HERSTORY
An inspiring series of monthly encounters with women from Europe, the MENA and Eurasia. They will tell their stories to bring us closer to their culture and their life of challenges and successes."
Ms. Monika Maria Waldenmaier
Join us on Zoom 15th May '25 at 7pm cet
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82496705743?pwd=SaLIniiairZcqdtxias5aO9Q4TNhut.1
Discover the transformative energy of Monika Maria Waldenmaier, a Tyrolean healer since 1994. With a blend of humor and spirituality, she offers insights in energy therapy, holistic color consulting, and hospice care. Join her journey to uncover the mysticism and joy in everyday life. Learn more at www.energievoll-leben.org.
Ms. Maria Hadjipavlou
Maria Hadjipavlou was born in the north of the island of the Republic of Cyprus and lives in the south of the island. She has a doctorate from Boston University and a post-doctorate from Harvard University (1991-93) where she was trained in the Interactive Problem-Solving approach by late Professor Herbert Kelman. She is a scholar/practitioner and taught in many universities abroad and at the Department of Social and Political Sciences of University of Cyprus, for twenty years. She was the first to introduce gender courses and conflict resolution at her department. She has over forty years of experience in peacebuilding and gender and conflict resolution, as well as being a founder or co-founder of many NGOs on gender equality, reconciliation and women, peace and security agenda. Her academic work opened up new ways of analysing protracted complex conflicts, such as the Cyprus conflict.
Ms. Herta Kaschitz-Wüstenhagen
Herta Kaschitz-Wüstenhagen, born in Vienna, holds a doctorate in law and a master's degree in languages (interpreter's diploma for French). She worked briefly at a law firm in London and then at an insurance company in Vienna. After a short period in Switzerland, she spent 27 years at the United Nations, including 10 years in New York. This experience included 14 years in a unit that was a predecessor to today's UN Women.
Ms. Zofia Schacht-Petersen
Developmental Trauma Therapist, language of Peace Trainer, Poland
Certified NVC trainer, mediator and family therapist in a systemic approach. Author of articles devoted to NVC, especially in the context of family relations, published in pedagogical and parenting magazines. Author of two books "Raising children without slap" (2006) and "Dialog instead of punishment" (2013). Founder of the School of Empathy and Dialogue.
Prof. Hayal Koksal
24th Oct. 2024 - 7pm
Hayal Koksal is a teacher-trainer and expert in Total
Quality Management, Peace and Dignity, and Curriculum Design, with 49 years of teaching experience. She is the founding president of AIC/YIMEDER and Director-General for Turkey at WCTQEE, advocating for collaboration, liberty, equality, and nonviolence.
Bettina Kircher
Bettina Kircher is a freelance consultant in Conflict Management, certified mediator, and mental trainer. She works with GIZ, teaches at Helmut-Schmidt-University, and NATO SFA. Previously, she was a training expert for EEAS and has humanitarian experience with the Red Cross and UN Peacekeeping. She holds a master's in Regional Sciences.
Dr. Tina Lindhard
Dr. Tina Lindhard, born in South Africa, developed a deep love for nature from her homeland and embraced the indigenous teachings of Africa, which emphasize profound respect for ancestors.
She integrated these influences with the practice of Arka Dhyana, an Intuitive Meditation method created by Yogi and philosopher Srinivas Arka. Dr.
Lindhard holds a PhD in Consciousness Studies, combining her diverse background to explore the depths of consciousness and spirituality.
Prof. Shery Delfani
Join Zoom event:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87916107720?pwd=ARwoIaGihLhkWwGaei35HslBk1Zmta.1Meeting
Prof. Delfani is a distinguished academicspecialising in environmental issues, climatechange, and global sustainability. With extensiveexperience in training and consulting, she hasmade significant contributions to environmentalpolicies, pollution control, and renewable energyinitiatives. A member of various professionalorganisations, she is known for her strategicbusiness development skills and collaborative approach. See poster
Thecla Mbunwe
Zoom event: Thursday 30th May at 7pm cet
Thecla Mbunwe: Peace advocate, motivational speaker, women’s rights activist. 25+ years in banking, Champion of women empowerment, gender equality. Chairlady SCEW e.V., Founder African Beauty international, VP NFU Europe. Dedicated to uplifting women worldwide.
