The Vanguard
Women Forward International and
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
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June 10, 2021 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDT
Context
On June 10th, join The Vanguard, where the bridging of mind and heart is no longer an anomaly, but a norm, and a new humanity is no longer a dream but an awakening reality.
Presenting our 2020-2021 projects, The Vanguard is a meeting of our global scholarly teams and the transformative power of Art, when inspired with love, to bring about human unity.
In partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the event will feature internationally recognized artists and leading women experts from around the globe who dare to walk in the vanguard.
Objectives of The Vanguard
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Amplify the impact of our programs and partnerships so the innovative solutions and templates they bring can benefit global stakeholders and practitioners.
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Support the immediate and long-term implementation of the most beneficial recommendations by our partners.
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Publish valuable research that contributes to making the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals a living reality, achieving a better future for all.
Participating Academic Institutions and Client Organizations
Universities
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Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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Georgetown University School of Foreign Service
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Lynn University Social Impact Laboratory
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Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), PRESAGE (Research and Educational Programme on Gender Studies)
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Stanford University Community Health and Prevention Research Program
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Yale University Jackson Institute for Global Affairs
Organizational Partners
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Afghan Institute for Learning
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The Ananda Group
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Partnership for Gender Equity
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Pro Mujer
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Sustainable Food Trust
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The European Network of Migrant Women
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The Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham
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White Pony Express
Guest Speakers and Artists
10:00 AM
One More Love Poem: Introductory Film and Music
10:03 AM
A New Law: Welcome to The Vanguard
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Dr. Kent Davis-Packard, WFI President and Executive Director
10:05 AM
Keynote Speaker (10 mins)
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Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Doha Film Institute, Reach Out to Asia and Qatar Leadership Centre
10:20 AM
A New Paradigm of Life (10 mins)
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Murshida Carol Weyland Conner, Spiritual leader of Sufism Reoriented, founder of the White Pony Express
Presentations by University & Client Partners
Moderated by WFI Board Chair, Ambassador Sharon Wilkinson
The Power of Women’s Education
10:35 AM
A New Horizon for Women’s Education in Afghanistan: Establishing the First Women’s University in Afghanistan
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Lynn University Social Impact Laboratory (6 mins) in partnership with the Afghan Institute of Learning (4 mins)
10:45 AM
Women’s Rights in Islam and the Peace Process in Afghanistan
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Georgetown University School of Foreign Service (6 mins) in partnership with Afghan Women Peace-Builders (4 mins)
10:55 AM
Expert Analysis – Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the first U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, in conversation with Dr. Kent Davis-Packard (10 mins)
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What Businesswomen Can do for their Nations
11:10 AM
Breaking Barriers to Expand Opportunities for Women-Led Businesses in Latin America
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Pro Mujer inspired by WFI supported program with Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) (10 mins)
11:20 AM
Transformation Through Women’s Leadership in Mexico
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The Ananda Group inspired by WFI supported program with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government (10 mins)
11:30 AM
Expert Analysis – Wingee Sampaio, Global Program Director of Cartier Women’s Initiative; Sandy Espinet, Luxury Interior Designer; and Shilpa Yarlagadda, CEO Shiffon (10 mins)
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A New Voice in Politics
11:45 AM
Sharing the Mic: Rallying Behind a Generation of Young Migrant & Refugee Women
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The Paris Institute of Political Studies (6 mins) in partnership with The European Network of Migrant Women (4 mins)
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The Artist’s Response: The Key to Change:
Building a Bridge from the Mind to the Heart
11:55 AM
Introduction of Guest Artists
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Wesley Spencer, WFI Director of Arts Partnerships and Strategic Development
11:56 AM
Tears of Gold: Stories of Women Displaced from Home
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Hannah Rose Thomas, Painter & Advocate
12:01 PM
Poetic Response: "The Stranger and Her Feminine Sign"
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Dunya Mikhail, Poet & Professor
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12:05 PM
The Poetry of Giving
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Sallie Bingham, Writer & Activist
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Gender Equality in Sustainable Systems
12:10 PM
More Than Soil, Seeds, and Water: Developing Tools to Assess Cost-Effective Equitable & Environmentally Sustainable Food Systems
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Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (6 mins) in partnership with the Sustainable Food Trust (4 mins)
12:20 PM
Growing the Coffee and Cocoa Sector through Equity for Women Farmers
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Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs (6 mins) in collaboration with the Partnership for Gender Equity (4 mins)
12:30 PM
All of Us Taking Care of All of Us: Food Rescue for Senior Women in the United States
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Stanford University’s Community Health and Prevention Research Program (6 mins) in partnership with White Pony Express (4 mins)
12:40 PM
Holding Ourselves Accountable to Gender Justice Movements (5 mins)
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Latanya Mapp Frett, President Global Fund for Women
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12:45 PM
Expert Analysis – Patrick Holden, Founder and Chief Executive Sustainable Food Trust in conversation with Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (10 mins)
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Closing Remarks
12:55 PM
Women Forward International
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Dr. Kent Davis-Packard, WFI President & Executive Director
Closing Music and Video
AGENDA