Afghanistan: Ambassador Hakimi Supports Peace Through Business Program
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
Afghanistan’s Ambassador Eklil Hakimi participated in the events of the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS PROGRAM which was being held in Washington D.C. July 25-26, 2011. This year’s theme was Women, Step Up! and through this program Ambassador Hakimi has met with various women from Afghanistan, and also women from Rwanda and the United States, to encourage them and provide them greater access to resources that will help them succeed.
The PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS PROGRAM provides long-term business education to women entrepreneurs from the previously stated countries. The program has three components: first the women complete an in-country education curriculum, secondly they attend the leadership development aspect which occurs in the United States, and lastly they pay it forward by implementing their business plans in their home countries.
On Monday July 25th, the Embassy hosted an event for the ladies where Ambassador’s wife, Mrs. Hakimi, was able to connect with these dedicated women. “We women understand the consequences of war because we suffer the most in times of instability” she commented when socializing with the young business leaders. She made this comment because one of the greatest obstacles to success for these women is the social unrest that they encounter in their countries. However, she continued that, “we will have greater responsibilities to uphold now that we have been so generously afforded these opportunities” citing the added responsibilities of returning home, such as being a role model and uplifting their communities.
With the importance of women’s economic engagement in mind, Ambassador Hakimi offered remarks at the graduation dinner on the evening of July 26, 2011. His keynote speech focused on the sustainable empowerment of women-, which he affirmed can only be accomplished through education and employment. He also stated “There should be more focus on demand-driven and long-term projects that have a sustainable impact on women and ther families, such as those which can help women become economically self-sufficient.”
Honorable Melanne Verveer (U.S. Ambassador of Global Women’s Affairs), joined Ambassador Hakimi in addressing the crown at the graduation ceremony. The program also included remarks by Dr. Terry Neese, CEO and founder of IEEW and a video message from former first Lady Laura bush. The 29 young ladies who participated in the program were surely inspired by the words of all of these distinguished guests and are looking forward to returning to their home countries to begin implementing their business projects.
By Rev. MICHAEL BRESCIANI
