In this second to last blog in 2016 convening participant Dina Baslan’s five part series, “On the Refugee Route” takes us along my friend Somar’s journey through Europe’s firewall; the Balkans. We tread through Greece, Macedonia and Serbia –queuing in lines, crossing borders on foot and sleeping in camps– before something (un)expected takes place which leads to separating our group. Read the rest of the story on her Medium blog: https://goo.gl/Yg2J9F

We are very appreciative that our opening reception will be hosted by the US Ambassador to Cyprus, Kathleen Dougherty. 

For the convening, our keynote speakers include:

Professor Fatima Sadiqi, a Moroccan convening participant, professor, and researcher. She has an academic background in women and gender studies in the MENA region.

Anat Thon, a successful lawyer and activist promoting the representation of diverse women in a public-decision making bodies, and submitting numerous petitions to the Supreme Court on Res. 1325 in Israel. She will be joining our Israeli team.

Amal Hamidallah, Director of the Gulf Foundation, lawyer, and civil society analyst residing in the Netherlands.