Could get involved in supporting human rights. Is welcome to the stage, executive director of the Georgetown Institute for peace and security. [applause] good morning, and welcome to the 2023 Award Ceremony to honor women who have played an exceptional role in advancing women in peace and security. The awards showcasing the difference womens peace building can make, particularly at the local level, are one of the aspects at the mission of our institute. We are proud to be marking our 10th anniversary this year. You can find a great deal about the institute on our website. We are always thrilled to have the secretary former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, with us. We are so grateful for her continuing support of the institute as our honorary founding chair, for leading with the rockefeller foundation, our covering of highlevel Women Leaders on critical issues, and for her continuing inspiration. Welcome back secretary clinton. [applause] let me add a special welcome to members of the diplomatic corps who have joined us. From yemen, ireland, iceland, germany, lithuania, norway, sweden, taiwan, ukraine, and the united arab emirates. Welcome to all of you. [applause] i also would like to welcome the u. S. Government officials from the white house, the state department, and usai you especially to establish the finally confirmed u. S. Ambassador for global womens issues. [applause] we are always happy to have the dean of our school of Foreign Service with us. I would like to welcome the dean of the georgetown campus, who is here from doha. [applause] and, a very warm welcome to the georgetown ambassadors to the institute who have traveled from across the United States and overseas to be here. Lastly and importantly, i want to thank the bank of America Charitable foundation for their generous support of our program. You make much possible. We are very grateful. It is always a great personal pleasure for me to introduce the president who has led this university for more than two decades with great distinction. Academically and in terms of georgetowns commitment to Public Service as exemplified in the credo, women and men for others. We remain grateful to him for his support of the institute and so much more. Please welcome president jack. [applause] good morning, its wonderful to be here with all of you for our presentation of the 2023 Hillary Rodham clinton awards for advancing women in peace and security. This morning i had the privilege of introducing the honorable Hillary Rodham clinton, the 67th United States secretary of state , and honorary founding chair of Georgetown Institute for womens peace and security. To help us present this years awards to four extraordinary global leaders. Secretary clinton, we are always honored by your presence at georgetown. We are great for grateful for your steadfast participation in promoting peace around our world. We are honored to acknowledge four awardees this year. I wish to offer my sincere appreciation to each of them. Deleting International Journalist and anchor, Christiane Amanpour. A leader for democracy, human rights and Civil Society in sudan, alaa salah. The executive director food for humanity and cofounder of Women Solidarity Network and a peace and security leader in yemen, muna luqman. In the executive director of the Mazaya Organization for Womens Development and a human rights advocate in syria, ghalia alrahhal, who will join us virtually. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to recognize each of you at the ceremony entitled voices for peace celebrating courageous women in journalism and peace building. I thank you for your leadership, outstanding achievements for forging peace, democracy, human rights and inclusion of womens voices around the world. Each year we present this award named for secretary clinton in recognition of her pivotal role in the promotion of womens leadership and her distinguished career in Public Service. At the 2012 women in the world summit held in new york, secretary clinton described the importance of this work saying, our most important goals for making peace, encountering extremism, to broadening prosperity and advancing democracy, depend to a large degree on the participation and partnership of women. All over the world we have seen what women do when they get involved in helping to bring peace. We have been honored to partner with her, presenting these awards and to have her engagement at our Georgetown Institute for womens peace and security, which was established under the ambassadors leadership in 2011. In a decade our leadership has convened with leaders across the globe with our university community. The institute promotes teaching and education to enhance our understanding of the cultural, political and Economic Issues at stake focusing on Economic Empowerment to the relationship between womens status and democracy. In this ceremony, each year we have the opportunity to celebrate those who have championed the advancement of women in their role in the world. Its an honor to come together in recognition with this important work with this years awardees. Please join me in welcoming secretary clinton to the stage to share with us a few words. [applause] sec. Clinton good morning on this beautiful october day. Its a great pleasure to be back here at georgetown, to be in gadsden hall to have a chance to lend my voice to the important work being done by the Georgetown Institute for womens peace and security. And to honor four remarkable women. I want to start by thanking the doctor for his leadership. Its really significant, the way that georgetown, under the president , has stepped up to make a commitment to