The Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination's Project on Gender in the Global Community co-sponsored a lecture and discussion, "Women as Policy Makers and Agents of Change" on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the UN North Lawn Building (CR 5). The featured speaker was Raghida Dergham, Founder and Executive Chairperson of the Beirut Institute. The event was part of a series of lectures and panels on the UN's Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, organized by LISD's Project on Gender in the Global Community, the Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations, and the PeaceWomen Project of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

The Participation Pillar of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda focuses on women’s representation and participation in peace processes, electoral processes (as both candidates and voters), and UN decision-making positions. However progress has been slow and challenging. Dergham discussed the role of women as policy makers and agents of change as well as strategies to increase their participation in matters related to peace and security. 

Raghida Dergham is Founder and Executive Chairperson of the Beirut Institute, an independent non-partisan Arab think tank focusing on inter-generational, innovative, solution-oriented thinking for current and future policy opportunities and challenges affecting the Arab region and its place in the world. She is also a columnist and Senior Diplomatic Correspondent for the London-based Al Hayat. Dergham is a member of the International Media Council of the World Economic Forum, composed of 100 of the most respected and influential media figures worldwide. Dergham was featured in the PBS Documentary "Caught in the Crossfire." Dergham is in the State University of New York's Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Alumna and in 2003 received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters.