ACE-BK for Women Empowerment Seminar

 

Launching of ACE-BK for Women Empowerment

and

Workshop on Women Empowerment  for Inclusive  Growth and Sustainable Development

August 30 – September 4, 2014

Bank Keshavarzi , Tehran-Zanjan, I. R. Iran

 

The 66th APRACA Executive Committee Meeting

 

Women and Development

Achievement of inclusive growth and sustainable development has been prioritized as an important objective in many countries. The issue is so important that the United Nations has included the concepts in the list of MDGs. This is why the objective has become a development agenda in many countries and it has been included in plans developed by many regional and international organizations such as Asia Pacific Rural and Agricultural Association (APRACA), which has been focusing on regional and agricultural development. In Iran, such a growth and development, accompanied with justice, has also been highlighted in national development plans.

 

The importance of the issue has persuaded many countries to consider women's participation in social and economic areas as an effective factor to achieve development and to design various programs to improve women's economic and social participation and to promote women empowerment.

 

Implementation of fair development programs and equality of men and women are underlined in Iran. Thus, women empowerment and women's participation in development activities are always prioritized in Iranian development and international cooperation plans.

 

Accordingly and aimed at achieving the national goals and the operational objectives, all organizations such as ministries and financial institutions are planning in this area. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Bank Keshavarzi and APRACA to launch an ACE-BK for women empowerment, the bank, as the sole specialized bank in the agriculture sector, has designed some special women empowerment programs in which joint projects, to be implemented in collaboration with APRACA member countries and some national and international organizations, have been taken into consideration. In addition, there are some forums and training workshops planned by the center aimed at designing sustainable financing models for women and regional development. As regards, a training workshop along with an international study visit, a joint conference and some plenary events have been planned by ACE-BK for women empowerment to be held in September 2014

 

The program includes the following events:

1.        Official opening of ACE- BK for Women Empowerment: ACE-BK will officially be opened by Bank Keshavarzi Chairman and Senior Managers, APRACA Chairman, APRACA Secretary general, APRACA CENTRAB, Head of ACE-BK for Women Empowerment, Vice-president in Women Affairs, UN Representatives in Iran, APRACA members …       

2.        Workshop on Women Empowerment for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The workshop on Women Empowerment for inclusive growth and sustainable development and the study visit will be held by ACE-BK and in collaboration with some finance institutions and UNDP.

3.        International Study Visit on Women Empowerment Projects in Zanjan Province

4.        International Conference of Asia Pacific Rural Advisory Services:  The 1st International Conference of Asia Pacific Rural Advisory Services (Facilitating Information and Innovations for Empowering Family Farmers) will be held by University of Zanjan in partnership with Bank Keshavarzi.

5.        The 5th Congress of Extension and Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management: The congress, hosted by University of Zanjan, is held aimed at exchange of experiences on the situation of extension and education and RASs systems related to food security, sustainability of family farmers’ livelihoods and sustainable natural resources management; understanding challenges and required strategies and approaches; and enhancing the status and role of extension education and RASs systems for empowering farmers, cooperatives and producer organizations;

6.        Cultural Tour: Visit some of the historical monuments and traditional bazaar in Zanjan City.

 

Objectives of the Program

The program aims to achieve the following:

  • Demonstrate the process and systems of women empowerment in I R Iran and other parts of the Asia-Pacific Region
  • Develop the repository of Best Practices on women empowerment for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

 

Tracks and Themes

  • Women empowerment concepts and definitions;
  • Role of women empowerment in inclusive growth and sustainable development;
  • Best practices of women empowerment in Asia Pacific region;
  • Financing to Women: Systems and Process
  • Result-based management framework and its application to women empowerment process;
  • A comprehensive framework for women economic empowerment through finance institutions (Plenary Session); 

 

Venue: Opening Ceremony

Bank Keshavarzi Headquarters

Address: No.247, Patrice Lumumba St., Jalal-al-Ahmad Exp. Way, Tehran 1445994316, I.R. Iran; P.O. Box 14155-6395

Tel: (+98 21) 88252246, 84895602  Fax: (+98 21) 88253625

Email: icd@agri-bank.com

 

Venue: Training Workshop and Conference

Al Ghadir International Conference Complex

University of Zanjan

University Blvd., Zanjan

Zip Code: 45371-38111

http://www.znu.ac.ir/en/

 

Zanjan Grand Hotel

Address: Basij Square, Zanjan

Tel .: 0098 24 33788190

http://www.zanjangrandhotel.ir

 

Duration

The program will be conducted from August 31 to September 4, 2014, excluding travel time. 


