Sunday 23 February 2014

@emirateslitfest THE NANNY FACTOR, THE MARRIAGE GAME AND SUCCESS IN THE MODERN WORLD...ALL ON THE AGENDA AT THE LITFEST


A series of sessions examining the challenges affecting women in the modern world will be the subject of the Female Focus morning on Thursday March 6 as part of the sixth Emirates Airline Festival of Literature at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.
Sessions include a panel discussion on how to measure success, led be culinary entrepreneur Prue Leith and top novelist Jo Jo Moyes;  a debate on whether  cultural differences in the approach to marriage  can be a predictor of the institution’s success; and an assessment of the  impact of the reliance on nannies in the rearing of children, particularly where nannies do not speak the child’s mother tongue.
Other sessions will examine how cosmetic surgery has shaped ideals of beauty, with a panel of international and local experts; and how to  maintain optimum health both physically and psychologically, including how get the best out of life with an inspiring talk about breast-cancer survivors adventuring through Antarctica. There are also creative writing courses in Arabic and English and workshops on how to communicate better, be positive in your outlook and how to manage relationships more effectively.
The morning ends with Silvena Rowe’s Ladies’ Lunch at Terra Firma restaurant.
The Female Focus morning is part of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which takes place from March 4-8 2014. All details are available on Emirateslitfest.com
Female Focus sessions are open to all adults and include the following.
Reaching the Top
Prue Leith, Julie Lewis, Jojo Moyes
What makes women succeed? What holds them back? Is the glass ceiling a myth and are women today more likely to succeed than their mothers were? Join in the debate with our panel of women who have excelled in their field to uncover the meaning of success and be inspired to achieve your own goals.
Prue Leith is a renowned cookery writer, restaurateur and has been awarded Businesswoman of the Year. She has sat on boards such as British Rail and Whitbread, earned a Michelin star for her restaurant, and a personal OBE and a CBE.
Julie Lewis, NLP Master Practitioner and Coach, Speaker, Author, Sports Scientist and Adventurer, is passionate about empowering people to take charge of their life and their health.
Best-selling author Jojo Moyes has won the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Romantic Novel of the Year Award twice: in 2004 for Foreign Fruit and in 2011 for The Last Letter from Your Lover. Her novels have been translated into 28 languages.
Re-shaping Your Life
Liz Fenwick, Buffi Jashanmal, Anita Papas, Suzanne Radford, Samineh Shaheem
How easy is it for women to identify their life goals and change direction? As a single woman, a wife, a mother, career woman, or a combination of these, how can women achieve a fulfilling life while also balancing their family or financial responsibilities? Meet three women who have done just that and two experts who can advise on managing such changes:
Anita Papas is a successful clinical psychologist, mother and author of the best-selling and highly acclaimed books The Positive You!, The Positive Us! and Go for It!
Liz Fenwick is a successful author of A Cornish House and A Cornish Affair, ex-pat expert, wife, mother of three, and dreamer turned doer.
Buffi Jashanmal is the author of Buffi's Dress Design: Sew 30 Fun Styles and was a popular contestant on Season 10 of Project Runway. She is now a qualified and inspiring FlyBarre trainer.
Suzanne Radford presents the award winning morning radio show Dubai Today on Dubai Eye 103.8. With a background in comedy and the arts she transferred her skills to radio where she features personal stories of people in the UAE.
Author and University Lecturer in Psychology, Samineh Shaheem focuses on cross-cultural and social psychology. In 2013 she introduced Life Clubs to the UAE.
The Marriage Game
Kyra DupontTroubetzkoy, Dr Hala Kazim, Moni Mohsin
Marriage! Is it still the goal of every woman? Are marriages more likely to succeed when women choose their own life partner or when their families make the arrangements? Join our panel of diverse women to discover how different cultures approach marriage in the 21st century and what the value of marriage might still be.
Dr. Hala Kazim is a wife, mother and grandmother as well as a trained coach and counsellor.
Journalist and best-selling writer Moni Mohsin was born and raised in Lahore. She is married with two children and lives in London and Lahore.
Swiss Journalist and author of two novels, Kyra DupontTroubetzkoy has been involved in humanitarian ventures in Kenya, Bosnia and Cambodia and has worked for media companies across the world.
