Her Excellency Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak and a group of distinguished guests attended the first activity scheduled for the inauguration of the Institute for Peace Studies on Wednesday the 15 th of February at 6:00 p.m. Following a welcome address by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, her Excellency’s speech underscored the importance of recognizing that peace building is imperative in today’s world.

The first session “Women in An Insecure World: The Challenge and the Response” began with the showing of a DVD describing the issues that the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) organization in Switzerland deals with in their outstanding book Women in An Insecure World . Acting as moderator of the session, Dr. Serageldin led the discussion around the issue of violence against women.

Representing the business community in the discussion were Dr. David Arkless and Mr. Shafik Gabr who emphasized the importance of the participation of business corporations in promoting peace. Mrs. Betty Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate, and Dr. Aleya Hammad and Dr. Rama Mani presented the women’s point of view in the discussion. Following this intellectually stimulating activity, the audience enjoyed a music program conducted by the BA Maestro, Sherif Mohie El Din who led the children’s choir and the BA orchestra through a magnificent performance.

On Thursday the 16 th of February, the official inauguration ceremony of the Institute for Peace Studies began at 10:30 with a multimedia film on the rebirth of the BA. Her Excellency Mrs. Mubarak then addressed the audience outlining the importance of founding this institute and explaining the value of having an academic and training facility that will enhance the SMIWPM’s efforts towards peace building on the national, regional and international levels.

Professor Julia Marton-Lefevre, Rector of the University for Peace in Costa Rica, a major partner institution of the Institute for Peace Studies, gave a most inspiring speech in which she outlined the mission, objectives and activities of the UPeace and remarked that “ UPEACE already has a great deal in common with the new Institute for Peace Studies” and that the UPEACE is looking forward to “a long and successful partnership” with the Institute for Peace Studies. Following Professor Marton-Lefevre’s speech, His Excellency President Emil Constantinescu, Former President of Romania, addressed the audience, eloquently highlighting the values of peace and understanding.

Punctuated by two video messages from Dr. Mohamed El Baradei and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the two distinguished Nobel Peace Laureates, Mr. David Trimble and Mrs. Betty Williams, spoke about the importance of resolving conflicts, protecting children from violence and creating a better world for future generations.

After launching the Arabic version of Wounds of War and the English Trafficking Women and Children, Dr. Serageldin explained the scope and program of the Institute.

The round-table discussion: “Laying the Foundations for Peace” with Mr. Ghassan Salame as moderator provided an enlightening discussion which revolved around the legal, international, economic and cultural contexts of peace and conflict resolution. The participants in this session were Dr. George Abi Saab, Ambassador Nabil El Araby, Dr. Assia Alaoui, Mr. David Trimble and Mrs. Betty Williams.

The official inauguration ceremony ended in a spirit of hope and determination to achieve the goals that are delineated in the mission statement of the Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement Institute for Peace Studies.

Several renowned guests and public figures from Egypt and the world attended this two day event to signal the founding of the Institute for Peace Studies and to give it the local, regional and international support it merits as the first institution of its kind in the region.