never forget and to continue to work on the overall goal of helping to achieve the full participation of women in peacekeeping and diplomacy. Its incredibly important that georgetown does this. The Georgetown Institute is the premier institute in the world that has, since 2011, made the case, gathered the data, put together the analysis about what a difference it makes when women are fully participating in peacekeeping and diplomacy. When they have seats at every table discussing National Security and vital interests. That is possible because of the extraordinary leadership of the ambassador. The ambassador has established the whole idea of women, peace, and security so firmly here at georgetown that other universities, other institutions around the world are looking here for leadership and inspiration. Last time we were together it was to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement, and to honor, much too late, but still to honor the critical contribution that women play in bringing about the end to the troubles in northern ireland. We gather again this year to keep up that momentum. To recognize the roles that women play in peace and security, and to keep urging that more governments and more multilateral institutions do more to include womens voices. I think its fair to say that as we gather together, there are some incredibly powerful forces at work around the world. Some of them, like Climate Change, which we are seeing unfold in real time before our eyes. Some like unimaginable technical advances, like artificial intelligence, whose pluses and minuses we have no real understanding of, yet. To changes in the geopolitical environment. The return to great power competition. Some of the conflicts that are not just springing up in ukraine, but continue to haunt the world. These forces impact every one of us, but they dont impact everyone of us, but they do impact women. The drive to diminish womens rights is actually linked to the quest for political power. Many leaders use women as a reason for back on rights. Use womens lives and aspirations as a challenge rather than an opportunity to existing power structures. These forces that are at work around the world have created perilous times for everything that we have held dear and that we believe in can make a better world for everybody, women and men. People from all walks of life are melting a massive resistance to autocracy, to the oppression of women and girls, to irresponsible Tech Companies whose platforms are rife with misogyny, sexism, and viral attacks on women in the public sphere. We are trying to tell a different story, a different narrative for the future by, not only standing up for democracy, human rights in progress, but highlighting women who are doing it in their lives every single day. Like these incredible women who you will heal hear from in a minute. Protecting and promoting a free press is critical to all of us. To our democracy, sense of security, and freedom. Its imperative we have womens perspective in german in journalism just as we must have in diplomacy. We need to hear stories about whats happening in peoples real lives. We need to hear what happens to women in repressive places, like afghanistan and iran, whose rights are either being totally denied or shrunken. We need to hear the story stories, sometimes hard to listen to, of women in ukraine were russians are using rape as a tactic of war. We need to hear the stories where Maternal Mortality is higher than any advanced country in the world. We dont take care of mothers, we dont take care of children the way that we should. I think its important to recognize that women should not be characterized as victims. I reject that at every turn. Women are agents of change and womens stories are powerful reminders of whats possible. More than 10 years ago i stood on the stage and announced the obamas administrations executive order establishing a National Action plan on women peace and security. An ambitious and necessary step. We made progress, but have a long way to go. Which is why the Research Done at georgetown is important. Im excited to be in the classroom at columbia university, where we Just Launched a women led and women founded institute of global politics. Trying to connect the local and the global, which is critical. To continue the hard work of advancing the rights and full participation of women and girls. Which is great for women in the 21st century. I dont think i have to convince any of you in this room how vital the mission is. I hope to convince you to use your voices, your agency and activism to stand up for women who are under threat, marginalized, whose stories are not being told. We have an extraordinary lineup of award winners. Personally, Christiane Amanpour is someone whom im ive admired for a long time, before i had a chance to meet were meet her or be interviewed by her. I saw her reporting from crisis zones. Often the only woman wearing a helmet and a flak jacket in the midst of conflict, but trying to tell the rest of us what she was seeing and hearing. She has received every major broadcast Journalism Award at least once. She is being awarded today, not only as a trailblazer for women in journalism and a fearless truth teller, but as someone who has worked really hard to make sure womens voices, on the ground, wherever shes reporting from, are included. Alaa salah gained national and International Attention when there was a photo of her standing on a car, leading protest chance in suit on that went sudan that went viral. I have to say, i saw alaa salah s photograph, i was incredibly moved by what you were doing. I was also worried and afraid for you. But i was so