Who Should Attend 

The program is suited for officers of public and private banks, microfinance institutions and non-government organizations engaged in rural and urban finance, rural development, agriculture extension, and women empowerment programs. 

 

Participants

The Forum is open to all APRACA members, local financial institutions, UN agencies, embassies representatives, government and non-government agencies and finance – related institutions.   

 

Number of Participants

The host organization will conduct the program with a maximum of 25 international participants. In case participation will exceed the maximum of 25 nominees, only two nominees from each institution will be accommodated.

 

Cost

The events costs will be covered by Bank Keshavarzi and UNDP. However, each participant will be charged a participation fee of US$250 which covers meals (lunches), airport reception and send-off, domestic transportation for the field visits, travel from Tehran to Zanjan, cultural exposure, training materials and supplies and other administrative requirements. The fee does not include the international round trip air ticket, hotel accommodation, dinners and incidental allowances for all travel-related miscellaneous expenses like laundry, overseas calls, fax/email messages, mailing stamps, etc. in accordance with their existing rules and regulations.

 

Please be advised that after Bank Keshavarzi’s confirmation of nominees' attendance in the program, and for any reason, in case the nominee cancels his/her participation, the nominating bank/institution will be required to pay the full training fee.

 

Hotel Accommodation

The host will book the participants at the following hotels (Hotels and shops usually do not accept credit cards or traveler’s checks.)

Tehran

Azadi Grand Hotel  

Dr. Chamran Express Way, Evin Cross Road, Tehran 19976, Iran

Tel .: +98 21 29 112 ; Fax : +98 21 2234 4478

E-mail : info@azadihotel.com

http://www.azaditehran.pih.ir

 

Single

Double-bedded

Junior Suite

Royal Suite

Duplex Suite

Presidential Suite

Rls. 3,500,000

approximately

USD 145.00/night

Rls. 5,000,000

approximately

USD 210.00/night

Rls. 6,850,000

approximately

USD 280.00/night

Rls. 9,750,000

approximately

USD 400.00/night

Rls. 12,350,000

approximately

USD 500.00/night

Rls. 15,000,000

approximately

USD 610.00/night

*%15 services and %3 tax will be added to rates

 

Zanjan

Zanjan Grand Hotel  

Address: Basij Square, Zanjan

Tel .: 0098 24 33788190

http://www.zanjangrandhotel.ir

 

Single

Double-bedded

Junior Suite

Rls. 1,760,000

approximately

USD 90.00/night

Rls. 2,670,000

approximately

USD 140.00/night

Rls. 3,730,000

approximately

USD 190.00/night

*%15 services and %3 tax will be added to rates

 

 

Tentative Program of Activities (Program details are subject to slight changes)

 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Opening Ceremony of ACE-BK for Women Empowerment

08:00-08:15

Welcome Address by Dr. Arghavan Farzin Mo'tamed, Head of ACE-BK for Women Empowerment

08:15-09:00

Opening Address by  Dr.Mohammad Talebi, Chairman and CEO, Bank Keshavarzi

09:00-09:15

Keynote Speaker: Vice-president in Women Affairs

09:15-09:30

Keynote Speaker: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

09:30-10:30

APRACA Speakers: APRACA Chairman, APRACA Secretary General, APRACA CENTRAB Managing Director, Mr. Benedicto Bayuau, Former APRACA Secretary General  

10:30-10:45

UNDP Representative

10:45-11:30

Speakers from APRACA Centres of Excellence

11:30-11:45

ACE-BK Work Plan: Dr. Arghavan Farzin Mo'tamed, Head of ACE-BK for Women Empowerment

