Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT617
2006-02-22 05:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

FREEDOM AGENDA: NOVEMBER WOMEN IN BUSINESS CONFERENCE

Tags:  PREL ECON KMPI KWMN KU FREEDOM AGENDA 
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VZCZCXRO4464
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHKU #0617 0530523
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220523Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3140
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1170
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000617 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR G, R, NEA/FO, NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, AND IIP

PASS TO PAOS AND MEPI COORDINATORS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON KMPI KWMN KU FREEDOM AGENDA
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: NOVEMBER WOMEN IN BUSINESS CONFERENCE
SUPPORTS MEPI GOALS; U.S. SHOULD TAKE PART

REF: Abu Dhabi 417

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000617

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR G, R, NEA/FO, NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, AND IIP

PASS TO PAOS AND MEPI COORDINATORS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON KMPI KWMN KU FREEDOM AGENDA
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: NOVEMBER WOMEN IN BUSINESS CONFERENCE
SUPPORTS MEPI GOALS; U.S. SHOULD TAKE PART

REF: Abu Dhabi 417


1. (U) This is an action request. See para 5.


2. (U) Members of post's MEPI committee met February 21 with
organizers of the proposed November 12-14 First Gulf Forum of Women
in Business (WiB). Conference coordinator Ahmed Suleiman explained
that the non-profit UK-based WiB, founded in 1996 as an annual
conference for businesswomen from the UK and Middle East, has become
an international forum to bring women together to discuss gender and
equality issues and to foster professional exchanges among
participants. The 2005 conference in Damascus attracted over 1,200
delegates from 40 countries and previous conferences have enjoyed
the participation of heads of government and first ladies from
around the world. Additional information is available at
.


3. (U) Suleiman said that under the patronage of the GOK and
Committee for Women's Affairs, Kuwait would host the Gulf Forum for
an audience of 800 and likely include the following workshops:

-- The Developing Role of Working Women in the Arab World
-- Globalizing the Impact of Women on the Economy
-- Developing Human Potential - the Role of Education and Training
-- The Art of Marketing and Promoting Your Projects
-- Financing and Structuring Business Growth

He inquired about the availability of the First Lady or the
Secretary to address conferees. He also welcomed the participation

SIPDIS
of senior American businesswomen.


4. (U) In support of the Forum, post will ensure that participants
from MEPI programs are invited. Post will also invite local WiB
representatives to brief the regular meeting of the American
Business Council to build up support among the resident American
business community, which includes many successful women.


5. (U) Action Request: In discussing the First Gulf Forum's goals
and objectives, EmbOffs noted considerable compatibility between WiB
and MEPI objectives, particularly in the economic and women's
pillars. Given some of the challenges of implementing MEPI programs
in the Gulf (reftel),post recommends the Department and other
agencies support the efforts of WiB, which has already been in touch
with MEPI fund recipients such as the Beyster Institute about
conference sessions and follow-on activities. Suleiman and his
colleagues (Ronnie Middleton, Layla Al-Haji, and Sara Al-Haji) plan
to call on EmbOffs at other embassies in the Gulf and post
encourages MEPI coordinators to meet with them. WiB representative
Kim Thompson will be in the U.S. in April and post recommends a
senior-level MEPI meeting. End action request.

********************************************* *
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s

You can also access the site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website
********************************************* *

LEBARON