happy that you were there and you were standing up for the rights of all of your fellow citizens, particularly women and girls. She emerged as an important voice for the transformation of her country. After the spark of revolution, came the long patient rebuilding. Often the hardest work. Why do revolutions fail . Often times because its really hard to turn a country around, to build institutions of government to govern. She was in the midst of doing exactly that. She dedicated herself to working with a Broad Coalition of women and activists. Even today, despite conflict currently underway in sudan, she is working to figure out what can be done when the fighting finally stops. Muna luqman is a cofounder of the womens solidarity network, a chairperson of the yemeni foundation, and a member of the Womens Alliance for security leadership. Working with yemeni grassroots organizations, she is always advocating for women to have a seat at the peacekeeping table. I have to say, it reminds me, we were at a conference together after the start of the war in ukraine and we were working to get humanitarian supplies. We were working with the wonderful Organization World central kitchen, and they were setting up kitchens and handing out food all over the country. We were in conversation with women on the ground in ukraine and they were telling us they need to move where they are getting the food. They need to move it over here. We immediately got on the phone and told people, we are hearing it from the women who are collecting the food and hearing people, this is what you need to do. I know, muna, you are on the ground. You are not only a woman for peace, but a worldwide advocate for peace. You have been involved in Briefing Members of congress and the u. N. Human rights council. Ghalia alrahhal is going to be with us virtually. She is the founder and executive an executive director of messiah. Mazaya. She is a member of the womens syrian Political Movement. Lets not ever forget syria. They have been under attack from assad and their allies, iran and russia, for decades. She is someone, who in defiance of personal threats and attacks, including the assassination of her son, a journalist, has been working to energize the syrian womens movement. In 2013, she converted her beauty salon into a center to provide education and first aid to women. Mazaya is a network of eight Women Centers and five Childcare Centers and publishes a magazine that makes the case for education and empowerment for women and girls. Before i end by congratulating our awardees, let me ask all of us, myself included, what is it we need to do to protect democracy here at home . What is it we need to do to make sure womens voices are heard . That they arent drowned out by the constant attacks on social media, that are quite frightening to many women. What is it we are to do with our educations in great universities like georgetowns to lift up more women here and around the world . As we celebrate these awardees and thank them for their courage and faith to build a better world, lets recommit ourselves to do everything we can in the United States to make sure we never lose our freedoms, our democracy, our right. And our rights. Thank you all very much. [applause] ive been part of this amazing phenomenon that has changed the world. There is another launch. I want to report war and peace. I try to tell the stories to the people who have been caught up. Saudi arabia, kolkata, baghdad saudi arabia, baghdad. Tell the story and report the truth, it does make a difference. We discussed women rights across the world. There are many rules on women, but we need to propel our world to equality, to justice. Only gender equality will help us get there. Thats the truth, i will not be silent. Do you take any responsibility, because that is the result. We cannot continue the old paradigm. Lets fight for whats right. Lets fight for our values. Lets fight for this cause. [end of video clip] [applause] as you know, and as he just seen, Christiane Amanpour is a courageous war correspondent who has shed light on some of the darkest corners on the globe. One of the most prominent reporters in the world, she is known especially for her courageous coverage. It is said, where theres war, theres amanpour. From covering wars from syria to afghanistan and so many places in between, she has put her life in danger to give voice to those who are suffering from the consequences of what she is covering. She reports their story. She knows well that war in our times is primarily experienced by civilians who are caught in the crossfire, and that all too often our women and children. The most Transformative Experiences in her career has been covering the horror perpetrated by syria and bosnia. It was also among her most important and significant work. She saw freedom, democracy, human rights, religious and ethnic tolerance under mortal threat in bosnia. She witnessed civilians killed under bombardment. She was witness to the massacre of thousands of men and boys in the raping of women and girls on the horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing, of genocide. She learned one cannot be neutral in the face of this kind of people, but has a duty to call it for what it is. Covering the war almost daily for two years, her reports forced the world to see the atrocities that were being committed, and forced the International Committee to finally take action. Sadly, war crimes and genocide continue to haunt our world. People are being targeted and slaughtered. Sexual violence is used as a weapon in too many places. This is true today in ukraine, where she continues to do coverage. She reports on the devastating