The Sophian

Issue date: 4/13/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of Eve de la Mothe Karoubi Panelists who spoke at the session "Beyond Our Borders: Women in International Peace and Security" pose with Smith students who attended the conference. From left to right: Sarah Harder, Nan Darling Borton '62, Sarah Carroux '09, Crystal Diehl '08, Rozanne Oliver and Miriam Pemberton.

Full of passion and commitment to make a difference in the world, leading women in global affairs gathered for the first annual Women in World Affairs Conference (WIWAC) on April 8. Organized by Smith World Affairs Committee, WIWAC featured successful women with careers in diverse areas of world affairs from the fields of media, international development and peace and security.

Approaching the issues of human rights from various angles, the distinguished speakers worked for equality across gender and poverty lines. Describing their experiences from all over the world and discussing possibilities for the future, panelists were divided into four separate sessions. The day ended with an address by keynote speaker Joelle Tanguy, managing director of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS.

The opening session, "Spotlight on the World: Women in Media," addressed responsibility and the future of journalism in the international world. Carroll Bogert, associate director of Human Rights Watch; Trudy Rubin '65, senior foreign correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Rosalind Stark, president of International Women's Media Foundation contributed. Emphasizing the importance of following their hearts and making initiatives, they encouraged students to be engaged and aware of current events. They called attention to news reported by the journalists risking their lives and safety in war zones to achieve the goal of "giving voice to the voiceless."

Following brunch at campus dining halls where participants had personal contact with their choice of panelists, the panel sessions were divided into two different aspects of work in world affairs. The first, "Beyond Hand-outs: Women in International Development" focused on the importance of microfinance and the role of women in this program. Manisha Shetty, a former consultant of McKinsey and Co., spoke on "The Potential of Business in International Development," and Ruth DeGolia, founder of Mercado Global, spoke on "Fair Trade and International Development." Erika Eurkus, program director of ACCION USA, discussed "Microfinance for Today and the Future," while Karin Ringheim, director of Research and Analysis of Global Health Council, focused on "Leadership in Family Planning and Reproductive Health."

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