U.S. First Lady Meets Young UAE Women Leaders

First Lady Meets UAE Women Students

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush and U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Michele Sison met with 11 young UAE women leaders who had participated in Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) programs.  The First Lady and the young women discussed efforts that advance women’s education, empowerment, and full participation in society.  Expressing her support for further partnership to support these mutual goals, Mrs. Bush called for “more joint programs to build bridges of communication among nations.”  
Commenting on their experiences in MEPI programs, participants told Mrs. Bush:

• “This program promoted my skills in leadership and helped me to identify my goals and how to achieve them.”

•  “Through such experiences, I was able to see beyond the different stereotypes, misconceptions and cultural boundaries. It was such an eye-opening experience to see how little difference there was between us when we sit and chat at the same table.”

• “I have dramatically improved and developed since I have been on this program, as it helped me improve my leadership skills.”

• “MEPI program had lots of changes on my life and of ideas that I use to have about the USA and its residents.”

• “I have learned that skills and attributes such as tolerance, teambuilding, communication and advocacy skills contribute to a leader’s success.”

• “I believe a program like this should also be done here in the UAE because it would be a great benefit for people in US to get a clear understanding about how it is here.”

• “I learnt a lot from this experience about USA and the Westerners, also I got the chance to tell the Americans about my country the United Arab Emirates.”

• “I gained experience in strategic planning, operations management, and business development.”

• “If I am asked to choose one experience I had that I would like to repeat, then my trip to the US would definitely be it.”

• “This program helped me understand how other people in other parts of the world live, understand other cultures, religions and their way of living. In addition, it helped me appreciate the country I’m living in and all the privileges provided by my government.”

• “Currently, my partner and I are trying to work on a follow-up project related to the MEPI program and hopefully we are going to make a difference and raise a voice in the UAE.”