Please note: this event has passed
Moderator: Cheryl Jennings, Emmy-award winning journalist
Speakers:
- Heidi Kuhn, CEO and Founder of Roots of Peace
- Fawzia Bheroz Merzaye, Agribusiness Specialist for Roots of Peace
- Zarlasht Sarmast, former spokesperson for the International Red Cross in Kabul
- Muqaddesa Yourish,former Deputy Minister for Commerce and Industry in Afghanistan
WIWIP and Roots of Peace have collaborated to bring an exciting panel event to discuss the role of women in demining and post-conflict reconstruction through sustainable agriculture in Afghanistan, and to launch Breaking Ground, by Heidi Kühn, CEO and Founder of Roots of Peace, about her mission in turning ‘landmines to grapevines’.
Moderated by Emmy-award winning journalist, Cheryl Jennings, Heidi Kühn will be joined by Fawzia Bheroz Merzaye, Agribusiness Specialist for Roots of Peace in Afghanistan, and Zarlasht Sarmast, former spokesperson for the International Red Cross in Kabul, and CEO and Director of the project ‘Afghanistan Politics on the Verge of Transformation’ to unpick the challenges facing women in Afghanistan, and the vital role they play in the future of the country.
Roots of Peace is a humanitarian non-profit organisation, founded in September 1997 with a vision to transform ‘mines to vines’. Roots of Peace supports the world’s most vulnerable farmers and traders, removing the remnants of war through demining and restoring agricultural productivity and prosperity. Roots of Peace has been supported in its mission by the United States Government, the United Nations, World Bank and international governments, as well as other international organisations. Roots of Peace has impacted over 1 million farmers and families across eight countries- Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Iraq, Israel/Palestine, and Vietnam. Most recently, Roots of Peace has been awarded US$30 million in funding from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law enforcement Affairs to provide an alternative to poppy production and reduce poverty in Afghanistan.
Bios
Cheryl Jennings has travelled for stories to Afghanistan (2005, 2015) Kosovo (1999, 2001) South and North Korea, Vietnam, Peru, Mexico, Israel, and the West Bank. Jennings has been honored with nine Emmys while working in the broadcasting industry for 45 years in radio, television and online. She’s also received seven national “Gracie” awards by the Alliance for Women in Media for her stories on women’s issues. She has hosted "in conversation" events with high-profile professionals including Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Khaled Hosseini, Deepak Chopra, Carlos Santana, Maria Shriver, Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue and celebrity chef Jacques Pepin. Jennings worked at ABC TV in San Francisco for 39 years, anchoring the award winning 5pm news for 28 years. Most recently, Jennings founded her own media company to use social media for positive news locally and internationally. “Cheryl Cam Media” is based in the San Francisco bay area. Jennings is a moderator, producer and online host and reporter. She enjoys mentoring visionaries of all ages in leadership roles to guide them in their message, media strategy and online presence.
Heidi Kühn is the founder and CEO of Roots of Peace. Her pioneering work empowers families in war-torn regions with hope, leading to economies of peace through export and trade. Her awards include: Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, World Association of Non-Profit Award, and the National Jefferson Award for Public Service. In March 2021, Heidi has been awarded the inaugural Afghan Peace Award, presented by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in recognition of Heidi’s contributions to sustainable agriculture in Afghanistan over the last 20 years. She is the author of Breaking Ground, where she highlights that with a just cause and strong determination, an individual can achieve things beyond their imagination.
Fawzia Behroz Merzaye is a Women’s Gender Director for Roots of Peace in Afghanistan. Her work assists women in Afghanistan to establish their own businesses and generate a sustainable income. She is passionate about the role that women will play in Afghanistan’s future, and has been inspired by the personal changes she has seen in women in education and agriculture in Afghanistan during her lifetime. She seeks to represent not only women, but also the youth, who seek peace and a bright future through sustainable agriculture. She will be joining to discuss her work with Roots of Peace, and the role that women and youth play in Afghanistan’s future.
Muqaddesa Yourish is a former Deputy Minister for Commerce and Industry in Afghanistan, Ms. Yourish is the current country director for Lapid, a top strategic communication firm, as well as a adjunct lecturer for the American University of Afghanistan. She is an MBA graduate from the Akron University in the United States, and has a BBA and Diploma in National Security and International Relations from Pune University, India. She has a strong record in serving the Afghan government, such as Commissioner for the Independent Adminstrative Reforms and Civil Service Commission of Afghanistan, and a Director of Human Resources for the Kabul municipality. Born and raised in Kabul, Muqaddessa is a frequent commentator of her country’s political issues and a strong voice for her generation. Her writing has appeared in both national and international media outlets, including the New York Times.
Zarlasht Sarmast is a recent graduate from American University of Central Asia, Department of International and Comparative Politics. She has previously served as the Spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kabul, Communications specialist for GIZ in Central Asia, Voice of America in DC, and many other well-known national and international organizations. Zarlasht is currently an official employee of Open Society University Network working as Coordinator for the Global Fellows program as well as head of research department and Project Manager at Zawia Media in Afghanistan. She is an active member of Bard Center for Civic Engagement Program in New York and she is the Director and CEO of the project “Afghanistan Politics on the Verge of Transformation”. Zarlasht is currently doing her Masters degree in the field of International Relations and Security.