Oklahoma Hosts Afghan Delegation
The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women discusses the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Program with Afghan Delegation
Oklahoma City, OK, November 20, 2014 – The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW) hosted nine delegates from Afghanistan on November 20. They are in the United States to meet with various political and social entities. Terry Neese spoke to the delegation about the work that our PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program has done in Afghanistan over the last 8 years. The delegates ranged from the Director of the Directorate of Women’s Affairs to the Chief of Staff to the Provincial Governors Office in the Jawzjan Province. Neese serves on the U.S.-Afghan Women’s council (USAWC) and was an obvious choice to meet with the delegation. The mission of the USAWC is to convene committed and capable stakeholders; identify and mobilize public and private sector resources; and encourage dynamic and collaborative partnerships in support of Afghan women and children in the areas of education, health, economic empowerment, and leadership development. While in Oklahoma the delegation will also visit with Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, Justice Noma Gurich, State Senator Kay Floyd, and visit the YWCA.
“IEEW was privileged to host an Afghanistan Delegation in our offices in OKC today. These Afghan leaders are empowered by their new president and feel a sense of pride and hope in the free enterprise system. But, they question why some Americans view their country negatively and do not see the progress they have made in the last 13 years. I was impressed with their professionalism and their obvious resilience. They are determined to enhance democracy in Afghanistan.” – Terry Neese, CEO/Founder, IEEW, Member, USAWC
This meeting was a successful collaboration between the U.S. and Afghanistan. Meetings such as this will further our joint efforts towards greater economic freedoms in Afghanistan and around the world. IEEW’s PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program hopes to spread this message even further by empowering women business owners economically, socially and politically.
About IEEW:
The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW), started in 2006, is an Oklahoma City based 501 (c)3 non-profit with a mission to empower women to grow their businesses, pursue greater entrepreneurial ventures and become more active public policy advocates. The Institute accomplishes this mission by focusing on education, mentorship and coaching women in the United States and abroad who are seeking to acquire entrepreneurial skills to help start and grow a business. IEEW works with a network of mentors, corporate sponsors, and private donors across the United States to accomplish its work. Under the umbrella of IEEW, the Institute runs the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program. PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® is a business training and mentorship program for women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda. The program is in its 9th year and is implemented through three major components —In-Country Education, Leadership Development, and Train the Trainer—which combine to create a continuing program to educate women, promote their business and leadership skills, build a strong public policy agenda in the women’s business community and to help build stable democracies.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Jane Derrick at 405.973.4474 or email at jderrick@ieew.org.