Mothers Without Borders
The Phenomenology of Mothers’ Soft Power in
Peace Building
October 3 - 5, 2025


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Who Are We

We believe in building peace through the soft power of mothers.

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Event Venues

Wellesley College

Alumnae Ballroom
Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall, Wellesley Campus, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA

Harvard University

Gutman Library | Graduate School of Education
6 Appian Way, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Samberg Conference Center, Chang Building (E52)
50 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA

Who
Are We?

We believe in building peace through the soft power of mothers. By amplifying women’s voices in homes and communities, we foster dialogue, trust, and collaboration to address the root causes of conflict. We create networks that sustain global action for peace, while raising awareness about the impact of technology on families. We encourage healthy, balanced use of devices and guide children to stay safe online, unplug, and reconnect with the world around them.

About the Colloquium

The past decade has seen the rise of belligerents, extremist organizations, and terrorism both by individuals and states across the globe. These have resulted in stress, fear, and, at times, hopelessness. Questions abound as to what individuals, governments, institutions, cooperatives and persons aspiring to power and control of a new global world order could do differently to decrease anxiety and create hope. How could scholarship and actions be an added value in making the world a better place for generations yet unborn? Herein comes the vision of the Soft Powers of Mothers, new actors in the field to add positive energy to the way forward. Additionally, the youth curiosity, energy and savviness will be a game changer at our colloquium. We intend to interrogate the problem and dialogue ways forward, bringing a phenomenological lens to the question of power dynamics to do good. The event will seek to address how women, especially mothers could deliberately increase their presence and ideas in their homes and communities, mobilize other women to do the same, engage in dialogue by networking to diffuse tension and build trust. We will also address issues of gender-based violence, empowerment, and supporting each other. Additionally, we will follow up and work with existing structures that promote peace building, gender-sensitive training, gender stereotypes, participate more in decision making.

Presenter on stage at Google event
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A Forum For
Insight And
Collaboration

–Safiya Crawford
Attendee

Why Attend?

Engage with leading scholars and practitioners to examine mothers’ soft power in peace building, exchange diverse perspectives, and develop practical strategies for fostering sustainable peace.

Scholarly Perspectives

Explore cutting-edge research and phenomenological insights on the role of mothers’ soft power in shaping peace and social transformation.

Collaborative Dialogue

Participate in critical conversations that bridge diverse cultural, generational, and gender perspectives to address the root causes of conflict.

Practical Applications

Learn evidence-based strategies and community-centered approaches to peacebuilding, advocacy, and conflict resolution.

Global Engagement

Network with scholars, practitioners, and changemakers across disciplines and regions, fostering partnerships for sustainable impact.

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SPEAKERS

Peggy McIntosh

PEGGY MCINTOSH

EVENT SCHEDULE

Wellesley College, Alumnae Ballroom — Motherhood, Soft Power and Peace

  1. Breakfast & Background Music

    La Donna Musicale – Laury C. Gutierrez, Rumbarraco

  2. Welcome & Goodwill Messages

    Dr. Georgia Hall (Interim Executive Director, Wellesley Centers for Women), Dr. Wendy Wagner Robeson, Miranda Daniloff Mancusi, Dr. Lee Chen, Lt. Gen. Fernando Giancotti, Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, Princess Nahla Al-Qassimi, Arlene Lieberman, AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baju Mni — Pre-recorded: Dr. Layli Maparyan, HRH Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli Esq., Karen Spilka, Beryvan Avdoian

  3. Music composed for the Colloquium

    Coqui (Rey Rey Romero)

  4. Keynote Speakers

    Peggy McIntosh, Dr. Susan Bailey — Q&A

  5. Coffee Break

    Making Art with Lida

  6. Poetry

    Michelle Sweeny

  7. Keynote Speakers

    Sonja Lokar, Shaitia Spruell — Q&A

  8. Music composed for the Colloquium

    Coqui (Rey Rey Romero)

  9. Serial Testimonies

    Heyu (Katy) Guo, Alessandra Day, Amarachukwu Okigbo, Ella Pace, Kaianna Higa — Q&A

  10. Lunch

    Making Art with Lida

  11. Keynote Speakers

    Princess Nahla Al-Qassimi, Talat Rahman — Q&A

  12. Virtual & Pre-Recorded

    Hon. Imaan Ibrahim-Sulieman, Hon. MEP Ms. Cecilia Strada, Chief RAONI Metuktire, Ruth Abner

  13. Mothers / Women / Men Fashion Catwalk Display

  14. Kenner Lecture

    Tishman Commons at Wang Campus Center

  15. BBQ

    Sudbury, MA

Our Partners

AIT
Star Times
Channels
Wellesley Center for Women

Our Sponsors

Coceptual Limited
Antzhub Limited
The Peace Institute

Disclaimer

Notice of Photography and Filming

By registering for and/or entering this event, you acknowledge and agree that photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By your presence, you grant the organizers permission for photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event, without compensation.

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