On occasion of the International Women's Day, the United Nations Country Team in Saudi Arabia and King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND), held panel discussions under the title "The Role of Saudi Women in Social Cohesion". The event, which was held at the UN Building, included screenings of award winning short movies that are produced locally with messages promoting peace and dialogue, and panel discussion on the role of Saudi women in promoting social cohesion. The first panel discussion titled "The role of Saudi Women in Social Cohesion" included Dr. Omaima Al Khamees, who presented "us and the others" initiative highlighting the role of women in progress, Kawthar Al Arbash, who talked about her own personal experience in sending messages of peace and tolerance after the death of her son in Dammam mosque bomb blast last year, Dr. Maysoun Al Enizi who talked about social cohesion in a diverse society — success story from the northern region and Hamad Al-Kadi who discussed the role of women in social cohesion in the Kingdom — the past and the future. The second panel discussion titled "Saudi Women Nurturing Social Cohesion" had three panelists; Abdullah Al-Qahtani, who discussed social cohesion and how to start from within, Fatima Al Hussein Children's literature to promote tolerance, Aljohara Al Ghusoun: Social cohesion within the family — a successful initiative. The event also highlighted the example of the holy city of Makkah as a model city for social cohesion and tolerance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the world. In his opening remarks, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Development Program Resident Representative, said: "Women are at the core for building harmony and social cohesion as they are often described as having abilities that naturally support and promote peace, especially in educating the next generation of children and passing on important values. The children and youth of today and tomorrow will learn much from their mothers and they have to take forward the mutual understanding and respect that mothers can impart to their children. Education plays a significant role in supporting social cohesion and is a core component of building peaceful sustainable societies. Islamic teaching emphasizes the process of creating the strongest bond possible in order for people to live in harmony. The concepts of community, unity, family and social relationships are at the roots of Islamic teachings." He said: "With the support to member states, the United Nations is committed to doing its part to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, which will improve the lives of people everywhere, in particular women. The SDGs cannot be achieved without an inclusive approach and without social cohesion. To achieve social cohesion women play a central role." Amal Al Moallimi, Head of the Women Branch, King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND), introduced the panel discussions saying, "In the beginning I would like to thank the United Nations Country Team for collaborating with King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue to celebrate this event, which embodies the concept of cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia represented in the Center and the international community represented in the United Nations. It's indeed a great celebration where panelists and attendees presented an extraordinary image for social cohesion and a refined Saudi way of thinking." The 2016 theme for International Women's Day is "Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality". The idea of this theme is to consider how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal No. five -Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls- and No. 4 –Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
