A delegation of approximately 30 Women Champions for Change (WCC) from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Iran, and Bahrain has returned home after a powerful week of engagement at the 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference (IDCT 2026) in Abu Dhabi.

Held under the theme “The Impact of New Media and AI on Family and Community,” the conference was sponsored by the Emirates Scholar Center for Research & Studies and the Abrahamic Family House. It brought together more than 4,500 participants, over 100 speakers, and representatives from more than 120 countries — creating one of the largest and most diverse platforms in the region for discussing how technology, media, identity, faith, and community are reshaping societies worldwide.

A Platform for Real Dialogue

The Abrahamic Family House — the striking interfaith complex that houses a mosque, church, and synagogue side by side — served as both inspiration and venue backdrop for conversations centered on coexistence. Delegates explored practical ways new technologies can either strengthen or strain family bonds and community trust, with a strong emphasis on ethical frameworks rooted in shared human values.

WCC delegates stood out by presenting a first-of-its-kind mapping of more than 130 women-led organizations actively shaping social change across the Middle East and North Africa. The presentation highlighted grassroots efforts in education, peacebuilding, economic empowerment, and family support — offering a data-driven picture of women as quiet but determined architects of regional progress.

Abu Dhabi — IDCT 2026

Cultural Exchange and Shared Humanity

Beyond the formal sessions, the delegation took part in meaningful cultural experiences, including a visit to the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Walking through its vast courtyards and prayer halls, women from five nations with complex histories stood together in a space that embodies the UAE’s vision of tolerance and openness. Many described the moment as deeply moving — a tangible reminder that dialogue across divides is not only possible but essential.

Why This Matters Now

In a region still navigating conflict, normalization, and rapid technological disruption, the presence of women from Israel alongside peers from the UAE, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Iran sent a clear message: shared challenges around family, identity, and technology transcend borders and politics.

The conference took place during the UAE’s declared Year of the Family (2026), adding extra weight to discussions on how AI and new media can be harnessed to protect, rather than erode, the social fabric that holds communities together.

WCC’s participation underscored a growing network of women who refuse to let regional tensions define their relationships. Their work — both the mapping project and the personal connections forged in Abu Dhabi — demonstrates that progress often happens not through grand declarations, but through persistent, person-to-person bridge-building.

Looking Ahead

As the delegation disperses back to their respective countries, the energy from Abu Dhabi travels with them. Many spoke of returning with renewed clarity, practical tools, and expanded partnerships to advance women-led initiatives that strengthen families and promote coexistence.

The 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference proved once again that Abu Dhabi has established itself as a genuine global hub for these conversations — where diverse voices, including those of women champions for change, can meet, listen, and chart a more hopeful path forward.