First Ladies, Experts, and Activists Address Impact of Terrorism on Women and Children

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Global Hope Coalition, in cooperation with UNESCO, brings together a group of first ladies and other invested leaders to address the effects of terrorism and violent extremism on women and children. The joint action meeting will take place September 18^th, 2017 at the New York Public Library in New York City, at the onset of the United Nations General Assembly week.

Participants are expected to issue a statement urging the international community to take concrete and urgent measures to deal with a crisis that could lead to a lost generation across the Middle East and Africa, with catastrophic consequences.

Scheduled speakers and guests include: Jeanette Kagame, First Lady of Rwanda; Keïta Aminata Maiga, First Lady of Mali; Akie Abe, First Lady of Japan; Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO; Cherie Blair, Founder of Cherie Blair Foundation; Wided Bouchamaoui, President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts and 2013 Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Alexandra Chen, mental health and psychosocial advisor to UN agencies on the Syria crisis; Hafsat Mohammed, community organizer working against Boko Haram in northern Nigeria; and Denis Mekwege, gynecologist, Founder of the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, D.R. of Congo. Two recognized researchers from the Experts Committee of the Global Hope Coalition – Prof. Phyllis Magrab and Farah Pandith, former State Department Special Representative to Muslim Communities – will also speak at the meeting. UNESCO's director for gender equality, Saniye Gulser Corat, will moderate.

The rise of terrorism and violent extremism around the world has exposed thousands of women and children to traumatic and often life-threatening situations. The newly formed Global Hope Coalition – committed to fighting violent extremism and intolerance, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting intercultural dialogue – is leveraging its global platform and network to mobilize stakeholders to achieve meaningful policies and practices for these women and children.

"The long-term effects of extremism and terrorism on emotional well-being, growth, and development can be devastating, but there are protective factors and interventions that can ameliorate the effects, including strong social supports, family adaptations, and other programs and policies," said Phyllis Magrab, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Georgetown University Center for Human and Child Development. "Through the Global Hope Coalition, we will outline solutions and a path forward that will benefit the lives of those women and children impacted by terrorism and extremism."

The event will take place 10:30 AM–Noon ET on September 18^th at the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

For additional information and for media registration, email: HopeNYC@apcoworldwide.com

ABOUT THE GLOBAL HOPE COALITION
Established in September 2017, The Global Hope Coalition is an international initiative dedicated to providing a global platform to bolster the civil society campaign to fight violent extremism and intolerance, preserve cultural heritage, and promote intercultural dialogue. Learn more at http://globalhopecoalition.org/.

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SOURCE Global Hope Coalition