Built on the foundation of self-expression, sharing stories, sincerity and most of all, human connection. 'Here to Listen' series of virtual talks is a joining of forces, a safe place to speak freely, a way to harness identity and an opportunity to use this time to identify tools that will help us stay connected and overcome the struggles of now, as well as providing learnings that will withstand the pandemic and create success when life returns to ‘normal’.

In a period where these sentiments are more important than ever before, we host a carefully curated a collective of regional women and powerful organizations to discuss the current struggles facing all women during one of the most disruptive periods in our lives.

To support the organizations involved, a percentage of sales from the Special Edition Floating Promise series will go to the participating organizations to support their non profit activities, funding services and support to abused women, funding wellness checks, subsidizing long term therapy for healthcare workers and more.

 

 

“MKS Jewellery is born out of the love for self-expression, it is the ultimate treasure and so if we can give the woman we will. This initiative aligns with our values in the importance of sharing your story and sentiments.

 

This pandemic has brought up so many questions and discomforts to us all, equally giving us all perspective and forcing us all to rethink and check in on our value systems. I love that this initiative gives us the opportunity to come together to try to make sense of it all, and hopefully take forward some valuable learnings forward too. I’m endlessly grateful to Georgie Bradley for coming together with us on this and the inspiring women that stand behind this cause and give their time to come together and to give back through their much-needed organizations, they inspire us to be better people every day.

 

Within these series each one of us steps up to say that we are all thinking of you and that we are here to listen. This pandemic has touched the lives of every single person and has shown us that we are all in this together. Physical boundaries have only shown us how much we actually care and need one another, I hope MKS Cares will be as inspiring to you as it has been to me, and to raise our hands when we need to talk, because we are here for each other.”

 

 - H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Khalifa bin Saif Al Nahyan

 

 

#1 on 'Finding Certainty in Uncertainty'

 


In the wake of COVID-19 we find that the unknown is a theme we all deal with in our own ways. This discussion aims to make sense of it all, and explore how we can harness the power of 'Now'. Exploring tips and tools that allow us to find the freedom as we embrace the unknown and the practicalities of it too.

Panelists Dr. Saliha Afridi | The LightHouse Arabia, UAE, Rebecca Anne Proctor | Journalist, UAE, Alaa Balkhy | Digital Creator, NYC/KSA. Moderated by Georgie Bradley | UAE

 

#2 on 'Connecting and Reaching Out' 

 
We have all found ourselves in isolation, be it in being away from loved ones and the world or in confinement, are you alone or is it too noisy where you are? Either way we have all been touched by this, be it in the silence and or the noise. Join the conversation that explores how we are all dealing with it and what are the healthy ways forward in these circumstances.

Panelists; Sundus Hussein | Abolish 153, Kuwait, Laila Saif | Illuminations, UAE, Noor Tehini | Co-founder Goodness, UAE, Hind Beljafla | UAE. Moderated by Georgie Bradley, UAE

 

 

#3 In Arabic on 'How are we Expressing Ourselves'

 


في جميع أنحاء العالم يتم تنقيح فكرة المكان الخاص مقابل العام بشكل كامل. خلال إقامتنا في المنزل، نجد نفسنا أكثر اتصالا من أي وقت مضى، لدرجة أن الحدود قد تم طمسها. هل تجد نفسك مكشوفاً في مساحتك الخاصة؟ انضم إلى أعضاء فريقنا لفهم كل شيء واستكشاف ما هي الآثار الثقافية على هذا.
Across the world the idea of a place that is private vs. public is being completely revised. During our stay at home, we find ourselves more connected than ever, so much so that boundaries have been blurred. Are you finding yourself exposed in your private space? Join our panelists to make sense of it all and to explore what the cultural impacts are on this.

Panelists; Hala Kazim | Social Entrepreneur, UAE, Haya Al Khalifa | Life Coach, Bahrain, Nada Baeshen | Kuwait, Moderated by Dr. Alanoud Al Sharekh | Founder of Abolish 153, Kuwait

 

 

#4 On 'Standing up for Yourself and Each Other'

 

This panel raises an important issue on domestic violence, gender dynamics and standing up for yourself and others around you. Reports of heightened risks of domestic abuse as well as the effects of it during COVID-19. Join our panelists as they break the silence and offer insight into this.

Panelists, Mary-Justine Todd | Shamsaha, Bahrain, Laila Saif | Illuminations, UAE, Hadil | UAE, Moderated by Georgie Bradley | UAE

 

We invite you to discover these organizations and see how they are support and manage crisis in our societies, be it through coaching, crisis management, advocacy, emotional therapy and coaching.

 

Shamsaha is the first and only women’s crisis response program in the Middle East based out of Bahrain. Illuminations is Dubai’s leading wellbeing platform for holistic healing, mental health and personal growth, recently opening a branch in Abu Dhabi too. Abolish 153 is a Kuwaiti community working to abolish Article 153 of the Kuwaiti Penal Code and end all forms of violence against women in the Arab region. The LightHouse Arabia a community mental health and wellness clinic located in Dubai.

 

We are also ultra grateful to all the girls that showed up, and to Nour Flayhan for the stunning piece of art she created for this campaign