0:00 Intro
1:29 Journey into Peace-building
8:49 What is Track II Diplomacy?
15:18 What is the Message?
23:46 Overcoming Separate Rooms
29:50 What Happened to Regional Protests?
35:44 Work in Dialogue
42:35 Where is Peace-building Going?

Video edition available on YouTube.

Randa Slim is the Director of the Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program at the Middle East Institute and a non-resident fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced and International Studies (SAIS) Foreign Policy Institute. A former vice president of the International Institute for Sustained Dialogue, Slim has been a senior program advisor at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, a guest scholar at the United States Institute of Peace, a program director at Resolve, Inc, and a program officer at the Kettering Foundation. A long-term practitioner of Track II dialogue and peace-building processes in the Middle East and Central Asia, she is the author of several studies, book chapters, and articles on conflict management, post-conflict peace-building, and Middle East politics.

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

This episode is produced by Ronnie Chatah.

Music by Marc Codsi. Subtitles by Sara Hamzeh.

Ep.4: Thinking Out Loud with Randa Slim

00:00 introduction 
01:17 Passion for politics
06:00 Experience as a female candidate running for elections in Iraq
08:57 Role of family
11:25 Next steps for Sara
13:59 Women in Iraqi politics
16:10 Social media, politics, and cyberbullying
19:41 Lessons learnt and advice for women and youth’s participation in politics 

In the second part of the special episode on Iraq, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Sara Ayad Allawi, a leader in the National Iraqi Alliance (NIA) and a candidate in the recent Iraqi elections.

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 8: Thinking out Loud with Sara Ayad Allawi

In episode 8 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Rachel Dore-Weeks, head of UN Women Lebanon. 

00:00 Introduction 
01:29  #TheMissingPeace campaign 
03:33 Women representation in politics, national dialogue, and peace building efforts
06:29 Barriers to women’s participation in politics and national dialogue   
10:10  #TheMissingPeace messaging
15:55 Women’s Quota in the Parliamentary Election Law 
18:22 Needed steps to increase Women participation 

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 9: Thinking out Loud with Rachel Dore-Weeks

In episode 9 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Sara Minkara, Special Advisor on International Disability Rights at the U.S. Department of State.

00:00 Introduction
4:17 The challenges Sara faced 
6:16 Realizing being blind is not a disability 
9:32 Accessibility for people with disabilities
13:22 Addressing the issue of peace and security 
17:06 Inclusion for people with disabilities 
18:51 Legislation, laws, and inclusivity 
24:41 The importance of inclusion 

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 10: Thinking out Loud with Sara Minkara

In episode 10 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Muneera Al Khalifa, Executive Director of Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies.

00:00 Introduction

01:58 How Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies saw light

06:20 Equal Opportunities Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bahrain

12:00 Applying a gender lens to the codes guiding our day-to-day activities

14:49 The importance of political will for matters of inclusion  

18:10 Motherhood, diplomacy, and compromise  

21:44 Challenges and lessons learnt in navigating leadership

27:11 Vision for the Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies

33:34 Message to the Arab youth on achieving more parity in the field of diplomacy

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 11: Thinking out loud with Muneera Al Khalifa

In episode 11 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Batoul Mufreh,

Project coordinator at the Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies - Masarat

 

00:00 Introduction

01:02 Batoul’s battles and challenges she faced

04:25 Obstacles while building peace and bridges in Palestine

09:53 International community’s role in Palestine regarding the WPS agenda

14:07 Steps needed to protect women in the field

17:30 Effectiveness of the National Action Plan for 1325 in Palestine

19:41 Testimony

24:20 Message for the Arab Youth

 

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

 

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

 

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 12: Thinking out loud with Batoul Mufreh

In episode 12 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Rouba Mhaissen,

Economist, activist, community mobilizer, and Founder and Director of Sawa for Development and Aid

00:00 Introduction
00:45 The role of a community mobilizer
01:56 From an economist to a peacebuilder
03:08 Challenges regarding Lebanese sentiments
05:00 Conception of Sawa and its rise into the international plain
09:30 A personal experience
12:07 Barriers to evolving
15: 28 The future of Syrian women
17:15 Hope and motivation
18:31 The global situation today

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 13: Thinking out loud with Rouba Mhaissen

In episode 13 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Faten Chalhoub,

Mediator at the Professional Centre for Mediation - USJ, Beirut.

0:00 Introduction
1:37 Concept of local mediation 
3:16 The connection between local mediation and regional/national issues
4:31 Main risks facing women mediators 
9:54 Developing mediation skills 
14:22 A personal experience 
18:00 Building a nation  
20:26 Finding a common ground  

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 14: Thinking out loud with Faten Chalhoub

In episode 14 of the #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Aleksandra Dier and Azadeh Moaveni about the report: “Women’s participation in local mediation: Lessons from Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen”
Read the report here: https://bit.ly/3PcSBuv
Aleksandra Dier is the Regional Advisor on WPS in the MENA for UN Women and Azadeh Moaveni who directs the Gender and Conflict Project at Crisis group. 
0:00 Introduction 
1:33 Women’s Participation in Local Mediation
4:28 Major Findings  
5:50 The Concept of “Insider Mediation”
11:17 A Perspective on the conflicts in the MENA region
18:22 The Digitalization of Peacebuilding 
24:25 Obstacles Facing Women Mediators 
28:41 The Question of Responsibility 
34:39 Revisiting the Digitalization of Peacebuilding 

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not
necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International
Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its
affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry
for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.0

Ep. 15: Thinking out loud with Aleksandra Dier & Azadeh Moaveni

In episode 15 of the #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Sanaa Al-Banawi, Knowledge Management Specialist on WPS Agenda.

