Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, middle, the United Arab Emirates Minister for Foreign Trade, with some of the participants in Women in the Arab World symposium on Monday organized by Barnard College, a premier liberal arts college for women in the US. DUBAI - Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the United Arab Emirates Minister for Foreign Trade, said significant achievements of Arab women today are influencing future generations to aspire to and reach greater heights. In a keynote address delivered at Women in the Arab World on Monday, an event organized by Barnard College, the premier liberal arts college for women in the United States, she said “the advancement of women has been an ongoing and important issue facing the world and the region. That is why it is appropriate and important that Barnard College has brought its global symposium to the UAE and I am delighted to take part.” The event brought together an impressive group of accomplished and successful women from the region on Monday as part of Barnard's global symposia series on women and leadership. Approximately 300 people were in attendance to hear Sheikha Lubna, Barnard President Debora L. Spar, and nearly a dozen other women from both the Arab world and the United States, who shared their respective visions and views on women's leadership, women's agency and women's voices. “I can imagine no better way to inspire young women to think expansively than to give them the opportunity to hear from successful women everywhere. This global symposium is one such moment,” said Barnard president Debora L. Spar. “We are bringing together some of the most extraordinary and accomplished women in the Arab world - women who are at the forefront of finance, healthcare, literature, film, non-profits. Their willingness to share their stories creates a dialogue that will benefit young women worldwide, and that promises an ongoing exchange of ideas,” Spar noted.
