Saturday

The 18^th Arab regional conference has begun with its preliminary session. Zeina Kfoury, Chairman of the Arab Regional Committee and Chairman of the Conference, together with Micheline Antonian, regional director of the Arab Region, welcomed all participants who got the chance to get to know each other in an atmosphere of harmony and sisterhood.

 Young participants were given the opportunity to express their feelings about their participation in this important event.  

During the session, Zeina presented the triennial report.

The second session

Zeina presented the financial report and the new Arab Regional Fund Policy. Liesbeth Lijnzaad, World Board member, followed with a presentation on Suspension and cancellation of membership in WAGGGS.

The third session

‘The New WAGGGS’ was the presentation given by Mary Mc Phail, the new Chief Executive of WAGGGS and Mary-Lynn Myers, the Vice Chairman of the World Board.

The Conference has been the first opportunity for Mary to meet Member Organizations (MOs) representatives. In a joint address to the Arab Regional Conference, Mary and Mary-Lynn reviewed the developments which have taken place since the World Conference in Jordan in 2005 –to strengthen and develop MOs throughout the world.

Delegates were updated on the implementation of the repositioning of WAGGGS, the new WAGGGS Leadership Development Programme (WLDP),news from the World Centres and the recent events which WAGGGS has organized such as the Juliette Low Seminar and Helen Storrow Seminar. They were also updated on the external events where WAGGGS, through its UN representatives, has been advocating for girls and young women.

The presentation was followed by ‘Question and Answer’ process where delegates raised their concerns and queries about repositioning.

Lydia Mutare, Strategies for Growth Director, gave a presentation on the concept of Leadership Development. She highlighted the new WAGGGS Leadership Program and its eight modules which are being developed to enable young women develop international leadership skills, so they will be better prepared to take on leadership roles at national, regional and world levels. 

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Tunisian Scouts, under the auspices of Mrs. Salwa Al-Ayyashi Al-Labban, Minister of Women, Family, Children and Elderly Affairs.

The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests from within and outside the Movement: Dr. Atef Abdul-Majid, the Secretary General of the Arab Scouts Organization, Mr. Ali Salem Al Ka’abi, Chairman of the board of trustees of the Family Development Foundation and director of the office of the Minister of Presidential Affairs as representative of her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak (UAE), the general leader of Tunisian Scouts, as well as ambassadors of the Arab countries in Tunis. 

Mrs. Salwa expressed her delight to put the 18^th Arab Regional Conference under her auspices, stressing the importance of the Girl Guiding role in supporting girls and young women.

The ceremony included performances of Tunisian Birds, Brownies and Girl Guides, in addition to the honoring ceremony to H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, and H.H. Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad AlQassimi from the United Arab of Emirates (UAE), in recognition of their valuable efforts and continuing support for the Girl Guiding Movement.

The dinner

The Tunisian Scouts invited the Conference participants to a special dinner in the beautiful city of Yasmine El Hammamat .

They were warmly welcomed by a wonderful folkloric music band that impressed everyone. The dinner ended with a tour in the city market which was an opportunity to buy some souvenirs.