Writing Historical Fiction
Rachel Hore
What are the specific challenges and joys of writing historical fiction? In this two-hour workshop, best-selling novelist and lecturer in publishing at the University of East Anglia Rachel Hore will encourage you to reflect on different kinds of historical novel, how to decide on a period and how to conduct research. She will share tips about character, viewpoint, voice, plot, setting and creating authentic but accessible dialogue. It’s time to unlock your historical fiction!
The Tutor: Rachel Hore recently published her sixth novel, The Silent Tide. Previous novels include The Glass Painter’s Daughter, which was shortlisted for the 2010 Romantic Novel of the Year award; and A Gathering Storm, which was shortlisted for the RoNA Historical Novel of the Year 2012.
Caring For Yourself and Managing Your Relationships in a Dynamic, Changing World
Jody Ballard
Wellness is more than the absence of illness - it is a dynamic process in which the mind and body are an inseparable whole. This session hopes to inspire women to re-examine self-care and nurturing, thus heightening individual health and wellness, and enhancing family, work life, and friendships. Join wellness practitioner and Licensed Clinical Professional Counsellor Jody Ballard for this strength- based programme that has personal growth as its central theme. When change is an active process infused with self-knowledge, empowerment, goal setting and planning, women are better able to make more positive lifestyle choices to create a life filled with joy, purpose, and connection. Time for a change!
The Tutor: Having lived in eight foreign countries (thus far), Jody  Ballard emerged as a prolific agent of change, but also a master of the intercultural and international perspective.  In 2012 she penned a novel of historical literary fiction entitled, The Smell of Mud.
A Woman’s Voice: How to Metamorphose into a Confident Speaker and Communicator
Lea Sellers
Would you love to articulate your message fluently and convincingly across a variety of media? Join BBC producer, writer and trainer Lea Sellers to unlock your communication potential. Lea will be sharing tips on making speeches, giving presentations and engaging with the media. The workshop will also cover social media and successful networking.
The Tutor: Following a career as a news and current affairs producer for British television, Lea Sellers now works as a media trainer and writer.   She produced programmes such as Newsnight and Question Time for the BBC and became Deputy Foreign Editor of Channel 4 News, specialising in Russia and the Middle East.
The Nanny Factor
Linda Chaccour, Sara al Mheiri
The reliance on nannies in the rearing of children has become a hot topic. When nannies do not speak the child’s mother tongue, is language development inhibited? When women go out to work and leave their children with a nanny, does this impact the mother-child relationship and influence social development? How do we choose a nanny and is the right one really worth her weight in gold? Join our panel of mothers and professionals to discuss this thorny issue.
Sara Al Mheiri is a working mother of two who has had a successful career in various Dubai-based organizations.
Linda Chaccour is a Certified Youth, Family and Parent Coach and founder of Emerge – Life and Youth Coaching in Dubai, UAE. Linda has professional knowledge of parental empowerment, anti-bullying coaching and confidence building.
Life Clubs - Whole, Resourceful and Creative
Samineh Shaheem
This Life Clubs practical and fun workshop will motivate you to get more out of life. Our inspirational discussion will move you forward both professionally and personally, making you clearer thinking and more self-confident, as well as introducing you to new friends. The workshop has been specifically designed to give you a new tool which will help you gain self-knowledge and clarity.
The Tutor: Samineh Shaheem is an author, consultant and University Lecturer in Psychology with a focus on cross-cultural and social psychology, with a special interest in bullying. She has a regular radio slot and weekly advice column and recently introduced Life Clubs to the UAE, founded by Daily Telegraph (Get A Life) columnist Nina Grunfeld.
Under the Knife!
Dr Buthainah Al-Shunnar, MélanieChappuis, Mimi Raad
Where does the idea of female beauty originate and why is it that increasing numbers of women are deciding they must choose cosmetic surgery and ‘go under the knife’. Why do young women, as well as more mature women, take this route and what are the potential physical and emotional consequences? To debate this hot topic are Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr Buthainah Al-Shunnar, journalist and broadcaster MélanieChappuis and media image consultant and TV producer Mimi Raad.
Creative Writing in Arabic
Mariam Al Saedi
If you would like to kick-start your creativity and begin to find your writer’s voice, this is the workshop for you. In this interactive session, Mariam al Saedi will help you to capture that inner voice that distinguishes each writer.