11:45-12:30

Open Discussion, Comments, and Suggestions for Joint Projects

12:30-13:00

Opening of ACE-BK on Women Empowerment and Visit the Center

13:00-15:00

Lunch

15:00

Travel to Zanjan by Coaches

19:00

Arrival in Zanjan and Accommodation in Zanjan Grand Hotel

 

 

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Training Workshop on Women Empowerment for Inclusive growth and Sustainable Development

08:00-08:15

Welcome Address: Dr. Arghavan Farzin Mo'tamed, Head of ACE-BK for Women Empowerment

08:15-08:30

Opening Address: Mr. Behzad Nik Khah, Executive Director of BK Branches in Zanjan Province

08:30-08:45

APRACA Representative

08:45-09:00

UNDP Representative

09:00-10:00

The Role of Women in Inclusive growth and Sustainable Development

10:00-10:30

Break and Refreshment

10:30-11:00

The Role of Banks and Finance Institutions in Women Empowerment for Inclusive Growth

11:00-11:30

Importance of Result-based Management in Formulation of Strategies

11:30-12:00

UN Success Stories: Women Empowerment

12:00-12:30

APRACA Members Success Stories: Women Empowerment

12:30-14:00

Lunch

14:00-14:30

Training Workshop: Introduction

14:30-16:00

Team Works

16:00-16:30

Break and Refreshment

16:30-17:00

Presentation of Team Works Results

17:00-17:30

Wrap-up

 

 

Monday, September 1, 2014

Training Workshop on Women Empowerment for Inclusive growth and Sustainable Development

08:00-08:15

Review of Previous Session of Workshop

08:15-08:45

Success Stories of Women Empowerment 

08:45-9:00

Success Stories of Women Empowerment in APRACA Member Countries with a focus on Inclusive Growth

09:00-9:35

Workshop Schedule

09:35-10:30

Team Works

10:30-11:00

Break and Refreshment

11:00-12:30

Team Works

12:30-14:00

Lunch

14:00-16:00

Team Works

16:00-16:30

Presentation of Team Works Results

16:30-17:00

Wrap-up

 

 

21:00-23:00

Gala Dinner hosted by Bank Keshavarzi

 

 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

International Conference of Asia Pacific Rural Advisory Services and the 5th Congress of Extension and Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management

08:00-09:00

Registration

09:00-10:00

Conference Opening Ceremony: Welcome Speeches

10:00-11:00

Keynote Speeches

11:00-11:15

Break and Refreshment

11:15-12:45

Parallel Sessions, Questions and Discussions

12:45-14:00

Lunch

14:00-16:00

Parallel Sessions, Questions and Discussions

16:00-16:15

Break and Refreshment

16:15-18:00

Parallel Sessions, Questions and Discussions

 

 

20:00-22:00

Dinner hosted by University of Zanjan

 

 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

International Study Visit on Women Empowerment Projects in Zanjan Province

08:00-17:00

Visit Some of the Empowerment Projects of Bank Keshavarzi in Zanjan Province.

 

 

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Cultural Tour

08:00-15:00

Cultural Tour: Visit to some of the historical monuments and traditional bazaar in Zanjan

 

 

Friday, September 5, 2014

Back to Home Countries

ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS   

Host Organizations

Bank Keshavarzi (Agriculture Bank of Iran)

No. 129 Patrice Lumumba St., Jalal-al Ahmad Expressway, Tehran 14454, I.R. Iran

Tel:(98 21) 8825 2246, 8489 5593 Fax:(98 21) 882 53625

E-mail : icd@agri-bank.com; shabanzad@agri-bank.com

Website: www.agriculbank.ir ; www.agri-bank.ir 

 

In Collaboration with:

University of Zanjan

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 
 

Language

English is used as a medium of instruction and discussions. All presentations and materials are also in English. Participants are expected to have a working knowledge of the English language. However, some lecturers may speak in Farsi but simultaneous interpreters will be present to translate the lectures in English and same arrangement will be done during the visits and official meetings. 

Dress Code

Participants are expected to wear business attire during the workshop and conference, and smart casual or casual for other activities such as study visits, city tours and inter-city visits. Women's hair should be covered with a scarf or shawl in public places. Ladies are also recommended not to shake hands with men.

 

Identification

All participants will be issued with a personal identification badge, which they are requested to wear at all times.

