipation, a struggle originating in the 1950's. Her program was publicized in the following articles, spreading her message to varied audiences throughout Kuwait: -- 9/20/06, GUST lecture, Kuwait Times (circ. 35,000),p. 4, 1/4 page, 1 photo -- 9/20/06, GUST lecture, Al-Qabas (circ. 70,000),p. 16, 1/2 page, 2 photos -- 9/20/06, GUST lecture, Arab Times (circ. 40,000),p. 3, 1/4 page, 2 photos -- 10/01/06, exclusive interview, Al-Rai Al-Aam (circ. 80,000),p. 16, full page, 2 photos Advancing Mission Goals -------------- ¶5. A lively, energetic and motivational speaker, Dr. Brewer effectively addressed a number of key issues pertinent to the KUWAIT 00004121 002 OF 002 Embassy's MPP goals, including stressing the importance of women's political participation, organizing and political activism; energizing political activity post-election; encouraging democratic practices and embracing civil society values in Kuwait. Moreover, Dr. Brewer's interactions with Kuwaiti political activists broadened awareness of American society and values, particularly those that support universal civil rights. She also conducted youth outreach and encouraged Kuwaiti students to pursue higher education in the U.S. Surprising Impact -------------- ¶6. Participants maintained that Dr. Brewer's highly-interactive speaking engagements increased their awareness of women's rights and the importance of achieving social, economic, and political equality. One conservative female activist and leader of a leading Islamic women's organization, the Islamic Social Reform Committee, summed up her personal sentiments by briefly uncovering her "hijab" (scarf),flashing her shiny black hair, and calling Dr. Brewer "our sister" in the struggle to gain equal rights both socially and politically. On a lighter note, she told Dr. Brewer that "We receive numerous visitors who want to write about us, but we never see any of their publications or hear from them again." She added that she was pleased to see that the Embassy is offering an opportunity to hold a dialogue with a scholar such as Dr. Brewer with "no strings attached." Establishing Links for Future Engagement -------------- ¶7. The conservative Kuwaiti woman assured Dr. Brewer that as women, "We all have much in common and that we all have but one God." The visitor was well received, exchanged ideas freely, and was briefed on women's social development programs in Kuwait. Dr. Brewer encouraged the society to correspond with her at the Women's Center at American University and the young women responded enthusiastically to her offer to stay in touch and communicate via her website at http://wandp.american.edu/. Dynamic Exchange -------------- ¶8. Dr. Brewer successfully and eloquently engaged Kuwaiti men and women, as well as diverse groups of students and faculty. As a result of her program, she inspired many Kuwaiti women to consider a career in politics and leadership. Her visit afforded the Embassy access to otherwise conservative and alienated audiences. She generated increased good will toward the Embassy and reiterated our support for Kuwaiti women's achievement of full political and social participation in Kuwaiti society. Dr. Brewer helped the Post to advance democratic principles and encouraged direct linkages with American universities and educational institutions and organizations in Kuwait. She discussed the idea of organizing a joint DVC training program for women on leadership with American University, The Kuwait Economic Society and AUK to be funded by MEPI. Choice Speaker -------------- ¶9. Embassy thanks IIP/NEA for arranging Dr. Brewer's visit to Kuwait as a U.S. Speaker for an extended program. Dr. Brewer was a superb interlocutor on topics related to democracy, women's rights and political empowerment. Post highly recommends Dr. Sarah Brewer to other posts working on similar MPP goals and hope to see her return to Kuwait to advance some of the program ideas she initiated during her meetings with Kuwait women leaders. TUELLER