consequences of russias fullscale, unprovoked attack on the ukrainian people. But she also captures their spirit of resilience in defending ukraines freedom and democracy and its existence. She has been covering afghanistan since 1996, and has returned since the talibans takeover. She recently spent a week reporting on the humanitarian crisis, the erasure of womens rights, and she pressed a deputy taliban leader on the taliban struck coney and restrictions drakonian restrictions on women and girl. She witnessed the islamic revolutions. What she saw firsthand inspired her reporting. She has gone on to break new ground as a female correspondent, and enabled other women to follow her lead. Today she is the chief International Anchor for cnn, and the host of cnns flagship Global Affairs program, seen in the United States and on pbs. Known for holding many of the worlds most powerful accountable, she has interviewed almost every world leader. When she sat down to interview the president of iran last year at the u. N. , she insisted that she wear a headscarf. The compulsory hijab that has been the focus of the treatment of women in iran. She refused and posted a picture of herself before an empty chair. Clearly, this is not just a position for her, not just a job, it is a mission. A mission she does very well. Now for this citation, for her powerful reporting for war zones around the world in real time, for always giving voice to the stories of women, men and children, many stories that would otherwise remain untold, yet stories critical to understanding what is happening. For recognizing that there can be no neutrality in the face of genocide. And that there are apparels to the worlds indifference. And for consistently breaking barriers, shattering glass ceilings, and leading the way for other women in journalism. Georgetown is proud to present its 2023 Hillary Rodham clinton award for advancing women in peace and security to Christiane Amanpour. [applause] i am a survivor of the devastating war in yemen. [speaking nativelanguage] christiane the journey from an arranged marriage syria to becoming a transformative leader in peace advocacy, exemplifies the remarkable impact an individual can have in shaping a more just society. Her involvement in the Syrian Revolution was a testament to her longing and freedom and justice and an end to the oppression of the asad regime. At the outset, she engaged in courting efforts to bring essential medicines to cities ravaged by conflict even as it became more difficult she found ways to avoid the bears to deliver the vital aid. Earlier to gain, she opened a hair salon which you already heard quickly became a Meeting Place for women in the community and the womens conversation turned to politics and what was going to happen to them, their children, and their country. With a deep conviction that womens empowerment linked to the success of any society, she converted the salon to a womens center. It was the first womens empowerment organization. In time, she felt the need to expand it, thereby empowering more women. At the same time, her daily life was with harassment and abuse, from critics in her own community and didnt approve of her centers. Armed groups, the head office was burned and barely arrived in assassination attempt. And a year later, her son was lost to a bullet as the situation grew worse. After bombardment by the regime and Russian Forces that destroyed much of her town, many were forced to leave and she worked to continue to support the women by providing them with transportation to access the centers that were Still Standing and to keep the hope alive. Initially, she was not interested in Political Action until she realized that without Political Action and dialogue, women are not able to raise their voices and claim their rights. After years of violence, death, and destruction, women paid the highest price. She felt both to keep women out of political space and found the Political Movement to provide women with Political Awareness and tools to engage in peace talks over the countrys future and strengthen their representation at the time in un backed negotiations to end the war. And now for the citation. For her dedication to womens empowerment and breaking down barriers against women, for her commitment to womens political participation and decisionmaking, and for her tireless advocacy for a future of peace and security for syria, georgetown is proud to present its 2023 Hillary Rodham clinton award for advancing peace award for women advancing peace and security. [applause] she is unable to travel but she sent this video message. Show video message. [video clip] [speaking in native language] [speaking in native language] [speaking in native language] [speaking in native language] [applause] [applause] christiane and i am sure if she were here, she would remind us of what secretary clinton already said, we must not forget syria and the extraordinary people. Yemen continues to suffer from eight years of devastating war and one of the most difficult humanitarian crisis in the world. Although the ceasefire brokered by the united nations, this Current Situation has been described as no war but no real peace. Humans challenges are a mess. One of the leading peace in yemen is at the forefront of critical multifaceted lifesaving efforts Building Mutual aid networks, mobilizing communities for peace, resolving conflict between warring parties negotiating with armed groups over held hostages, advocating for womens inclusion and peace. Addressing and facilitating local mediation over natural resources. The founder of good for humanity humanity, established water projects that benefit more