Saturday, March 7, 2015

Dina Shehata_Blog Post 8


CSW Day 1

Today was our first day in NY! It’s been a great first day and I am so excited to go to the upcoming events because I will undoubtedly learn so much.

Tomorrow is Consultation Day! Going to Consultation Day and having all the knowledgeable speakers discuss CSW and Beijing 20 years later will give me a better understanding of where we are. How far have we come since first implementing the Beijing Declaration & Platform for Action and gender equity? As I continue blogging throughout the week, my understanding of these very questions will surely grow which will give me the advantage of experiencing firsthand what still needs to be done.

What I have chosen to focus on throughout my graduate studies is US/Middle East Relations. The number of parallel and side events that deal with Arab women in relation to women’s rights and also Islam in relation to women’s rights is amazing and I am so excited to combine my fellowship research with the focus of my future career goals.

Being here in New York this week, soaking in so much valuable information, and networking with influential attendees will be unforgettable to say the least. While this experience itself will be vital, we can’t lose the momentum and urgency that we will feel this week once we return to North Carolina. We need to take this experience with us everywhere we go and truly make a difference!

I want to thank all of the board members, mentors (especially my mentor Isabella), and fellow fellows for everything so far; we couldn't have made it this far without all your help and support! Also, a special shout out to Lois for the amazing gifts you gave us, they'll be so useful here in NY! I loveeeee them.

Here’s to an extraordinary week!

4 comments:

  1. Exactly Dina! The fight for social justice and equality never ends.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so happy that the Arab world is well-represented at this year's CSW! You have a lot to offer to their conversations on gender equality perspectives as they apply to Islam and the Middle East. If you venture to non-ME sessions, like those given by Nordic countries or Western Europe, you will find such a different conversation going on about women's rights. It would be interesting to compare the regions - if you have time of course ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. All of you are already making a difference. You are right to want to maintain the momentum. The work of seeking and attaining a peaceful and equitable world is ongoing. Stay warm, stay engaged, stay proud!

    ReplyDelete
  4. P.S. You're welcome. Have a fantastic week!

    ReplyDelete