International women leaders’ summit on Jan 29

KARACHI: An international women leaders' summit would be organized here on January 29.

It would be part of the Fifth Women in Business Conference for professional women.

This was announced by Aamir Niazi, the president of the Pakistan Society for Training and Development (PSTD), a non-profit and non-governmental organization.

He said that PSTD was committed to the promotion of professional Human Resource Development through organizing training programmes and conferences.

The learning opportunities and networking are aimed to assist professionals in achieving excellence in today's competitive environment.

The PSTD is managed by an honorary Board of Governors comprising leading corporate CEOs and Directors, currently led by Aamir Niazi, Chief Operating Officer, International Textile Limited.

The main theme of this conference is to share the life stories of global icons in building bridges across borders and connecting professional women across cultures.

The driving force of this event is to make women draw inspiration from global and Pakistani leaders to overcome the stereotypical barriers which restrict their growth, while maintaining a work-life balance.

The conference's keynote international speakers include Nasra Hassan from Austria who has worked for 25 years with United Nations in Peacekeeping, refugee and humanitarian affairs, social development,
public information and communication.

Gulsun Bilgehen, a senior Member of Turkish Parliament, and former fashion supermodel Bibi Russell from Bangladesh, who played a key role in reviving the Bangladeshi crafts industry through pioneering ethical fashion in the world.

Ambassador Melanne Verveer, the US Ambassador for Global Women Issues will also speak through video address.

Key local speakers include Dean IBA Dr Ishrat Husain and Pakistan's first Oscar Award winner Ms. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy.

Panel guests include first elected woman Board of Director on the Islamabad Stock Exchange Ms Ayla Majid, Shamama Arbab from Sarhad Chamber, Peshawar.

This conference will be attended by professionals in Pakistan and South Asia, as they face similar challenges in terms of culture,
religion and gender biases.

Ms. Yasmin Hyder, Chief Executive, New World Concepts, welcomed the launch of the Second International Women Leaders Summit.

`The presence of international speakers lends global learning opportunities for women entrepreneurs and professionals in Pakistan'
she stated. (APP)