Queen Rania Attends Global Thinkers Forum (GTF) Discussion Panel

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department- AMMAN) – Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah attended a panel on “the new MENA societies”, as part of the Global Thinkers Forum 2012 (GTF), held under Her Majesty’s Patronage over 2 days in Amman this week. The panel, which followed the official opening of the forum earlier in the morning, focused on Middle East and North Africa region women, the problems and challenges they face, and their potential.

Panelists included H.E. Attiya Mahmoud, Ambassador of Pakistan to Jordan; Humaira Wakili, Director of Tomorrow’s Youth Organization; Sonja Lokar, President of European Women’s Lobby; and Alfinaz Murad, General Manager at GroFin Jordan.

The panel was moderated by Dr. Safwan Masri, Director of Columbia University Middle East Research Center (CUMERC).

Preceding the panel Her Majesty also attended a keynote speech, by Columbia University Professor, Saskia Sassen, titled: the “Global Street”. Sassen spoke about global cities and the influence of their residents on their city’s culture and growth.

The Global Thinkers Forum (GTF) is a non-profit initiative and a platform that aims to create dialogue and bring current and future leaders together to discuss governance, society, progress and the future. GTF 2012 focuses on the role of the modern MENA woman, in the region and globally and promotes female leadership, entrepreneurship and excellence in the region. The forum includes several panels and workshops throughout the two days and brings together experts and speakers from across the globe.