0:00 Introduction
1:30 Current Work and Main Concerns of the Jordanian National Commission
3:00 Deciding on the Nation's Priorities
05:52 Personal Motives and the Means to Engage in this Field
08:55 A Success Story
11:47 Shaping Students’ Mindsets
14:17 Overcoming Personal Hardships at Work
17:44 Creating Opportunities for the Youth
19:29 The Quota Experience in Jordan
20:57 Inspiring Arab Youth to Continue Along this Path  


NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.0

Ep. 16: Thinking out loud with Sanaa Al-Banawi

In episode 16 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Nouzha Chekrouni, 

Former Ambassador of Morocco to Canada (check please)

00:00 Introduction 
01:09 Choosing the political field 
02:40 Keep on going forward 
05:56 Setting priorities 
09:50 The importance of Gender quotas
10:58 Moroccan women in the face of today’s challenges
13:17 Building political allies 
17:02 Responding to false and inaccurate information 
21:01 Facing discrimination at work

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep.17: Thinking out loud with Nozha Al Shakrouni

In episode 18 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with Lina Abi Rafeh, 

Gender rights activist, author, and Senior Advisor for Global Women’s Rights at the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University 

00:00 Introduction
01:48 Inspiration and Motives for Years of Human Rights Activism
03:56 Pinpointing Entry Points: How to Make a Difference?
09:20 50 Years of Arab Feminism, a book by Lina Abi Rafeh
14:48 Main Challenges of Mainstreaming the WPS Agenda
21:24 Ties to the Region: A Bizarre Dance of Love and Hate
26:31 A Guide for the Youth to Take Charge

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 18: Thinking out loud with Lina Abi Rafeh

In episode 19 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud with HH Sheikha Intisar AlSabah, 

Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Author and Film Producer and the Founder and Chairwoman of Intisar Foundation focusing on the mental health of women in the Arab World.
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Work, passion and vision
08:58 Drama therapy and its valuable tools
13:42 A personal experience of Kuwait’s Invasion
17:22 Psychological health and its impact on peace-building efforts in the Arab World
21:35 A 30-year vision: supporting one million Arab Women
27:30 Men and mental health
29:00 Entering the World of Drama Therapy: Where to begin?

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 19: Thinking out loud with HH Sheikha Intisar AlSabah

In episode 20 of The #Diplowomen Podcast, Karma Ekmekji thinks out loud Anware Mnasri, 

Judge in the administrative court and co-founder of Thala Solidaire and  the League of Women Voters



00:00 Introduction 

01:50 Women’s Impact on Tunisia’s New Constitution 
04:04 No Going Back: Tunisia’s Modified Personal Status Code
09:57 Gender Quota and Achieving Transitional Justice
15:46 Civil Societies’ Role in Training Women Ministers 
18:01 Combating Violence Against Women in Politics
28:45 The Tunisian Revolution: A Window of Opportunities for Women


NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.



UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.


Music by Marc Codsi.

Ep. 20: Thinking out loud with Anware Mnasri

0:00 Intro
4:13 Media Role
10:33 A Voice for Women
11:30 Who is JanetBot?
18:54 Stories from the Ground
23:05 Arab Spring 2.0

Video edition:
https://youtu.be/9JQnxe8_LPg

Roula Khalaf is Editor of the Financial Times. She was previously deputy editor from 2016 to 2020, overseeing a range of newsroom initiatives and award winning editorial projects and leading a global network of over 100 foreign correspondents.

Before taking up the deputy editor role, Khalaf was the FT's foreign editor and oversaw the FT's operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Before that, as Middle East editor, she launched a Middle East edition and led coverage of the Arab Spring. Khalaf was named foreign commentator of the year at the Editorial Intelligence Comment Awards in 2016 and her series on Qatar won the Foreign Press Association’s Feature story of the year in 2013. She joined the FT in 1995 as North Africa correspondent and before that was a staff writer for Forbes magazine in New York.

This podcast is currently available in audio format on Soundcloud. More platforms will be added shortly.

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

This episode is produced by Ronnie Chatah (@thebeirutbanyan).

Music by Marc Codsi. Video subtitles by Sara Hamzeh.

Ep.1: Thinking out Loud with Roula Khalaf

0:00 Intro
2:47 How do we really do this?
5:08 Board on Mediation
9:28 What are Arab governments doing?
12:52 Putting Issues in the Forefront
18:54 Jordan
27:09 Peacekeeping Operations
29:41 Advice for Men

Video edition available on YouTube.

Nasser Judeh was appointed to the Senate of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 9 July 2017. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs (later Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates) from 2009 to 2017 and Deputy Prime Minister from 2015 to 2017. He held various positions both in government and in the private sector, including amongst others, State Minister for Media Affairs & Communication; Official Spokesperson of the Government; Chairman of the Board of Information and Communication Expertise (ICE); Minister of Information; Director General of Jordan Radio and Television Corporation and Director of the Jordan Information Bureau (JIB) in London.

Throughout his career he advocated for women’s participation and inclusion in peace processes.

NB: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

This episode is produced by Ronnie Chatah.

Music by Marc Codsi. Subtitles by Sara Hamzeh.

Ep.2: Thinking out Loud with Nasser Judeh

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, or UN Women, the United Nations, or any of its affiliated organizations.

UN Women is grateful for financial support for this activity from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The #Diplowomen Podcast

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