Ma’a al-Hubb (with love) from Abu Dhabi

Ksenia in Abu Dhabi at the Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference

6/15/26

By Ksenia Svetlova, ROPES CEO

This weekend I enjoyed a unique opportunity to represent ROPES at IDCT Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance conference in Abu-Dhabi. I came as a part of WCC (Women Champions for Change) amazing delegation, and this was the most overwhelming and encouraging experience that I had in quite a long time.

It was an unbelievable privelege to be among so many smart, great, intelligent and energetic women who change the world for the best in everything they do. So it was not just another conference where you meet people and then just forget about it. We met and just wanted to continue the interaction and felt sad that we need to part.

Second, as we know - timing is everything, and although I've been to the UAE many times, and also had a chance to explore beatiful Abu-Dhabi more than once, to be in the UAE in the midst of the war in Iran, when just a few weeks ago Iranian missiles kept flying above our heads and sirens went off in Dubai and other Emirati cities, was truly special. It's time when friends need to stand tall together, not only due to solidarity, but because we are stronger together.

And then there was the conference itself. It was great to listen to people with such different backgrounds and stories talk about what's important for all of us - tolerance, education, safety online and of course, peace. We know that there is always opportunity in change, and the time for that is now. In ROPES we believe and work for a post-conflict MIddle East, and although this reality seems to be distant from us know, to give up is simply not an option. Change will not come without a coordinated effort and great plan, and there will be thousands of baby steps on the way to this better future that we all deserve in the Middle East.

So now when we are back home, it's time to asses, evaluate and make concreted plans. Ideally, over brunch :)

Let's keep going!