Ladies and Gentlemen Good Afternoon,

Terrorism is one of the greatest challenges we face. We have been combating this scourge for many years and yet our message is often diluted or simply lost. Unfortunately we tend to fall into superfluous assumptions and easy stereotypes which mislead us and give the wrong messages.

One thing is clear: our struggle against terrorism is not a clash of civilizations or a war against Islam – as it has tragically been perceived by many around the world. And yet the message is very simple and very strong:

First: Human dignity and the right to life itself are sacrosanct and as such not-negotiable.

Second: Human life has the same value in New York and Mumbai; In Athens, Istanbul, Madrid, Gaza and Jerusalem. And the pain of the loss of loved ones is felt the same across the world notwithstanding religion or nationality.

We are after all united by our common humanity.

Experience has shown that to deal effectively with terrorism we must fully engage women. Women are the pillars of their communities, societies and families holding the key to all efforts to understand and counter terrorism. But often they lack the necessary channels to communicate their message to others and feel disconnected from the rest of society.

This is why we propose to women from around the world to stand up and speak out.

-To unite their voices against terrorism.

-To protect their loved ones and at the same time human dignity and the right to life.

Women are after all the perfect symbolic messengers in the war against terrorism. Women could unite their efforts to fully demystify and de-legitimize terrorism once and for all.

We aim to empower women by raising awareness of the growing role that women are called to play, initiating a network of all those affected by terrorism and providing a platform for women to speak out against terrorism.

We will organize a conference on women and terrorism in Athens -the birthplace of human rights which developed to the democracy we cherish to this day – . under the Acropolis this coming spring to bring together community and leaders, scholars and victims.

Women Leaders through the established Women Leaders Working Group will spearhead this effort. They will provide guidance and raise the profile of the initiative.

I am happy to announce that Greece and Pakistan will co-chair the Board of Directors of this initiative. And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the valuable support offered by Secretary Rice and the US State Department.

Thank you.