Serageldin welcomed the speakers and participants of the conference Arab Women Facing the Challenges of Globalization which is being held at the BA during the period from 13 to 15 January 2009. Calling for a greater gender equality, Serageldin said that just as we breathe with two lungs, see with two eyes, walk with two legs, but speak with one voice, so must enlightened men and empowered women work side by side towards a better future. The conference, which is organized by the BA in cooperation with Claremont and Yale Universities, addresses topics such as violence against women and women trafficking, and discusses the economic and work challenges facing women as well as the importance of gender equality in education.