Focus on governance, poverty, environment, security
Asian University for Women (AUW) will hold a three-day international symposium in the city from January 20.
Various renowned international scholars and leaders will attend the symposium titled ‘Imagining Another Future for Asia: Ideas and Pathways for Change’ at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Students, scholars and leaders from all walks of life will focus on four themes confronting Asia — governance, poverty, environment and security.
AUW chief patron Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, British human rights lawyer and another patron Cherie Blair, First Lady of Malaysia YA Bhg Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor and former first lady of Japan Akie Abe will make keynote addresses at the symposium.
Announcing this at a press conference in Sonargaon hotel yesterday, AUW founder Kamal Ahmad said despite extraordinary progress in the past century, Asia faces important challenges in arenas of governance, poverty, environment and security.
The conference is designed to address opportunities for growth and change and stress on importance of women’s education in developing countries, he added.
Attending notable speakers include Rajendra K Pachauri, chair of Intergovernmental Panel on Clime Change and winner of Nobel Peace Prize 2007; Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misnad, president of Qatar University; Jane McAuliffe, president of Bryn Mawr College; Amit Chakma, president of University of Western Ontario; and Jamine Zerinini, deputy director of South Asia at French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kamal said AUW is looking forward to create leaders among the women of Asia.
“Students from 12 countries study in AUW, giving them a chance for a wider network in different countries and eventually helping them solve problems in their respective countries,” said Kamal.
He also said the government allocated 130 acres of land in Chittagong for AUW’s permanent campus and construction work for a new campus has already begun.
AUW officials were present at the press conference.
