Forward Global Women has held convenings around the world since 2011 for women from the MENA. The intent of these convenings are to strive for PEACE in the MENA region. Forward Global Women encourages women to move from the circle of concern to the circle of influence and action. The convenings help support women from the region to take active roles in leadership positions will enable them to change the dialogue and bring new winds of hope to our communities.
Are you interested in supporting peace and women’s leadership development in the MENA region? Support Forward Global Women’s work by donating to one of our global convenings.
Women of Valor
Forward Global Women held its annual international convening in Malta in October 2023, marking its 10th anniversary. In recognition of this milestone, we chose to spotlight distinguished Women of Valor from the MENA region, women who bravely pushed for change and established rich legacies in the fields of medicine, science, education, human rights and more. Over the course of several days, we learned the stories of these women and the impact they had on their countries and the world. For those Women of Valor who were able to attend, we heard from them directly and were able to engage in a dialogue with them about their lives and work.
MENA Women: Addressing Violence and Post-COVID Challenges
Forward Global Women is pleased to announce that we hosted our Ninth Annual Convening in Athens, Greece in September 2022. The topic was MENA Women: Addressing Violence and Post-COVID Challenges. FGW was excited to have expanded the participating women to 45 women. Women were present from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia, and the USA. Click below to read more about FGW’s Ninth Annual Convening.
As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic Forward Global Women had to cancel their yearly in-person convening. Forward Global Women did put on a E-Convening where the topic was the social and economic impact of COVID-19 on women and girls in the MENA region. Click below to read more about Forward Global Women’s 2020 E-Convening
In 2019 Forward Global Women put on its 8th annual in-person convening in Marrakech, Morocco. The topic for this convening was climate change and its impact on women and conflict in the MENA region. Convening participants assessed the impact of climate change from a regional, national, and local perspective. Read more about the 2019 convening below.
In 2018 Forward Global Women put on its 7th annual in-person convening in Washington D.C. The topic for this convening was Women’s Involvement in Politics and Education as a Mobilization Tool. Forward Global Women hosted a handful of guest speakers, while also invited the participants to speak on certain issues. Participants also had a full day of meeting with Senate and Congressional leaders.
In July 2017, Forward Global Women hosted it’s 6th annual convening in Oslo, Norway. The topic of this convening was, Regional Engagement Against Violent Extremism and Terrorism. There was in depth discussions on the impact on women and families in the MENA Region, from guest speakers and participants whom are from around the world.
Read the 2017 Convening Report Here.
In July 2016, Forward Global Women hosted it’s 5th annual convening in Nicosia, Cyprus. The topic of this convening was, Peacemaking, Women’s Rights and Women and Children Refugees. Forward Global Women hosted nearly 30 women activists, academics, politicians, and leaders will convene in Nicosia, Cyprus to discuss peacemaking, women’s rights, and women and children refugees.
Read the 2016 Convening Report Here.
In August 2015, Forward Global Women hosted it’s 4th annual convening in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The topic of this convening was, Challenges for Security, Peace, Rights, and Equality in the Middle East: Reducing Vulnerability and Building Resilience. Forward Global Women hosted nearly 30 women leaders from around the world to discuss this topic.
In October 2014, Forward Global Women hosted it’s Third Annual convening in Berlin, Germany. The topic of this convening was, Women, Peace, and Security: Implementing UNSCR 1325 in the MENA Region. The convening created a space for women from the MENA Region and the US to have an inspiring set of connections, conversations, and relationship building through a dialogical engagement with old and new paradigms through the power of stories from women participants.
Read the 2014 Convening Report Here.
In August 2013, Forward Global Women hosted it’s Second Annual convening in St. Paul, Minesota, USA. The topic of this convening was, Women’s Participation in Peacebuilding. Forward Global Women hosted women activists, academics, politicians, and leaders from around the world. This year Forward Global Women hosted Monica Mary McWilliams, as a trainer for its second annual convening. McWilliams is a Northern Irish academic, peace activist, human rights defender and former politician.