Mandy Sanghera
Mandy Sanghera is an award-winning global catalyst, human rights activist, and motivational speaker from the UK, with over three decades of experience. She empowers individuals worldwide, focusing on human rights, gender equality, and social justice. Mandy advocates for refugees and victims of trafficking, speaking at prestigious events like the US House of Representatives and World Economic Forum.
Nargis Mommand Hassanzai
14th Dec. 2023 7pm cet
Activist for girls' and women's right to education and equal rights in Afghanistan. Professor at Kabul University, senior advisor to the Deputy Minister of Defense, Director of Information and Public Awareness during the High Presidential Office's tenure, World Peace Award winner 2023 in Stockholm, member of the Peace Reconstruction of Afghanistan and Culture Committee in Germany.
Lisa Clark
19th Oct. 7pm cet
Lisa Clark is an Italian-based peace activist with a remarkable track record. She lived in war-torn Sarajevo, worked on reconciliation in Kosovo, and organized a peace symposium in Eastern DR Congo. Lisa's recent focus has been on disarmament, notably with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.
Dr. Iris Dotan Katz
21st Sep. 7pm cet
Dr. Iris Dotan Katz is a senior clinical psychologist, peace advocate, and women's empowerment leader. With over 27 years of experience, she combines therapy, organisational development, and spiritual practices to promote reconciliation and social change. Dr. Katz actively engages in peace organisations, fostering dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians through compassion and prayer.
Patricia Lalonde
17th Aug. 7pm cet
Patricia Lalonde worked in Afghanistan for 15 years, building girls' schools and promoting women's rights. She was a member of the European Parliament, conducted research, and attended international conferences on human rights and peace. Now, she is Vice President of the French Think Tank GEOPRAGMA, having recently visited Iran and Syria.
Renáta Ocilková
22nd Jun. 6pm cet
Renáta Ocilková is a Slovakian graduate of Comenius University and Catholic University. She has attended international internships and trainings and is involved in ministry to Roma women. She lectures and publishes on education, bioethics, and gender issues. Currently, she is the President of the Forum of Life in Slovakia.
Laetitia van Haren
20th Apr. 7pm cet
A cultural anthropologist who has lived and worked for decades in sub-Saharan Africa and south-east Asia. In Geneva she was director of Defense for Children– International, Humanitarian Policy with Action by Churches Together.
Asha Omar Geesdiir
16th Mar. 23
Has over 20 years experience in policyrelated development, particularly in participatory development, advocacy, human rights, refugee welfare, good governance, constitutional development, education, and as an expert on conflict resolution, peace building and conflict management projects. " Her story" this month featured Asha Omar Geesdiir, a strong human activist from Somalia that spent many years in Sweden before returning back to Mogadishu Somalia as a special advisor to the government on women and childrens issues. She shared about how the love in her family was the platform from which she could believe in herself and her ability to contribute to positive developments in her country .
MEP Maria Carmen Quintanilla Barba
February 16, 2023, at 7 pm CET
MEP Maria Carmen Quintanilla Barba, Spanish National MP (2000-2019) Spanish Senator (2020). Permanent Parliamentarian in the European Council. Founder and President of AFAMMER, organization dedicated to the family and women's development in the rural area. She shared about her experience in the 40 years since AFAMMER was founded.
Maria Carmen shared the dream from her youth of seeing the establishment of Gender Equality at various levels. She ensured the rights of Rural Women in Spain, which later led her to defend many other causes linked to Gender Equality, and she consequently earned her place at the European Parliament as MEP. She contributed and promoted the creation of the Convention for the Elimination of all kinds of Violence against Women. Mrs. Carmen spares no efforts in her work of highlighting the issue of Violence against Women. She is the founder of the well-known AFAMMER Association, where she is President, and which is dedicated to the Family and Women's development.
KHOLOUD W. KASSEM
19th Jan. 23
Active Member of the Global Network of Women in Politics. Several times Candidate to the Parliament - Lebanon. Founder and active member of several organisations to empower women in politics and decision making