than 100,000 families putting girls in school and reducing child marriage. Muna is a longtime advocate for womens participation and Peace Processes. She noticed women are doing all the work at the front line trying to balance building peace, silencing and reading social adhesion. Unfortunately, only the voices in the south are heard and appreciated. As she said, those are the ones always at the table. Testifying before the un security council, she observed no excuse anymore for continuing to exclude women except it really poorly designed process. She is good for un women in their leadership and participation of humanity to everyone like have always been at the Grassroots Level and yemen and people trust us. We recognize muna as a leader and peacemaker. Now for the citation. For tireless efforts for justice, connecting unitarian assistance, peace and development to address multi crisis Climate Change and holistic approach and for demonstrating the power of womens leadership as First Responders and advocating still for their inclusion in relief operations. Georgetown is honored to present the 2023 Hillary Rodham clinton award for advancing women in peace and security. [applause] congratulations. She is a student of engineering and architecture at Sudan University emerged as an emblematic figure during the antigovernment protest that ignited 2018. The purpose of the growing and womens comprised over 60 of the prodemocracy protesters. April 8, 2019 is a test dramatically group, stood draped in a white robe and captivated the worlds attention with their powerful presence. She came to be known as lady liberty of the sudanese revolution. The iconic photograph depicted allah as a leading a fervent crowd in the antigovernment protest chants demanding the resignation of the dictator. She embodies the fervor of a nation seeking justice and transformation. On april 9, after 30 years in power, bashir who had unleashed widespread rights abuses, was overthrown and wanted by the International Criminal court are charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Through her courage and determination, she has galvanized not only her fellow citizens but also the global community. Her influence has extended beyond her own generation, inspiring countless individuals, especially sudanese women to rise and demand their rightful place in shaping the course of their nation. The victory would not have been possible without the courageous citizens of sudan, especially its women. Sadly, today sudan is engulfed in a raging war that has torn the country apart and genocide is happening. Millions have been forced to flee homes and untold death, destruction, and starvation. At the heart of resurgence of violence, two warring generals and forces fighting for power and battling one another for control. Promise of power with Civil Society and womens full participation has been pushed is set out sudan strong Civil Society and countless peace activists are working today to keep alive the hope that was born during the countrys 2019 revolution. And now for the citation. In recognizing her unwavering courage and indomitable spirit in advancing peace and justice in sudan, for reminding us of the transformational power of women led, grassroots movements, and for becoming an enduring symbol for womens empowerment, social change, and strength of women in society in sudan, georgetown is proud to present the 2023 Hillary Rodham clinton award for advancing women and present security. [applause] we are now going to have a brief discussion with our honorees and take a few questions from students as well. So, let me begin with you, chris tiane. You interview everybody and i get to ask you the question. Theres been tremendous interest in afghanistan, there should be. Many have been involved in more than two decades and we work with secretary clinton evacuating 1500 families from afghanistan. You have been back. What is going on out there . What is the situation like . How are the taliban proceeding in establishing their very hardline policies . And what does that mean to the women . Well, it actually does break my heart as a person and a journalist. In 1996, i began reporting that when those same people were there and i asked the same question 20 years later and got the exact same answers and empty promises. It is true that in the 20 years of international and u. S. Intervention there, women and girls were among the main beneficiaries because they had been so oppressed before and had so many more rights. Not perfect but so much more so it is a true sense of waste and shame and retrenchment. I did find out, so, the leader who i interviewed in kabul was actually the most powerful leader. He has the biggest military, you know. He could, if he wanted to, challenge. He says he wants to empower women because obviously they want to get on with the world, etc. But he has women in the ministry and his girls go to school and all of that. But what i called the headbangers, i really sorry, the fundos who are in kandahar wont allow it. So systematic ratio of women and girls in the public space and their own human rights and their own chance at life, it is a tragedy so what i found is the cat and mouse game of trying to get them educated and that get their needs met, the same is happening now. Only women are much more used to using their voice and use to for themselves. So they are still doing it but it is a real tragedy what is happening to them. It is a real tragedy. I always try to talk about in my reporting, to talk about women and children as it does provide a template and story for what is going on in society. And if you think about it, its a young country, so many young women have