Asian University for Women Hong Kong benefit raises over HK$7 million to empower female changemakers in Asia

AUW graduate Bayan Salaymeh (Class of 2014) shares her story

 AUW graduates from all over the world join Chief Executive Carrie Lam on stage before her keynote address

More than 400 guests attended the benefit presented by title sponsor Lancôme and main event sponsor Marriott International at the JW Marriott Ballroom. Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR Mrs. Carrie Lam opened the evening with an inspiring keynote address focused on the need for women's education and participation in society, before sharing her personal remarks on the essential qualities necessary for leadership. Her full address can be viewed online here. ^[2]

Mrs. Lam was followed by AUW Graduate Ms. Bayan Salaymeh (Class of 2014) who shared her journey from Palestine to AUW, to pursuing her masters at Goethe University in Frankfurt. Committed to becoming an agent for change, Bayan's determination was clear in her closing words: "AUW gave me the gift of education. It's my responsibility and my honour to use it well and give back to society." Storytelling continued with a lively conversation between AUW graduate Christina Tamang (Class of 2017) and Guneet Monga, followed by remarks of support from Pansy Ho and Ronnie Chan.

The evening climaxed in an exciting live auction presided by Christie's Chairman of Asian art Jonathan Stone, where incredible experiences were sold including a cultural excursion in Bhutan with AUW graduates, an internship with Nobel Peace Laureate Tawakkol Karman in Istanbul, and a 3-day internship with Guneet Monga, Executive Producer of the Oscar winning short documentary "Period. End of Sentence," on a film set in Mumbai.

Thank you to our Sponsors & Partners

AUW wishes to thank our sponsors and partners who made the benefit possible: Accenture, Advantage Partners, AIA, Bloomberg, Citi, Ctrip, Christie's, Cosmopolitan, Davis Polk, Debevoise & Plimpton, DFS, ERM, FleishmanHillard, HKEX, Human at Work, Jack Morton, J.P. Morgan, Lancôme, Linklaters, Marriott International, Mayer Brown, Media OutReach, Morgan Stanley, Point72, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Triangle Associates, UBS, Western Asset Management and ZTE.

References

1. ^{^} Media OutReach (www.media-outreach.com)
2. ^{^} Her full address can be viewed online here (isd.wecast.hk)