Insight Dubai International Conference to kick off on March 27

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Dubai Women’s College (DWC) will inaugurate its 7th Insight Dubai Conference on women and empowerment in the Arab world on March 27, 2011. The conference brings together more than 150 Emirati and international students to discuss and exchange knowledge on women’s issues.

The conference, which is being held for the 7^th time, aims at expanding participants’ global awareness regarding differing views on selected women’s issues and exploring Arabic governance structures and legal systems.  The interactive style of the conference also allows its participants to dispel cultural myths about women and facilitate lasting bonds and networks between conference participants through academic, cultural and entertainment experiences.  “I believe that the Insight Dubai conference is a life-changing experience for the young women who participate. Getting the chance to spend a significant amount of time engaged in meaningful discussions about leadership and global issues with women from 35 countries results in a new way of seeing the world and building lifelong bridges between cultures.” said Dr. Monica Gallant, Business Department Chair at DWC and Co-chair of the Insight Dubai conference.  

International students participating in Insight Dubai this year represent almost 30 countries including Italy, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Palestine, USA, Poland, Germany, Australia, Kenya, Mexico, Sweden, Egypt and Libya.  Emirati and international students will interact in a large variety of activities including participation as a foreign diplomat in a simulated United Nations Security Council event, role-playing a Shari’ah Court case. Panel discussions on pioneering women as well as human trafficking will also be a feature of the 5 day event.

To enhance the cultural and educational experience for participants, visits to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Federal National Council, and Heritage Village and the desert have been arranged.

In preparation for the conference, a special cultural awareness workshop was held by Mr. Wael Al Sayegh, a well-known Emirati poet and intercultural consultant who founded Al Ghaf HRC Cultural Consultants. In the workshop, DWC students were introduced to the concepts of intercultural intelligence and discussed together culturally appropriate ways in which to explain local culture to the international participants.

Similarly, DWC welcomed guest speaker Mr. Ammar Shams, Regional Head of Corporate Sustainability to conduct a session on Shari’a and Emirati law with DWC students, in preparation for the Shari’a law child custody simulation activity during the conference.

DWC is the first academic institution to win the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award in 2006. It has initiated and hosted  a number of international conferences empowering women to become global leaders.