great aspirations. Those aspirations have not died. They just have to figure out how to achieve them and hope beyond hope that something happens to change the regime. We can hope for better days. You have, as we have heard, been involved in so many different ways to do the work that you do in yemen. What are some of the greatest challenges that you are still encountering . What gives you hope to keep doing your work and how serious is the humanitarian crisis . Thank you, first of all. I am totally emotional but i would like to thank you all for this amazing recognition which i feel is not only for me, but for the Yemeni Community who are in desperate need for highlighting these issues. As i accept this award, its not only further reward. Further military confrontations and economic collapse to that happened, and unfortunately, that the u. S. Was part of. Currently, what we are seeing as challenges on the ground are immense. I might maybe just mention may be a few. For the humanitarian side, we are seeing the obstruction of aid and that is really and issue because it is dispersing the aide to the armed groups, houthi groups. That is depriving women and children of very needed aid. Another major issue is the freedom of movement. We have a cities which are besieged, a particular town which has been besieged for years now. We are really facing an issue with the freedom of movement, freedom of goods, humanitarian, the private sector is facing so many issues. We import 90 of our food so this is another issue. Unfortunately, the un is only focusing on some parts, not just the un, even the mainstream media. I am really empowered and inspired by christiiane being here today because she focused a lot on yemen but we need more, its not enough. The protection of human rights defenders and people who are really trying to bring the real narrative and the stories of the real people on. Real people on the ground. I think that is a major issue. We had people in prison because they held the yemeni flag on that day. This is at a time when we are supposed to be during a peacetime. You can imagine what war is like. I think these are our major challenges are no. But at the same time right now. But at the same time, we are seeing not only women, it is not only womens issues, and i really want to focus on this now. We are not speaking about women and human rights, although that is really important, we are speaking about military, security, Community Security underground, safety of women and children, and men, and young boys. This is important for us to define this point. What brings me hope, i know that we have a good heritage in Rich Heritage in yemen and we have a rich tribal structure as well. As much as they are part of the problem, they are also part of the solution. I have hope that over the years, we have had many civilizations in yemen, it can happen. But we need to restructure the un Peace Process in a way that focuses on the community, focuses on the real voices on the ground. This deleting this eliteness, the treatment of armed groups as vips around the world is not bringing peace to our community. [applause] it also what also brings me hope is see the younger girls and boys still wanting to go to school and study. I really want to thank i am happy i am part of this network of nearly 40 countries spearheaded by the wps guru and my own personal mentor. I think it is Networks Like these that has given us the support, the protection, the recognition. I really would not have been able to make it here today without all of that support. These kind of networks are important. They need to be funded, supported, and highlighted even more. I also want to really recognize the work of peace check initiative. We created a roadmap for peace in yemen. And helps all phases, the transition phase, the cease fire phase. We were not taken seriously. Once they started reading some of the recommendations they had, now they are incorporating it into the unled Peace Process. We are not getting the credit for it, but doesnt matter. I think its really important to go back and restructure unled Peace Process and un humanitarian programs because they are also contributing indirectly to the violence as well because we really need to redirect that into the grassroots. Thank you so much. [applause] thank you for those very profound points. We have to keep making them to all of the socalled policymakers. They really need to hear from you more. You have had highs like i cannot imagine working with this Extraordinary Group of women and Civil Society activists bringing down a dictator who did so much damage to your country and now seeing the country back in a terrible war. How do you respond to this . What hope do you see for getting past where sudan is today and what should the International Community be doing . Sudan is a be doing . Because sudan is a big issue at this moment in terms of what is happening. I would like to thank and also the un ambassador. [indiscernible] for women peace and security. Thank you for this award acknowledging women in descent security. This means a lot in peace and security. This means a lot to me, especially at a time where women in my country are deprived of any sense of peace or security. [speaking in native tongue] translator over the past 35 years, the women in my country have suffered on the hands of dictatorships who have put in laws and policies that limit their participation in government and silenced their voices. [speaking in native tongue] translator we were elated when the government or the dictatorship was toppled but that was not our ultimate goal. It was a step in achieving a government of justice, of law and accountability and