Dr. Hanan Ashrawi to be Keynote Speaker for HCEF 13th Annual Awards Banquet

posted on: Aug 30, 2011

Dr. Ashrawiwill keynote the HCEF Awards Banquet to be held Friday, October 28, 2011 at the Washington Marriott.

As member of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council she brings a unique insider’s perspective to the burning issues of the region.

Her address will be most timely as it comes after the momentous U.N. deliberations in September on Palestinian statehood. She will discuss the diplomatic and political background underpinning President Abbas’s historic initiative. She will also address the current impasse in the peace process and explorethe potential long-term consequences of the ‘Arab Spring’ on the life of Christian and other faith communities in the region.

Dr. Hanan Ashrawi made history as the first woman elected to the Executive Committee of the PLO, the highest executive body of the Palestinian government. She is also currently an elected member of the Palestinian Legislative, National and Central Councils. During her long distinguished career, she has been a leading advocate for human rights, gender issues, the rule of law, and reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She is founder of the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH), theNational Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN), theIndependent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) and head of the PLC’s Special Committee on Reform.

Dr. Ashrawi is the recipient of numerous international peace, human rights and democracy awards including the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation, the Olof Palme Award, the Sydney Peace Prize, the Defender of Democracy Award, and the Jane Addams International Women’s Leadership Award. The American University of Beirut and the University of Virginia honored her with their distinguished lifetime achievements awards.

The Awards Banquet is held in Conjunction with HCEF’s 13th International Conference and the 2nd Investment and Business Conference, which will be held Friday, October 28 through Sunday, October 30, 2011 with sessions hosted at the Washington Marriott and The National Presbyterian Church, both venues located in Washington, DC.

We are pleased to share that Dr. James Zogby, President, Arab American Institute Foundation (AAI) will be presented with the 2011 HCEF Path of Peace Award. This award was established to honor an individual who, throughout his/her life, has vigorously championed the cause of Peace in the Middle East, and through tireless personal efforts, has promoted the peaceful reconciliation between Arabs and Israelis, and amongst Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Other 2011 awardees include: The Ajram Family Foundation which will be presented with the Living Stones Solidarity Award, Mr. Raja Khoury, President, Pillar Construction will receive the HCEF Award and Mr. & Mrs. Elias Shomali , longtime volunteers and strong supporters, will receive the HCEF President’s Award.

To register and/or learn more about the 13th International Conference or HCEF and its programs please visit us at www.hcef.org.