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The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women's 'Peace Through Business' to Bring Aspiring Afghanistan and Rwandan Women Entrepreneurs to U.S.

OKLAHOMA CITY, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Although they come from different cultures and are in very different fields -- beekeeping, fuel distributor and Web site design -- 15 Afghanistan and 15 Rwandan women share a common goal: to learn self-sufficiency. Through the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women's (IEEW) Peace Through Business, these aspiring entrepreneurs will receive university business courses and mentorship from women business owners.

Upon arriving in July, the Afghan women will participate in a comprehensive entrepreneurship program at Northwood University in Midland, Mich., while the Rwandan women will study at Oklahoma Christian University's Academy of Leadership and Liberty inOklahoma City, Okla. Following three weeks of study, each participant receives a week of mentoring from a local business woman before returning to their home countries in August.

"This program is founded on a simple premise: It's possible to change the world by educating women about business and giving them the tools to achieve economic freedom," said IEEW President Terry Neese.

IEEW began its groundbreaking Peace Through Business initiative in the summer 2007 by partnering with the U.S. State Department, USAID and the US/Afghan Women's Council to host 12 women entrepreneurs fromAfghanistan.

"We are thrilled to once again host the Afghan participants of Peace Through Business that has brought new hope to the business women in Afghanistan," said Northwood University President and CEO Keith A. Pretty.

The success of IEEW's Peace Through Business program's first year led to a partnership with Oklahoma Christian University in bringing women fromRwanda.

"Women are a rising economic and societal force inRwanda," said Oklahoma Christian President Mike O'Neal. "We are proud to help give these women the business knowledge to revitalize their country."

For more information, visit http://www.ieew.org.

About The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW)

IEEW is a 501(c)3 nonprofit empowering women to grow their businesses, pursue greater entrepreneurial ventures and become more active public policy advocates.

About Northwood University

Northwood University is a private, nonprofit, accredited university specializing in managerial and entrepreneurial education offering four-year degrees in a variety of enterprise fields. Visit http://www.northwood.edu.

About Oklahoma Christian University

Oklahoma Christian, a "Best Midwestern College" according to The Princeton Review, is a private, four-year university. Visit http://www.oc.edu.

SOURCE The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women

Tags: Banking and Finance, , oklahoma

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