JEDDAH: Dar Al-Hekma College held yesterday a forum entitled “Women of Tomorrow” aimed at helping students of the women’s college prepare for a successful future.
The forum aimed at explaining to its audience the importance of willpower, programming successful attitudes and how to make an impact in Saudi society. Orbits of Development for Empowerment Consultants (ODEC) organized the forum.
The forum started with verses from the Qur’an and a welcome speech from Dean Suhair Al-Qurashi, who told the audience to be more effective in terms of building a bright future by working hand in hand.
“The Saudi woman of tomorrow is someone who has a positive attitude toward herself and her society,” said ODEC Director Lama Al-Ghalayini while addressing the audience. “Thoughts drive feelings, thus feelings drive behavior.”
The first session, entitled “Energizing,” started with Lama Al-Ghalayini speaking about the forum’s main goal.
According to Al-Ghalayini, the forum aims to stimulate the skills of young women to enable them to assimilate in society with confidence.
The first guest speaker was Maha Fetaihi, director of Khadijah bint Khuwailid Center for Businesswomen at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), who is also a member of the board of trustees in the center.
“We have paved the way for young Saudi women to a better future,” said Fetaihi.
She cited Khadijah bint Khuwailid, the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) enterprising wife.
The second session, entitled “Making an Impact Role,” started with speeches by Al-Ghalayini and Muna Abu Sulaiman, executive director of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation for Charity.
Abu Sulaiman described how every person has the ability to change.
“Self-determination has to start from within,” said Abu Sulaiman, adding that everyone should be knowledgeable in order to understand and communicate.
Programming successful attitudes and moving from a victim mentality to a responsible one were also among the principles presented in the forum.
Throughout the forum, a sign-language expert was translating for students and faculty of the Jeddah Institute for Speech and Hearing.
The forum also had speaking guests from the Eastern Province who were representing Prince Muhammad bin Fahd Center for Preparing Young Leaders. The forum’s four sessions hosted some media figures and doctors.
