Alia Benomar Represents BSL at Insight Dubai 2009

You never know what you might find on a BSL bulletin board, and BBA student Alia Benomar probably knows that better than anyone. Last fall, while printing in BSL’s copy room, she came across an announcement for the 4th annual Insight Dubai Conference. In January she was selected to be a participant and on April 12th, she found herself beginning an experience of a lifetime.

Sponsored by Dubai Women’s College (DWC), Insight Dubai brings together a diverse group of 55 DWC students and 55 young women from around the world for a 6 day conference focusing on women in leadership. Alia’s background made her an ideal candidate.

“I have a lot of cultures in me and was probably an interesting subject. I was born in the US and I have mainly the Moroccan, Norwegian, French and Spanish cultures from my grandparents,” Alia said.

The conference dedicated each day to a specific topic—Human Trafficking, UAE Governance, Sharia’a (Islamic law) and Woman’s Leadership—and asked the women to divide into groups that must “Take Action” towards the topics.

In taking action, Alia’s group won first place for the creation of an NGO they called PACS, People Against Children Soldiers. For Alia, the big win was thrilling, but a very small part of a larger learning experience.

“I never knew I could have so many ideas from working with others. The creativity and production levels in being with a really motivated group of women were amazing. We agreed on more things than I ever thought possible and I saw that no matter how different we are, we always have similarities,” she said.

In addition to topical seminars, Insight Dubai also organized excursions, giving insight to both beautiful touristic landmarks, and hidden poverty in real-life neighborhoods.

“It was sad to see the drastic difference between areas in Dubai. Even some of the students from Dubai were scared and shocked to see it. They had never crossed into these neighborhoods.”

Though Alia is still focused on her studies, her visions for her future are clear, and conferences like this one, only reinforce her determination and motivation.

“We cannot have liberty without responsibility and in Western countries that’s easy to forget,” Alia said.

In the long term, Alia has plans to start a business in Morocco that will give back to the people and the land. But in the nearer future, while her ideas formulate, she is off for another adventure in March 2010, the International Youth Leadership Conference in Prague.