democracy in sudan. [speaking in native tongue] translator and we still aspire to forming a government, a democratic government in sudan, one that respects and honors women, children, and human rights. [speaking in native tongue] translator today, theres a devastating war raging in my country, and the atrocities are being committed on the hands of the Rapid Support forces who have committed horrific crimes over the past 20 years in various regions around sudan such as the mountains, and in darfur. [speaking in native tongue] translator the Rapid Support forces were formed during the during the rule of bashir, and they have committed crimes such as genocide, ethnic cleansing, looting, Sexual Violence in various areas and today theyre committing the same crimes in other regions. [speaking in native tongue] translator millions of citizens in sudan have lost their homes, their families, their possessions, and peace and security, which are some of the basic human rights. [speaking in native tongue] translator and the rsf continues to commit these crimes against humanity. Well, we can hope for better days, but the secretary and i were at a meeting recently in which there were other highlevel Women Leaders, and there was the suggestion that it would be very useful to have a network of influential people who could be much more outspoken and move into places where decisions are being made or not being made on sudan. Would Something Like this help . [speaking in native tongue] translator feminist groups have had bigger influence in sudan. They have been able to influence the position of women in the government and also women in Civil Society. So they have a more prominent role to play in sudan. [speaking in native tongue] translator and a lot of effort was put into supporting of prominent role for women during the Transitional Government following the revolution. [speaking in native tongue] translator so women are capable of having a prominent role in the government and being in positions of decisionmaking and at the negotiating table. And we want to enable them by giving them this opportunity. [speaking in native tongue] translator however, on the negotiating table today are the very reasons behind the war, such as the rsf. And we cannot accept to be sitting with them at the same table. We do not acknowledge them and we do not wish for them to be part of the future government of sudan. Secretary clinton, im going to give you the First Student question. This is from a master of science and Foreign Service program student. What do you see as the biggest challenge for women, peace, and security over the next ten years . What is the next milestone we our all we are all aiming for . Hillary well, i think the biggest challenge is men starting wars. [laughter] [applause] you know, i dont think they have enough to do. [laughing] and it is really troubling that here we are in 2023 and, you know, theres war breaking out everywhere. Some of it has already been spoken to, like whats happening in yemen and whats happening in sudan, but theres so many other places. And all of our efforts, especially on the multilateral level, to try to end wars are, you know, not as successful as we would like because theres diplomatic efforts going on as we heard from muna. I mean, she wants it changed so it is more effective but its happening. And i know that the African Union and others have been trying in sudan, and you know, syria. Even when i was secretary of state we were trying to end that conflict. But the mechanisms for trying to do that are not sufficient any longer and we are going to have to rethink that at the international level. But i do believe that one of our big challenges, and it was something christiane refered to about afghanistan, when wars are waged and won, and groups take over governments, theres often a lot of confusion about what theyre supposed to do. As christiane said, the Haqqani Network has been around forever. One of the ancestors of the haqqanis, theres a picture of him with president reagan in the white house because the haqqanis where major fighters in the war against the soviet union. So when men fight for a long time, its what they know to do. Governing is really hard. Making decisions about how you are going to give food to people, get agriculture going, Good Health Care provided get health care provided, opening up schools, that takes a lot of work. And maybe there is more ways that the International Community could intervene more quickly, both to prevent wars and then to try to end wars, then to try to help with transition so that services can start up again, and elections can be held and leaders can start to meet on a broad social basis. But you know, first, we have got to stop the wars from starting. [applause] this question is from ava. She says you all have been so inspiring, worked in extremely difficult circumstances to tell stories that were not being told, standing up against dictatorships, advocating to end senseless violence. What advice would you give to students who would like to follow in your footsteps to be human rights activists, to be journalists . Ill take the journalist bit. Please. Well, first, i think you have to learn to recognize what you are actually seeing. So you have to know what you are doing. And i say that because i developed my mantra be truthful not neutral in bosnia where there was a clear war of aggression against a fugitive democratic westward leaning multiethnic multitolerant situation going on in bosnia, and the serbs did not want that to happen. So, i had to figure out what actually i was telling, what story i was telling, and it was a story of a aggressor and a victim. And it was very