WOMEN OF COURAGE
KIDNAPPED IN IRAQ , REBUILDING IRAQ …
Hear TWO Women talk about their work in times of conflict
UNSW Engineering graduate and now Indonesia 's Metro TV news presenter and journalist, Ms. Meutyah Hafid, was captured while sending home news on the situation in Iraq . Held captive by Iraqi forces for 7days and 6 nights, the former Crescent Girls' School student shares with you what life was like under the Iraqi forces. She will also share how UNSW has played a part in providing not just a theoretical education, but training its graduates in terms of soft skills and character building.
Iraqi, Ms. Basma AlKhateeb, co-ordinator for UNIFEM's Iraqi programme, wanted women to play a part in the new Iraq . So she educated women on the importance of their vote and rallied women to participate in the election process.
How can women in the media step up and make a difference? What role can women play in nation-building?
Together, Ms Hafid and Ms Alkhateeb will draw from their unique personal experiences to answer these questions in a dynamic and thought-provoking discussion.
Don't miss this opportunity. Come and listen to their fascinating stories and be inspired by how women survive under such challenging circumstances.
DATE: |
18 TH MAY |
VENUE: |
DBS AUDITORIUM |
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6 SHENTON WAY |
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DBS Tower 1 |
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3 rd FLOOR AUDITORIUM |
TIME: |
6:30PM-9:00PM |
ADMISSION IS FREE BUT SEATS ARE LIMITED.
REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE BY EMAILING US AT contactus@unswalumni-sg.org
Jointly-organised by the University of New South Wales Alumni Singapore Chapter and The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE).
The talk will be facilitated by Braema Mathi , President of AWARE.
Key Speakers' Profiles
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Meutyah Viada Hafid , familiar to some, is Indonesia 's Metro TV news anchor. Meutyah was awarded an Asian Secondary Scholarship ( Singapore ) and thus received her secondary education in Crescent Girls School ( Singapore ).
Graduating with Degree in Manufacturing Management Engineering from The University of New South Wales, Meutyah also volunteered for some community activities during her time. She was a presenter and public relations representative with the Indonesian Radio Program, Eastside Radio 89.7FM in Sydney , Australia , during her two year stint there. She was also an active volunteer in Indonesian projects such as the 1999 Indonesian National Election for New South Wales Region as well as annual Indonesian Embassy programmes. In Singapore , Meutyah has also been a teacher's assistant in several special schools such as Jervois Special School and Singapore Special School for the deaf. Her exposure to radio helped her realise her considerable talents in journalism and the degree has sharpened her problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Portrayed by Indonesian women's magazines as the embodiment of a modern Indonesian woman, Meutyah has covered various news stories including the military operation in the troubled states of Aceh and the tsunami-stricken areas in Meulaboh Acheh. In February 2005, while on assignment to cover Iraq 's historical first election, she was kidnapped by Iraqi forces. |
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Basma AlKhateeb holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Physics from Mustansiriya University, Baghdad (1984) and was trained as a Computer Analyst Programmer by the Ministry of Oil, working under that title from 1985-1996. Founder and CEO of Iraq's first Internet Café, opened in 2002, she introduced internet services, e-business, e-commerce and e-networking concepts to users, especially for women job seekers working from home. She joined UNIFEM/ Arab States Regional Office, as Iraq Programme Coordinator, in July 2003, after the fall of former Iraqi regime.
She was actively involved in the UNIFEM project to empower Iraqi women and educate them about the influence they wield in voting in the recent elections. The UNIFEM Project of Iraq on Election contributed to the successful turn out of women voters, with women constituting more than 60% of the vote.
She is currently working on involving women in the rebuilding of a new Iraq and is also training the 87 Iraqi women parliamentarians on constitutional Law, preparing them for the constitutional Referendum in Oct, 2005. |
PROGRAM:
6:30pm: |
Registration |
6:45pm: |
Guests to be seated |
7:00pm: |
Opening Speech – President of UNSW Singapore Chapter |
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Mr Jimmy Koh |
7:05pm: |
Opening Speech – Chairperson of AWARE’s Youth Subcomm, |
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Ms Harmin Kaur |
7: 10pm: |
A Journalist's Experience in Iraq |
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Ms. Meutyah Hafid |
7:50pm: |
Women's Involvement in Nation Building |
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Ms. Basma AlKhateeb |
8:20pm: |
Q & A (Facilitated by Ms Braema Mathi) |
9:00pm: |
End |
About the organizers:
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The Singapore Chapter of the UNSW Alumni Association
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Alumni Singapore Chapter aims to provide a local and global network for the Singapore Alumni to keep in touch with one another, and promotes life-long learning, and personal and career development to every of our alumnus through networking and mutual help.
UNSW is a leading Australian high quality research and teaching institution – a leader in many fields. Its graduates are citizens and residents of many countries in the region and the world. The Singapore Chapter aspires to see a variety of activities, including seminars, talks and conferences that appeal to our alumni's range of interests.
Find out more about the Singapore Chapter of the UNSW Alumni Association on their website http://www.unswalumni-sg.org/ |
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Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)
AWARE was registered in Singapore in November 1985 as a voluntary organization of women with three main areas of focus: Support, Research and Advocacy. AWARE is the first, and currently the only, advocacy group dedicated to promoting gender equality and understanding in Singapore .
AWARE's Framework for Action is built on increasing the public's awareness to gender issues, and developing the capability of women to manage these issues in their personal, political, community and professional capacities
How AWARE helps : Every year, through our telephone counseling Helpline, face-to-face counseling programme and free legal clinics, we reach out to several thousand women in distress. In addition to these direct services, we organize public education programmes, run training courses, and conduct research on various issues related to women.
Find out more about the AWARE on their website : www.aware.org.sg |
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