 

Technical and Cultural Tours

Participants will have some cultural tours and visits (if preferred). The inner-city and inter-city transportation expenses will be borne by the host.

 

Visa Support

Participants are expected to obtain visa to Iran in their respective countries prior to their departure.  Bank Keshavarzi shall send appropriate invitation letters and related documents for their visa application upon the participants' request.

Medical and Travel Insurance

Bank Keshavarzi shall not cover the cost of medical treatment nor the cost of participants’ medical/travel insurance.  All participants are advised to arrange for their own insurance coverage prior to their trip to Iran.

Travel and Airport Arrangement

Pick-up (Aug 29):  All participants will be met by the host at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) upon arrival on August 29. A representative of the host will be holding a placard with the name of participant written on it for easy identification. Therefore, the flight details are requested to be sent in advance.

Pick-up (Sep 4 and 5): The participants will be seen off on September 4 and 5

Reservations and Nominations 

To fully arrange for the events, kindly submit the typewritten nomination form and send it to the contact persons below not later than July15, 2014.

Contact Persons

All participants are requested to address their emails and registration forms to:

 

Mr. Mohammad Reza  Sha'banzad

International Cooperation Department

 

Bank Keshavarzi  (Agriculture Bank of Iran)

Tel:  +98 21 848 95602 , 8825 2246

Fax: +98 21 88253625

Cell Phone: +98  912 2582077

E-mail:

icd@agri-bank.com

shabanzad@agri-bank.com

fshabanzad@gmail.com  

 

Copy to:

Dr. Arghavan Farzin Mo'tamed (Ms.)

Head of ACE-BK for Women Empowerment Manager of International Cooperation Department, Bank Keshavarzi

Email:

motamed@agri-bank.com



  Information Note


 

   

 

 

Opening Ceremony of ACE-BK for Women Empowerment

Training Workshop on Women Empowerment for Inclusive  Growth and Sustainable Development

International Study Visit on Women Empowerment Projects in Zanjan Province

August 30 – September 4, 2014

Zanjan, I. R. Iran

Please fill in these forms and e-mail to icd@agri-bank.com, shabanzad@agri-bank.com (cc: motamed@agri-bank.com) or fax to +98 21 88253625 not later than July 15, 2014

Name:

 

Position:

 

Organisation:    

Address:    

Tel:

 

Fax:

 

E-mail:

 

                 

Passport Particulars: (Prepare separately for accompanying person(s)

Full Name:

……………………………………

Nationality:

…………………………………..

Date of Birth:

……………………………………

Place of Birth:

……………………………………

Father's Name:

……………………………………

Passport No:

………………………………

Place of Issue:

……………………………………

Date of Issue:

 ………………………………………

Date of Issue:

 ………………………………………

Date of Expiry:

……………………………………

Place to Apply for Visa:

………………………………

         

ACCOMMODATION: (Please Tick)

Tehran

Azadi Grand Hotel  

Dr. Chamran Express Way, Evin Cross Road, Tehran 19976, Iran

Tel .: +98 21 29 112 ; Fax : +98 21 2234 4478   http://www.azaditehran.pih.ir

 

 

Single

Twin

Junior Suite

Royal Suite

Duplex Suite

Presidential Suite

 

Rls. 3,500,000

USD 145.00

Rls. 5,000,000

USD 210.00

Rls. 6,850,000

USD 280.00

Rls. 9,750,000

USD 400.00

Rls. 12,350,000

USD 500.00

Rls. 15,000,000

USD 610.00

               

*%15 services and %3 tax will be added to rates. The rates are subject to slight changes.

Zanjan

Zanjan Grand Hotel  (                  )

Address: Basij Square, Zanjan ; Tel: 0098 24 33788190 ; http://www.zanjangrandhotel.ir

Single

Double-bedded

Junior Suite

 

Rls. 1,760,000

USD 90.00

Rls. 2,670,000

USD 140.00

Rls. 3,730,000

USD 190.00

 

*%15 services and %3 tax will be added to rates. The rates are subject to slight changes.

FLIGHT DETAILS:

Date

Flight No.

From - To

Dept. Time

Arr. Time

Remarks