The International Women’s Group opened its new season for the year 2022-2023 on Sunday 11/9/2022 in the presence of the group’s board and members, at Al Thuraya Crowne Plaza Hotel.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mrs. Laila Boulos, the public relations coordinator, asked the attendees to stand for a moment of silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Britain.
The program then started with the speech of Mrs. Ghada Shawky, the incoming President of the International Women’s Group, and spouse of the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
In her opening remarks Mrs. Shawky thanked IWG’s Honorary President, Sheikha Hanouf Al Sabah, for her much appreciated support and also expressed her gratitude to the outgoing President Mrs. Cristiana Balducci, spouse of the Ambassador of Italy. In welcoming members and guests Mrs. Shawky said that she was honoured to be the new President of IWG and pledged to continue to build on IWG’s long history of cultural exchange; saying, “One of the many things that multiculturalism is defined by is respecting, acknowledging and valuing different cultures. This is at the very heart of both this organization and the Diplomatic Corps that we are a part of: honouring our countries while fostering international links that emphasise peace and unity”.
Promising an eventful and exciting year ahead she went on to say, “actively trying to understand and embrace cultural differences can open up a whole world of experiences”, with the support of its members and honoured friends, that is what IWG has always done and will continue to do.
After Mrs. Shawky’s much appreciated speech, the meeting went on with a number of musical pieces performed by the talented Lebanese violinist Ms. Samira Riachy, who excelled in playing and won the admiration of the attendees.
A display of pictures of previous meetings and activities carried out by the International Women’s Group during the past years followed the musical performance.
Coming to the end of the meeting, a quick quiz was held for the attendees, which included questions related to the work and activities of the International Women’s Group.