The Tutor: Mariam Al Saedi is an Emirati short story writer with two published collections to her name.
The Health Panel
Zena Habi, Dr Houriya Kazim, Silvena Rowe, Robin Treasure
What are women’s top health concerns and risks? How can we protect ourselves from ill-health and lead long, active lives? What part does our diet and lifestyle play in our physical and mental well-being and what should we be doing to look after ourselves? Join our panel of experts to bust the myths and hear some clear and sensible answers.
Zena Habi is a Founder and Managing Partner of FitnessO2.  She has been a certified personal trainer for over 14 years, is a Taekwondo black belt and a successful Kickboxing competitor. Zena empowers others to live a healthy lifestyle by staying fit and achieving a healthy weight through proper nutrition.
Dr. Houriya Kazim is a Consultant Breast Surgeon and the medical director and founder of the Well Woman Clinic, Dubai. Dr. Houriya was the first female Emirati surgeon, and founded and runs the breast cancer support group ‘Breast Friends,’ as well as ‘The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Emirates’.
Silvena Rowe is one of Britain’s top female chefs, author of 8 best-selling cookbooks and a well-known TV chef. She is currently involved in healthy Emirati cuisine and is a cookery writer for the Guardian and Friday magazine. 
Robin Treasure is a wellness coach and strategist from the United States and received her professional training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She works with women experiencing overwhelm and burnout to make key changes in their diet, lifestyle and mindset, helping them to develop strategies to thrive while meeting the demands of their daily lives.
Discovering the Positive
Anita Papas
How easy is it to become more positive about life, your relationships and goals? In this interactive workshop, Clinical Psychologist Anita Papas will cover various techniques and ideas associated with adopting a positive outlook and how this might make you feel more empowered. You will gain a sense of control over your life and a realization that it is within your reach to achieve a fulfilled and happy life.
The Tutor: Anita Papas is a practising clinical psychologist and author of three acclaimed books on positivity - The Positive You!, The Positive Us! and Go for It!
The Strength & Spirit of Women - Breast Cancer Survivors’ Antarctica Expedition
Julie Lewis
Julie Lewis is an NLP Master Practitioner and Coach, Speaker, Author, Sports Scientist, Adventurer, and the Founder of Mountain High. She has led more than 50 global expeditions, inspiring individuals to make their dreams reality. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Julie speak about her expeditions, and to watch the 20-minute film, of UAE-based women ,who have survived breast cancer, achieving their goal of adventuring in the Antarctic as they complete The Jewels of Antarctica Challenge.
The Health Forum Q & A
Jody Ballard, Dr Houriya Kazim, Jennifer Stewart& Robin Treasure
Following on from Jody’s workshop on wellness (803 Caring For Yourself and Managing Your Relationships in a Dynamic, Changing World) this session offers you the opportunity to put your physical and emotional health question to a panel of experts. Bring along your burning question and hear what the professionals have to say. Above all, they will be informed and supportive and you will be among friends!
Jody Ballard is the founder of a thriving business, Strategic Wellness Systems, principally dedicated to assisting individuals and families in obtaining balance through the five essential components of health: physical, psychological spiritual, relational and mental.
Dr Houriya Kazim is a Consultant Breast Surgeon and the medical director and founder of the Well Woman Clinic, Dubai. Dr. Houriya founded and runs the breast cancer support group ‘Breast Friends,’ as well as ‘The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Emirates’.
Jennifer Stewart has held high profile roles in TV production, most notably Fashion Police aired on E! To counter the demands of this role, she developed her interest in yoga, gained her teaching accreditation and now combines yoga styles in her classes. Jen invites students to relax and rejuvenate or flourish and energize depending on the needs of the individual.
Robin Treasure is a wellness coach and strategist from the United States and received her professional training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She works with women experiencing overwhelm and burnout to make key changes in their diet, lifestyle and mindset, helping them to develop strategies to thrive while meeting the demands of their daily lives.

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2014 will take place in Dubai from 4 to 8 March under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and in partnership with Emirates and the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage. The Festival is now part of the Emirates Literature Foundation, which was established last year by Royal decree. For more details of the Festival please visit www.emirateslitfest.com. Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/emirateslitfest), Twitter (www.twitter.com/emirateslitfest), Instagram (@EmiratesLitFest) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/EmiratesLitFest) for competitions and more updates.

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