clear there was no both siderism, on one hand. On the other hand, but the International Community at the time wanted to create that because it meant they didnt have to intervene. So i learned a lot in bosnia. And most specifically, all journalists had to figure out what it is they are watching, what it is theyre witnessing. I believe the truth not neutral mantra about existing Climate Change. How many decades have journalists also been at fault for holding deniers in the same, you know, equal, equally with the actual sites . Its a terrible thing. Weve been held, weve been influenced by the fossil fuel companies and by this fake news idea of what objectivity is. So we see the results. What about politics . We have to be truthful not neutral. Whats happening on one side of an aisle whatever it might be, i say to destroy democracy is exactly not whats happening and not equal to those who are trying to defend it. Its not on the one hand, on the other hand. So my advice to journalists, young journalists is get up and go out there. I realize that is a risky statement to make, but i do say that to all young journalists who asked me for advice. Do not sit around, dont be an anchor first. Dont be an opinion monger, dont ben on social media. [applause] you have to go where you can be actual eyes and ears whether its in your local communities in your own home country whether it is a broad whatever you choose to go. And from there you will educate yourself on exactly whats happening and you must report it. So thats really the only advice i would give, go there, wherever it is, local, national, international. Excellent advice. [applause] muna. Why do people want to be like you out there . I feel so [laughter] i think during, during the season when i was in town, and we were facing airstrike. We were facing streetfighting. Streetfighting. Were facing everything. The city was completely ceased and we couldnt go out. People recalling the because i was known for helping people from before the war. And i just chose to really just believe in what i knew i need to do. And i went out. Im not saying this is a courageous thing to do. I wasnt the best thing. It was really difficult. I had bullets many times shooting right next to me. Part of a house is also by one of the airstrikes, but at the same time i knew that i had to do something. And then you that there will be a way. I dont know how but this is my advice is believed that instinct because its very strong. And at that time everybody was mobilized to be with one side or the other. I think that was the most difficult challenge i have ever faced, is how do you position yourself . And i chose to be the voice of the voiceless, and the voice of those who couldnt get out in the crossfire. Im glad they did because they needed at that time. And i led the role work others started to i remember very wise lady told me, like a Snowball Effect but its a thing in arabic that the eagle start really big and then it becomes smaller, the same way with peace. I remember that. It was always with me for very long time. I was just waiting for that to start slowing down. I think out that time, i think at the time i started the bakery and it was for the idp as the people and families, thats what i call them. I think it is really important for us to start that because we had, people were in line and it was people like houthis, all the factions, did matter to me at that time. I just wanted the people to stand in that line together. I just had this feeling and this is good because then the Snowball Effect came and then started opening more bakeries and more bakeries, those bakeries were catalysts for peace. I believe that. Water, bread are a catalyst for peace and i think my major advice would be believe that instinct, here and also i think mutuality is really important but also be a voice for those who are facing those violations. At that time, many people were trying to sideline me. I was not funded, i was not highlighted. Even in the media or anything. But because i believed in it so much, here i am today with Hillary Clinton and all of you. [laughter] [applause] [speaking in native tongue] translator i think the first step and the first tool that they need to prepare themselves with is to have conviction and belief in that cause. [speaking in native tongue] translator for me personally, my experience was prior to the revolution. We were able to have a voice after the revolution because we believed in our cause. We believed that we wanted change. We believed that we can achieve justice, freedom, and peace. [speaking in native tongue] translator we each have our own causes that we believe in, and you will face obstacles on your way, on your path towards achieving your objectives. But if you have that conviction and that belief in your cause, you will be able to overcome any obstacle that you might face. [applause] well, that regrettably brings us to the end of our conversation, but lets give these extraordinary women, our awardees, and our leader here a round of applause for what they have all done. [applause] just be seated for one minute. You know, there is a saying it takes a village to make anything happen. This has taken a city. It really does require a lot of work. And it just quickly want to thank mike brand and helen, sarah rutherford, colleen, and lexi as well as mary haines and Jackson Menner for their extraordinary leadership on this. And there were hundreds more volunteers and the institute staff. So thanks to each and every one of you for helping with this. [applause] please stay in your seats so that the awardees can leave. And yes, our program has ended but our work has just begun. Thank you all. [applause]